I’m on the Boatneck Boat
I became a certified boatneck truther over the summer after buying two (now unfortunately mostly sold-out) tees during a really good sale at Kotn. And perhaps it’s confirmation bias, but it feels like the neckline is everywhere right now. It’s a classic transitional-weather piece for fall: Obviously, you don’t want to bundle up with a turtleneck just yet, but it’s getting a bit too cold to be exposing your entire neck in a scoop-neck situation. The boatneck hits that perfect mix of a little sexy (exposed collarbone) and a little structured (see every marine top). Plus it’s a good excuse to wear a bra with cute straps.
My collection thus far
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The Goodwill gods really blessed me with this find last winter. Now I love it so much that I need to buy a few more colors full price. I own it in the ivory shade, which I use for all kinds of layering. It looks nice with a tank top or tee layered on top — a method that also shows off my tattoos a little. During chilly weather, I like to wear is as a whisper-thin (but surprisingly warm!) layer under a sweater. I always wash in a lingerie bag and air-dry it, and it’s held up very well with minimal pilling. It’s very stretchy; mine is an extra large, but I could easily size down to a large or even a medium.
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Purveyor of fine sergercore attire Baserange obviously makes a nice boatneck. I purchased mine on sale at END. in hen yellow, which the brand no longer makes. It’s a bit revealing on its own, so if I decided to repurchase it, I would probably opt for black. While the fabric is fairly stretchy, I did have to size up a little to an extra large. Fair warning that the sleeves are extremely long (which is usually my preference).
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After my dabbling with long-sleeve boatnecks, this was the tee that actually cemented my dedication to the cause. I own it in the blue-on-blue stripe pictured here as well as solid black. Normally, I like the neckline to be a little less dramatic; it often slips off one shoulder, which actually makes me feel very character in a mid-century film set in the French Riviera. The fabric has some stretch and is incredibly soft — par for the course for Kotn. And the banded hem ensures everything sits nicely and doesn’t expose my midriff too much.
It seems to be sold out in most colors and sizes, but sign up for the wait list; hopefully, it won’t be too long before the company brings it back! In the meantime, this tee from Gap is similar.
Everything else I’ve got my eye on
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This Best in Class long-sleeve is nearly always on sale. It is quite stretchy and falls “between light- and mid-weight,” says creative strategist Carrie Carrollo, but the fabric still “feels substantial.” There was a point in time when she was wearing it weekly, and after every wash, it seemed “to only be getting softer.”
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And I’m loving the sleeve length on this inexpensive tee from Gap Factory.
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An option with a pocket, straight from the Strategist Fall 100.
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Cleo Tee
A lot of alt-celebs — think Clairo, Audrey Hobert, Zoë Kravitz, Phoebe Bridgers — own this tee from Cleo. Writer Kitty Guo is also a fan: “It’s made out of a comfortable fine-rib cotton that sits close to the skin for a flattering, body-skimming silhouette with quarter-length sleeves perfect for showing off your bracelets,” she says. Writer Kat Gillespie also recently joined the camp: “I got this because the reversible nature of it really tickled me and I am always looking for a top that can be worn both day and night,” she says. “It’s the perfect top to wear when you don’t know what to wear. The other night I wore it to see David Byrne at Forest Hills, then attend my friend’s ‘bisexual awareness party’ in Bushwick afterwards.”
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As our senior writer Liza Corsillo says, this splurgy option from Flore Flore is “the kind of T-shirt I imagine rich people have in multiples but I save for the days I want to look rich.” And the neckline “shows off a totally appropriate amount of clavicle,” she adds.
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For a three-quarter-length sleeve that’s a fraction of the price, this one from Kotn fits the bill.
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A little ruching at the waist takes the silhouette of this boatneck up a notch.
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Same theory here, though the shorter sleeves make it better for date night.
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It’s never too early to buy next year’s summer boatneck, especially when it comes recommended by two Strategist staffers.
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Deputy editor Simone Kitchens liked the aforementioned tank top so much that she immediately purchased this version too. Ava Dunn, who manages a prop-rental studio in New York City, told us the baby-rib fabric is super soft and flattering. “It looks good on everyone,” she says. “I’ve convinced many friends to join me in owning every color.”
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My two current obsessions — boatnecks and pointelle fabric — rolled into one.
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I’ve yet to venture into the world of boatneck cardigans. Once I do, this raspberry-striped number is at the top of my wish list.
Oddli’s dual-buttoned tops and dresses have been courting me for months.
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The bell sleeves on this boatneck dress are a nice touch.
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Rat Boi’s polka-dot mini also speaks to me — and would look lovely with colorful tights.
More From The Strategist
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- The Strategist Fall 100
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
