A Letter From Rose
The Turtleneck for Women Who Hate Turtlenecks
Soft instead of itchy, relaxed instead of tight, and it doesn't make you look bigger. Here's why the Aurora changed my mind.
Every fall, once the evenings in Florida finally cool down, the women in our boutique ask me for the same thing: a sweater that feels like a hug.
And almost every time, they add: "But not a turtleneck. I can't stand anything tight around my neck." Or: "Not wool, it makes me itch." Or: "Nothing chunky, it makes me look twice as wide." I understand all of it. I've said every one of those things myself.
So many women end up in the same thin black cardigan every winter. I think we deserve something softer, warmer and prettier than that.
I want to be honest with you: I didn't design the Aurora. Olivia and I started out as fashion designers in Italy, but these days we hand-pick the pieces for our boutique. After a lifetime in fashion, I can tell within seconds whether a knit is made with care, and most go straight back.
I'll admit I almost passed on this one, simply because it's a turtleneck. Then I pulled it over my head, and I changed my mind. Here's why.
Soft enough to wear right against your skin
The first thing I do with any sweater is hold it against my neck. Most wool feels scratchy within minutes. The Aurora is knitted from a soft cashmere blend, and it feels gentle and warm, even without a shirt underneath.
★★★★★"I stopped buying wool sweaters years ago because they always made my skin itch. This one feels wonderfully soft and gentle against my skin. I can wear it comfortably without needing a shirt underneath. Such a lovely change!"
Dorothy F., Asheville, NC
A turtleneck that doesn't feel tight
This is the part I was most skeptical about. The collar on the Aurora is rolled and relaxed. It sits softly around your neck instead of gripping it, so you get the cozy look of a turtleneck without that closed-in feeling.
★★★★★"I love the look of turtlenecks, but at 63 I can't stand anything tight around my neck. The collar on this sweater feels loose and comfortable without losing its shape. It keeps that cozy look without making me feel restricted."
Helen G., Traverse City, MI
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Relaxed, without making you look bigger
This is what Olivia checked first. Chunky knits often add inches everywhere. The Aurora has a relaxed shape that falls loosely over the tummy and hips, so nothing clings, but it doesn't swallow you either. You look comfortable and put together.
★★★★★"I'm 67 and prefer sweaters that don't cling around my stomach or hips. This one has such a lovely relaxed fit. It falls naturally without looking oversized or shapeless. I feel comfortable and nicely put together."
Marjorie T., Fayetteville, AR
It looks far more expensive than it is
Look closely at the knit. Wavy cables run across the front and down the sleeves, with delicate open-knit details in between. It gives the sweater that rich, handmade look you usually only find in much more expensive boutiques, and the open knit keeps it from feeling heavy.
★★★★"I was drawn to the beautiful cable-knit pattern, but wondered whether it would look as nice in person. The textured knitting gives it such a lovely, almost handmade appearance. It looks elegant without feeling like a heavy, bulky sweater."
Doreen H., Portsmouth, NH
Soft colors that brighten your face
As the years go by, black and gray can make us look tired. The Aurora comes in two soft shades: a light, airy blue and a warm beige. Both bring light back to your face and go with almost everything already in your closet.
★★★★★"At 61, I've noticed that darker colors don't always flatter my complexion anymore. This soft blue is so pretty near my face and makes me feel much brighter. It's a lovely change from the black and gray sweaters I usually wear."
Lorraine B., St. Augustine, FL
Made for the body you have today
We carry the Aurora from XS all the way to 3XL. It has a relaxed fit, so there's room for a blouse underneath, and it still fits comfortably under a coat. My advice: check the size chart before you order. And if it isn't right, you have 30 days to send it back.
★★★★★"I was hesitant about ordering a sweater online because sizing can be unpredictable. I followed the size guide and really like the relaxed fit. There's room for a blouse underneath, and it still feels comfortable under my winter coat."
Gwendolyn P., Cedar Rapids, IA
The Aurora, against the sweaters you usually find
Why it's only $59.95 right now
After nearly 45 years in America, Olivia and I have decided it's time to retire from the boutique and spend more time with our husbands, our children and our grandchildren here in Florida.
The Aurora is part of our final collection. When a size or color is gone, we won't be restocking it. So instead of carrying it into another season, we're saying goodbye to it with our Retirement Sale.
Aurora | Cable Knit Turtleneck Sweater
$119.95$59.95Retirement Sale, Save 50%
- Soft cashmere blend, gentle on the skin
- Rolled, relaxed turtleneck collar
- Cable knit with delicate open-knit details
- Light blue or warm beige
Sizes XS to 3XL · Free UPS shipping · 30-day money-back guarantee
See if your size is still available →Buy 2, get an extra 10% off · Buy 3, get 15% · Buy 4 or more, get 20%. Applied automatically at checkout.
Our Retirement Sale is coming to an end.
Buy 2 get 10%, buy 3 get 15%, buy 4 or more get an extra 20% off. When your size is gone, it's gone.
I don't usually write letters like this. But after a lifetime in fashion, I know when a piece is worth telling you about. If you've given up on turtlenecks, or on soft sweaters altogether, I hope you give this one a chance before your size is gone.
Thank you for giving two Italian sisters a home, a community and a lifetime of memories here in Florida.
With love, Rose 🤍
See the Aurora →