Ryka Dia Corewarmer Shirt : Fancy but Never Fussy

My Ryka Dia Corewarmer shirt has become a favorite because I can wear it on a three-mile hike to work and still look great when I get there - without having to sport sweat stains all day.

I love how the super soft Tencel fabric is fitted but not skintight, skimming my curves nicely. The Dia Corewarmer is cut long in the waist, so I don't have to worry about baring my stomach when I reach up for something. The sleeves are cut long too.

The sleeves flare slightly at the wrist, and feature a rolled edge. It's a subtle, feminine touch without being superfluous or adding style that would get in the way of function. As a woman who is fond of scrambling around on rocks and hiking in the mud, and who also likes to feel pretty, these are the type of details I appreciate.

Another, not-so-little touch that makes the Ryka Dia Corewarmer one of my favorite shirts: the cowl neck. (You can also wear the shirt off the shoulders, but I never do.) Before I got this shirt, I thought of cowl necks as nice but kind of fussy, not the kind of thing you would want on an everyday garment. Needless to say, I've changed my tune. The cowl is immensely flattering, highlighting the collarbones and the decolletage without exposing too much, and, surprisingly, it doesn't get in the way. I'm an A cup and this shirt looks good on me, but its stretchiness, generous length, and cowl neck make me think that bustier gals could really rock it.

I am lucky enough to have two Dia Corewarmer shirts, one in Quartz (pale blue) and one in Seaspray (sea-foam green). The colors are soft but rich, like those in a watercolor painting of the ocean. They remind me of candy. Since the shirts are thin (but not at all flimsy!) and stretchy, and have a sort of diaphanous look, they are deliciously layerable. It's my favorite way to wear them.

The Dia Corewarmer is made out of proprietary Tencel fabric. It's feather light, dries fast, insulates, and still allows air to circulate. I never feel too hot or too cold when I wear this shirt.  

Bottom LIne: Layerable, lightweight and flattering, the Ryka Dia Corewarmer shirt became an instant staple in my spring / summer wardrobe. It fits true to size, yet its gentle stretchiness makes it forgiving when you get your period and gain 8 pounds overnight or overdose on Ben & Jerry's. Did I mention it's really cute? Truly a girl's best friend.--S.G. (June 2008)

Price: $50

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Manufacturer's Site: www.ryka.com