Ask Angie: Perfect Shirt Length?

karen13

Do you have current guidance on where shirts and tops should end? I know it can vary with the type of bottoms - skirt vs pants, high vs low waisted. And tops can be cropped, tunic and everywhere in between.

I recently found a discussion in YFL from a number of years ago (can't seem to find it again to link) but I'm not sure if style has changed over time. I'm particularly curious about t-shirts/knits vs. button downs, as well as straight hems vs, curved/shirttail.

Personally I'm petite and shortwaisted and I really struggle with this.

7 years ago

Dressing

6 replies

Latest reply was from Shelly

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Karen, these days there are no general guidelines. It's ALL about the proportions of your outfit (traditionally flattering or JFE), and your figure flattering priorities, (which can run the gamut).

Some outfits look best with short tops, and others with long. Are you going to semi tuck to create structure and elognate the leg line? Throw in high or low contrasts, or flats or heels - and things became even more specific. Take it one outfit at a time.

Generally though, a fit and flare skirt looks best with a short top - baggy, fluid or fitted.

7 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I am 5'3" and short waisted too. What Angie said aboutl lengths, but I also consider the types of fabrics. Thinner fabrics, especially knits, can sort of cling across the back making for unflattering rear. To solve this I size up. I do not so much worry about length. For me,anything longer has to have enough substance to hang away from the body.

7 years ago

shedev

Veteran

I'm petite and short waisted. I wear my tops a little long to balance out my top and bottom halves.

7 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I go by proportions. I try to have my top and bottom in a proportion of 2:3, so the bottom half is 1.5 times as long as the top half. So if I'm wearing full-length bottoms, I can wear a longer top, but if I'm wearing ankle pants or crops, I can get by with a shorter one.

I'm short waisted too, so when I tuck, I like to wear ankle pants rather than full-length pants to keep the proportions the way I like them.

I generally find that a lot of tops do well ending a couple of inches above the crotch area (if I'm going to wear them outside and not tuck). If a top comes all the way to my crotch, it usually ends up splitting me in half from top to bottom and isn't flattering.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Very helpful. I will start looking at proportions. I should have been doing this all along, but I must have forgotten over time.

7 years ago

Shelly

Active Member

I am petite and short-waisted. I like my tops to finish just below my hip bone but definitely above the widest part of my hip/thigh. That way the horizontal is not at my widest part and also doesn't cling over my backside.

7 years ago

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