Embracing woven shirts -- any tips? - YouLookFab Forum

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Embracing woven shirts -- any tips?

April

Veteran

I think before YLF, I would not have recognized the distinction between knits and woven fabrics. Now that I'm aware of it, I realize I tend not to wear wovens. I don't like ironing (and my dry cleaner, who is otherwise dear to me, isn't the greatest at pressing) and I find woven shirts hard to fit.

I have had several wovens tailored -- waist needs to be taken in if the shoulders and bust fit -- but I still tend to avoid them and I don't find them very comfortable when I do wear them.

Yet, I know they look more polished and are more recommended for middle-aged women such as myself. Any suggestions on how to make friends with wovens?

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Sihaya

Kristine

Veteran

I'm relatively new to wovens, but now I really love them. The right shirt makes all the difference. I look for some stretch and a slim fit. Otherwise, they're just too bulky and uncomfortable.

I have one sheer black button down that has some knit panels along the sides. You'd never know from looking at it and it's very comfortable. I usually don't iron mine unless I wear them alone, but you can also find nice quality no-iron shirts.

So I guess all button downs aren't created equal, you just have to find the right cut. My favorite so far is the JCrew slim fit, although there are some things I'd change about that one too. I've heard Brooks Brothers makes a good quality shirt in a few different cuts.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but I've found a lot of difference between a $20-30 shirt and a $50-60 shirt. Once you figure out which style works for you, then you can find them cheaper on Ebay or on sale.

JuliaInGermany

I love woven shirts a lot!

Have you tried cotton shirts with a bit of stretch? It makes a lot of difference in how comfortable they are. You could also try a looser tunika style to get used to shirts. As for ironing, well, there's no way around it, I'm afraid. There are "easy ironing" shirts, but they are usually pure cotton and don't stretch. So probably not as comfortable for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

April, why are woven shirts hard to fit?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Just remember that a woven top doesn't have to be a fitted button front. I have a hard time fitting those type, but I am loving other types of woven tops lately. Here are some examples to help you:

http://tinyurl.com/y9844tm

http://tinyurl.com/y8g4sz2

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....pid=730422

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....pid=739936

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStor.....ap+Top.jsp

April

Veteran

Angie, I think it's because if they fit across the shoulders, they are way too big in the lower half.

Kristine -- I think you're probably dead on about finding the right cut. Since I tend not to enjoy wovens, I tend not to try them on, so I haven't found the right one.

PM - thank you for the reality check about the need to iron. I should probably just accept it and stop whining.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I bet I could find you a shirt that fits! Where have you tried, April?

April

Veteran

Let's see. At this moment, the wovens I have are from Esprit, Talbots, and Coldwater Creek. I definitely had the CC one tailored, the Esprit one is as is, and the Talbots one still has the tags on because I'm not sure about whether I should keep, keep and tailor, or not keep. Since I'm home during (another) snowstorm, would pictures be helpful?

I also have one by Adam, but not sure it counts because it's gauzy and floaty and not meant to be overly fitted. I think.

marianne

Re: button downs - BR now has "no-iron" shirts, although I haven't tried them. You could easily have darts added to take them in at the waist.
Re: ironing in general, I find it quite relaxing. I usually combine it with other activities, like watching TV, listening to music or just watching the kids.

Maya

Veteran

April,

Dare I say that I am far harder to fit in wovens than you are! And I'm POSITIVE that I'm far lazier about ironing. So I sympathize, but if I can find woven tops, surely anyone can

I have some wovens from NY&Co that Tanya gave me which are amazing because they don't require ironing and they fit over my massive bosom (well, there is a buttondown that doesn't, but it works with the top button undone and a cami underneath). They have a very high stretch content, which is great because it makes them fit and relieves me of any ironing obligations, but the drawback is that they don't look quite as crisp as other wovens and the material is rather thin. Still nicer than knits, though.

Woven tops that aren't buttondowns seem to work best on me. I haven't found a single buttondown that will close over my chest but still fit everywhere else. Angie has witnessed this phenomenon. Tops that have side zips are my friends. I guess since your fit issue is in the shoulder rather than in the bust, this might not help you necessarily, but it's worth considering what kind of woven top you're trying.

Honestly, I would be happy to just alter my tops if altering worked for me, but it doesn't. My issue is that if I go up in size, it is way too big in the shoulders *and* the waist. The waist is easy enough to have taken in, but the shoulders? There is no hope if the shoulders don't fit. I mean, I'm sure an extremely skilled seamstress could do it, but it would probably be very costly and there is lots of potential to screw it up. I don't think it's worth it for the H&M top I tried with Angie :p

So with that said, I think since your shoulders are your "fussy bits," it is probably a lot easier for you to get the necessary alterations as you can fit your biggest part and easily have the rest taken in.

By all means post pics. It's the only way to know! I remember when Angie did the blog post on Talbots, she found their smallest size much too big though, so I am skeptical!

Anonymous

Nordstroms Foxcroft shirts are very nice and don't really need ironing. However, I'm like Marianne in that ironing is a treat that allows me to watch tv or listen to a tape or just think/daydream without feeling guilty. It's also a good time for a long phone conversaton (on speaker phone).

April

Veteran

Khris -- we must have been posting at the same time because I only just saw your intriguing list of links. I guess I always assume that a woven top that isn't a fitted button-down with stretch is not going to be sleek enough and/or won't have enough "drape" to be flattering, but your list is making me question that assumption. And of course, I had completely forgotten about silk.

Marianne, maybe I don't like ironing because the ironing board is in my dank basement. Bringing it upstairs is an appealing thought, but where to store it....

April

Veteran

Maya -- I think the issue with Angie and Talbot's clothing is that she is not "petite" (meaning short). Their petites line goes down one size smaller than their regular line, but the petite sleeves and torso length wouldn't work for willowy Angie. They often don't even work for me.

Joy -- I will add Foxcroft to my list of shirts to try!

April

Veteran

Okay, here are two woven buttondowns. These are off the rack, no tailoring.

Esprit deep magenta shirt:

http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....G_0568.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....G_0567.jpg

Talbot's pale green sateen:

http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....G_0570.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....G_0571.jpg

Do these fit? Do they need to be tailored? Or should I begin anew with different shirts?

Maya

Veteran

The Talbots one looks huge on you, but is quite luxurious-looking, so probably worth altering. The Esprit one is big but it looks like it could pass for a relaxed fit rather than being a fitted shirt, if you're okay with that. If you want it to look fitted, it might be better to alter. When I wear buttondowns that fit (disregarding the bust for a moment), I don't have nearly that much fabric to pull on. Maybe an inch at the absolute most.

April

Veteran

Really? An inch?

April

Veteran

That is not a skeptical question, above -- more a somewhat despairing recognition that I still cannot tell what fits and what doesn't.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such great options for April!

Try H&M, BR, Club Monaco, Express, Bennetton, Zara and INC. Asap. Try woven blouses too.

Maya, there is no problem fitting you in woven blouses :0)

shana

Veteran

April, both of those shirts look a little on the loose side to me. Have you tried a store that has more of a juniors fit - express, zara, club monaco come to mind? Also, I think Maya has a good point about those shirts that zip at the sides - they never work on me because they are always too fitted in the waist section but I could see how this would work for you.

shana

Veteran

Oops, Angie, we must have been writing at the same time! At least I am echoing your thoughts!!

Maya

Veteran

Angie! You saw for yourself :p 36 was too small, 38 was too big. Most of my side zip tops "fit" but do look rather snug across the bust, which is about the best I can hope for. Also, I don't know if it's just me, but I have a devil of a time wrangling myself out of my woven tops! I have heard the sound of seams ripping on more than one occasion. I don't know if this is common or if it's just because mine don't fit quite right.

I know I could put a cami under all my buttondowns but that's not a solution to me. It's like being able to wear something ONLY with shapewear.

April, I might be off on my measurements, but there really isn't a lot of fabric for me to tug at. They are quite fitted. I'll try and take a picture tomorrow, when the sun is hopefully back out. Or maybe I'll just wear one for you next weekend

April

Veteran

Shana, I guess I tend to think that places with a juniors fit will also have a juniors vibe, and I am way too old for such a thing. But for a standard, woven button-down with stretch, I will have to take a look.

Maya -- yes, a picture would be wonderful! I was trying to find one on the blog of Angie wearing a woven buttondown to see how much extra fabric there was around the hem. I only saw the recent tunic posts, but I think tunics are supposed to be a roomier fit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Of course I remember, Maya! I'm talking about woven blouses - not shirts. The silky kind.

Maya

Veteran

Yes, well, as long as they are voluminous or stretchy, and I don't rip them apart trying to get them off! :p You are right though Angie, they are not that difficult for me.

I want that INC blouse I tried on NOW. At this very moment. I'm also going to go back to Macys and try on that hook-n-eye shirt if they have my size this time.

Hopefully a pussy bow blouse is going to show up in my future! There are so many woven tops I am coveting right now!

Sihaya

Veteran

Another vote for trying Foxcroft. They work really well for me. Also, if they're slightly loose, I throw on a tailored jacket on top and it does a great job of hiding it.