Tops for an ape hourglass

Elly

Hi ladies!

I seem to be posting a lot today, but I think I have figured out what I was trying to ask.

I moved to a cold climate recently and need some fall and winter clothes asap (I have to order online, so clothes I order now might not get to me until the third week of September, and I will need fall clothes by the end of the month). I go to school and work in an environment where casual is appropriate, but I would like to look put together and perhaps a bit more professional.

I have some good bootcut jeans that will probably be the basis of many outfits and I might pick up a pair of microcheck type pants, and possibly a pair of skinny jeans, but am not worried about finding these. I don't have any skirts or dresses appropriate for fall or winter, but these aren't high on my priority list.

I am really having a hard time finding shirts/sweaters/jackets to fit and flatter. I am a curvy hourglass, but I am also 5'8" and have long arms. I often have to size up in tops to fit my bust and shoulders, and sometimes cannot wear regular length l/s tops. I have a 13 inch difference between my hips and waist, so it can be very difficult to find anything that fit the bust without having me swimming in the waist. Nipped blazers seem to be the best jacket silhouette, but generally can looked overdressed in our very casual community unless in casual fabrics. Woven shirts are very hard to fit, and I need a tall or tunic length to be able to belt without the shirt becoming short. However, tunics can somtimes fall at weird places then. I have similar problems with dresses-- even fitting styles don't fit and belting can make a dress too short.

I have seen a few pieces that have caught my eye, but they haven't been the right size, shape or price for me. I have found some plain colored l/s tees that will probably work, and some plain cardis that fall around the hip that might be flattering, depending on how rectangular they look on me. However, I think that the plain t's and cardis, even dressed up with accessories could fast turn into a boring formula.

Does anyone have any ideas for brands to look into or other top or topper styles to look for? I have been looking for close to 3 weeks and seem to be at a loss as to what would flatter and add a little style to my look.

15 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Just two quick suggestions- look for tops in Tall sizes so that the sleeves fit, and remember that you can get tops altered at the waist so that they fit you better.
Good luck!

15 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Thanks chewy---

I will look for tall sizes-- not sure who caries them in shirts and the more casual jackets except GAP-- AT, Loft, NY&Co, and J Crew all seem to have tall sizes, but only on a few items-- mostly suiting. Any idea who else carries them?

Tailoring is something I will have to look into. I sew (fairly well) and have also taken items to tailors in the past and have often been told that it was impossible to take a shirt in enough for it to show my shape without the price of the tailoring being really high or ruining the cut of the garment. I did have one blouse and one jacket (that have since moved on) tailored, but the alterations were so expensive because the lady literally had to recut part of the shirt, put new seams in, and add darts. I have also had shirts ruined in the process of trying. The jacket was even more expensive since it also had a lining. Obviously I can't afford to do that with most tops and it is pretty difficult to alter the waist size of knitwear unless it has side seams.

Minor alterations I can probably do or afford to have done, but the tops would have to start with a fairly small waist in relation to the bust to make it a possibility.

15 years ago

Anonymous

Ack! I had a note here that got lost! Anyway, it sounds like a wrap or faux wrap style would be becoming on your figure. I'd suggest Sweet Pea or Karen Kane mesh tops. I had examples that I'll try to find again. They can be layered over tees and turtlenecks for warmth. Size up on these.
Also check out the Gap and Michael Kors tops in the YLF store for a comfortable top to wear with jeans or pants.
Karen Kane: Look at the leopard print (4th in 3rd row) for example of the style. There are many types of prints in this style.
http://www.myshape.com/tops-te.....arel/34/11
First one: http://www.myshape.com/tops-te.....parel/34/5
Sweet Pea: third row, 4th top
http://www.myshape.com/tops-te.....parel/34/7

15 years ago

Anonymous

Elly, I just saw some of the tunics Maya posted on page 2 of the AnnTaylor Loft thread started by Angie and thought of you.

15 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I second the idea of sweaters and tops in tall sizes at places like the Gap. Online will be your best best for the widest variety of tall options. Maybe give up on trying to find tons of long-sleeved button downs; perhaps go for the 3/4 sleeve button-tabbed shirts that are so prevalent and cute right now.

For example, gap.com has cardigans in tall sizes in a variety of colors, on sale:

http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=749444092

Buy one or two in nice colors, get a nice cute belt, belt the cardigan, and voila!

15 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Thanks jonesy-- I figured that is what I might have to do.

I love the 3/4 sleeve cuffed shirts that are pretty popular, however, I can't wear them alone here in the fall/winter without an over or underl ayer. I could wear a substantial cotton l/s blouse or something in a thicker fabric like corduroy, but I think 3/4 or light cotton will be too cold. The temps will be in the 50s and low 60s in "fall" and colder in winter. I don't tolerate anything much below 70 or so without long sleeves because of my poor circulation (my forearms, calves, feet and hands will be freezing while my core will be fine).

Would they look funny with a l/s t-shirt under them for fall?

Obviously because of the detail on the sleeves I couldn't wear a cardi over, it would have to be a jacket and those are hard to find.

They would be too cold for winter, even with a layer I think.

Unfortunately, patterned or detailed l/s tees and tops in tall seem to be hard to come by, and the same for cardis. I know that necklaces and scarves can do some to change the look, but I am afraid I am going to end up wearing the same three cardis over the same ten tees.

I have a prof that wears a pair of slacks, a cami, and the same general fit of cardi with a pair of ballet flats every day. She looks great-- but I would really like to look more creative.

15 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Elly,

I totally sympathize with you, I have a relatively similar figure: 12" waist/hip difference, and while I am 5'6", I have long torso and upper body so always struggle with length there too. Here is what I have found that works:

1. Wrap tops/shirts/sweaters/dresses : they are the most flattering cut for our figure, since the waist can be adjusted, and it gets accentuated.

2. The very opposite: volume or "surrendering the waist" as Angie calls it. If the top/blouse is meant to be voluminous, than there is no waist fit issue.

3. Alterations: I know that you are not too thrilled about this, but for many woven items it is the only way to go. I have to take the waist taken in for almost of my pants, and most of my non-voluminous woven tops and dresses. Also, you can get tunic length shirts and have them shortened to whatever length you want.

4. Belting - if an item is only a bit loose at the waist, a great belt can solve that easily.

5. Knits are generally much easier to fit since they are stretchy.

6. European and Canadian brands ( Benetton, Zara, Mango, Club Monaco, French Connection) tend to cut their items longer and narrower, so I have had luck with shirts there.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There you go! I was hoping that Tanya would chime in. Please tell me that you are open to belting, Elly.

15 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

It sounds like you are a student, is that right? So, definitely on a budget? What is your style? Classic with a twist, boho/creative, edgy...? Your style will help to determine what you need.

Also might want to try eddiebauer.com for tall sizes. They have some decent long-sleeved t-shirts and sweaters. Basic, but reasonably priced and good for layering.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/W...../index.cat

15 years ago

Elly

Veteran

Sorry about that Joy, didn't see your post at first. I will look into the tops. I agree that the false wraps and wraps look good. I am a little concerned about the nylon though, do ppl who wear these tops find them uncomfortable? I saw that most of them were lined, so not just mesh and I usually find nylon and polyester uncomfortable.

Hi Tanya--- I have seen your pictures and you generally look great and have a wonderful figure. Thanks for the tips. As far as wrap tops go, go you ever have problems with them riding up and getting shorter? Unless they are pretty loose I have had problems in the past with all the fabric wanting to bunch up around my middle and not stay over the hips. I should try some again, but I was wondering if there is a trick to avoiding this, or if it is just a problem with the style in certain fabrics.

I do like to surrender my waist, but it isn't something I like to do everyday just because I am a L or XL in most clothes everywhere but the waist, so I do like to show off that at least part of me is thin! Would you recommend pairing a more voluminous top with skinny jeans?

I know I will have to do some alterations, I am just trying to avoid having to essentially reconstruct the entire body area of the shirt-- shirts and jackets are the hardest to alter for me. Luckily if I stick to certain brands and styles of pants and jeans I can avoid having to alter the waist of most of them. Since I mostly wear bootcuts I actually buy most of my jeans at the western wear store. The newer styles fit like mainstream jeans, but have a higher rise in the back and generally a narrower waist and more booty room.

Thank you for the tips about the European brands. Other than mango, do any of those companies have US websites? We don't have any of those shops within a 10 hour drive of where I live, so I would have to be able to shop online.

Angie-- I am open to belting. I currently have one dress (that is tunic length on me) that I need to purchase a belt for. Because I dont have much space between my ribcage and my hip bones (a little less than an inch) I am not sure what width and style I should look for. That inch is the narrowest part of me and I generally find wider belts either press on my ribcage uncomfortably (because they are on the edge of it, wearing them higher up is fine, although they try to slide down) or don't show that narrow part of my waist. Wearing one below or above that point is hard because everything wants to slide up or down to the skinny part. So, should I stick with belts that are about an inch wide? Would elasticated belts work better? Do belts of that width look odd over a top or dress?

Jonesy-- I am a student, post-bach. I am also supposed to be working for my department at the college, but it now looks like they maybe be farming me out to another organization-- our semester just started and nobody has it together yet. So yes, definitely on a budget-- although I have been saving with the knowledge that I was going to need some items. I'm fairly creative, but not in a boho/hippie type way. I guess I would say I like classic/american classic pieces mixed with more rugged/tough/edgy items (boots, oiled leather, motorcycle inspired pieces). I also like to incorporate jewelery and accessories and prints with a regional or cultural connotation. My specialty is Native American and Indigenous studies, and living in the west I collect locally made jewelery and Native made jewelery as well as fair trade pieces (small but growing collection). However, I don't want to look like someone that retired to Santa Fe and Taos and is a walking billboard for a yuppie trading company or Coldwater Creek. Thank you for the link to Eddie Bauer-- I forgot to check there and really like some of the pieces. I wish the color palette was a bit brighter/deeper though.

15 years ago

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