I’ve written many, many posts about how to fit tops over the years. Here’s a summary that pulls them all into one place for easy access. Undergarments are especially important when trying to achieve a flattering fit for tops, so that’s where we’ll start. 

That Which Lies Beneath

It is EXTREMELY important to be professionally fitted for a bra, especially if you’re full in the bust. Most women are in the incorrect bra size, going too large in the band and too small in the cup. The correct bra fit lifts the bust line, creates a waistline and curves in all the right places, smoothes out your silhouette, and offers comfortable support. As a result, tops will look and fit better straight off the bat. Re-address bra fit when you loose or gain weight. And if you’re worried about showcasing your bra, here’s a discussion about acceptable bra exposure. 

As the next layer, although not essential, the camisole can have an extremely important function. I wear a camisole daily and have been replenishing the same $12 camisole for eight years. It’s still my camisole of the moment and I see no reason to change at this point. I find the extra layer insulating, comforting, covering, and the best way to prevent garment grinning.

Smoothing Out Your Silhouette

If a camisole doesn’t do the smoothing trick, shapewear can be effective. That said, it can also be uncomfortable so I always suggest using the fit of the top itself to camouflage lumpage and bumpage before resorting to undergarments that feel like straightjackets. Here are 10 ways to conceal muffin top. Believe it or not, but belts can also smooth out your silhouette. And styling techniques like the semi-tuck, new semi-tuck and faux tuck work wonders at camouflaging those extra bits around the midriff. 

Proportions

Here’s how to best dress a full bust, and how to wear high necklines with a full bust. Remember that it’s important to do the sit-down-fit-test with all tops that button up in front. Here’s how to dress a short waist and a long waist. Shorter tops tend to look best with full skirts, and here’s a guide on how to wear a flattering length of top over pants and jeans. Fitted cap sleeves are tricky to fit, so when in doubt, opt for a longer sleeve or go sleeveless. 

Skinny On Top

Remember that there are three clothing fit categories these days: body con, tailored and oversized. Once you get the hang of which fit category suits the top, your assessment of fit will be more accurate. 

Wearing a voluminous top over a voluminous bottom is no longer a faux pas, which is why the big tee has gained popularity. Banded tops are a great solution for bashful bellies, and dolman sleeves can be fab. Peter pan collars aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, while turtlenecks stir up a myriad of emotions. Tops with overlapping diagonal lines are generally flattering, and so are tops with round hems. The asymmetrical hemline on a high-low top provides magical “unstructured structure”, and here’s how to keep those scrunched sleeves scrunched. 

And if you’re still not a blouse gal, these five reasons might facilitate the conversion. 

If there are further fit challenges on tops, feel free to post them in the comments section and let’s get you sorted.