https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:37:07 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165378 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 18:59:43 +0000 Angie 2165378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>#1 is only a little too small (see snug fit on bi-ceps). But note that with puffed sleeves, the shoulder seams look better when they come in a little and are narrower than the width of the shoulders.&nbsp;</p> <p>#4 depends on the cut. The position of the shoulder seam there can work.</p> <p>#5 is fine.&nbsp;</p> <p>There are these types of shoulder fits too:&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165366 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 18:19:10 +0000 Carla 2165366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ notsaf, kkards - it’s a Boden jersey shirt&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/frederica-jersey-shirt-white/sty-j0830-wht?cat=C1_S2_G18">https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/.....=C1_S2_G18</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165362 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 18:08:55 +0000 kkards 2165362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting conversation...i generally only notice shoulder placement on myself, and then only because something is “off”...that being said, i love the way #1 looks, but i think it would be on those things that if i wore it, i would be constantly fussing with the shirt because it would not “feel” right. &nbsp;Re the tees in #2 and #5, especially #5, i think the shoulders need to be deliberately “off” because of the over sized fit of the body of the tees. If the shoulders fit more squarely on the shoulder than the body of the shirt would hang funny.&nbsp;<br />And like notsaf —really want to know what #3 is...love, and to me, its a perfect fit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165356 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:51:48 +0000 notsaf 2165356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carla, pray tell what is #3?! I've been looking for some jersey knit button-downs or half-plackets... </p> <p>I agree about shoulder fit, though there is a place for oversized slouch in my closet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165355 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:49:24 +0000 Liesbeth 2165355@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good thing to bring up. I am picky about shoulder fit too but from the opposite point of view: with my narrow shoulders the seam sometimes sticks out or comes too far down making it look like I'm wearing a size too large. In this case I think you're right about 1-3. 4 looks off to me too whereas 5 looks intentional and fashiony to me though it may not be the vibe you're after.<br /> I used to avoid raglan sleeves for a tidier more structured fit. Now I judge this case by case. A well constructed raglan or dropped sleeve in the right fabric can actually balance out my narrow upper body. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165350 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:32:39 +0000 unfrumped 2165350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>More complicated question than it seems!</p> <p>While there is basic "on point" shoulder fit, in an individual garment there can be things about the cut, bust fit, armhole, whether sleeves are short or long and how tight, whether is a knit, woven, how crisp--for me this affects both whether the item fits in any size, vs what size to get in that item. And folks with broad shoulders still differ as to whether it is a sharp rangy shoulder or rounder.<br />I don't like shoulders that are too small, or set-in puffs,&nbsp; but can sometimes get away with a small amount of wider shoulder , yet have to be careful, since my hips are wider than shoulders and just a lot of tops will be too big overall once I I size for hips.&nbsp;<br />. I am trying to avoid fits like #5 because that does just look childish on me, and kind of like the universal volunteer event T-shirt that is too big!. It works better to have the actual style different, with a dropped shoulder or batwing or something, </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165349 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:31:03 +0000 Anonymous 2165349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like 2 and 3, and struggle with shoulder fit too. Often I'll size up to avoid tight armholes. Raglan is good when I can get it. Dropped shoulders definitely make me unhappy- they make me think of the man style tshirts that "they" try to foist on us for events </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165337 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 15:59:49 +0000 nemosmom 2165337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@TG - maybe this will help?&nbsp; <br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.thejacketmaker.com/size-guide#women">https://www.thejacketmaker.com/size-guide#women</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165325 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:58:48 +0000 Helena 2165325@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Following ... I have this problem constantly, and I've yet to get it right with a fitted top. I just got rid of a bunch of sweaters because they were too much like #1 (although with that particular shirt, I wonder if the puff is effectively acting as the seam from a bit pov). But like nemosmom, if the shirt goes to the end of my shoulder, then it can be too loosey-goosey elsewhere. My shoulders aren't overly wide, but they are wider than my waist and hips, and a bit sharp too so they can look wider again (vs. Rachy's slope issue)</p> <p>And while we're on it, when we talk about the end of the shoulder, we mean, where that little divet appears when I raise my arm to the side, right? Not that visual end ...?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165288 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 05:31:47 +0000 Carla 2165288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL! &nbsp;@ Joy - #1 is from a photo of The Duchess of Sussex! &nbsp;She is very tall, and narrow. &nbsp;I agree that the fit seems off, but don’t know if it is a fashion thing, or just a too small sized top overall. </p> <p>@ Vildy - thanks for the referral to midlifechic. &nbsp;Her blog posts are quite articulate. &nbsp;I really liked the second part of her most recent blog - her musings on attitude going into 2021. &nbsp;</p> <p>@ Suz - I know that weird armhole/sleeve thing of which you wrote (vis a vis your mom). &nbsp;That is what put me off a t-shirt acquired in early 2020, and donated before the year was out!</p> <p>@ rachylou - though I don’t know about feeling like I’m in a straight jacket, I’m going to see about sizing down. &nbsp;Angie has suggested it to me a time or two in the past. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165287 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 05:07:47 +0000 Anonymous 2165287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m not good with fit but agree with you on those photos. I wonder if they put a too small top on the first model that camouflages her wide shoulders with the puffy sleeves starting nearer her neck. Interesting. If it fit the sleeves would puff out farther than her shoulders and make them look bigger. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165283 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:10:38 +0000 rachylou 2165283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to say I like a narrow shoulder. I don’t like the seam at the shoulder edge. I prefer it a smidgen behind. This may be due to the extreme slope of my shoulders. I also don’t like the visual line of a garment to curve up and out to the shoulder from the body. It doesn’t feel sharp to me.</p> <p>... my hair stylist’s daughter once said to me that a proper fit should make you feel straight-jacketed... lol, I tend to agree... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165265 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 02:58:51 +0000 Jaime 2165265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great topic. Shoulder fit is my most important fit point most of the time. But I am no fit guru, more of a know it when I see it sort. For me, I like very structured and defined shoulder lines with most outfits (I am sure there are exceptions) so #5 would be out. I think #3 is closest to what I like *on me* because I prefer a straight up and down shoulder seam to the extent possible. Read and will read responses with interest! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165254 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 02:24:41 +0000 cat2 2165254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have wide shoulders and swimming arms. I don’t like tops that have the traditional close fit, and will instead look for alternatives. If you want search terms for alternative cuts, so you can see how other cuts are intended to look, the sewists can collectively help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165241 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:53:13 +0000 slim cat 2165241@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I struggle a bit with the right fit too. Pic #2 would be for sleeping <br />( or in short-sleeved version - for casual outfits ), #5 - cropped tee <br />( slightly smaller though ) - would be for summer looks with midi skirts.<br />With my straight shape #1,3 or 4 would not look great/fit &nbsp;at all.<br />I used to prefer JCrew fitted tee shirts as well but got used to slightly looser fit recently.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165240 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:51:43 +0000 Kate 2165240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I certainly struggle with shoulder fit. I don't like the look of #1, but the fit could be just fine. #2 is classic with a good fit, and #5 appears to be a basic dropped shoulder. Like Gaylene, I saw #4 as a wrap top with closely fitted sleeves. #3 definitely makes me twitchy. I'd be outta that shirt in 2 seconds flat. It looks like it would pull across the bust and is too tight in the arm hole. I have felt victimized by shirts like that for decades! Maybe this shirt has some stretch to it, and my fears are groundless. Nonetheless...twitchy!</p> <p>My shoulders outstrip my hips by three inches, and I have found fit solutions in the men's department many times. They cut for width where I need it, and less width where I don't. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165239 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:50:18 +0000 nemosmom 2165239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am hardly an expert, but the only one that sticks out to me is #5. It doesn’t look oversized-as-styled, but more like she is 6 and wearing her dad’s tee shirt...</p> <p>My shoulders are my broadest point, so this is a topic I am following closely! My shoulder measurement is MUCH wider than my bust, so by the time I fit a shirt properly, I am swimming in the body of it. Only in the past year or so have I explored other sizes (and the men’s dept!) to find knits and shirts that work. </p> <p>I am following! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165237 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:41:00 +0000 Suz 2165237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm no expert but I was taught that for a classic, tailored fit, the seam should come more or less at the edge of one's shoulder/ under one's arm, fitted but not-too-snug.&nbsp;</p> <p>A raglan sleeve, of course, is very different, and oversize or "shrunken" styles might also deviate from that. As <b>Gaylene</b> said, there is also the depth of the armhole to consider -- that affects fit (and appearance) as well. (Often with "shrunken" styles, that is what is "shrunk" -- not so much the shoulder itself as the fit of the arm/ sleeves).&nbsp;</p> <p>And then there is personal fit preference. My mother, whose shoulders were a bit wider than average (but not broad) had always felt straight-jacketed in clothes that appeared to be the correct size in the shoulder. So she tended to size up. But this <b>swamped </b>her, since her bust was small and her frame relatively narrow. After some trial and error, in buying her clothes, I learned that knits helped (of course, for ease of movement) but also, it turned out that <b>getting the armhole fit right was often the most important factor</b>. <b>In fact, if armholes in long sleeved garments were too low/ too large, that was a greater cause of discomfort than the width of the shoulder, because it prevented the arm from proper motion. </b>Counter-intuitive, but true -- something that was actually too loose could feel too tight.&nbsp;</p> <p></p> <p>So I bought her some petite jackets, sizing up a bit for the shoulders -- and in her case that proved to be the ticket. (She was taller than me, by the way, so not truly petite. But this still worked.)&nbsp;</p> <p>For myself, I like a classic tailored fit shoulder (closest to 3, I guess) and/or a dropped or batwing type sleeve with snug sleeve (vs. loose). Oversized or raglan styles often overwhelm me. Examples of a few drop shoulders first... and then standard fits... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165233 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:24:12 +0000 LaPed 2165233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is something I struggle with too! I find that the fit that *looks* the best to others often feels too tight to me, especially with toppers and outerwear. </p> <p>I'm wearing a raglan tee today and I have to say I really do like how it avoids the problem entirely. Unlike a lot of forum members, I love knits with a true dropped shoulder too. In a high-quality fabric, if the drop is exaggerated, I find it exudes a casual-cool vibe. I also somehow have zero self-consciousness about my shoulders, despite the fact that they're the part of me that will get stuck in a narrow doorway. Somehow I still feel like my hips are bigger.</p> <p>As far as the examples go: I don't like the look of #1, and avoid puff-shoulders like that because I tend to "fill out" the puff too much. #2 and #4 both look a bit off to me. #5 doesn't bother me because the tee is so clearly boxy and oversized. I guess #3 is what we're aiming for? The buttons on the front make it easier to get the shoulders to sit right; I wonder what that top would look like buttoned up (too small, I'm betting).&nbsp;</p> <p>Looking forward to Angie's take. :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165231 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:15:17 +0000 Gaylene 2165231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, this is a tricky question because it depends on the designer’s intention. As Vildy notes, fit often depends on trends and personal preference—and fashion is fickle. </p> <p>The shoulders in #2 and #3 are probably close to a classic fit where the end of the shoulder bone aligns with armhole seam. The idea here is to have a smooth drop from the “hinge” so the arm moves easily through its rotation when the garment is worn. Classically tailored jackets use this shoulder fit. </p> <p>BUT, all bets are off once you move into the fashion realm—or personal preferences. Factors like the position of the armhole, the tightness of the sleeve, the style of the sleeve, the stretchiness of the fabric, the size of the bust and/or bicep, and the looseness/tightness of the overall garment can alter the position. For example, #1 could be a style choice if the designer wanted to showcase a high, puffed sleeve, #4 could be a dropped shoulder with a closely fitted sleeve in a knitted wrapped top, and #5 could be a dropped shoulder on a shorter, boxy-shaped, cotton T-shirt. </p> <p>Personally, I’m currently loving cropped boxy T’s with my linen joggers so I’d be all over #5. My more classic J Crew T’s which I adored a couple of years ago (which resemble #2) have languished in the drawer because they seem odd with my loose pant styles. And, with my broad shoulders and lack of a defined waist, I’d move right by #1 and #4 because those styles rarely work on my body. Of all the example, #3 is probably the closest to a fluid, tailored fit, but I find those styles kind of boring right now. My current white shirt is an oversized, dropped shoulder, boxy, cropped cotton one with a diagonally cut front which I found in a designer rack. </p> <p>Guess rules are made to be broken, especially when it comes to fashion! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165224 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:38:01 +0000 Vildy 2165224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know, Nikki Garnet over at Midlife Chic blog wants to downplay her broad shoulders.&nbsp; You might take a gander to see what she does with shirts and knits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165223 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 23:34:41 +0000 Vildy 2165223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Certainly not a size guru but agree #1 too small - her shoulders are protruding into the sleeve top - and #2 also too small in shoulder width.<br />If #3 is a stretch knit, I guess it's okay and not too constricting.&nbsp; Though they're saying now to expect a trend of "second skin" tops.&nbsp; I wonder, though, if broad shoulders and strong arms might look, as my mother used to say, "outgrown" in a form fitting shirt.&nbsp; I think some fluidity, such as when thin fabric collapses back against the body, might be more - I don't know a good word - de-emphasizing? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-question-about-shoulder-fit#post-2165210 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 22:26:21 +0000 Carla 2165210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I struggle with shoulder fit and tend to look for raglan sleeves or size up to accommodate my physique. &nbsp;Are there any simple guidelines to follow, especially regarding&nbsp;<b>knits&nbsp;</b>when a ‘tidy’ fit is desired and the sleeve is a standard ‘set in’ sleeve?</p> <p>I’ve posted some examples. &nbsp;I&nbsp;<i>think&nbsp;</i># 1 is too small, #2 and #3 are good, and #3 and #5 are too big. &nbsp;What do you think? &nbsp;Are there any size gurus out there? &nbsp;Are there times when one should make an exception rather than follow a rule? &nbsp;</p> </p>