https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 03:42:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1745961 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 19:32:48 +0000 Anonymous 1745961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would never wear pads in a sweater or blouses, but all my jackets have a very small ones. In fact&nbsp;many RTW style&nbsp;jackets have them in already and have had them&nbsp;for years ad years...particularly blazers and suit styles. Personally, I don't need much though,&nbsp;because I'm very square shouldered myself. I think shoulder pads can be great fro those with sloped narrow shoulders to balance things out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1745948 Sun, 30 Oct 2016 18:47:08 +0000 WitchyD 1745948@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>NOoooooo! &nbsp;Say it ain't so!<br />I have been detesting these little buggers and chopping them off of my clothes since the 80's. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744471 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 14:50:24 +0000 Anonymous 1744471@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do hope that this time around they will give us options. I don't want <i><b>everything</b></i> to have shoulder pads. I want to be able to find tops, etc. that don't have them. I realize that they're great for women with small shoulders, but not all of us have small shoulders. Some of us look like linebackers with those pads!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744451 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 14:22:49 +0000 Aziraphale 1744451@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have nothing against shoulder pads per se, but they aren't something I can ever wear! My shoulders are already very square and sharp. It just doesn't work. But I like the look on others -- and I think most other women can actually wear them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744398 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 11:27:47 +0000 Anonymous 1744398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know about This particular trend. But i am open to experimentation. I liked what Alaskagirl showed as examples. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744352 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 08:38:02 +0000 rachylou 1744352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hope so. Give me back my 40s and 80s </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744293 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 01:54:41 +0000 peacechick 1744293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like that first style as well.</p> <p>Today I just picked up my Chanel-style jacket from the tailor where i had the shoulder pads removed. They weren't really excessive and did make for sharp shoulders but I have a short neck and any kind of padding makes it look even shorter. Instantly when I tried it on, the jacket became wearable for me. I wore it all the way home! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744292 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 01:50:55 +0000 Joyce B 1744292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the tops I showed look nice with shoulder pads but I would also think of them being mostly for jackets. It seems we all prefer the thin ones although people whose shoulder line is less defined ( such as myself) may welcome the little extra definition.<br /> AG, that's a very nice visual. I have never seen the first type of shoulder pads, maybe with some luck we will find some?<br /> CitygirlDC I think your mom is doing a smart thing by using the shoulder pads that best work for her. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744287 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 01:20:18 +0000 citygirldc 1744287@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mother to this day still has her old shoulder pads that she puts in the new cardigans. She has narrow shoulders like I do and I sometimes wish that tops had more lift in the shoulders. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744278 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 00:44:38 +0000 Anonymous 1744278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's that first style that my mom used to use when she sewed for me. She put those in my jackets instead of the big honkers and altered the sleeve length accordingly. Alas, she's not around to sew for me anymore, and I'm in no mood to pay someone to do that stuff for me. I'll just skip the pads altogether. My shoulder line is strong enough without them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744277 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 00:29:49 +0000 catgirl 1744277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What works for me is the first type here and not the second or third. But the first style is hard to find. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back/page/2#post-1744271 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 00:11:42 +0000 Anonymous 1744271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We don't need shoulder pads in anything other than blazers/jackets, and even then they shouldn't be large in my opinion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744255 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 23:31:33 +0000 minimalist 1744255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What AG said!<br /> Once, when trying on coats, I was admonished by the SA not to wear shoulder pads because they looked comically disproportionate on me. She didn't want to believe I wasn't wearing any. </p> <p>Some shaping at the shoulders does make a positive difference, as Ginger says, in tailored jackets. To my eye, that bit of definition can make my shoulders look present and intentional rather than infinite. But please, no linebacker padding in dresses! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744198 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 20:33:28 +0000 catgirl 1744198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No shoulder pads here - mine are built in already.<br /> Although it's a bonus if the look is in, because I have it no matter what!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744189 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 20:05:17 +0000 Elle 1744189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the coat! &nbsp;Wonderful style on you.</p> <p>I plan to skip shoulder pads this time around. &nbsp;Not a good look for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744187 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 20:00:18 +0000 Ginger 1744187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Joyce! I was really surprised to see it, but it made a huge difference to the finished garments. Oddly, there are few frumpier garments than a not-quite-finished 40s dress. It needs the right hem length, belt, and shoulder definition. And then suddenly then it all <i>works.</i></p> <p>My mother is a pear with a tiny waist and quite narrow shoulders. She never wore huge shoulder pads even back in the day, but to balance out her figure she does prefer medium-sized ones. For years she wore small ones (less than 1/2" thick at most) even in her tees; her shoulders are shaped so that it wasn't really noticeable. It just balanced.&nbsp; From her I learned how to make pads from concentric circles of light fusible fleece, building up just enough thickness. Cheaper and more subtle than bought ones.</p> <p>It is, bj1111. Right about 40-42 is my guess. Quite warm with a heavy interlining, and small collar so I can wear a fur over or not. The fastenings are so neat - matching mulberry plastic, twisted loops that hook over prongs on the other side. The fabric is nubbly wool in rows, too, like giant terry cloth. So much texture and color! I'm looking forward to wearing it.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744174 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 19:47:41 +0000 bj1111 1744174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ginger...love the coat. &nbsp;sooo 40s </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744167 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 19:25:14 +0000 AviaMariah 1744167@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I sure hope so. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744121 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:40:09 +0000 Joyce B 1744121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kkards, you are right, the cleaning can be a problem. Some shoulder pads can be removed before cleaning but if not the wrong laundering can really ruin the garment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744116 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:36:46 +0000 Joyce B 1744116@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That coat is fab on you! What you said about instructions for light shoulder pads from 1940s patterns is very interesting. People with sewing skills have a definite advantage. I also like the light shoulder pads, they are just right and not overwhelming. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744113 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:32:41 +0000 kkards 1744113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm on the fence with this one...i do like and appreciate a small shoulder pad, but i can also remember so many garments not laying correctly after washing or dry cleaning. they really require careful handling. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744102 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:04:31 +0000 Ginger 1744102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And then there's this new-to-me coat, which is in a whole 'nother league entirely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744101 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 16:00:05 +0000 Ginger 1744101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's going to be hard to train my eye (growing up when all women wore big ones!) but objectively shoulder pads make So Much Sense. They even out the shoulder line and provide definition, help some garments hang better, and can be adjusted for the wearer.</p> <p>A lot of early 1940s sewing patterns, including dresses and blouses, include instructions for making light shoulder padding or shaping. Often it's as simple as several layers of thin, stiff fabric. Very little height or width added to the shoulders, but the change in shape is amazing. It goes from Frump to Fabulous. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744097 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 15:48:48 +0000 Angie 1744097@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bat for Team Shoulder Pads too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744081 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 14:29:27 +0000 Joyce B 1744081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes. BC, they did over-do it with shoulder pads then. I also remember blouses that did not need shoulder pads and when you removed them there was an excess of fabric that made them unwearable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744080 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 14:26:40 +0000 Joyce B 1744080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks to everyone for chiming in.<br /> I think ladies with well defined shoulders look very elegant in jackets and coats and may not need shoulder pads. I can always use a little extra help in that department. I always see comments in the forum as to how jackets should fit properly at the tip of the shoulders. Well if I do that the rest of the jacket is too tight and uncomfortable, it looks good but feels terrible. I think shoulder pads will help me with that.<br /> April, I do not have any fancy dresses with shoulder pads. I have a few printed tops which would look nice these days, a jumpsuit and a few jackets with shoulder pads. I will check with you for the little extra push to just donate clothing that is not really useful, I can use that at times </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744078 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 14:22:28 +0000 Anonymous 1744078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's not so easy to cut them out. The problem I ran into (in the '80s) was that once the shoulder pads were cut out, the sleeves were too long. The stupid thing, too, was that shoulder pads were in everything--sweaters, blouses (even sheer blouses!), etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744072 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 14:14:19 +0000 L'Abeille 1744072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I for one am happy to see them back because once again I can cut them out and things will hang properly because they'll be shaped to fit the shoulders I already have. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744069 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 13:56:24 +0000 Anonymous 1744069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am glad they can help and look good on the narrow shouldered, but as one in the opposite camp, I will pass on this trend. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-shoulder-pads-coming-back#post-1744068 Tue, 25 Oct 2016 13:52:56 +0000 Anonymous 1744068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I won't be wearing them the second time around. I didn't look good in them the first time around. I can only wear the small ones they put in blazers, and even then, I look better without them. </p>