https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:44:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-934251 Thu, 16 May 2013 19:47:32 +0000 shedev 934251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I purged a ton&nbsp;of shorter tops. When I started taking outfit photos, I just felt that that I like longer tops on my body. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-934003 Thu, 16 May 2013 17:18:35 +0000 Glory 934003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I feel your pain Peri. I have no clue what the formula is but based my purge on how things looked in the photos I took. Almost every single blouse felt too short for me unless I wore a skirt and tucked them in. Even the tshirts felt too short.<br />I hope they don't come back into style next year :)&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-934001 Thu, 16 May 2013 17:17:55 +0000 Suz 934001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know...it can be frustrating, can't it, Peri? But I think it's like this. Fashion evolves constantly. And some of those evolutions lead to changes in proportion, overall. So what looked good with yesterday's pants might not work with today's pants. It's not that any one of these is bad, per se. It's just that the whole effect is compromised if the proportions don't match up.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933993 Thu, 16 May 2013 17:09:53 +0000 Peri 933993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha Donna, I like it! Except I think my ignorance wasn't that blissful really.</p> <p>Thanks for the link to the Angie post Suz. Thing is, the bottom line of the no was the yes at one point...so it's no wonder why I'm confused...about everything! I can remember when so many things that are dissed on now were declared fantastic. Oh well, keep trying to keep up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933901 Thu, 16 May 2013 15:53:09 +0000 DonnaF 933901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In addition, I've noticed that the width and length of the skirt/pants/jeans and whether you choose to belt over the top will factor into its optimum length -- so there's no ONE solution!!!&nbsp; Well, I guess there is:&nbsp; Just pretend to be clueless and pre-YLF.&nbsp; Life was easier then, lol.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933860 Thu, 16 May 2013 15:11:20 +0000 Carole 933860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is tricky, isn't it? It's all about proportions, what works with skirts, doesn't necessarily work with pants, and throwing a jacket or cardigan into the mix changes everything, too. I'm with Janet, a curved hem is super flattering and seems a little more versatile. This must be why I have a bizillion tops! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933739 Thu, 16 May 2013 12:47:22 +0000 Janet 933739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this can be tricky, so I feel like I struggle with this as well. With my short torso, I have to watch that tops aren't too short, but if they're too long, they end at the widest point of my saddlebags, which is bad bad bad. </p> <p>I wish there were some numerical formula or something, but I think it's a matter of trying tops on and seeing where they fall on your particular body. And it's also so different between skirts, trousers, and jeans too! </p> <p>One thing I do notice is that a curved hem that dips down in the front and back and up on the sides really helps in the flattery department on me, and high-low hems as well. Anything that cuts straight across is not terribly easy to wear for anyone with curves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933738 Thu, 16 May 2013 12:46:36 +0000 Gabrielle 933738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie's post is very helpful. &nbsp;I think the length of most of the shirts in my wardrobe may be wrong. &nbsp;This is a bit depressing and maybe why I haven't really felt like shopping for tops. &nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933729 Thu, 16 May 2013 12:39:03 +0000 Elizabeth P 933729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it varies based on your body type.&nbsp; I got a style analysis thing done ages ago, and my best length, based on&nbsp; my body, is crotch or low hip.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933724 Thu, 16 May 2013 12:33:00 +0000 Suz 933724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/28/the-right-length-for-tops-worn-over-pants/">Angie had a blog post on this a while ago.&nbsp;</a><br /><br />That post is about tops worn with pants. With skirts, it's a bit different; typically the ideal length would be a bit shorter (or...gasp...you could <b>tuck!</b>!) As with jackets, it is frustrating to need an entirely different set of tops for pants vs. skirts! Of course it does depend on the style of the skirt, too, and your body type also plays a role in what proportions will look best, whether you are wearing pants or skirts.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933720 Thu, 16 May 2013 12:26:03 +0000 Gabrielle 933720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a great question because I struggle with it as well. &nbsp;One thing I notice is that many women wear untucked&nbsp;shirts that end at the widest part of their body. &nbsp;Although it&nbsp;is unflattering to my eye, no one in the forum&nbsp;ever comments on it so I decided that must be the look the wearer is trying achieve. &nbsp; Perhaps it has something to do with trying to achieve a voluminous look? &nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-to-determine-optimal-top-length#post-933714 Thu, 16 May 2013 12:17:17 +0000 Peri 933714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This morning I put on a JCrew T shirt I wore all last summer and suddenly it seems too long! </p> <p>And yet, on Amiable's post yesterday on tops, several comments said some of them were too short. Not that I noticed! I am, as in all things, clueless!</p> <p>I am very firmly anti-tuck!! This has not wavered since my little 8 year old self fought with my mother and refused to tuck in my tops. Tucking in...yes, even half, faux and semi...feels very wrong on me!</p> <p>Is there a way to determine optimal top length if left untucked? I'm winding whether to hem some tops. If it matters, I have a long torso relative to height. </p>