https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:50:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1743094 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 17:49:30 +0000 catgirl 1743094@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz and April, yes! I'd say I'm both square and broad-shouldered, but then my upper arms themselves are also bulky for my stature. As Runcarla says, a swimmer's build.</p> <p>Men seem to have more practical options. In fact, I did have the bespoke jacket made by a men's tailor and it fit, but looked very much like a men's sport coat - shoulders defined and broad, and not so flattering.</p> <p>Material also seems to play a part. I tried on a Zadig &amp; Voltaire blazer in acetate at a local boutique and that actually worked really well. Sadly it was super expensive and when I went back it was also gone. And they don't ship to Alaska.</p> <p>Hmm... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1743081 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 17:12:11 +0000 barbaraq 1743081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As a nothing-to-lose solution, Alaskagirl, you could simply have the sleeves removed and turn your jacket into a vest. &nbsp;I did this to a blazer I no longer wore for other fit reasons, and it is now a favorite. &nbsp;Your tailor could enlarge the armholes if necessary in this process, too.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1743077 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 17:08:36 +0000 SW Ann 1743077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Many many years ago I heard an interview with Bo Derek who said she had to buy size 14 or 16 jackets to get shoulder/sleeve fit, and have the remainder of the jacket tailored down in size to fit correctly......You would need an excellent tailor to achieve this, and of course, finding size 14/16s in something you like is another matter (I'm looking at you stupid designers who've decided all of us who don't fit your idea of beautiful or perfect won't make jackets to fit our parts!)....But I digress....(sorry)&nbsp; It's one idea.&nbsp; Men have this issue if they weight train, and they can find suits if they need them and have them tailored.&nbsp; Good luck!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1743009 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 13:22:07 +0000 Carla 1743009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shoulder fit and sleeve length are my biggest top issues, and one of the reasons I like t's and sweaters so much (they conform to my shape better). Swimming and weight training contribute to an already broad and square shoulder line. Generally my toppers (coats, jackets) are sized up from my regular size, but I have to be careful about volume because I am not deep chested. </p> <p>I check to see if shoulder pads are removable as well because I have had success with cutting them out - which made room for my shoulder and dropped the hem of the sleeve to the perfect length. My shoulders are square so removing modest shoulder pads didn't seem to wreck the lines of the garment.</p> <p>As for men's jackets - there are more variations in size and cut (European, American, etc.) and tailoring at purchase is the norm. Every men's suit jacket in our house has been tailored. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1743004 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 12:45:06 +0000 April 1743004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, I'm wondering if maybe your lats are contributing to the fit issues across the shoulder area?&nbsp;</p> <p>If your husband is describing your arms "curving out", it sounds like that could be what's happening. &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1742997 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 12:16:52 +0000 Anonymous 1742997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't speak to the sewing aspect, but this is an area I have been struggling with. I have very few wovens at all, and the couple of blazers I had both now are smaller than I'd like and don't look right. Wide shoulders, full biceps, gaping at bust... discomfort abounds. I'm on the opposite end with a long torso as well. I literally feel like the Incredible Hulk in almost every jacket. I need a blazer for potential interviews, and can't find what I need. I may look for a knit jacket without shoulder pads, but I feel your pain. </p> <p>Last year I donated almost all my outerwear jackets and went up a size. I now refuse to consider the smaller sizes, even if it looks not as tailored as I would like. I simply cannot handle the constrained feeling any longer.</p> <p>That all said, I really like my strong shoulders and biceps. It's just very difficult to fit them off the rack. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1742994 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 12:00:38 +0000 Staysfit 1742994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They make athletic cut suits for men who have broad shoulders and muscular arms. I think there is a bigger market for men with this need, than there are women. </p> <p>I sort of have similar fit issues Una, only I have the additional problem of being tall. Even though they are narrow, my shoulders are still broader than the rest of me, and my arms are proportionally long, and muscular. </p> <p>I almost always purchase a size larger to fit my shoulders and have the arms hang better, then my tailor cuts down the rest usually through the back and sides. I always bring the blazer to the tailor before cutting off the tags to make sure it can be altered. Sometimes I also purchase the smaller size to see if the arms can be reworked in some way. Around here the cost of tailoring in the way Firecracker suggests can add $50 to $70 to the cost of a blazer. I anticipate that I will be paying this whenever I make a purchase. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1742985 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 11:41:46 +0000 Suz 1742985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So here's my question -- what do guys do?&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm serious. Not all men have broad shoulders or muscular arms, I know. But some of them do, and what do they do when they need to wear a suit jacket? Is fitting these as hard for them as for a woman? Or are women's jackets cut differently?&nbsp;</p> <p>I am not sure how it works for you, <b>Una</b>, but for my DD, the problem isn't the bicep. It's more the back of the arm/ shoulder area. She is just rounder and deeper or broader in that area than many people.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like Angie's distinction between " broad" and "square" shoulders. Mine are wide from side to side (for my height) so sometimes I have to size up to get the shoulder seams to sit right. But then the jacket might be too loose for me through the torso because my shoulders are not <b>broad </b>(wide from back to front) <b>and</b> I have a tiny bust.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think you and my DD have the opposite problem. Your shoulder line is in fact square from the front but not in an exaggerated way whatsoever. The trouble comes because the shoulders are also deep or broad and there is more muscle on the upper arms and back. The whole back of the jacket strains somewhat, even though it looks fine on the actual shoulder seam. This is what makes jackets so very uncomfortable for some. Even with square and not broad shoulders I have experienced that type of discomfort (when it's not wide across the back for me). My mother's body type was similar to mine but even more so (her shoulders were wider across than mine) and she used to go bananas over jackets that didn't allow her to move her arms.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1742953 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 05:18:39 +0000 catgirl 1742953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yikes, that sounds complex! I'm so glad you know what I meant, Sharan! I wish there was a brand that reliably catered to broad-shouldered petite women! Thank you for the info. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1742950 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 05:08:33 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1742950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To alter a pattern for a large bicep, you would basically slash and spread the sleeve pattern across the bicep area, adding a diamond-shape insert at the center of the outer sleeve area, where you need the extra width. The alteration preserves the curve where the sleeve is inserted to the armhole, so as not to mess with the fit anywhere else. </p> <p>I have no idea what to do for a jacket that is already made. It seems perhaps the answer is to buy them a little large, and yes, with shoulder pads, and then alter at the bust, waist, and lower sleeve, as needed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shoulder-fit-issues-micro-analyzed#post-1742944 Sat, 22 Oct 2016 05:01:44 +0000 catgirl 1742944@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have had the worst time finding a blazer that fits. I had one made at pretty reasonable cost a while ago, and it was okay but surprisingly ordinary for a bespoke item. </p> <p>I was complaining to DH about the way blazers fit and showing him that even if the seam matches up with the edge of my shoulder, the sleeves never hang right. His response was that my arms are really muscular (thanks, rock gym!), and instead of being straight up and down, they curve out and create bulk, pushing outward where the material should fall straight down from the shoulder's edge. </p> <p>This was so much more nitpicky of a fit issue than I'd ever considered... But it's exactly right! And what's the fix for it? No wonder knits and jacket without shoulder pads work so much better for me!</p> <p>Does anyone else have this issue, and can any of our talented sewists tell me what to do about it? </p>