Ask Angie: Armholes too big

Anda

Came upon your site searching for solutions for armholes that are too big. A comment posted on June 25 2020 is mention of IMO bralettes. Can you tell me what those are? I have Googled it and can't find anything.

5 months ago

General

7 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

kkards

Veteran

Anda - a bralette is basically a soft bra. D the finds below are examples
hope this answers your question

Nordstrom

Whipped Bralette

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Nordstrom

Intimately FP Lace Racerback Bralette

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Bare Necessities

Chantelle Soft Stretch Bralette

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Amazon

Hanes Womens Scoopneck Bralette Pack, Low-Impact Bra, Cooling Stretch Cotton Crop Top, 3-Pack

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Nordstrom Rack

Free People Feels Right Bralette

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Amazon

Free People Feels Right Bralette

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Bare Necessities

Wacoal B-Smooth Bralette

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5 months ago

Peri

Veteran

I think it depends on the type of "too big". I have this weird problem often, that an item will fit perfectly everywhere else...meaning the item itself is not too big...but the very top of the armholes will stick out by a full inch or so. If that's the case and you like the item enough to keep it, a good tailor can fix that.

If you mean they are too low, so that your bra shows on the sides, there is no fix for that unless you can tailor the shoulders from the top, thus pulling the armholes up overall. That only works for tanks, and even on tanks can mess up the neckline, or can shorten the length too much overall. I suppose the bralette idea is to have something "pretty" that you don't mind showing. That's a no go for me, not a fix.

5 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

By the way the “IMO” in the comment you saw is likely just the acronym for “in my opinion”. Not a brand of bralette. So searching for bralette will put you on the right track.

5 months ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I often have this issue too. It’s usually only solved by taking up the shoulders (on a sleeveless garment) because I’m quite short in the torso and not only are the armholes deep, but the overall length of the top is often too long (a hint is if there are darts and they sit below the bust line).

I have also solved this problem — if the overall fit in the top is a bit roomy — by having the sides taken in, and closing up some of the bottom of the armhole in the process. This isn’t always doable but I do have a dress from a year ago that my tailor altered this way successfully. It has a collar so a simple taking up in the shoulders would have been too complicated.

A nice bralette can help if you just want coverage but don’t mind it being open under the arms — I have a rather big bust and I’m not young, so for me, a really wide open armhole that flashes more than a tiny bit of bra is a hard pass.

5 months ago

Joy

Veteran

I have always had a problem with big armholes. My mother would take them in. Now I look carefully at what I buy. All brands are not equal. Look for small armholes. Return those you buy with too big a holes Sometimes sizing down can help. Good luck. Janet has some good ideas. I also wear the type of garment that Angie mentions all year round.

5 months ago

Glory

Veteran

Janet has some great tips on solving the big armhole problem. I also have this issue and often take up the shoulder. I just purchased a new tank yesterday without trying on and it gapes like mad. It’s a shame because a nice fitting tank is a wonderful wardrobe addition.

5 months ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

So...I think I see the problem. That the sleeves are wide enough so that a bra shows. I love bralettes, and I love the idea of them being seen (through a sleeve, under a sheer shirt, etc.). But I probably wouldn't be wearing them outside the house, unless I was going on a hot date. This is because people can be so, so sleazy--commenting about your bralette, or just giving you extra attention.

In this type of case, I actually like to wear a simple, lightweight sports bra. Those are also acceptable when visible, but less "sexy."

5 months ago

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