Ask Angie: Is it ok for knit tops to have slight whiskering - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Is it ok for knit tops to have slight whiskering

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Hi Angie

As someone with a large bust, I notice that sometimes there is slight whiskering in knit tops right between the breasts. Sometimes a bra design can exaggerate it, but often even a minute change in bust-size due to hormonal fluctuations can cause this. This doesn't happen with woven fabrics with a bit of stretch, only regular t-shirts and cotton knits.

I have tried sizing up, but then the shoulders don't fit at all. The size I wear right now is already very lose for the rest of my body. I try to choose deep V necks, these do fit better.

Is there anything I can do for round necks? I need tshirts for workout and often wonder if the slight whiskering looks bad. I tend to keeping pulling and tugging my tshirt because I'm conscious. Is slight whiskering OK?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

catgirl

Veteran

I think it's okay, and like the lines caused by bras, sometimes inevitable. That said, I really dislike it on myself because it makes me feel even bustier - one of the reasons I'm such a big fan of fluid fit. Fortunately having really broad shoulders means I have to size up anyway. A minimizer bra also made a big difference for me.

Diana

Veteran

This happens to me occasionally with particular tops, even though I don't have particularly large boobs, but they are wide-set so I have a lot of empty space between them. In general, I think thicker, stiffer knit fabrics like ponte do it more - a thin jersey will usually collapse down. I was assured that it looked fine with the top in this photo, so I think you're good.

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E

Veteran

Like Diana, I get this sometimes too despite not being large chested, because I'm wide set. It doesn't bother me & no one on the forum has ever mentioned it in my WIW posts.

Anonymous

I have to admit it's a deal-breaker for me. It makes the top look too tight, something I don't want. It's the equivalent (if I'm understanding what you mean) of gaping between buttons on a shirt. For working out, would you wear a loose fit tank over a sports bra? You can avoid any issues of fit through the shoulders and neck this way, and pretty much all of the workout wear I see out there now is styled this way. Perhaps though I'm not understanding what you're describing correctly......

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. So it's not uncommon. I don't see the whiskering much for you Diana.

Ok, I'm gonna attach two pictures then. I have cropped up the image to emphasize what's happening at the chest area (I hate it, but you can't get real advice till u put the worst of you out there)

Does it look odd? Would you notice it and think 'She should get a bigger size shirt!'

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Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Lisa. I have put up pictures now and I'm hoping I'll get some clearer answers.

catgirl

Veteran

That is very slight! It is a deal-breaker for me ON me, but I don't notice or mind it on others at that level. When it's really pulling, it is obvious.

Diana

Veteran

I think it looks fine and barely noticeable! (Also possibly exaggerated by your arms being up?)

It's funny because I think mine is much more pronounced in the photo I posted, but you say you don't notice it much. So I have a feeling this is mostly in our heads, LOL.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

It's feeling odd to me ON me, Una. But then - it's so very hot and humid here, I can't imagine suffering in woven fabrics. I do love the ease of a tshirt.... I stopped wearing tshirts completely a couple of years back but started wearing them again this year. And then I noticed this whiskering. It bothered me a little ( I don't ever want to draw attention to my bustline) so I thought I should reconfirm with you all.

Thanks for your opinion!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Lol Diana. I think that's possible! I saw your photo again - the whiskering looks like part of a pattern in the top in your case coz the pleats on the top start right below it. It looks like a drape in fabric!

In my case, the plain tees have no pattern so I feel it stands out. I have noticed this doesn't happen in patterns at all! Another reason to love pattern more, I think!?

Maybe it's b'coz my arms are raised but my arms do move in all directions in real life! I don't have my arms by my side all the time.

I just wanted to know if other people notice it and think I am wearing a shirt that's a size too small.

Anonymous

It looks fine to me Maneera. I wouldn't worry.

Word Lily

Veteran

I've wondered the same thing. It happens sometimes for me, being not particularly well endowed. Is it a constant state for the shirts in question, or if you readjust the fabric can you make it go away? (The last time I noticed it in the mirror there was plenty of fabric, it was just farther to the back, oddly, and reorienting the side seams eliminating the pulling).

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I'm not very sure Word Lily. I'll remember to notice next time if the shirt ever sits flat, or always looks like there is slight 'pulling'. I know I can make it go away by readjusting the fabric....but I'm assuming this will happen when I have no access to the mirror and can't see how the front of my shirt is behaving!

Word Lily

Veteran

Right, being able to fix it isn't a solution, but somehow it does make me feel slightly better about it?

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

lol! True that! But I'm keen to know if it's the fabric to blame, or am I wearing a wrong size. Like how whiskering on pants says something about the fit not being right....KWIM?

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I don't like it, and I do notice it. On me, and on others. There ya go.
I'm constantly pulling at tees that do this, and it's become a purge criteria. But not all tees do it, by any means. It's a combination of fit and fabric... sizing up doesn't usually solve it, it's more that that particular tee is not a good one. I've had it happen on shirts that are too big, and not on ones that are fairly body con.

E

Veteran

I wouldn't notice it on you; you don't look like you're about to 'bust out' or anything.

We look very different in an outfit when we're standing still in front of a mirror or for the camera than we do when we're out in the world, moving and gesturing and interacting with people. You know? I think photos exaggerate any type of whiskering, personally; when I lived near my family I'd ask whether it looked like it did in the photos (which often show a lot of whiskering in the rise area for me when I'm wearing trousers or skinnies), and they always said no.

Also, how interesting that you prefer knits in heat & humidity! I used to live in a hot & fairly humid climate, and I found lightweight woven fabrics so much more comfortable! I mean breezy blouses in voile fabrics, or unlined woven dresses, not a traditional button-down shirt. Have you tried anything like that?

Anonymous

As Elizabeth P said. I'm not really seeing in on the workout top, it just looks like it's pulling a bit because you have your arms up. With the blue t - the wrinkling is sort of off to the side and below your chest - again with arms up, hard to tell what's going on. I think if you are noticing it and even questioning it, you have your answer.

Anonymous

As we've discussed before - I'm with you on the hating drawing attention to the bust - especially in tighter knits. My workout tops are all super fluid. I don't want anything body con on top. Tights, yes, but not t's.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Typically, it's not ideal, but the whiskering on your knit tops is VERY slight Maneera, so not to worry at all.