Does anyone else have an awful time with tops? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Does anyone else have an awful time with tops?

Elly

Veteran

Ladies,
One thing I've realized in the past few months of shopping is that tops give me a hard time. I buy bottoms, I buy jackets, I buy boots, but I struggle with tops. I know in some ways I'm expecting a lot out of my tops (to flatter, to fit under jackets and coats as needed, to provide me with enough warmth, to layer over long undies or other tops as needed, to wash well and frequently, to provide color, variety, and interest in my wardrobe) but I find them a pain in my butt.

They are my hardest thing to shop for. There is so much variety and even after so much trial and error I don't know what works just right. I think I have a hard body type to fit, because I have thin arms and a thin waist but broad shoulders, long arms, and a large chest. Plus, I'm borderline tall . . . in the hinterlands between tall and regular sizes. I don't love most patterns and don't do anything overtly feminine, but I want a top with some interest but not so much going on that it looks super busy under a jacket.

It has to be warmer than a thin rayon sweatshirt knit, but not so heavy that I sweat to death if I have to climb stairs. And the sleeves have to be long.

I want to be able to cross my arms, but still at least hint that I have a figure.

AND I want to be able to at least hand wash the top as needed without it turning into a huge pill. I've returned several of my favorite tops this season because they didn't hold up AT all.

Where am I going wrong?

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from

Suja

Veteran

I don't have much to offer but I'll be watching this thread closely. I could have written this post. I suspect the large chest is what makes it harder for us. No advice, just commiseration

Deborah

Veteran

Tops are the hardest thing for me to buy also. I am short, busty and an apple, so much just does not work for me. I am not sure what the answer is but don't settle.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I am short-waisted with a large bust, apple tendencies & broad shoulders & large rib-cage. There is nearly always some part of a top that is "off" on me.
Add to that our hot summers where almost anything other than cotton or linen is too hot........I try to console myself with my great jackets, boots & pants

Sal

Veteran

Mmm, I struggle much more with pants.

I think you need a brand "hero" that gets you, and that you identify with. There will be one

Dimity

Tops are really hard for me too. They're too fussy or patterned or something. I hate having to buy tops and I always need more.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Tops are definitely harder for me than bottoms. What I do is buy multiples whenever I find one I like. I have many tops, actually, but probably only seven or eight different tops in my wardrobe. I have doubles and triples (often in the same colour) of these. They work with different bottoms though.

Sharon

Veteran

I think Kiwigal and Aziraphale are right - you need to search until you find a brand and a style that "get" you. Maybe make a list of tops you have that you actually like and feel good in and try to narrow down some common denominators?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Short neck, fuller bust here. My main problem is the neckline. I require a v neck or a true bateau neck or deeper scoop. Currently high, crew necklines are trending. As is a fully buttoned up shirt. Combine that with a looser fit, and I look really frumpy -- this type of neckline on a looser top adds a good 10-20 pounds to my appearance. A few years ago very deep v necklines were popular and those were difficult too, because of my short torso, especially from the waist up. These tops were so deeply cut that everything was visible.

I have many, many henley tops because they've been abundant the past few years, and work for me because I can unbutton a few top buttons and create my own open, v neckline. So Elly and Az I too have repeats of the same styles that work on my figure.

Guess I'm not providing any solutions just commiserating. However, if I see any tops that fit your requirements I'll pm you!

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Lots of good advice above. I have very broad shoulders & rib cage; not terribly busty since menopause thank goodness; long enough in the torso that I want a good long drape. I've liked Aritzia this fall/winter for tees. Nice heavy hand to their fabrics and good saturated colors in the darks & half tones I like (no primary colors; I don't wear those.) I've had good luck with button ups from Madewell provided they are from their slouchy boyfriend cuts. About half their tees though, that I have tried, have been returned for wonky wide fits and washing shenanigans. So much so that now I only look at their linen tees. Disappointing! Some oddball places I have found generously cut tops: sundance & jjill. I know, I know... Matronly, right? But the plainer stuff taken from there & mixed differently can pass for regular clothing, I promise! Because I can be hard to fit I am willing to tailor. I dislike when the arms on size large tees are too wide & floppy to comfortably push up. I get those narrowed by a seamstress. I've gotten the body line altered if I like the fit through the shoulders. Once I have a top I like, I treat it with great gentleness. I wash tops inside out & individually bagged on the handwash setting with no abrasive items like jeans to rub up against & then air dry. That has eliminated most of the pilling I was getting from my knits once I realized a lot of it was happening in the laundry.

Staysfit

Veteran

I'm right there with you. Tops are the most difficult, but I also have a hard time with jackets and coats. I'm on that border between regular sized and tall. My arms are long though. I have a long neck, and I'm narrow through my torso compared to my shoulders which are not exactly broad, but can look that way. I often end up purchasing a size to fit my shoulders and arms and head to the tailor to get it taken in. A few nips and tucks and the shirt fits perfectly. Perhaps this could work for you? It has been worth the expense. I spend maybe $12 per shirt, but I keep the shirts a long time.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I have very similar fit issues to yours - hourglass with broad shoulders and long arms. There are times when the requirements are conflicting and you have to choose pieces that fulfill one or the other. I find that I need lighter weight knitwear to get a flattering drape but lighter weight lacks warmth. Heavier weight satisfies the warmth requirement but may not fit under jackets or be as flattering.

It sucks but sometimes you have to choose which priority is more important or buy a few more items to satisfy the conflicting priorities separately.

Thistle

Veteran

I am somewhat on the other side as finding pants for a pear is tough. Can b a true HEWI.

Tops, well, I avoid button downs because they gape no matter what I do.

Have you considered some of the color blocked thiner sweaters or asymmetric ones that are on trend right now?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Elly, I think the others have offered wise advice. Try to find one brand and/or shape that "gets you" and duplicate where you can. Especially for now, while your budget and shopping options are quite limited.

It might be a goal to identify those with a similar body type on YLF and then check out their WIWs for tops that work on them. I have found this pretty helpful to me in the past. If something works well on so-and-so, I know it might work okay on me.

Elly

Veteran

Everyone has some great points -- I love tees and can find good ones generally, but they aren't warm enough at the new job, not even under a jacket. Usually my tees wear decently. My stumbling block this year is what to replace them with-- knitwear is harder to alter and the sleeves are generally too wide on me and I've had bad issues with both knitwear and sweatshirts pilling and NOT from the wash (I hand wash or wash only like items on the delicate cycle in my agitator-less washing machine) but around the cuffs along the sides of the body where my arms rub as I work and walk. I don't mind if a $30 sweatshirt is piled by the end of a season, but a $60 sweatshirt better not be rough around my wrists by the second wash.

I've also had issues with a lot of tops being made to fit someone with sloping shoulders, so they rise up at the neck oddly on my more square shoulder line.

Anonymous

I can relate to this too Elly. Similar fit issues with tops. I have yet to find the "brand hero" I need (and that's a great term, Kiwigal!) . I also appreciate Cocolion's words - I can really relate to her issues with tops. I have no solutions either but will be reading with interest. And btw - pilling happens on even the most expensive knits. It has nothing to do with the quality of the yars at all - it's the shortness of the fibres which are necessary to create a fluffy soft yarn.

catgirl

Veteran

Me. It's the IT issue. Fluid fit has been my best friend, as has knitwear instead of wovens. I can find bottoms relatively easily compared to tops and jackets. I'm a smaller version of you, minus the waist but with all the other issues, just in petite version, and it's a constant struggle!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes. It's much harder to find tops that I like, than any other wardrobe item (apart from shoes). The necks are generally too low for my narrow shoulder line and LONG neck. I drown in many styles - battle to fill them out - and that's with fluid and oversized fits. That's predominately why I stick to my essentials: shirts, t-necks, and crew neck knitwear.

Your challenges Elly, are not uncommon. Where have you been looking for tops?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm chuckling over here, albeit in sympathy, even though this is an unknown feeling for me. With my pear-ish tendencies, I would love to know what it feels like, just for one day, to easily find pants that fit. Or to find a dress that fits the top of me and doesn't cling to my hips. I guess the frustration is the same, just flipped to the other end of the body.

The grass is always greener...

Elly

Veteran

Thanks, Angie! This season I've tried tops at BR, GAP, ON, Nordies (mostly store lines), J Crew Factory, Madewell, Aritzia, Unliquo, Eddie Bauer, Forever 21, H &M, Lucky Brand and maybe a few more. I've had sucess at Eddie Bauer, J Crew, BR, ON, and Nordies as far as fit, but also have tried tops from the same brands this season that were big fit failures.

rachylou

Veteran

Just wanted to say I'm finding this thread very informative about the considerations of tops. I do have some unarticulated problems with tops, esp. as relates to necklines.

Meredith

Veteran

Ugh! I absolutely know what you mean. Fabrication, neck line, hemline, sleeve length, drape. So many considerations! I really feel for you trying to navigate fit without the ability to try on in-store.

shiny

Veteran

Have you tried the BR extra fine merino wool V necks?

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=108302012

BR comes out with a version every season. Last years had a different fit; this year the merino is slightly thicker, it skims the body at the waist, and it's longer hitting lower on the hip.

Anonymous

I too have long slender arms, slender waist, and am big busted ( my shoulders slope a little, but not much). I have had luck getting my tops at Gap and it has been hit or miss at places like TJMaxx. My button down shirts must have darts in the right places to look the best. I have also found that hidden buttons don't pop open. I also try to stay away from pockets on my shirts.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Elly, you look great on lower necklines - like V's and scoops. Have you tried these pullovers?

Banana Republic

High/Low Pullover

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

8

AQUA Cashmere Sweater - Twist Oversize Turtleneck

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Top Pick

2

Oversize v neck tunic

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Top Pick

2

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I find skirts impossible. I rely on t-shirts a lot, so I can commiserate if those are not longer working in your new job. I'd be lost without them.

eta: Maybe you could look into cashmere t-shirts, like those by Majestic:

http://www.clothesbymajestic.com/clothing/cashmere

They are very cozy and are nice if a casual look will work.You can layer them under jackets easily.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Tops are also my challenge. Fluid fit and crossover blouses have really helped.

Elly

Veteran

Shiny-- thanks for the suggestion, I will check them out.
Angie, I tried the first sweater with no luck, I will try the second and keep the necklines in line. I love some Karen Millen looks but most are a bit out of my price range for tops.
Firecracker-- I appreciate the comiseration. My office is just SO cold. I will keep majestic in mind.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I can sympathize. I'm not sure what it is but I often have a hard time finding tops that are not t-shirts. It seems that they are often either too long and sloppy looking or else really short, too short in the arms, too sheer, have huuuuge arm holes, have really unflattering high necklines, are made from icky cheap fabric that feels awful on the skin, fall apart or become covered with pills after a few wears, are just plain ugly (or at least, not to my taste), or seasonally confused.

I guess it's just what's on trend at the moment.

Anonymous

I have trouble with certain brands not fitting me correctly. Because of this, I only shop at a handful of stores. Being petite limits my choices even further, but at least at 5'2" I'm not too short.