Extended shoulder tops - YouLookFab Forum

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Extended shoulder tops

Brooklyn

Veteran

Extended shoulder tops have been trending here for the last few summers. I initially avoided them because I am broad shouldered and somewhat fearful of items that emphasise that.
Eventually I tried them for practical reasons. I like sleeveless tops in summer, but really dislike exposing my shoulders to the sun. These tops are a good compromise for me for outdoor wear. They give the ventilation of a sleeveless top but with more sun protection.

No 1. Worn to lunch with my mum. Linen top from Country Road (this year). The skirt is also linen. I had the shirt collar converted to a stand collar. (I’m not fond of shirt collars.) I think the stand collar has more drama. I enjoyed playing up the angles in this outfit.

No 2: Worn for coffee and a walk with a friend. Cotton top from Zara (last year). The bag is Michael Kors. Thrifted. My best thrift find yet.

No 3: Cotton top from Seed (2 years ago). I have a few of these in different colours, which I mostly wear dog walking. This is a white one that I dyed teal to match the teal floral skirt. I wore this with black stompy boots which are not quite visible in photo.

Happy weekend everyone. Your thoughts welcome

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

Synne

Veteran

Beautiful silhouette! Truly WOW! I have learned that emphasizing certain features actually downplays them, if that makes sense. You don't look broad shouldered at all, just very sharp and hourglassy. You and I share quite a lot of similarities when it comes to body modifiers, both the head size and the shoulders! Lol You look radiant, always so inspiring!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

These lookgreat on you. I especially love that first outfit!

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Looks great on you. From one broad shouldered lady to another, I love this silhouette. Draws attention away from my ample bosom…

Tanya

Veteran

This kind of top looks stunning on you. I have a broad-ish shoulders and am a fan of the shape myself. All the outfits are excellent, and I especially like the combination of shapes in the first one and colors in the second. Super cute puppy walking outfit, too, love all the teal.

Anonymous

I like it cause the diagonal lines. How are they to layer over?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE your curly hair, and noticed that first - along with #5, which steals the show. A beautiful pic of you and Ms. B

Yummy belt and sandal complement. (I will wear shirt collars for you!)

KILLER cute extended top! You wear those with the best of them. And here are some boots to match your bag.

Franco Sarto Waxton Chelsea Boot

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Joy

Veteran

These are wonderful outfits on you. I have a similar top in black wool left over from my days when hot flashes ruled the wardrobe.

slim cat

Veteran

Great looks - fab accessories ( love bracelets in the first outfit )!

Anonymous

I'm not a fan of shirt collars either, and think stand collars are great ! Also a fan of an extended shoulder/the padded shoulder t-shirt trend. I love a strong shoulder line and think it's so flattering when styled well. Your outfits are wonderful as usual - love the teal boots Angie has found !

JAileen

Veteran

I like this style for the same reasons. They look wonderful on you, especially the middle outfit. The color is gorgeous on you.

CarolS

Veteran

My first impression is that this style of top does an incredible job of drawing attention to your tiny waist. These tops look stunning on you.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

The tops are great choices with your skirts. Everything looks put together with thought but superior confidence.

Sal

Veteran

I agree with Carol - this shape emphasizes your waist.

I love the first one - the belt and sandals, the skirt, the top and collar look just gorgeous. What a great outfit.

I like 2 as well, but (and this may be controversial) I think I would prefer it with sandals. I love the boots and skirt, and I love the skirt and top combos though. But that's me. Bag is a great find and I love the picture with Ms B who looks mighty fine.

So pleased that life is becoming more relaxed now and you can see friends again.

Anonymous

Those tops are a great way to summarize your outfits! They look awesome and are figure flattering. Adore the belt and shoes. Your hair is spectacular

rachylou

Veteran

Fantastic! The best execution of the extended shoulder I’ve seen to date!

MsMaven

Veteran

I hate wearing tank tops or sleeveless tops that cut in. Your tops look great on you. I’m going to look for something similar.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

I watch quite a bit of Trinny Woodall on YouTube. She is a fan of padded shoulders in t-shirts - they square up the shoulders, balance out the hips and visually narrow the waist. I don’t think I can do that look (never say never!) but I think these tops are an OK alternative for me and, as many of you mention, have a similar result. The first one in particular gives a lot of structure.

Synne, do you have a big head too? You seem to have lots of hats. I am jealous. I literally cannot find any hats that fit me.

Lisa, stand collars would look great with your hair! Mine tends to get in the way, but I still prefer them and have had quite a few shirts converted.

Suntiger, I think they layer just fine. Much better than a short sleeve t-shirt or the dreaded 3/4 sleeve top. More like a sleeveless top.

Sally, I think I would have worn sandals in outfit 2 if it had been a little warmer. That said the stompy boots are very practical for walking. Dog parks are dirty places. My eye has adjusted but I know it’s not a look that everyone enjoys. Which is fine! Vive la difference and all that

Joy, I also have issues with hot flushes and just generally run hot in the upper body. I much prefer the ventilation of sleeveless tops.

Angie and Nikki, thanks for the hair comments. I managed to air dry it this week, which generally yields a better result. But curly hair is SO unpredictable. It drives me crazy.

And nice boot find, Original Angie

Nomad

You look gorgeous and these outfits are killer. I love all of your skirts, adore the belt in the first outfit in particular, and the boots in the second outfit (and the color palette). The proportions are great! I also have relatively broad shoulders, and it's funny how sometimes emphasizing the shoulder line actually works better than trying to camouflage or balance it.

Katerina

Veteran

These outfits are fantastic! The extended shoulder tops look great on you. Very modern vibe.
I love the last photo - very cool!

Bijou

Veteran

You and Mrs B are such a glamorous duo! I love this shoulder line on you and with the belt in #1, it really emphasises your tiny waist. Your natural curls and ombre hair colour are gorgeous.

Helena

Veteran

Super stunning.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Love this style on you! I wasn’t sure of it for myself at first either, but I got a black tie front sleeveless tee at the Rack to dip a toe into the trend and really liked it, so I would consider another. I’d forgotten that a strong shoulder can be really good on me if I get the size right — it helps deemphasize my bust and hips. As long as it’s not too big — I need to be careful of not going too exaggerated in the shoulder because I have a tiny little pin head. LOL. Sometimes I feel like I have the weirdest proportions!

I also saw Trinny’s bit about putting a silky sleeveless shoulder pad top underneath other garments for a strong shoulder effect and now I am on the hunt for a good top to use for that! I haven’t found anything yet that strikes the right balance — not too bulky a shoulder, not super expensive, etc. If anyone has a good source, please share! A silky material is best so it doesn’t stick to sweaters and knits.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I am always so excited when I see a new Brooklyn post, and this one does not disappoint! I think this style of top actually really suits you, like the others said, because it emphasized your hourglass. And as always, I love your color mixes, and your signature stompy boots + swishy skirt looks!

I'm usually not a Michael Kors fan (he pops more logos on his items than a golf pro at the Masters), but that bag is gorgeous.

Janet, that Trinny hack is interesting! I'm also laughing, because you don't have a tiny little pin head. But that's the kind of inner dialogue I have with myself.

lyn67

Veteran

Love you tried these tops for the practical reasons you said, and of course you styled them so beautiful,! Love the DIY project too, you did a great job dyeing that tee to match the skirt(s)-I cannot decide on my screen if nr 5 is the same like 3&4 just in plain natural light-anyway all look delicious!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

You’re so making these tops work for you. And the beautiful colors …. I could go on!

Brooklyn

Veteran

Janet, I wonder if you could try out that look by layering one of those muscle tank tops (the padded shoulder versions) under a long sleeve top or pullover. Lots of those around and quite inexpensive.

Mary Beth, thank you. That’s so flattering! The Michael Kors bag is not one that I would have bought new, because the colour did not seem very “me”. But I liked the whip stitching, the shape and the price ($20) enough that I decided to give it a whirl. It actually works surprisingly well with my teals and dark greens and kind of lightens up my look a bit for summer. So I think it’s a success. Thrift shopping is a great way to experiment like that, as you are no doubt aware, being so good at it.

Lyn, thanks. The last top is the white crop tee in Finds dyed teal. The top in the second outfit is a kind of dusty light green.

Thanks Nomad. Welcome back!

And thanks Bijou, Helena, Lisa and Katerina!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely love all of this. The conversion of the collar is brilliant and the skirt and top combination is perfect with the belt and all the rest. Beautiful colors on your blue outfits. And, surprise, surprise, love your curly hair!