Inverted Triangles and Button-Downs - YouLookFab Forum

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Inverted Triangles and Button-Downs

dawn

Hope you're doing well today! I don't really post a lot here (I don't really have as much money as I would like to invest in my wardrobe, since I am saving up for my first car... at the sweet tender age of 23 lol), anyway I am digressing. I seriously need help finding clothes that work well for me, and I am really hoping that there are other members here who can help me make the best of what I have on my limited budget.

I am a petite inverted triangle with a somewhat questionable waistline, sometimes it looks like I have one and other times it plays the magical disappearing act lol, who likes to wear button down blouses to work. The only issue that I have is that because my shoulders are close to 41 inches around and my waist is somewhere between 28-29 inches (it depends on the time of month and how much sodium I eat, I swear I can't seem to stay away from curly fries lol), my button down shirts don't really fit me quite well. Obviously, I have to fit my shoulders first, but this tends to leave me with blouses that swallow up my midsection at times. Is there any way to effectively combat this? I have gotten to a point to where I feel like the only option I have in regards to clothing (if I want to emphasize my waist) are form fitting dresses and some high-waisted skirts with tight blouses.

Thank you for all of the assistance!!

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from Laurie

greycat6

Veteran

Not an inverted triangle but I think I understand the issue. Have you tried fitted button downs? Shirts that actually taper in at the waist? I have one from the brand Foxcraft. I believe The Limited also has had them in season's past.

dawn

You know I tried one once from Express, it was the Portfino and for some reason it never seemed to work well with my body even when I tried the x-small. Thanks so much for the idea! So you're recommending Foxcraft and The Limited. Well then I guess I will have to save up for one. I am going to take a look to see if Foxcraft has a website right now. Thank you greycat6!!

greycat6

Veteran

You are most welcome, Dawn!

If you are handy with a sewing machine, you could try tapering in a shirt you already have to see if you like the silhouette. Pin it first so you have play around with the amount you taper and to see if the look does what you want it to.

Another thought would be to try shirts made of a fabric that drapes and falls into your body which makes for a less boxy look. Tencil or other soft fabrics will do this.

Good luck!

catgirl

Veteran

I just embrace the surrender look - I have no waist definition and nothing changes that. I size for my shoulders because that is where I feel most restricted by my clothing.

dawn

Ahhh these are excellent ideas!

Greycat6, I have been considering tailoring my blouses for a while, and my mom has a sewing machine I just am so much of a perfectionist that I tend to have trouble starting new things. But your idea for me to at least pin my blouses really is an excellent first step, so I want to thank you for that first step of inspiration.

Alaskagirl, I am with you. I have been forced to accept the fact that I have to size for my shoulders first. If I don't, then I end up looking like I stole my 11 year old niece's oversized raglan sweater lol. And I have to admit that it does not help that I have well defined biceps.

Thank you soo much.

K. Period.

Veteran

I've had good luck with some button downs at the Gap and many of the perfect shirts at J Crew. J Crew marks down and runs 40% off sales, so if you stalk an item, you can usually get it at a good price and they are very good quality.

dawn

My favorite button down is a blue and white pinstripe ruffle blouse from the gap, and I seriously love it! In fact that blouse is the reason why I typed up this post, go figure! I have wanted a blouse from J.Crew, but I have always shied away from them. I've read from some that the quality is amazing, and I've also read that the quality has declined over the years. But, if the item is on sale, I am seriously willing to purchase it. Does anyone shop on eBay?

Meredith

Veteran

Dawn, I love ebay, but if fit is a concern I'd caution you not to order something unless you've tried on the exact style in a store. Ebay prices are great, but returns can be expensive.

Aida

Veteran

Dawn we have similar measurements, though my secondary is hourglass so my waist is quite defined, and I also have trouble with fitted button-up shirts. If fitted is a requirement, I don't really have many suggestions for you though I've had good luck with Calvin Klein in the past. If you're OK with a little surrender then I would recommend looking for soft fabrications of a tailored cut shirt and simply fit your shoulders; if the fabric is soft and has good weight, the drape should be perfectly fluid and will actually have a bit of shape because the fabric will collapse back in on itself against you. If you choose a soft relaxed fit, then you'll get a slouchier vibe. These types of shirts work very well semi-tucked in the front or on the side for a bit more structure and definition. I personally like getting this type of shirt from JCrew because their fit model is straight; once the shoulders fit, the body hangs perfectly fluidly and my body gives the shirt all the shape it needs. As far as their quality I've found it decent overall, but I'd suggest trying in store if you can and then waiting for the sales to purchase online.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I second looking for fitted buttondowns, as well as ones with some stretch. As a fellow IT, I have found that Eddie Bauer fits me very well.

dawn

Thanks Meredith, that is one of the key issues that I have with eBay, I really want to give it a try but I am concerned about returns and dealing with shifty sellers. I have heard nightmares about eBay and other online companies.

Aida, I think that my secondary shape might be somewhat curvy (though a few of my family members say that I resemble a pear, which is strange because my shoulders are clearly wider than my hips). In regards to fitted button downs (I will occasionally have issues with them with gaping in the bust, but it is slight so i tend to not worry about it). Speaking of gaping, do any other ITs tend to find that your bottoms tend to gape in the waist. I swear, I feel so strange sometimes! I am an IT, but almost all of my jeans/skirts/shorts gape in the waist. I don't think that there are any j.crews in my area, so I think that I will have to seriously check my measurements, and just take the chance!

As far as surrender is I am ok with it, but to be honest I have done it for so long that I really want to give it a shot. It has taken me years to finally feel ok (again) with wearing fitted clothes, and I want to do it. Even if it means that I end up looking more like an IT. Hopefully that isn't too strange. I really like the fabric of the Calvin Klein yoga pants I bought (and they actually fit me in the waist). So I am strongly going to consider buying a Calvin Klein blouse that I like.

dawn

Thanks Aquamarine (that is my birthstone by the way, so I am in love with your username). I think that it might do me some good to find buttondowns with some stretch, that way when I am bloated I can still comfortably wear the blouse. And I will check Eddie Bauer out, I think that I have heard of Eddie Bauer before!

Aida

Veteran

The waist gap could be a swayback issue (which I also have), and there's nothing wrong with showing the IT shape (I do it plenty). You don't sound strangely shaped to me

dawn

Thanks Aida. What is the swayback issue? I've never heard of it before.

Aida

Veteran

http://www.aidyourhamstring.co.....oblems.jpg

Probably not medically speaking, I do hear it in reference to having a deep-set curve in the spine right above the bum. Medically speaking it seems to be more of a posture issue, curvy spine and pelvis tilted forward which makes for extra curviness at the tail.

dawn

Oh yeah Aida, I don't know if that is my posture alignment but I do know that once I looked up swayback in a google search engine my lower back looks like that. I don't know if my pelvis tilts forward though.

I decided to take a few photos to see if any lovely ylfers had any ideas about what types of styles look best on me. I appreciate all feedback. I took a few photos of myself wearing dresses (though I think that the solid black dress looks much better on me), one photo of me wearing shorts (I like the high waisted look, but I don't think my purple shorts flatter me at all), and a few photos of me wearing button down blouses with a pair of jeans and a skirt. I do want to say that the blouse that looks white, is actually a highlighter yellow buttondown that I bought from The Gap. Oh and I don't like the spring green and muted hot pink combination I have together. I have been considering buying a grey button down to compliment my skirt. And please excuse the dirty room lol! I am a off work and I don't want to even touch that mess!

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Aida

Veteran

From these photos you definitely have an hourglass secondary, so you could use both sets of guidelines. Actually, I think you've got enough curve at the hip to balance out nearly all IT tendencies so if you're interested in waist definition you could probably just go with the hourglass guidelines (and perhaps use just a few of the IT tricks to minimize the shoulder line when it feels too strong). You've got a curvier figure than me so I can see why you'd like a more tailored look rather than surrendered, but I do still think that a soft button-up with good drape would work well for you if you semi-tuck it. Feel free to look through some of my WIWs for some ideas; you'll probably see pretty quickly that I don't dress to show my curves off often at all

I do think the dresses in #3 and 4 aren't necessarily IT friendly but I love the strong shoulder they give to help balance out the curves. I also think that you could use the IT guidelines for necklines (and perhaps the sleeve guidelines too); to me those V-shapes look much more flattering on you than the higher slash neck as in #4, but the high necklines do still work if a little softer like in #3.

High waisted can be tough if you have swayback AND a curvy bum unless the garment has exactly the right seaming in place, but those purple shorts don't look bad at all. How are they from the side? I like the pleats ^^

dawn

Ahhh Aida! You are wonderful! I am not going to lie at all, I looked at your website link that is located right under your username. I love your style, it is super awesome and fun!! You know what, I think that I would like to wear a blouse with a soft flow to it (or one that looks less tailored).

You know I think that one of the reasons why I do like wearing tailored clothes (or at least outfits where one of the items is structured) is because I am only 5'0 and I feel that at my height, I can't afford to wear clothing that is not form fitting because I do have a tendency to feel overwhelmed in baggier clothing.

I do agree with you about the v-necks and the sleeve guidelines. And thanks I finally enjoy wearing higher necklines in general.

Oh, the purple shorts from the side look cute. They are just somewhat baggy in the crotch area (most of ,my pants, trousers, denim jeans, and shorts are baggy in that area). The shorts are cute, I really like the pleats in them. I think that you might have a point about a swayback and curvy bum, I think that I should take a side picture and back photo. I think that would help with identifying if some of the choices I select as my bottoms work for me as well.

Laurie

Hi Dawn,
We sound like we have similar builds and fit issues. Two places I can suggest for affordable online sources that may provide a better fit are:
urkye.pl
biubiu.pl
While these are Polish sites, you can click the appropriate flag in the upper corner to switch to English, and also can set prices from zlotys to USD (other currencies available too).
I have ordered from Urkye, they are great, respond quickly to any email questions, and I loved the top I ordered (the "Tuba" in grey). I live in Florida, and I made my urkye order 2 summers ago, I received the package quickly (don't remember exact wait, but it was under 2 wks). I still wear the top and it has held up well, just wash and dry normally. Both biubiu and urkye have button front blouse options, I think both 3/4 and full sleeve.
What I love about these sites is that you can get a semi-tailored fit for a low price, as the sizing goes by your bust measurement similar to Pepperberry (although I've not ordered from them, just what I've read), so if you measure 39" bust with a 30" waist, you can get your regular size that fits your waist and hips, but is adjusted for your bust size, with with an added "o" or "b" (such as, European size 38bb, or 40 ooo).

dawn

Oh I am brimming with ideas, I think that maybe I can wear a silk blouse button up with a pair of cropped pants or wide legged trousers.

dawn

Laurie, your post reminds me that patience is a virtue! I have heard of all three of the websites you have mentioned, and I have even put some of the blouses on Pepperberry onto my work clothing wishlist. Thank you so much Laurie, for explaining the shipping and the quality of the items you ordered. Have you considered ordering from Urkye again?

Laurie

Hi Dawn, yes I definitely would order from Urkye again. As soon as I get my first check (I'm an elementary school teacher) at the end of this month, I will be placing an order for another tuba style top, and the "Mala czarna" dress. I've seen the dress on a few bra bloggers of various sizes, and they all looked great in it! I'd also like to try a button down from both Urkye and BiuBiu. I've read that sometimes the BiuBiu can run a little tighter, but you can always email and ask about a specific item, and get feedback as to your specific fitting concerns. http://urkye.pl/en_US/p/Mala-czarna/208

shiny

Veteran

You have a lovely and enviable shape, and I'd say it's more hourglass than IT.

I consider myself an IT/Apple and I'm petite at 5'0 tall. I do not like button downs in general because I have a short neck (too much collar) and stiff cotton shirts drive me nuts; I futz all day in them, no matter how well fitted. Even when at my fittest/slimmest (not now-- in distant past) my features & body type are still just as soft and squishy, not in any way angular. This is not necessarily a science, but I've come to learn through YLF that there are those of us with angular types that prefer stiff cotton shirts, and those of us with softer shapes that gravitate and feel & look better in softer less structured shirts, like silk or rayon, which flow.

That said, for work a button down is often the appropriate dress code, and oh-so-versatile. So I have struggled here but last year discovered Ann Taylor's Legacy silk button downs. These work amazing for me; I have three now and wear them all the time at work. They have the look without the stiffness and uncomfortable futzing. Your waist is tinier than mine (my jeans have never gaped at the waist) but give them a try. What's nice is that the silk tucks really well -- and you have a waist that is perfect for tucking.

I *love* your dress in pic 4. All your outfits are fab, but that one in particular stands out to me. To my eye, it's because it's sleeveless, and where the sleeve hits creates illusion of more balanced proportions. Also it is one piece one color, so no line dividing you in two. You look taller here. This illustrates to my own eye why I personally gravitate over and over again to dresses myself... though I do not have anywhere near as tiny a waist, or as nice hips as yourself!

dawn

Laurie, you and your reviews are heaven sent! I think that I will save up my money so that I can order from BiuBiu, especially if they run a little tight. I am thinking that it might be best for me if I order from BiuBiu because I don't know if my breasts will fill out a larger size. Thank you for your detailed reviews.

dawn

Thanks Shiny for all of the compliments. I am the exact same height as you (:
Yeah I am with you on stiff cotton, I think that is one of the reasons I prefer rayon, linen, silk, and other soft thinner fabrics because they tend to feel so luxurious against the skin (ok I know that linen is not one of them, but it still feels really nice at times especially in the heat). You know Shiny, as someone who has a more solid build (believe it or not I do have well defined muscles in my tummy and arms lol), I would actually prefer to be more softer and squishy at times because I tend to think that my body sometimes feels a tad bit too hard.

Ok Shiny, why oh why did you have to mention the Ann Taylor Silk Legacy Blouse!! I am crying as I type this (I am just kidding). I have been eyeing that beauty and its gorgeous jewel toned colors, but my budget will not support it right now. I am thinking though that I will just save up for that blouse to at another day. I do want to say that my blouse in the second photo is Ann Taylor's Petite Satin Trim Boatneck top in black and a size medium (just so someone will know how it fits, though I will admit that anyone with my shoulder measurements will find that the blouse is a tad bit too tight and you have to be very careful if you try putting the blouse over your head and shoulders).

Ok I have to admit, I bought the leopard print dress and the black lacey dress from DressBarn, I work there and I love using my employee discount.

shiny

Veteran

I'm no longer near a Dress Barn, but used to shop there often!

Another thought, revisiting your dress pics: have you tried a wrap dress? I suspect you'd look stunning in a wrap dress. Or wrap blouse, since your question was about tops, not dresses.

dawn

Yeah DressBarn is my first retail job, and I love working there. I have so much fun helping out the shoppers who come there.

I don't have a wrap dress, I do have a geometric jersey dress that I tie to the side. You know what, there is a rust colored wrap blouse at my job, I think that I just might try it on one day during my lunch break (:
Thanks for the idea Shiny.

Laurie

Hi again Dawn,
You are welcome for the reviews. Just wanted to tell you, now that I have been registered and posted for the required 3 days, I am finally able to see your pics. WOW! You have a gorgeous shape! Looks like an hourglass to me. Certainly more hourglass tendencies than I have. You appear very nicely proportioned to me. And I echo some other posters who have noted that the dark blue dress is stunning on you!!