Long Torso Question - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Long Torso Question

Thistle

Veteran

I have noticed a lot of tops I am not happy with are simply not long enough. They can be large and baggy or saggy everywhere else, but are simply not long enough. I am not sure sizing up would fix this and would make the top baggier yet.

Wondering if any other long torsoed ladies have ever tried ordering a tall top. I am not tall at 5'6", but I do have short legs. The rest is made up for in my torso and neck. Still, my arms are not super long. (Average arms and long torso made it super easy to have my skirts at finger tip length all through school).

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Eliza

Adelfa

Veteran

Haven't tried this, what a great idea. I'm always searching for longer tops and have had some luck with search terms "tunic" and "long tee". Some tunics are just long tops, not really tunic-y.

abc

Veteran

I think bust size could be a factor in this, too. Not to go where the conversation doesn't belong, but if there is more real estate to cover in the bust sometimes it shows up by the shirt looking short length-wise.

Amiable had a post recently with her Gap order(s) where she tried long tops trying to get a tunic length, but there were some proportion issues, like long sleeves, etc.

ma342

I'm 5'3" but with a disproportionately long torso. Given a choice between petite and regular size in a top, I always take the regular size, so I think going for a tall could work for you.

That said, I don't have a problem with pushing/turning up sleeves if they are a little long (for tops/sweaters--this obviously won't work for coats and jackets).

unfrumped

Veteran

I have actually done the reverse, in this sense:

Some tops are too long for me because a lot of them are meant to be almost tunic length, for skinnies and leggings and such, so they would come right to my widest hip point. and I wear more trouser-like styles. Or they would be too narrow in the hip even so, or too droopy.

But, I also wanted more fluid fit, which takes me up a size or more.

So for some of these I looked at the longer tops in a petite, sized up.

Kinda weird but might work--so it's the style you have to target, somethiing that looks longer on the model than you want, not a "regular" top length.

catgirl

Veteran

My tops get shorter when I gain weight or bulk (like in my arms from climbing) - it's like the length goes to the width. My solution is tunic tops like my Eileen Fisher merino tunic. With skinnies it's very much like an Indian outfit and length is never an issue.

Thistle

Veteran

Hmmm, ABC, I hadn't thought of the bust issue as the tops in question sag around my waist and sometimes shoulders.

More to ponder!

Laurinda

Veteran

I'm 5'3, and very long torsoed (plus busty), and I get cold when my tops don't stay tucked. I often wear Tall tops with Petite bottoms. I measured the length from shoulder near the neck to bottom hem on my favorite Ts, and don't buy tops any shorter than those. Sometimes I will size up to get a long enough top then take the side seams in by a half-inch or an inch; an easy alteration.

ETA: I like Eddie Bauer Tall Ts when I can find them on Sale or Clearance; but don't like that they add $10 for an extra 2" of fabric!

Elly

Veteran

I think it is easier to do this than it is to do the same with pants because there are no knee-breaks in tops-- still, you might also have to narrow the forearms because your chopping the narrow part off. Just make sure the armholes/upper sleeves aren't too big.

E

Veteran

My solution to too-short tops was to start buying higher rise trousers! I say that partly tongue-in-cheek, but switching to a high rise made getting dressed so much easier (and comfier) for me & rescued some previously orphaned tops.

Diana

Veteran

OK, so I have the opposite problem (super short torso) but I think my experiences may still help you! Technically my torso is well in the petite range; however my arms are definitely NOT petite, so unless it's short sleeved or sleeveless petite tops often don't work. However, on a regular length top a lot of times the armholes are too large/tall. If it's sleeveless, this leads to flashing bra/sideboob; if it's sleeved, sometimes the armpit will pull funny b/c it's too low. Add to this the fact that my hips are bigger than my top, so longer tops are often a bit tight in the hip, necessitating sizing up. This makes the armholes even bigger/taller. Obviously these problems are most pronounced with woven tops.

Sooo... this is a longwinded way of saying that if you do go to talls, you are likely to get proportionally taller items, i.e. the armholes will be deeper as well, which may lead to different fit issues.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

No, because the sleeve length for long shirts would be too long; maybe short sleeves?

geargirl

Some of the above replies covered this issue, but I, too, have a long torso. Not busty at all, and very lean in my upper half. (Not my lower half though...) I tried buying a short sleeve t-shirt in a tall size, and found the arm holes were proportionately too long/deep, so I didn't keep the top. Online, I find some sites will give the length in inches of the t-shirt, so that is helpful. Frankly, my favorite long-length t-shirts are from Target! They are junior sizing, so size up!
Here's a link: http://www.target.com/p/boyfri.....Slot=_1_11
Good luck and post if you find some good resources!

Anonymous

I'm 5'7" with a regular inseam. All of my height is from the waist up! I have tried "Talls" but in addition to being a longer version, they are usually a size bigger, so keep that in mind. The bust darts and armholes were much lower than I needed and the sleeves were too long. This might not be as much of an issue with knit tops though.

I don't like tunics on me, I just want long enough tops! The answer for me is to just look for tops that seem to be cut a little longer than normal.

@geargirl: The Target T's are super, duper long! I bought some to wear as undershirts and they are going back because they are SO long that it looks like I have granny panties on; they make all kinds of rumples when I tried to tuck them in! And I sized up and they are still very tight. Junior sized for sure.

Neelie

Veteran

I also have a very long torso. I have found some long T's that I use as an under layer for comfort (Joe Fresh). Old Navy long cami's work well too. I hate too short tops, they feel so uncomfortable. And the minute I gain 5 lbs. tops that felt OK start to feel too short.

Eliza

Veteran

Thistle- have you found any general difference in top length by brand? I am wondering if Talbots, for example, might be less "cropped" than some others. Some of the longer brands (if they do exist), may be classic. It seems that could work for knitwear and tops, given your work needs and style preferences. Brands like JJill tend towards roomy, sometimes almost boho. I haven't seen that in your style, but perhaps their somewhat longer shirts would layer well under knits, adding length without diverting you from your preferences.

I think you are on the right track with experimenting. My height is in my legs, so I have the opposite problem.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Oh yeah. And since having DS, I have breasts, which adds to the issue. And now my weight is shifting more to my abdomen, which is even worse!

I've not tried talls in tops yet, but I have in dresses, and I've loved it! I'm finding the same issue with sizing up, too! I'm on the hunt for a bit more substantial fabric in my layering tops -- with more structure and more resilient stretch (springs back in place, without bagging). I'll let you know if I find it.

Thistle

Veteran

Talbots are actually on the list of too short. and I am unhappy with the new fabrication of their tees and turtlenecks. Used to love them and wear them to the point I bought duplicates.

GAP has some good length, but soooo thin. I would easily pay double if the would double the thickness!

Have not experimented much with Old Navy as they have a lot of poly in their fabrics.

I will have to check out Target! Santa was just there yesterday after a Frozen bike.

shoppingcarty

One of my biggest pet peeves is shirts that feel/look too short. I also have a longer torso due to an extra vertebra in my lower back (not that uncommon) and tall sizes only result in sleeves that are way too long. Many times even average sizes have sleeves that are too long on me.
I know this sounds cheap but some of my best, longer t-shirts are Kirkland brand from Costco. I haven't seen any shirts there lately, but once they show up I'll be stocking up. There are a nice heavier cotton and wash very well. Just beware though...different colors can be shorter than others. I'm guessing they are not all made at the same factory.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Thistle, we have similar proportions, and I've found that to be the case, too! I tried on a few EF crop tops, including a more structured black sweater and a more fluid grey t-shirt, and they just didn't work. Too short, and between where the top ended and where my jeans began, they created a really odd silhouette. I was recently looking at Black Halo dresses, and noticed that they have crop tops and matching skirts that would probably hit at the right spot on me. Maybe try those?

Thistle

Veteran

Shopping arty- the sleeves are most assuredly an issue. On tried on a tall length and the arms were super long on me.mif I find one that works, I will post it!

Eliza

Veteran

Maybe Talls with three quarter length sleeves? My almost 6 foot tall daughter has extra long legs and torso, with a small bust. She will sometimes "cheat" with sleeves that add structure by being 3/4 length. Good luck with your search.
I share your dislike for skimping on torso length in tops.