Mission impossible: Summer modesty - YouLookFab Forum

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Mission impossible: Summer modesty

Maya

Veteran

Summer dressing is by far the hardest for me so I'm giving myself a serious head start this year!

When Angie wrote about dressing to beat the heat, she mentioned this:

"Single layer: Find items that look good worn on their own, sans a cami, cardi or second layer. If the neckline gapes, have it altered so that you’re happy with the amount of cleavage exposed."

I am SO sick of wearing camis in 85 degree weather under my tops. They're clingy and way too hot, but most of the time I just don't have a choice. Being petite and busty, most necklines are far too low...sometimes even low enough to expose the centerpiece of my bra.

How do you alter a neckline to provide adequate coverage? I am confused as to how this is possible. If I want to take a v neck up a little, how can I do it without messing up the shape of the neckline? I thought about just sewing in a little triangle of fabric too but I'd rather have a cleaner look, if possible.

General

30 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah

Vani

Veteran

LOL, you slay me Maya. I've tried this on one V neck tank. I sewed about 2.5in lace along the V neck with the ends tapering up towards the shoulders. Obviously this won't work with all tops.

marianne

I have no idea about this kind of alteration, but what about targeting things like sack dresses and voluminous tops with higher necklines.

Maya

Veteran

I have a lot of volume for summer days already, since I just find it more comfortable. But I still need a low-ish neckline, for the purposes of flattery and comfort. In the winter I don't mind a high neckline because it's warmer and I usually layer over it anyway.

Keep in mind I'm not talking about intentionally plunging necklines! These are necklines that are totally acceptable and modest on a smaller busted, and perhaps taller person...but on me they look obscene. This dress, for example, looks fine on the small busted model, but on me it would definitely require a cami:

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

So I guess my options are:

-Suck it up and sweat it out
-Get used to being ogled and judged
-Sew a triangle in all my tops...then remove the triangle in winter...then add it back in again in summer...for all eternity
-Wear high necklines even though they aren't as comfortable or flattering

None of these options sounds great to me...

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think you just have to be more careful when shopping for summer clothes. It's not all or nothing- it's about finding the individual pieces that work for you. I like styles like this
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....;cid=50189
or this
http://www.6pm.com/ezekiel-gal.....light-blue
because cleavage seems like less of an issue, and they still seem flattering.

marianne

Didn't someone post about a product that looked like a triangle that you affix inside your v-neck? It was a while ago.
I was thinking you could to something blousy with a shirt collar and unbutton the top for the v-effect. Or what about a neckline similar to the white top that you modeled in your guest post?
The UO dress looks nice but it doesn't strike me as heat-friendly. Actually, it's not that easy to find something that can be worn as a single layer with proper bra coverage and not see-through... sorry I am no help

CK

Do you always wear cotton camis Maya? I do, but now I wonder if another fabric like silk might be cooler.

Debora

Veteran

Maya, I can see how wearing camis and layers in the summer would be intolerable in the city. You're smart to be starting early with a plan. How do you feel about scoop or boat necklines? Would you wear something with a U-neck neckline like this:

http://www.target.com/Rodarte-.....tailbutton

Queen Mum

Veteran

didn't someone write a blog post about a half cami thing last year? was it called 2nd base or something?

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Maya we are going through summer right now so I feel your pain!! It doesn't help that I hate white and pastels and florals - limits my summer wardrobe selection as that is all that seems to be in shops year after year.

ANYWAY rant over...regarding camis under tops....no way on a hot day! You need to find a way around it. Even if it means only having a few tops that work by themselves on those 100 degree plus days. I also find plain cotton (either knit or woven) to be the most wearable fabrics on those days as well. Better to have 1 or 2 great fitting, breathable tops than 5-10 ok tops that need layering!

Queen Mum

Veteran

here it is...

http://www.shopsecondbase.com/

this one also came up when I googled, but I don't think it's as fashionable;-)
http://www.google.com/products.....CCIQrQQwAg

but Tam's right- when it hit's 95 i'ts time for the least clothes possible. That ON blouse Khris posted is really cute

Maya

Veteran

I wear nylon camis which is much worse than cotton, although I don't think a change in material is enough. When it gets hot here it is totally insane to wear more than one layer. I don't spend most of my time in an air conditioned car either, but on the subway, where it can really get suffocating.

Rather than buying new tops, I was hoping to work with what I have. I have a v-neck sweet pea top, for example, that would be so lightweight and cool if I didn't have to wear a stupid cami. I mean, if I don't find a way to wear it, it will become an orphan, or at the very least, my use for it will be extremely limited.

Khris, the neckline on that dress would not work for me. My other sweet pea top has those inset straps and besides the usual issues I have with sleeveless tops (gaping armholes), I can't keep my bra straps hidden. I tried a racerback and they still stuck out. I'm going to intimacy again in March and I'm going to see if they can find a workable strapless. It would open up a lot of options, although I'm skeptical that my heavy boobs can be sufficiently secured. We'll see.

I wonder why no one can just make a normal neckline anymore. Everything is either up to my chin or down to my belly button. Is it asking so much to have some variety? Sorry, frustation is setting in. Perhaps I should just move to a cold climate...

Queen Mum

Veteran

so as I was packing lunches, I was pondering the summer low cut neckline dilemma and hit upon the idea of adding a bit of "cami" fabric to your bra, instead of each individual item of clothing. Not sure exactly how to go about it, but it could work.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Forward planning is a good idea! With the bra strap issue can you sew a little strap inside the straps of your top with a dome on oneside to keep your bra strap in place? Does that make sense?

Perhaps if you posted photos of yourself in your tops and tell us what you think is wrong we can suggest some solutions. I am just have problems working out why others' suggestions wont work for you.

Isabel

Veteran

Hi Maya, though I have small breasts, I deal with these issues too in the summer as well as for my sister who is very large busted ( I dress her, she is disabled ).

The triangle is actually an ideal situation. You are already using a cami as another layer, the triangle gives you the same look without the layer.

Two recommendations for the straps, use hollywood double sided tape ( it's what the stars use ) or use clear bra straps:

http://www.target.com/Bra-Acce.....=341511011

another good site is

http://www.garmentguard.com/in.....ategory=12

I sometimes use the double sided tape to secure a lowcut top right on to the bra. And I always carry this tape in my little, style emergency kit everywhere I go ( except when it is cold ).

I also like and use the bra clip - you attach it to the back straps of any bra and it holds the straps together like an X and keeps them secure all day ! ( This is my favorite ).

http://www.perkyclip.com/

I hope that helps !

I am really looking forward to everyone's suggestions.

Isabel

Veteran

Maya, one more thing.....at least here, where I live, having a gaping arm hole on a sleeveless top taken in is rather inexpensive.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These are great ideas! It really depends on the top too, Maya. This is also a fab idea, and you can’t even feel that you’re wearing it – trust me:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/06/.....-you-cool/

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Maya, I feel you. Our temps soar above 100 for months at a time. Wearing clothes is downright painful.
Here is what I plan to do this summer for my v-neck dresses:
http://www.soma.com/store/brow.....#038;size=
It's like the second base cami/bra but it's got lace. I'm not a huuuge fan of the solid cami as a base layer because it isn't "dressy" enough for work wear.

Isabel

Veteran

Sarah and Angie, I love your suggestions !! I had no idea these things existed. I am going to be placing an order for me and my sister ( she is particularly going to like the lace ones ) !!!!!!

Thank you !

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Those cami bras sound perfect for you, Maya. I am going to look into those myself.

rute

Veteran

Maya,
I use the second base Angie recommended, I remeber it was one of the first posts I read on ylf and it made my life so much easy. I bought two on Benetton, a white and a black one.
When I shop I try not to choose very low necklines, but its difficult... I know!

Tanya

Veteran

Maya, here is another similar option, it is basically a piece of lace that attaches to your bra:

http://www.lingeriesolutions.com/cami-too.html

Tanya

Veteran

I knew I have read about this before, and I have finally managed to find it:

http://thewinkee.com/get-your-own-winkee.html

These are little bra-overlays, look goofy but serve the same function as a cami, and com in million of different colors and styles. It is like your triangle solution, but you do not have to sew anything anywhere and do not need to get new bras either.

Anonymous

Fabulous ideas, and products.
Some people are more sensative to heat and it sounds like you are one of them. Also I hear the moisture in the air on the east coast is killer.
I also think there is possibly another aspect to this matter and that is being in your twenties you are half way between a teenager and 30. It is a very difficult style age for alot of us women. You might be still attracted to styles of the teenager and feel the styles for a 30 yr old are matronly, and your body is right in between the two. I say this with respect for all women and with no scientific evidence.

AlexSue

I think that the faux camis suggested above seem like good ideas. Otherwise, maybe a shirt with a neckline like this would work: http://store.americanapparel.net/4323.html?cid=199 Or this if you want a v-neck: http://store.americanapparel.net/4356.html?cid=199

RoseandJoan

Veteran

What a fantastic forum this is, you have received so many ideas for solving your problem. My suggestion may help a little but would require some readjustment which would become annoying!

You could replace your camis with something like this
http://www.urbanoutfitters.co......38;bklist=
at least your torso would be able to breathe.

Vani

Veteran

Maya, just logged in to post a link http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1.....921x00003a

I just came across it last night after reading your thread. Seems like a nice option. I went into a Soma store to check out the cami bras after Sarah mentioned them earlier but found out that they carry only upto a DD They do look rather nice in person.

carissa

(website)

Maya,

Raising the neckline on a non-collared shirt is a simple alteration a tailor can perform.

I would try it out at your tailor. I have raised countless necklines doing this.

JennyK (NC)

TANYA!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the Winkee link! I L-O-V-E this idea.

Maya - you know I have this issue... Even modest tops tend to look hooterlicious on me (ask me about the day my boss had to "mention" my cleavage when I was wearing a shirt I'd purposely chosen for it's modesty!).

For the most part my attitude is that, "Yes, I have giganto-boobs. Deal with it or look away." I do realize that sometimes we have to conform though. Being harassed on the subway sucks and wearing a sweater every day in miserable weather just isn't an acceptable option.

I think these Winkee things could be a fabulous solution. What's more, I think something like this could be whipped up at home with very little trouble, giving us limitless options!

The Winkee dots they sell are just double-sided tape, I'm sure. I have Hollywood tape, and I carry a couple of strips of those around for emergencies. What I use for taping-from-home is a giant role of double-sided sail tape that I bought several years ago for about $6 from a store that made custom sailboat sails. I kid you not - I will never, ever run out of that stuff, even if I use it every day for the rest of my life. I use it a lot to force my clothes to conform to my body.

I'm super excited. I'm going to order a couple of the Winkees right now.

Maya

Veteran

I am blown away by you guys! Is there ANY problem you don't have a solution for?

I had no idea all of these "demi camis" existed. I forgot all about Second Base and am glad to see they come in more colors now. The others options are great too. Yay! Julie, I am amused at the suggestion of wearing that ridiculous thing on its own.

In fact now I'm wondering how hard it would be to just cut my camis short. Hmmm.

This is the Sweet Pea top in question. Carissa, could this type of neckline be taken up (it's a knit BTW)? I am intrigued.

Jenny, please report back on how the Winkees work out!

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