Need some advice on a gaping shirt (and finally went shopping!)

I finally went out to shop today, rather than window shop. I bought two bras and a bunch of underwear at Etam, floral pants at Zara (but not the leopard blazer since my husband didn't think the fit was flattering) and a striped V neck cardi at H&M.

I also tried on this shirt (http://www.kookai.fr/e-boutiqu.....21410.html) at Kookai and loved the colour, fit and print, except for a little bit of gaping at the bust where the top button is.
It isn't visible at all when I stand, but when I sit it is. Now it isn't as bad as a lot of other button up shirts have been on me, but I would still like to avoid the gaping issue entirely. Any ideas? I don't like using safety pins since they are so visible. I'm thinking that maybe I should just get the top placket sewed shut? I'm sure any tailor could do it and I can easily pull the top over my head. What do you think?

ETA: Those of you who have sewn shut a placket, don't the stitches show on the outside?

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13 years ago

KikiG

Veteran

I have had luck, sometimes, with sewing in those tiny, clear plastic (actually, I think they are nylon) flat snaps you can buy at fabric stores. I do it very delicately, so that no thread shows on the outside of the front placket, only on the inside layer. Two or three in a row are far better than one, because it distributes the stress.

I do like the idea of having the placket partially sewn shut. I have a woven shirt that is made that way, with a placket that only goes to about my belly button, and then stops. I love that gaping is not an issue with this shirt.

MsMary

I have had the placket sewn shut on a shirt that gapped, and I love it.

Makrame

I have sown a placket shut on a silk shirt (did it myself in a few minutes by hand, nothing shows on the outside, although I might have to re-do the stitches at some point if they start coming apart). I also have a white button-down where I added 2 or 3 snap closures between the buttons. I think the snap closures would be easier to add if fabric is more substantial.

Kirti

(website)

Thanks KikiG! I will keep a lookout for those

Thanks MaryK! I will be a little more confident about this now.

Makrame: It is a cotton shirt, so maybe snaps could work? I am a DIY dud, so I will have to go to a tailor! Thanks

sarah

I use double-sided fashion tape (I usually cut a strip in half)

http://www.amazon.com/Hollywoo.....038;sr=8-3

sarah: I didnt think of that! Does it come loose during the day?

ManidipaM

It shouldn't show, because a placket is usually at least two layers of fabric (sometimes with a third layer of interfacing between them) and it is easy to put the stitches in only the innermost layer without disturbing the top layer at all.

Depending on how much it gapes, moving the button further in might also do the trick.

Thanks Manidipa, that makes sense! I am confident that I will be able to explain it go my tailor now

Anonymous

I was going to suggest a snap. A small round Velcro closure might also work.

Ruth: A snap would work perfectly as well let me see what my tailor thinks he can do.

Jem

You can easily sew it shut without it showing. I'm usually lazy and use a safety pin done some it doesn't show. If you lived close, I'd fix it for you!

Aww Jem! I wish I stayed near you too and not just for the sewing

Tanya

Another vote for the Hollywood tape. It works well for me. Pretty shirt!

Thanks Tanya. Maybe I should try that first.

CocoLion

The fashion tape sometimes stays put but not always. I got mine from Target, it's not the Hollywood brand, that could be why.

I think that Jenava pointed out that if the blouse has darts, it will not pull. And she is right! I went through my woven shirts and realized that the ones that fit best have darts. So I am looking for that detail now when shopping. (I see the Kookai orange shirt has no darts.)

This doesn't! I will keep that in mind now, since I always have this issue. Thanks Denise and Jenava.

That's interesting about the darts. I'm having the same problem with shirts pulling, but I thought the difference was whether or not the fabric had stretch, not the darts. Hmmmm...

I have only a couple shirts with this problem and I think is due to a button placement issue, not size. I have done the snaps and a safety pin. Someone recommended fashion tape and I haven't looked back.
I think you need to make sure that the gap issue is not a symptom of the size being too small and if going up a size will correct it, without the rest looking too big. If not, and you still want it, I think fashion tape is the way to go.

Transcona Shannon

Here's another vote for just having the placket sewn shut - works like a charm. Beautiful shirt Kiri!

Kristin L

I'd say try double-sided tape for a quick fix.

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