Show me your fluid tops, please (I'm struggling)

abc

Veteran

I am inspired by Vicki's recent post on fluid tops.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....fluid-tops

I don't know why - well, maybe I do - but I am struggling with fluid fit on tops.

Sometimes I am sized out on the top end, I am in L/XL misses tops already, before sizing up.
I have a mental block against sizing up (related to self image, weight loss, etc). I know I need to get over this but it's hard.
Sometimes when I do size up, it just looks frumpy / oversized on me. Can't pinpoint a pattern of why this is happening.
I am a slight pear shape so I tend to go for structure on top, especially around the shoulders, for balance in my outfits
I am not used to wearing fluid tops (again, my own issue I need to get over - at least I am trying here!)

I am begging you fab ladies for two things:
1. photos showing fluid fits so I can SEE what it's supposed to look like

<<bonus points for ladies wearing size L or XL tops!!!!>>

2. specific recs for tops to check out

Thank you SO much.

10 years ago

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Neel

carter

Veteran

I don't know how well I'm doing in the fluid top department, but the slide below shows some of my more fluid tops. I'm an hour glass, so I do have prominent hips as well. Pre-YLF I was wearing more fitted tops and looser bottoms, thinking that I was showing off the good parts and camouflaging the parts that bugged me. I think I was wrong about that formula. I'm finding that I look more proportional and slimmer overall in a fluid/oversize top with a fitted bottom. Who knew? Most of the time, I will bring some structure to the tops by belting and semi-tucking. I think this helps prevent the longer tops from making me look like a wide rectangle. I've also had more luck with knits than wovens. Also, only the pink tee is sized up. Everything else is my normal size.

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10 years ago

(website)

Veteran

partially tucked, not tucked. With jeans, with shorts. With jacket over. Fluid upper fit, with slimmer almost banded bottom ruched up

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10 years ago

abc

Veteran

Carter and Mo, thank you so much for the visuals. They really help. Now if I can just burn those images into my brain when I go shopping.....

I think the challenge for me is finding the right fit in the shoulder while having the extra drape around the waist.

10 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Following! I'm struggling a bit too... Mo and Carter look like freaking models the way they are wearing thiers... I find I feel frumpy. I'm a M or L in most things,and have been tending towards L for the sized up fluid look. I'm an IT. Getting that magic proportion is harder than it looks. But I'm SO SO attracted to it, and love the comfort of the more fluid relaxed fits.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

abc, I *wish* I could fly over and dress you in fluid tops. Once you get it - you shan't look back. Mo and Carter have provided excellent pics already. I'll throw in a few too. I'm more of a tucker and a welt gal who faux tucks her fluid and oversized tops to create a little structure. Hope these visuals across various styles help you a little:

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10 years ago

LoriFLA

Active Member

abc, I am like you. I have always worn fitted tops. It was like an ingrained habit. I couldn't get my head around wearing loose tops because I thought they would make me look heavier. The opposite is mostly true. I find a top that skims is more flattering. I still cannot wear a lot of drape or volume around the waist (example are the billowy crossover tops,) but a lot of fluid styles do work.

I am a size 14-16. I suggest trying Large and XL and not sizing up. Bring a lot of tops that are intended to be oversized or fluid into the dressing room and try on for fun. In my recent challenge outfit I chose an XL white t-shirt. I tried on the Large, but it wasn't fluid enough and lost its intended silhouette.

10 years ago

abc

Veteran

Elizabeth P, it is so good to know I am not the only one struggling. I hope this thread helps you!

Angie, oh how I wish I could fly you here to shop for fluid tops with me! But alas, only in my dreams. Thank you for the visuals....and also for the encouragement. I am waiting (dreaming) of that A-HA moment when I "get it' (as you so eloquently stated). Stay tuned, I'm off to the mall tomorrow...

Thanks again.

10 years ago

abc

Veteran

fastkat, thank you for chiming in. It is great to hear others' stories on how they made the change from fitted to fluid tops, and knowing you are in the L/XL size range makes it that much more impactful.

Now that I think about it, I did buy a couple of looser (dare I say fluid?) Halogen very thin material tshirts a month or so ago, but felt frumpy wearing them. I think I need the half or faux tuck next time.

I will get this eventually....

10 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I'd look at Eileen Fisher tops for inspiration.

For instance, here's a great summer top that matches Angie's blog post today about split hems and asymmetry.

misses size
plus size, to show that it works on a range of body types

Since EF tops are cut for a fluid fit, you probably wouldn't have to size up from your regular size L.

Actually, though the plus sizes are larger than you'd wear, you might get some inspiration from looking at how Eileen Fisher's plus size tops are styled:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/ei.....e-clothing
http://www.eileenfisher.com/Ei.....l_Plus.jsp

10 years ago

abc

Veteran

Greyscale, thank you for accepting the challenge to change my mindset (quite the feat, just ask my DH!)

10 years ago

ramya

Veteran

Hmmm I had done a ylf challenge on fluid tops abc. On phone right now. But will chime back when on computer.
I am a pear btw

10 years ago

SW Ann

Veteran

abc, thank you for saying what I'd been feeling and thinking about the whole fluid trend....."yeah, it's great for them that look like models, but not for me, size 12 and more....."...... Yeah that's whats in MY head, and so I just look and think, how in the @#@!$$$ can I "look" like that--? and then I try, and I look just awful. And, no, there will be no photos because I just can't. I either think I look ridiculous, or "artsy fartsy" which is not at all me.
That's where I'm at.
So, I will be following....skeptically!.

10 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I too was puzzled by this "fluid " word..but then I figured it just meant a soft drapey fabric that fit loosely, as opposed to woven fabrics that were fitted. Now I am finding that there are woven fabrics that classify as fluid, but they are made very wide. I have been trying on a medium in some of these, and I usually bought large in t shirts , etc.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's right, always trying. Fluid fits do not need to be soft and drapey. A crisp and stiff shirt, pant, skirt or dress can have a fluid or oversized fit too.

SW Ann, fluid fits are for every size and height. I dress sizes 12 to 20 in fluid fits - and they look great. The pieces and the effect are the same. I'd love to get you sorted too. Please post pics.

10 years ago

Susie

Veteran

Well I'm not sure mine look like how they are *supposed* to look, but I do enjoy wearing them! And I am a size L, occasionally an XL, in tops.

But here are photos off some of mine. Oh and I agree with the Eileen Fisher recommendation.

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10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Susie, you wear fluid fits with panache. xo

abc, hit the mall, bring home some stuff, and lets get your fluid fits sorted.

10 years ago

Liz

Veteran

I wear a L-XL in tops, and totally understand! Key for me is to find a top with a tailored fit at the neck, shoulders, and arms. My favorites are like the orange one below, with pleats around the neck (structure) that then open up into drapes below (fluid).

Or like this top with structure at the shoulder, draping, and waist definition. http://www.kohls.com/product/p.....womens.jsp

Those two were sleeveless, which works best for me because my shoulders and arms provide some structure. If I have sleeves, I prefer them set in and fitted (structure), like this: http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....M&sk=
M

Nordstrom

Vince Camuto Sleeveless V-Neck Blouse

View Info

Top Pick

10 years ago

Susie

Veteran

Angie, you are too sweet!

10 years ago

sarah

Veteran

I haven't been taking WIWs lately (no time), but here are several tops I've recently purchased that have fluid fabrications that I'm very happy with.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=950842002

(I actually bought it in red, but that's no longer available)

http://www.talbots.com/online/.....8;catId=ca

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ny.....onColor=Bl

Nordstrom

NYDJ Tiki Print Split Neck Blouse (Regular & Petite)

View Info

Top Pick

10 years ago

Helena

Veteran

no help i'm afraid, but just a note to say that i too am a die-hard for the tailored top fits ... although i find just by virtue of the current trend, even the more tailored tops are *slightly* more fluid than the tailored tops of five years ago! so you aren't alone in any case!

10 years ago

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Some more good examples here at Lane Bryant of some really cute fluid looks, proving that it works on all sizes. You can DO IT!
http://www.lanebryant.com/plus.....38;zfL=96#

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10 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Just wanted to chime back in to say to some newer members that I was die hard bodycon, short tops when I first got here. Shirt length was the hardest lesson ever for me, and the looser fit just naturally followed soon after. Ahead of the trend, actually. So if I can do it, so can you!

10 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

As an apple I am so excited for flud fit over tailored but need to be careful not to enter teh bad zone of too oversized. The semi tuck is the key for me to not be frumpalicious in fluid tops because I am busty (and a L/XL). I look for length and soft fabrics like rayon, tencel, linen, modal, silk. By accident I found some gap long baseball tees that I'd been wearing for sleepwear that shrunk with washing and are now perfect for casual wear tops semi tucked with bfs and bermudas. To me the key is that the top does not cling unflatteringly.

10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow thanks for asking, what a treat seeing Angie and everyone's examples. Will study more earnestly later!

10 years ago

Anonymous

I'm just starting to look for more fluid tops after years of wearing exactly two top styles -- fitted and tunic/empire. So I don't really have advice, but just wanted to say thanks for starting this thread. It's definitely educational!

10 years ago

Neel

Veteran

I always hated bodycon. Because I didn't like the way they made my not so firm mid section look! So fluid fit was natural for me (They fitted my shoulders but grazed over mid section). I always bought tops that didnt cling to my skin even before YLF. BUT I looked frumpy because I did not know about creating just enough structure.

Angie's recent post about creating structure summed up just about everything I learnt on YLF! The faux tuck, semi tuck, banded tops, scrunching sleeves, structured topper are brilliant!

Now is this what you are missing? At least I was! Once I learnt those tricks ... I moved out from Frumpville. Like Angie says .... Let's get you sorted

10 years ago

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