T-shirts for linebackers...

catgirl

I sorted through my t-shirts today (never too early to pack for Hawai'i!), and after getting rid of everything ratty, dated or ill-fitting, I relegated the few remainders to sleepwear or gear, and now I am left with precisely - nothing.

Does one NEED t-shirts? I suppose so, sadly. And what fit is best for an IT? I need to fit my shoulders, and I can't do too clingy, like ribbed, because of bust and ab issues. I can't do high crewneck or wide scoopneck (just got rid of a bunch of those), or any v-neck cut too low. Can't do cap sleeves. Sizing up for room has always resulted in bad fit.

Kelly and other ITs, have you found anything at all that works?

15 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

Veteran

I think Angie says she doesn't own any tees outside of lounge wear.

The tees that I like have slim sleeves that reach mid upper arm or 3/4 sleeve. I can wear crew necks because of my small bust. It is hard to find v-necks that aren't low cut.

How about a square neck tee? Try a bit more premium quality tees if you feel you need them.

15 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I sympathize, Una. Most of my actual tees have been relegated to sleep wear. I did pick up a couple of knits at the Gap but they aren't actual tees. One is that asymmetric neck dolman and the other was a short sleeve dolman. I don't see tees in my immediate future--unflattering necklines, sleeve lengths and not enough length seem to dominate the T's currently out in the market. I will post if I ever find anything. These are the ones I purchased in medium. They don't cling around the middle.

Asymmetric neck top:
http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....pid=812699
Short sleeve dolman:
http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....pid=812710

15 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any T's that I wear by themselves, just as layers.
I do LS t's and turtlenecks in winter and tanks and cami's in the summer.
It is just not a flattering look for me!

I would spend your clothing budget on something fun, like sundresses for HI!

15 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Tees are tough. I'm trying to wean myself off of them... I don't think I'm an IT, but I've always disliked drawing attention to my shoulders, so I feel much better in sleeveless tops. So... I guess my advice is that one doesn't need T-shirts, and to spend the time/$ on other things.

15 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Sleeveless tops can help, but I'm guessing you want something a bit warmer.

I've found that JCrew's t-shirts have longer short sleeve than others, which means that they still look like a t-shirt on instead of my shoulders taking up too much space and making them look like cap sleeves, which happens a lot. I get a size S in their t-shirts. (http://www.jcrew.com/womens_ca...../97784.jsp)

Honestly, I have just as much trouble with knit tops as with wovens, so I wouldn't rule out one or the other.

15 years ago

Carole

Veteran

You had me at "linebacker"! I can totally relate to your frustrations and will be taking notes...

15 years ago

Sue

Active Member

This is a really silly question... but what's an IT? (sorry newbie here :p)

Anyway I love love love tees! But the tees I wear have to be girly fitted tees. I absolutely hate it when they refer to straight cut men's t-shirts as 'unisex'. It's a pet peeve of mine cos to me, a unisex tee is a men's shirt with men's fit that they try to sell to ladies.

But back to the topic at hand, I love tees because most of them have the most awesome prints! And as a 22 year old geek *and* gamer girl, there are days when I just want to wear jeans and a t-shirt that tells the world, "Yeah I gun down zombies and aliens and I kick ass at it. Ya got a problem with that?" I know I know, not the most stylish but it makes me happy and it expresses part of who I am.

So I guess ultimately, fashion has to also depict your personality and not just make you 'look good'. (Although I would also love tips on how to combine t-shirts with bottoms that are not jeans or short skirts.)

15 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Sue, I absolutely love that you wear gamer tees! I don't play much myself, but I love watching my bf play. I have a couple of tees that are probably geeky as well, but... hey, sometimes the geek pride trumps fit issues. IT means the "inverted triangle" body type: wider shoulders in proportion to lower half.

Una, my sister also mentioned half-sleeve shirts. She likes them more than regular tees, because they keep the eye flowing down the arm, rather than stopping at the shoulder/bicep area.

15 years ago

Sue

Active Member

Rae, Oooh thanks for the clarification! Yes you are absolutely right too about geek pride vs girl sizing. I do have a couple of gamer tees that are not fitted but I bought them anyway in the smallest size I could find haha. And they do get worn on occasion, just maybe not as much as my other tees hehe.

15 years ago

Elly

Veteran

I would love to hear the answer to this dillema. Honestly I don't have as much of a problem with this as I used to when I was younger and skinnier. Despite being an hourglass I have very broad shoulders (a men's medium is usually the correct fit for me in the shoulders). On the other hand, I have a very large bust, so I am forced to buy the bigger sizes (L or XL) and that means they usually fit in the shoulders. I still run into problems with not being able to move my arms in wovens that otherwise fit because of shoulder issues though.

15 years ago

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