The "compressed loaf of uni-boob" problem - YouLookFab Forum

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The "compressed loaf of uni-boob" problem

April

Veteran

Attribution: the brilliant phrase "compressed loaf of uni-boob" comes from stylist Kendall Farr.

I have this sweater http://www.peruvianconnection......ourPicksAs and wear it with a layer beneath. Usually the layer is a HeatTech long-sleeved tee, and sometimes there's a cami under that.

Here's the problem. When I first put the sweater on and pull the waistband down, it looks fine. But within a minute or two, it has "relaxed upward" a little bit -- just enough to create a remarkably frumpy and unflattering silhouette at the bustline.

If I pull it down again, it's all smooth and looks good. Then it creeps up slightly and I am left with Kendall Farr's "loaf of uni-boob."

The sweater is the right size, I think it's the knit itself that's creating the unflattering drape.

Any fixes for this, other than constantly tugging down the waistband? Would it help to wear something less "slide-y" than a HeatTech underneath?

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from April

leopardluxe

Veteran

I'd first try experimenting with a different underlayer to see if the underlying fabric is increasing the "slipperiness," causing draping issue.

Failing that, if I absolutely LOVED the sweater I'd use double sided stick tape for clothing to hold that sucker in place (if I didn't love it I'd probably just give up and donate the sweater because constantly tugging it down would drive me crazy, personally).

Neel

Veteran

I think Rae was having a similar problem with her All Saints top which would weirdly bunch on top.

I think fabbers suggested a silky Cami underneath. I am not entirely sure if this would solve your problem, since you are asking for less slidy. Would you be able to post a pic of the issue? I am not able to exactly understand the nature of the problem.

Here is Rae's thread to see if its a similar problem.
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....isbehaving

April

Veteran

I'll see if I can capture the problem in a photo, Neel.

ETA: I just looked at Rae's photo. I would say the issue is related but not identical. The sweater is not getting stuck above my bustline the way Rae's top was, it's just -- when not pulled taut -- relaxing into an overly lumpy shape in the bust area.

And LL -- I love that idea! I have a drawer full of fashion tape; it just hadn't occurred to me to try it in this circumstance.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love the uni-boob phrase! I have had this problem with certain long sleeved tees, and sometimes tucking solves it. Since I'm usually wearing it as an under layer, i just button an extra button of the shirt over it. I'll have to try a silky cami and/or tape (removable hem or fabric tape would be better on the fabric than double-stick) as those above me suggested.

Lisa

Veteran

I usually tuck my underlayer and find this often helps conceal lumps.

VernieJane

Totally cracking me up with the "uni boob" terminology!!!

This is a wierd one, because you would think that if the layer underneath was slippery that it would actually allow the sweater to stay down, not ride up. The above suggestion of double sided tape is not a bad one, but how embarrassing if someone saw your tape! How long have you had the sweather? Consider a return?

I suspect the problem is more due to cut of the item than the material, but that's just my non-scientific brain talking...

carter

Veteran

For me, it's usually the layer underneath that creates the uni-boob. I find that if I switch to a bottom layer that is either drapey enough to flow through the peaks and valleys or a layer that does not go straight across the boobs, I don't have the problem. Hard to explain...see pics below. The creeping up may just be a fabric on fabric issue, so the slippery the fabric underneath, the better.

ETA picture

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shiny

Veteran

I'm afraid it probably is a fit issue.

I'm going to guess it's just a wee bit too tight in the shoulders, or the width under the armpits, or even the upper arms. I could be wrong, but that's my guess. I tend to have this problem, especially with shoulders cut like that sweater, because my shoulders are quite straight across. My shoulders pull the sweater up. Or, the issue is with my upper arms -- tightness will pull the sweater in odd ways. Size up and it works fine (though often sizing up means all the other proportions are now all wrong).

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm with carter - with multiple layers the under layers naturally don't go entirely down the valley between the breasts, so with each additional layer you get more of a uniboob look. The under layers, if they have sleeves, are anchored at the shoulders so they aren't going to give you any extra ease. Is it warm enough to wear just with a cami? Otherwise I would try a sleeveless tank, and failing that an under layer that is just a tad bigger than the one you've been wearing.

kerry

Veteran

Certain bra styles and stretchy under layers give my uniboob. I bought a bandeau last summer hoping it could help with necklines that were too revealing and ended up with uniboob instead! What fabrication in a cami is slippery enough to create the "valley" between breasts?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Is it the sweater or the bra? I know I get uniboob from my sports bras, but on purpose.

Greyscale

Veteran

Carter, that uniboob layering issue is my #1 poison eye on myself (don't notice on others so much, just a little personal obsession). It's why I'm so picky about camis - I prefer loose, non-stretch cotton v neck camis that settle down into the valley, as you say. For semisheer top shirts where drape is essential but I need a bottom layer, I have this underwire cami:
http://www.shopbop.com/second-.....924386.htm

It lifts and separates. I am happiest with an underwire, so I was happy to find an underwire cami instead of all the shelf bra varieties that are uniboob-tastic on me. I just wish it came in bra sizes instead of s/m/l.

Echo

Veteran

I agree with Carter. Camis often create a uniboob look on me unless there is a V-neck and the top edge of the cami is showing. The more layers, the worse the uniboob gets because the layers are more likely to smooth over or create a bridge over the valley between the breasts. I would try it without the underlayers to see if it changes the silhouette, and then if it absolutely needs a cami underneath, I would use one with built-in cups.

unfrumped

Veteran

Do you have to wear an underlayer at all ?
I have a couple of nylon slip- shaped cami's for this reason. And for some tops, an underlayer defeats the whole benefit of the drape of the fabric , on me, IYKWIM! So I have learned that styles that require a cami-- deeper V-s and sheers or open knits and such-- may not end up looking the way I want.

Some knits,such as certain ribbed knits, seem more prone to this

Gigi

Veteran

I haven't read all the comments, but this situation sounds like what happens to me when I wear a misses' top instead of a petites'. It happens to me when there's too much space in the armpit and shoulder area. When I first put a misses' shirt on, I can pull it down to make the tops of my shoulders hit the tops of the garment shoulders, and it looks OK. But over time, the garment starts riding up and creates bulk in the bust area from the extra fabric.

Would you like to try shrinking the sweater, if that's even possible?

catgirl

Veteran

I have this issue when I try a cami under a wrap top (which is one of several reasons I don't wear wrap dresses). I think rib knit tops also do this because the ribs do not lie flat on non-flat surfaces like, er, boobs. Thus the flesh is gathered up in a loaf. Sometimes I get a wrinkle on top as well. So delightful. Wish I had a solution but I am following along!

April

Veteran

Gigi, it never occurred to me that the sweater might actually be overly roomy in some areas rather than too small. (I tend to blame every weird draping issue on a garment's being too small.)

Una, you're so right -- how did I not know to stay away from rib-knit? I KNOW what it does to a tee shirt, good grief.

To everyone suggesting that the underlayer may be the culprit -- I think you're right. I tried the sweater on with nothing underneath (nothing but a bra) and it did seem less prone to bunching upward.

Hmm, alpaca with no under-layer. I'll have to test the itch factor on that.