Tight shoulders

anne

I have noticed recently that I'm often finding the shoulders too tight on clothes that otherwise fit me. I am doing arm workouts with weights, and I do have more arm fat than I'd like - but basically I'm still more of a pear than an IT.

I think Angie said that she's seen this when shopping with her client too.
Have you experienced it?

6 years ago

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Becky

Veteran

Yes! All the time. I just have broader shoulders (like my mom) compared to the size of the rest of my torso. I look for items that have some stretch so I can have the torso fit well and still have some ease in the shoulder area. If I don't have free movement, I get a little claustrophobic and it's a no-go for me. Some brands are just cut narrower through the shoulders. Many of my dresses are sleeveless and I wear cardigans over them in cooler weather. That solves a lot of problems.

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This has been a common problem with clients who work out a lot - like do cross-fit.

6 years ago

Anonymous

Are you talking about tops?
Larger shoulders would help to even out the proportions of a pear and make dresses fit better.

I do have this "problem" with tops, where my torso is a size smaller than my shoulders. This is because I am very flat-chested and quite narrow.
For knits, I opt to fit my torso, usually.
For wovens, I opt to fit my shoulders, and try to pick things without bust darts and things that are silky.
I like a slim fit so generally try for the smaller size

6 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

Yup. I haven't personally seen a change in store offerings - I've just always had muscular shoulders. Upper arms are a problem too. It's one reason I sometimes buy men's buttoned shirts - if I size up in women's shirts to fit my shoulders, the body is too blousy.

The fluid fits of the past few years were good for me, but maybe things are shifting back towards more tailored?

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

Becky, I think maybe I've having problems because I've been looking at sleeved dresses at the moment. Like you, I mostly went for sleeveless before. And we've always been pretty much body type twins, I recall!

Angie - I'm nowhere near those cross fit types, I'm sure! Thanks so much for replying to so many of my recent messages despite the NAS going on - I wasn't expecting it at all

Smittie - I've been looking at sleeved dresses most recently, but have actually, on reflection, had the problem with tops for quite a whilte too. Like you, I have a small bust, but unlike you, my torso isn't that small (underbust about 30 inches, and ribcage sticks out a bit at the front) - but I think it is still smaller than my shoulders. I think I've followed your principles too.

Greyscale - interesting!

6 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I also have this problem - my thighs and calves are also "crunch points". I don't think clothing has adjusted for stronger arms from weights or gym or even yoga activities.

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

My thighs are crunch points too. Not so much calves.

6 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I don't think you have to do cross fit for it to be an issue. I changed my weights program a few years ago (focussing more on upper body) and I have noticed my jackets from before the change are now too tight across the chest. I can't button them up. And I am definitely no ninja warrior. Although I'd like to be

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

I'm not either! And the amount that I lift is pretty small compared to many woman at my gym.

But my arms are quantitatively getting bigger - not sure if it's all fat or some muscle as well. They do look a bit more muscly to me!

6 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My pleasure, Anne. You've been a Fabber for ten years, and I cherish that type of loyalty.

When my narrow 13 inch calves become a crunch point - you know that the style of jeans or pants is RIDICULOUSLY off.

6 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

All the time. I rarely wear wovens with sleeves anymore. Even some sleeveless woven shirts/tops don't fit across my shoulders & chest. My chest isn't that large, it's in proportion to the rest of me, but the muscles under my armpits that wrap around the sides of the ribcage... The muscles across the back of my shoulders... My arms...

Knits are my friends. If I find a woven with enough stretch for my muscles, I have to buy larger to fit the muscles and tailor the rest. Knits are my friends.

6 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

LOL, Angie! I hear you on the calves!! It strikes me as ridiculous to see trouser openings of 9" -- even with stretch! Whose calves can fit that?

I have square shoulders but not broad. I have slim arms. I do work out with weights. And yet I sometimes find the shoulder area a "crunch point" -- along with the calves and thighs. Usually the thighs.

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

Angie I always thought I had big calves at 13 inches until I found out yours were the same (though of course yours look smaller as you are taller). Haven't measured mine for awhile though - haven't measured anything myself (as opposed to at the gym) as I kind of don't want to know.

Cindysmith - knits are my friend too - but I wish they were as durable as wovens. And perhaps I should just resign myself to tailoring too!

Suz Technically I think I'm the same - square shouldered not broad. The crunch point is more just below armpit level on the arms. And I'm with you on the thighs!!

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

Smittie, you are right about this

Larger shoulders would help to even out the proportions of a pear and make dresses fit better.

Well to some extent anyway. I do feel that I look more proportionate. It reminds me of the month or so after I had a babies - the only time in my life where my bust has increased to a C cup! I felt quite hourglassy despite having larger waist and hips. Sad to say I'm not to far off that weight right now, but still have the usual smaller (A/B cup) bust - but I feel happy enough about how I look when I'm undressed..

But I think it just adds to fit problems - now there's arms AND thighs. And garments made to fit them are too big around the torso - especially around the bust.

6 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

This has always been a problem for me because I have wide shoulders and long arms; also, like you, a smallish bust and wide rib cage.

One hack that works for me is to remove shoulder pads. I certainly don't need them! and that provides a bit of ease in the upper arm area. This worked particularly well in the 80's when everything had shoulder pads, but still comes in handy with thrifted items and hand-me-downs.

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

I can remember removing shoulder pads in the 80s! We had piles of them in our laundry. I removed them and so did my mum, neither of us IT, and my sister, who is actually an IT, must have too I imagine.

Unlike you however, I have short arms.

6 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Fit across the top of my back has always been one of the basics in seeing if something fits. Or do you mean your upper arms/shoulders? For me, those are bigger when I have more body fat. Eventually you could build those muscles up enough to matter in your sleeves, but it takes a lot of work over months or years for women to do that.
I strongly believe that the most beautiful curves (as well as the healthiest and best emotionally) are those we build ourselves, in the gym.

6 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Bodies change with age. In my case I noticed more volume on shoulders, broader shoulders too. Also true for the arms. While I do welcome toned, strong arms, I admit the heaviness across the top sometimes make me feel matronely. This happened slowly in my forties and I just turned 49. I do sports too, work out my core and upper body. But I think it's a feminine body's natural evolution. I see it also on other bodies around me of the same age.

This frustrates me, style wise, though. I find shapes that used to flatter now do the opposite because of the larger shoulders/upper arms. Dresses are harder to wear, and I had to bannish most of my (previously adored) neck boat collars. They now work only if the collar is large enough that it actually hangs, and if the sleeves are roomy. I am still looking for a new silhouette that would address this issue.

Beware of some camis and tanks that have their straps too far appart, and too thin. It will make your torso appear humongous. Take extra care on having a structured, well fitted bra. At this point it can make all the difference in the world. Any bra that lets your boob hang too low or too soft will make matters worse. Experiment with waist placement. And if your feet allow it, add a little height with heels.

6 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Krishnadoux, that's interesting. I suppose that what we notice can vary as much as individual bodies. I always think that weight migrates down as we age. Not just sagging breasts and bigger abdomens /backsides but also smaller shoulders/ribcages. Many older women have such underdeveloped upper pecs that if they wear open necklines, their ribs (above their breasts) are visible. Ymmv, and no shade on elderly women who have other concerns, but that is a look I want to avoid. Push-ups with elevated feet, here I come!

6 years ago

Anonymous

I have a DD who is heavily into Crossfit, and her shoulders have gotten that way. My youngest DD lifts weights, too, and her shoulders are larger than they used to be but not overly so. My shoulders are naturally larger, as there are certain petite-sized tops I can't wear because the shoulders are cut too small.

6 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

BC, beautiful! Or should I say "striking", "statuesque"? Broad shoulders naturally draw the eyes up, as I'm sure you know.

Anne, getting the waist taken in is usually not such a big deal (unless it's something like a dress with fitted bodice/princess seams). Broader shoulders get you more attention as you walk into a room. Broad shoulders/bigger on top, small waist, back out again. What would that be except hourglass?

6 years ago

Anonymous

Anne, I think you are a candidate for having the waist taken in. you do have a noticeably tiny waist (and you've had KIDS! My gosh, the luck!).

6 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

fashiontern I wonder if it has to do with hormones.

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

Sorry, I've been distracted and hadn't got back to this thread

Fashiontern thinking about it some more I can narrow it down more to upper arms - kind of in a line with my armpit. And yes, I carry too much fat there, as my PT tells me almost every time he measures it! He also says it's hard for women to lose weight there (and from other sources I understand that it isn't a harmful place to store fat). But in the middle of doing weights it kinds of looks muscled!

Krish - that is interesting, and I think I'd agree with your observations. As always, I appreciate your styling tips, which are always sharp! Do you mean boat necks? I hope I can still wear them as I've just bought a new one!

Fashiontern and Krish I wonder if you're talking about different ages when you mention older women. Maye Krish means in their 40s and Fashiontern means older than that? Just wondering?
For all that, I do get pretty close to the rib showing above the bust look myself if I am at the lower end of my weight range.
And yes, on certain items I can take the side seams in.

BC - your daughters sound beautiful

Smittie Thanks

6 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Former HS and College swimmer weighing in. Snug shoulders has been a lifelong problem for me. My shoulders have always been broader than the rest of me but never very large, and my arms are long, long, long! I end up getting most everything with sleeves altered. They are purchased one size too large and then I bring them to the tailor so the torso can be trimmed. If it can't be altered, I return the item. My favorite items are knits because they stretch over my shoulders and mould to my body. I buy a lot of sleeveless tailored items. (I find It hardest to get the fit right for cap sleeves, ugh! I almost never purchase anything with a cap sleeve.)

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

Interesting Staysfit - I swam in high school and uni too (not at a competitive level, but I trained 2 to 3 times a week) It probably had an effect!
You are right of course that I should embrace tailoring!

6 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Aha! I was not referring to women in their 40s as "old", although I have seen this start to creep up on my sister and me. I was thinking more of 60s and 70s.
We are talking about BF on two threads now. When you get it measured, how many sites do they use? There are about half a dozen they could use (tricep, on your back by your shoulder blade, abs, hip, thigh, pecs). Lots of us get "batwings" and I believe you are correct that they aren't harmful. If you have more of a tendancy to store fat there, then the trainer should use as many of the other sites as possible to get a more accurate estimate of your whole body.

6 years ago

anne

Veteran

Hmm, the trainer uses 3 sites - not just arms. I know one is mid back. I can't remember the third. I think it is a standard formula. They take readings from other parts too, what aren't included.

Yes I thought you were talking about 60's and 70s. Made more sense! I'm not sure how easy it is to combat muscle loss when you are in the age group.

6 years ago

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