Top Buying Frustration

As one of those ITs who is always trying to minimize her linebacker shoulders, I am having so much trouble finding Spring/Summer tops. Everything is cap sleeved or shirred sleeved or flutter sleeved or some other sleeved that makes my shoulders appear even broader than they already are. Where are the pretty, casual tops that just have plain short sleeves? Unless it's a plain t-shirt, I have found very little. I have lots of tanks/sleeveless tops, but I really want some sleeves!

Thank you for letting me vent!

15 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from ButterflyLady

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have been having difficulty finding tops that have relatively simple sleeves. It seems like it's totally not "in" right now - I found myself getting a few nice sleeveless tops; I guess I just gotta work out my arms more!

15 years ago

Anonymous

I can totally relate to your gripe...the sleeves on many tops are so immature and *tween* looking. Most grown women don't want (or look good wearing) cap sleeves or the whole puffy~ruffled~gathered~flutter sleeve madness! So many sleeves hit us at the wrong spot on our arms, why can't they get it right? We want to cover our upper arms and designers want to draw attention to them. I think us women on here just need to get together and start designing our own clothing! Who's on board?

15 years ago

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Sounds good to me... I am a major IT and I guess I am just pretty much resigned to it feeling like searching for a needle in a haystack to find good dresses and tops for myself. But they are out there! Somewhere...

Our Loft went out of business and I bought a cute black linen sweater shrug with a wonderful longish short sleeve. I figure I'll pop that over the top of some fluttery offenders. Can tailors take in or trim down fluttery sleeves?

Anyway, I hear your pain.... Wouldn't it be nice if every line had several options each season for different builds/body types. I think that would be wonderful. L

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you too, Cindy. That's why I have had to resort back to classic fashion for tops in order to get the colour and clean lines I desire.

Don't compromise. Save your money. There are still 3 months left of this season and hopefully things will improve.

15 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Yeah, I am SO with you on this one. If I see one more elasticized short sleeve, I'm going to scream. Does *anyone* look good in this style?!

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Are you opposed to sleeveless? That's about all I wear during the summer. Your other option is to purchase the flutter and cap sleeve tops and remove them (or take them to a tailor to remove) if you sew it shouldn't be difficult at all.

15 years ago

Active Member

I'm not opposed to sleeveless, but I already have a lot of those, and my arms are ok but not my favorite feature. I would really like to have more variety and not always have to layer - it doesn't get really hot here until July.

15 years ago

rosee

Veteran

I have some issues with tops too, but I'm a pear (and an overweight one right now). I find a lot of bad short-sleeves, so I try to only buy cap-sleeve or 3/4-sleeve tops b/c I like how they flatter me better. Ironically I still wear a S to M in tops, and luckily I have found quite a few (but after diligent searching) that will work for the next few seasons.

My biggest problem area is finding pants and pencil skirts (that don't taper too much). I could start a whole new thread on pant fitting issues!

15 years ago

Aunty

Veteran

I am on your team!! I can only find blouses with the rolled sleeves at the moment. I already have one for work I would just like a bit of variety!!

15 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

This is my biggest gripe about spring/summer tops. Sometimes I'll find things that are okay under a jacket or cardi, but couldn't be worn alone because of the sleeves. I'm also an IT, and it's not just the sleeves but the necklines on summer tops (sleeveless or not) that get me. I don't need lots of fluffy embellishment there.

You are not alone!

15 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm in the same boat. I prefer simple, sleek tops with minimal sleevage. I have a lot of sleeveless shells. Ruffles and gathers at the shoulder look pretty bad on me too.

What I end up doing is buying duplicates of tops that are really flattering. It's possible that Angie will totally disagree with this, but for me it's difficult to find good tops, so when I find an awesome one, I nearly always get two or three in different colours.

15 years ago

Nadya

Veteran

I totally agree! In the summer I don't want to layer, but I want often want a short sleeve top instead of something sleeveless because 1)it's more flattering on me 2)it's more professional 3)my office A/C will freeze my arms.

I think the only thing harder is finding a summer dress with short sleeves! I don't want to have to wear something over a dress and clutter up the lines of it. Argh!

15 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I agree too - I think frilly, puffed sleeves only look good on pre-school little girls - not grown women! I'm not an IT (I don't think!) but I don't like my arms much, and would prefer not to draw attention to them, thank you very much.

15 years ago

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