Translating Angie's Recs for ITs

Marmee

I would like to start buying some new tops for transitional and early spring weather, ideally some that will go with my new slouchy skinnys and the boyfriend jeans I have yet to buy. However, despite pouring over Angie's post for inverted triangles, I'm still unsure of exactly what to look for when I go shopping. I know to look for tops with open necklines, raglan sleeves, and collarless blouses, and to stay away from stiff fabrications, shoulder details and horizontal stripes and lines. Also, although Angie says that crew necks are okay, they don't usually work for me (maybe it's my less than willowy neck or 32D bustline?) Nonetheless, when I walk in to a store, I feel overwhelmed and can't seem to find these things.

Can anyone suggest any specific types of tops that would work for inverted triangles? I'm ready to do some shopping!

12 years ago

Shopping

6 replies

Latest reply was from Marmee

kellygirl

Veteran

I really like dolman and raglan sleeve sweaters and tees. I find knit fabrications to the most IT friendly. I also stay away from anything that is too fitted in the waist (since I don't really have one.) Asymmetric hemlines, banded tops that you can semi-tuck, v-necks are also all good. Will have to look around for specifics. Great thread!

I haven't tried any of these but these are the types of tops that I tend to reach for over and over.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

12 years ago

Marmee

Veteran

Thank you, Kelly! I don't know why I didn't think about lighter sweaters for springtime! My most successful look right now is a cashmere sweater, so of course it makes sense jus to lighten it up a notch! And I like the idea of a t-shirt. Most of what I've had in the past has been too body con for my current style.

12 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I find that high crew necks are not great on me either. My chest is the same size as yours and I have broad, square shoulders. Slightly lower/looser crew necks can work quite well, though. My usual preference is for tops that leave most of my collarbone uncovered.

I've been singing the virtues of these layering tees for ITs with big shoulders. I have them in two sizes (XS and S, for me) depending on how loose a fit I want. Una likes hers too.
http://www.uniqlo.com/us/women.....supima-cot

How do you feel about showing your arms/shoulders? I wear a lot of sleeveless silk button-downs with banded collars. Banana Republic often carries them. I run hot, so I like sleeveless blouses to layer under light sweaters. But it takes a bit of searching to find armholes that don't make my upper arms look awkward and blobby.

12 years ago

Marmee

Veteran

Thank you, Greyscale. I will look more carefully at crew necks. Maybe I've skipped over some that might have worked. And thank you for the Uniqlo T recommendation. I am going to be in NYC in a few weeks, and will go to the store there (sadly, no Uniqlo in Seattle). Regarding baring shoulder and arms, I don't really have any issues with it, but I tend to run cold. Still I like the idea under a light sweater.

ETA: My upper arms probably look blobby no matter what I wear. They are pale, and there is a strange blob next to my tricep that's been growing slowly for the past 20 years. Now that I've turned 50, I've decided I just don't care about blobs. I'm happy my arms work for me!

12 years ago

shiny

Veteran

It's a bit of a challenge right now to find suitable necklines, as it seems the pullover trend has overwhelmed the market with crew necks. But some crew necks can still work -- I look for versions with a bit of a scoop (i.e., either a low crew neck or a high scoop neck). And also boat necks, surprisingly, can be your friend. I think because it exposes collar bone, but also there's something nice about how boat necks drape.

I have the added challenge of really needing a petite, as I'm only 5'0 tall, but here are some basic tops that have worked for me lately:

Jcrew vintage tees:
I just ordered more today. I am hoping they are same cut & fabric as the ones I bought last year. This is a casual tee, I wouldn't wear to work, but it's great alone or for layering. I have the V-neck and the crew, which is has that magical "not quite crew, not quite a scoop" neckline. For me, these fit fluid/relaxed/ever-so-baggy without being too baggy. Not body con. They work great with skinnies and boyfriend jeans, tucked in or half tucked.

https://www.jcrew.com/womens_c...../24500.jsp

and

https://www.jcrew.com/womens_c...../36183.jsp

This V neck sweater from BR fits nicely if you are aiming for fluid relaxed fit; I just warn you that the quality isn't that great, unfortunately. I bought one last fall and it's already pilling quite a bit:
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=689271002

If you want something more body-con, I tried this on -- didn't buy it. Nearly bought it...
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=933039002

I wrote a recent rave for this camp shirt:
http://www.anntaylor.com/silk-.....010&p

Yes it has a collar. But it still works. I wouldn't button it up at the neck, like shown in the picture. And, I don't agree with the recommendation to try collarless shirts -- I find these look absolutely horrible on me. I'd rather have a collar that doesn't stick up on the neck, but rather, lies flat, and when open at the neck creates a V. Collarless shirts don't usually do that.

This sweater works surprisingly well, I think because the fabric is so drapey, and it's nearly a boatneck. And yeah, it's striped. Go figure.
http://www.anntaylor.com/marin.....tid=cata00

This is pretty cute:
http://www.anntaylor.com/woven.....038;catid=

12 years ago

Marmee

Veteran

Shiny, you are amazing! Thank you so much for your detailed response.

I have a J Crew credit I would like to use, and will check out the tees. Pre YLF, I wore the v neck tees, but the v is so low on me that my tank showed, and I couldn't get it to layer properly. I will try again, and try the crew neck. I will also check out the BR sweaters and Ann Taylor. I have very high hopes for the last top!

ETA: And I see what you mean about collarless blouses, unless they are v-necks. I have several that open naturally at the top that work well for me.

12 years ago

Category