What do I have to do to get a jacket that actually fits? - YouLookFab Forum

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What do I have to do to get a jacket that actually fits?

Cilleena

Veteran

I have broad shoulders and all the jackets I try that fit in my shoulders are baggy in the body. I keep seeing cute jackets that actually lie flat across the chest on YLF ladies. Is there a brand that fits broad shoulders and a narrow torso better? I'm mainly thinking of denim jackets and blazers, but all coats seem to fit me like that. Can a blousy jacket be altered in?

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from cjh

rute

Veteran

I would choose one to fit the shoulders and get it to a tailor to fix the rest!
Tailor do that! I did that when I lost weight!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Is it the shoulders, or is it the bustline, Cilleena?

Freckles

Veteran

I have a cute winter jacket that fits beautifully. It is a petite size so somewhat more slim fitting and the arm holes are cut somewhat higher. The look is much leaner than others I had tried.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

oy, Cilleena, i feel your pain! as a rule i take a 14 in the shoulders, 12 in the bust, and a 6-8 in the waist/hips (to give you an idea of my proportions). i tend to stay with cropped or shorter jackets as getting them to fit at the shoulders and hips is asking too much. stretch fabrics can help, sometimes.

what i usually do is sew my own. but if you don't sew, as rute points out, tailors can do a lot! choose a jacket that fits in the shoulders/bust (Angie asks a good question!) and that does not have a lot of ornamentation or complicated seams. princess seams are great for modifying fit in the torso. you don't want seams that cross each other - for example, a princess seam that has a pocket on top of it will make a mess (if the tailor even ventures to take it on). if you have a tailor you trust, you can take items to him or her to get an idea if they could be altered successfully (keep the receipts and do this in a timely manner so you can return ones that won't work). you can also ask your tailor about any guidelines they have for you.

i've had some luck in the men's department for casual jackets such as jean jackets, safari, millitary, or utility type jackets. (my shoulders are too big for the boy's department). hope this helps! steph

Cilleena

Veteran

The bustline is too big. It usually fits comfortably in the back too.

Aida

Veteran

(I have the same problem with the shoulders/bust, so have been looking at mostly cropped jackets which is kind of cheating heh.)

Kristine

Veteran

I totally have this problem too. I've found juniors jackets sometimes work because they're cut smaller and slimmer. Also jackets with stretch help because it gives you more leeway in the shoulders. H and M seems to have pretty good cuts for smaller torsos. I also have a Karen Kane jacket and a BCBG jacket (both thrifted) that fit me well. I've recently heard Theory is good for small torsos, but I've also heard the shoulders might be small, I haven't tried one of their jackets yet.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I tried on a Theory jacket at Winner's (discount store) and it fit very well...I have relatively wide shoulders and small bust/torso. This was in Petites (as I am also on the short side and petites fit my armholes and arms better.) But it was pricey even discounted and not in a colour that I liked. I do think it's a brand worth trying, however.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

You body sounds very much like mine. I have wide shoulders and very narrow back and smallish bust. I have the same problem with the fit: if it fits my shoulders there is too much fabric between the shoulders and waist.
My best remedy is alterations: it is a pretty simple alteration to take in extra fabric on the back. I was able to find some jackets which did not require alterations: red Hinge jacket, white denim jacket from Old Navy, dark denim Calvin Klein jacket, leather jackets from Danier - but they are more of exception that the rule.

anne

Veteran

This is my issue too. Extra fabric, particularly at the back.

Just out of interest, how much looseness/ease should their be in a jacket in the torso (presuming a fitted style, not voluminous?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Cileena, so it sounds as if there is too much fabric in front (i.e. you aren't filling out the front) or is it the back, or both?

The other issue to watch for is dart placement (in jackets that have darts).

How tall are you? Do you wear regular size or petite?

Anne..I hope Angie weighs in on your question. I don't know if there is a "should" about it, but I would think you don't want too much; on the other hand, you don't want it to be so snug that you can't comfortably bend, stretch, or move. If it is fitted it should follow and glide over the curves of the body, no?

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I have the same issue but I'm also short waisted so I often have too much length to the waist which amplifies the problem. I find Jones New York suits often fit without alterations and Calvin Klein is pretty good for me too. I have the same problem with dresses. I have had many taken in from just under the arm to just above the waist. A good tailor can be your best friend.

Scarlet

Veteran

Would it be an option to try a men's/boy's jacket and get the waist altered if necessary? They might cut the body a little more narrowly than when you size up on a woman's jacket to fit your shoulders. Just an idea.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How does the olive jacket that you bought fit?

Cilleena

Veteran

It's too big now, Angie. I'll have to pass that one on. Apparently I shrink in the upper body significantly when I lose weight. Even my wide shoulders are less wide. But, new, smaller jackets that I've gotten that are smaller in the shoulders are still cut too full through the bust. I wish I could find a jacket to fit me the way that grey CK dress I have fits my torso and shoulders.

Suz-The fullness is in my back as well, but not as much as the front. I actually prefer a looser fit in the back because of the great range of movement.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Can you post pics so we can see? Maybe some of the expert seamstresses could advise whether alterations would work easily?

Cilleena

Veteran

Good idea, Suz.

Picture 1 is the jacket in question. I originally really liked this jacket, but now that I've seen photos of it, I'm not so crazy about it. It looks too big and just don't flatter. Pictures 2 and 3 are examples of the "blousiness" I run into with most jacket. Granted, they are casual jackets and not meant to be fitted, but they still seem especially baggy in the chest area.

None of these photos are "styled" outfits. I just threw on the jacket over my sloppy shorts and tee that I'm bumming around the house in. Yes, everything looks ridiculously big on me.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. Interesting. I think I see what you are talking about, particularly with the olive one.

Are you in the process of losing weight? Because if so, it can take a while to level out. So that might be part of it.

It's less obvious to me with the jean jacket.

But it could be a question of looking for different styles of jacket entirely. From this collection, it looks as if you really want or need a casual jacket (or a collection of them.) I wonder what different types of cut might be available that could work better?

For example, a denim blazer? That would have darts or possibly princess seams and a bit more shaping through the waist area. Maybe it would end up looking and feeling less blousy to you?

The olive one with (if I'm right) elastic at the waist, almost looks as if it is meant to be a bit bloused, though the material is so stiff (at least looks that way) that it might not blouse all that well for anyone.

It's so frustrating when you really need and want an item of clothing and you try and try but nothing seems to fit! I hope you find something you love soon!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FWIW:

The pink jacket totally fits and is flattering (#1). Not wild about the colour though. The camouflage jacket is supposed to fit just like that. The denim jacket, I agree, does not fit as well as it should.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I think these are all nice jackets. The thing that's throwing me off is that you're wearing them with khaki shorts, which you probably wouldn't normally do. What if you tried them with jeggings or bootcuts?

MsMary

Veteran

I think the camo jacket looks AMAZING on you!

MNsara

Veteran

Love the camo jacket (I think we're jacket twins there!) and if you feel it is a bit big - then save it for fall when you put it over long sleeves and light sweaters. For me, the difference between over sleeveless vs sleeved can significant in hot it looks and feels.

I am not a fan of the fit of the denim. It seems a bit big and a bit long in the torso. The shoulder seams droop a little beyond your shoulders. Here again it could be reserved for wearing over light sweaters, etc. (But I'm one who just counted 5 denim jackets in my closer - various washed, lengths, and fits for various purposes. . . :-\

The pink seems to fit you very nicely! I have a tough time visualizing it styled, but the fit seems right.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

The pink one fits well and I really like it. But it's very unstructured, so that may make it feel "sloppy" to you. This is the style that to me goes with a soft pale tshirt (decorated with a fabric ruffle or flower? or pearly sparkly necklace?, maybe a bit longer than the jacket like you have your purple one, a pair of slim or skinny jeans, or a denim pencil skirt with wedge leather sandals. Leave the jacket open and put your hands in your pockets! Homework: photo of how you could really wear this jacket. "-)