Would you buy a shirt you could only wear one way?

4babiesMe

(Wish I could load pics). Found a striped coral shirt that I LOVE, but it doesn't love me. I could probably pull it off with a blazer, but that's it. :/

12 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah A

Thistle

Veteran

I would pass. You will find one that loves you back! You deserve it. Anything not perfect is not fab enough for you or your closet.

12 years ago

abc

Veteran

Ditto what Thistle said

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

My thing is why buy anything that doesn't love you back, but needs to be helped along with another covering item? No! Don't set yourself up for failure. pass.

12 years ago

4babiesMe

Active Member

Ok. Thanks. I didn't buy it. I thought it looked cute with the blazer, but definitely not without. It just makes me sad that I can't wear 90% of the tops I love.

12 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

What is it about the shirt that doesn't look or feel right to you? Is that the same thing wrong with the other 90% of tops? I was going to suggest that if you love a geometric coral and white pattern, you look at knit/stretch tops instead of shirts.

Also, button front shirts can be hard to fit but the same size in a blouse that buttons or zips in the back or has a side zipper can work fine.

12 years ago

4babiesMe

Active Member

My bust is just too large for most of the styles now. I just feel frumpy in them and wish I had the body to pull them off. Let me see if I can load some pics on photobucket and I'll post a link. I'm sure you'll see the problem immediately. I tried it with a belt too. It's just not pretty. lol I can't pull of the flowy style. I need something more structured, I think.

With blazer: http://i1342.photobucket.com/a.....5b698c.jpg

Without:
http://i1342.photobucket.com/a.....bc37c6.jpg

(Don't mind my disgusted look on my face and my baby on the floor behind me. LOL)

12 years ago

abc

Veteran

Vildy is doing the right thing by asking more questions about your 90% comment.

I looked at the pictures and I like the top with the blazer, as you mentioned, but don't think it is terrible alone, especially if I recall right and you are a SAHM or WFH/casual lifestyle.

I think you should try a different cut, one with darts in the front to give a more fitted / flattering shape - it doesn't have to be a traditional button down, either (if you have a large bust this type shirt can be challenging as I am sure you already know). A shirt with front darts will eliminate the need to wear the blazer over the top. The blazer is just giving it the nipped in at the waist look, which a more fitted shirt can do on its own.

Also a heavier fabric could help, if I see right in the pic, this one looks very thin (it looks like you have something under it). The fabric with more substance can give the top more structure on its own, too.

Hope this helps. Keep posting pics and explaining what you do and don't like and you will eventually find a winner!!

12 years ago

abc

Veteran

Oh and another question, when you say your bust is too large for the current styles, which ones exactly are you talking about? Can you add some links so we understand what styles you like but feel don't fit with your bustline?

12 years ago

4babiesMe

Active Member

Thanks for the reply abc. Yes, the shirt in the pictures is a sheer fabric. I am wearing a cami under it, which is what you see poking out the bottom. I think you ladies are right. I definitely need something that nips in at the waist a little more--with darts, or something similar. It seems like when I walk into any store lately I see a lot of the peplum style (which I love, but can't do because of the high/boat neck) and these:

http://maur.imageg.net/graphic.....07v275.jpg

http://maur.imageg.net/graphic.....25v275.jpg

http://maur.imageg.net/graphic.....35v275.jpg

I adore these styles, and feel like they can be dressed down enough for my casual (yes, I'm a sahm) lifestyle. But I just can't pull them off because they have no shape or defined waist.

I also love this kind of style, but I'm not small enough to ever pull off a plaid like this; and my bust would take up that whole part above the belt. lol http://www.modcloth.com/shop/b.....s-hike-top

Perhaps someday I'll be able to wear these, but not until I'm done breastfeeding and the size of "the girls" goes down. Then when I find things that *might* flatter my figure, like this: http://media.kohls.com.edgesui....._sharpen=1

or this: http://media.kohls.com.edgesui....._sharpen=1

...I feel like they might be a little too dressy for my lifestyle.

Thanks for listening. I know I just need to be patient and I'm sure I'll find the perfect tops, but it just makes shopping really frustrating.

12 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

You seem to like what I would class as flimsy fabric, so it's going to sag and fall back against anyone or float away if the person is slightly built. Puts me in mind of the style some years back when everything looked like a maternity style.

Try woven shaped shirts that have some body of their own, with vertical darts at the midriff below the bra band.

This one has princess/French seaming
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Geor.....g/21192546

12 years ago

abc

Veteran

I think the first three tops you linked to are definitely in the sheer/flimsy fabric category. They could work, if you get the right cut. You can still find that fabric top with a different, more flattering / better fitting cut. Just look for ones with seaming from the bustline down toward the waistline. I have a hard time with elastic waistbands too, I find that cut does not lend itself toward figure flattery for me (bc it inherently cannot be as fitted as a darted top due to the waist construction).

The plaid shirtdress is divine! Don't dismiss it until you try it on! I would suggest a shirt rather than the shirtdress though, for the reasons you mentioned above. Probably easier to fit a top than a dress at this point (while still BFing - and BTW I know how you feel, I have a 4 month old baby so I am right there with you on having newborns, post-partum body issues, lack of sleep, no time to dress or shop, etc)

I also think the last 2 could work with jeans for a SAHM. Why do you think they are too dressy?

Can you try to branch out and try a few different fabrics, cuts, silohuettes before deciding? Try to stay positive. It is hard work shopping (esp post-baby) but it can be done and you can and will look and feel fab!!!!

12 years ago

4babiesMe

Active Member

After being pregnant and nursing for 7 out of the last 9 years "maternity" is the last thing I want. Lol. I've really been looking at cut more than fabric at this point, and I think that's because my body seems to be so hard to fit. :/ My narrowest part is right below my bust and if I enhance it, I only seem to draw attention to the gams, which is really the last thing I want to do at this point. It's a tricky business.

But I think part of the problem with that top was the stripes. They seemed to lay funny and make me look even wider. I actually found a couple of solid tops that I think will work. They are a little longer so don't look terrible with a belt, and I can pair them with a cardigan or blazer when I want to. Phew. It feels good to have a couple options that aren't sweatshirts until I'm done breastfeeding.

Thanks again for your responses and suggestions!!!

12 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

I am not much help personally since I have a small bust but you might look at Day Vies posts for ideas. She looks fantastic!

12 years ago

Category