Tops for relatively narrow shoulders

[Styyna]

I'm inspired by the post about shirts for D-DD cups to ask my question:

My shoulders must be narrow because when I find a shirt or other top that fits well everywhere else, it hangs off my shoulders. I have this problem with every type from sleeveless to long sleeved. Needless to say, the rest of the fit is wonky as a result. The extra fabric creates folds through the bustline where I really don't want them.

Does anyone else have this problem and/or suggestions for dealing with this? Thanks!

[Cougar]

Not that problem here ... I've got shoulders like a football player 

I'm thinking that raglan sleeves could be a solution for you.

[Poppyfields]

I'm Cougar's sister - all tops are too small in the shoulder for me.
I have large, square shoulders and long arms.

Just to throw out ideas - have you tried Juniors sizes?  They are probably made for smaller frames.

[CathyEarnshaw]

How about adding some shoulder pads? Then you can wear anything you like!

[milla]

Dear Styyna,

I know that many people think that shoulder pads are very 80s, Alexis Carrington in Dynasty, etc, but I think that a little padding in the shoulder area is not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps you could buy some small shoulder pads that can be sewn inside your tops. Just an idea. Some people just put them under their bra straps but I don’t think that works very well because they move and they are far more noticeable, especially under thin fabric.

[SusieQ]

Of course, I have nothing to add because I have Coug's shoulder, too. A few more of us and we can start a football team. 

But, I hope you find great ideas from our ladies, here.

[Styyna]

Dear Styyna,

I know that many people think that shoulder pads are very 80s, Alexis Carrington in ‘Dinasty’, etc, but I think that a little padding in the shoulder area is not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps you could buy some small shoulder pads that can be sewn inside your tops. Just an idea. Some people just put them under their bra straps but I don’t think that works very well because they move and they are far more noticeable, especially under thin fabric.

I confess, I loved the days when shoulder pads were fashionable. Maybe I'll see if I can find some small ones and, as you suggested, sew them into some of my garments. Maybe even use velcro so I can easily switch them out.

Of course, dropping some more weight would probably help with this problem all by itself but I'm doing that in a very slow, lifestyle-changing way and I have to find something that works in the meantime.

Thanks.

[cara4art]

Some of the situation might come from what SHAPE one's shoulders are, as in either sloping, or square, aside from muscle tone issues. If one's shoulders ARE sloping, and on the narrow side besides, then indeed things will tend to slide off more than on someone who might have the same build, width of shoulders etc. but they're square. In my case, I'm on the smallish side, with not awfully-wide shoulders, that are square, so they look wider than they are, plus I do work out.
Another factor is that a lot of clothes are just cut lousy, and they don't take the trouble to have a nice seam and construction at the shoulder line like they used to quite awhile back. With the right construction(which one now has to pay for through the nose it seems)a pad might not even be necessary, just the seam sitting properly and reinforced so there's some structure there. However, a thin pad might very well work in certain situations just like milla said.
Best of luck! When one finds something good and really suits the shoulder line it makes a HUGE difference in how one looks - often the difference between looking dumpy, or reasonably trim and stylish.

[milla]

I agree with Cara. Please consider that triumph of tailoring: a man's suit. A well-cut suit will substantially improve a man's appearance and cover a lot of less -than- flattering features.Broader shoulders, flatter stomach: all you need is a good taylor. But it costs. Same with women's clothes and this his why I wish I could afford a dressmaker, or had time to make my own clothes.
It is a case of shopping around to find the labels that offer the best fit and, meanwhile, buying some small shoulder pads. I have got some and I still use them.

[makinalist]

I was thinking that when the weather turns cooler and you start layering tops again, your shoulders will appear more filled out.  Am I right?

Shoulder pads are tricky, but might work if small enough.  I'm sure I have taken more out than I have put in, though.

Does a stretchy fabric work better for you?  Something that fits smoothly over your shoulders, I mean.  Also, a loose sleeve might camouflage the problem -- something fluttery.  And I like Cougar's raglan sleeves idea, too.  Just avoid the traditional shoulder seam lineup!

[Styyna]

Initially I thought the shoulder pads idea was a good one - using very small pads, of course. Then I realized that a lot of my tops are knit and I'm not sure how well they would work under them. I'd like them to be discreet. Stretchy fabric seems to emphasize the problem.

But, as the weather turns cooler, I will see if I can't find more woven, structured shirts that can handle the addition with more discretion and, as Anne mentions, layering will help some, if only on the outer layer(s).

Raglan sleeves sound ideal but I can't think where I've seen them. Unfortunately, I haven't been inside a clothing store in well over a year - living so far out in the sticks it's a major event to get to a location with real shops that have a wide selection to try on different brands and styles.

Thanks for the tips and ideas! I knew I could count you you.

[ddgattina]

Just saw this post-- sorry for the late reply.  I used to have small shoulders, but pushups and weight training increased my shoulder size enough that I am no longer using shoulder pads.  So I can highly recommend weight training, which can give really fast results (say...6 months? if you do it regularly and go for heavier weights and fewer reps, for a real "build" program).

So I no longer use these, but they did work really well, and you can even use them with knits or with more tailored tops.  This way you don't have to sew pads into every top, and they do stay in place.  The soft foam looks natural, and come in several sizes, so you don't channel the 80's Dynasty look!  Only problem:  they can be warm to wear in hot weather. 

http://www.herroom.com/the-natural-3008-shoulder-pads-with-flaps.shtml?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=csse&utm_campaign=googlebase&utm_content=cgro01-3008

I found that boat necks, wide v-necks and halter tops, and raglan sleeves all complemented smaller shoulders. Some stylists say "no halter tops", but I disagree-- I thought they did look good. Also  sweaters with wider cowl type necks, or biggish wide collars.  I kind of miss wearing those boat neck tops, which I've always liked, and they just don't look as good anymore!

[makinalist]

Styyna!  These look wonderful!  I wouldn't mind trying those Slim Line ones myself, just to balance my hippy shape.  Thank you for the link, ddgattina!

[cara4art]

@ddgattina - awesome! I'm in complete agreement about building one's own shoulders having done it myself. I'm on the small side with not-wide shoulders(but at the same time they are in balance with my hips since I'm a very modified hour-glass shape)on account of small bone structure, but weight-training, planks, and push-up type of movements really do work to improve the appearance of shoulders for one's own shoulder pads. Too many women are afraid to to do this because they think they'll get bulky if they so much as lift a 5-pound weight a few times. Often the women who are afraid of "bulking" are carrying too much fat overall, and until they lose some of that fat, then indeed they might appear slightly bulkier. BThe reality is that most women who take up a good resistance-training program along with a decent diet will become firmer and more shapely, according to their body type, and even some muscle definition if the diet is tight over a period of time. Some will get that definition more easily than others, due to natural inclinations of body type and fat. One other thing that really helps shoulders, is postural training, like classic Pilates, ballet, and good body work - all three serve to help realign the upper body giving an improved carriage, with the added benefit of opening the chest area, making one feel better too. I read somewhere that one thing that can make or break a more youthful appearance is posture, even beating out clothes. All of this makes a huge difference in how one's clothes look, as it's well-known that how the garment hangs at the shoulders influences the whole drape and look. Poor posture, and bad fit at shoulders can make one look dumpy and heavier than one needs to, while the right fit and excellent posture can make one look a lot better. So yes, a few things do come into this.

[Styyna]

ddgattina - thank you so much for this great find! They look like just the thing without, as you pointed out, making me look like a Dynasty relic.

I appreciate the style suggestions as well. I have yet to find my own style. Something that came effortlessly to me in my youth is now totally beyond my comprehension. It doesn't help that I haven't been in a store to actually try things on more than once or twice in as many years (or more!). The distance to any kind of shopping is great and illness has been an issue during the past year. The few times that I have been strong enough I have gone to visit loved ones rather than shop.

cara4art - while I truly appreciate and admire your (and other members') dedication to a healthy body, I am a sad disappointment along those lines. By the time I was in first or second grade I was inexplicably convinced that I was physically inferior and with rare exceptions that has been a self image that has been hard to shake.

I haven't given up on physical fitness and actually will post to the fitness board about that. I just wanted to acknowledge that you obviously have what it takes, as do ddgattina and many other wonderful women here. Keep up the good work!