Fashion

[wreckdiver]

Does anyone have a rule of thumb for buying shirts/blouses that fit? Or any suggestions to what clothing lines you have had luck with if you too have this issue? Most of the shirts I purchase fit perfectly until I get to the hips and then it is either too snug across or I will be unable to button the last button if wearing a blouse. If I go by the "fit" guide I would wear a med., by the hip guide a large. I have pretty much an hour glass figure, not the drop dead gorgeous kind but curvy enough to have the problem stated above. Any suggestions.

[Nuttmeg]

I have a problem with the sleeves being long enough on a blouse. You may have to size up or use the blouse as a jacket over a sleeveless shell.

[willdob3]

I go by the garment measurements, not the size chart. The garment measurements tell me if it will fit or be snug & need to go up a size.

I have a true hourglass shape & find that I need to avoid stiff fabric tops like the no-iron ones. They bounce off my curves and look boxy. As much as I love the crisp look of no-iron tops on others, they are not at all flattering on me. Soft, flowy fabrics look much better on me. Soft fabrics are also forgiving when the fit is not perfect - like a bit loose or snug in one area.

I actually find that button down tops that fit me perfectly through the bust tend to be a bit loose at my hips. When I check garment measurements the hips are usually cut a few inches bigger than the bust & I really do not need that. I find they tend to look sloppy & ill-fitting when buttoned so, as Nutmeg3 suggests, I often wear them open with a tank top underneath instead.

[lisadpa]

I always have to consider the hip measurement first when ordering a blouse, and look at the chest measure second, to make sure the top part of the blouse won't be ridiculously big. I need at least a size bigger in the hips than in the shoulders (even with my DD to DDD's).

So I always check the click here measurements for the "sweep". Certain tops just won't work, either the shoulders are too huge to make the shirt fit my hips, or, it's perfect on top and tight in the hips. Same for dresses, btw. Such is my permanent anatomy. This holds true no matter what size I am, and I've been lots.

Sorry, didn't answer your question first time around. I have a lot of luck with D&C and Susan Graver, which seem to cut generously in the hip. I also always try to key in on the description of "A-Line" or flowing, and again, always always check the sweep measurement, which is the bottom opening. That will give you some idea of the hip measurement, since most shirts end somewhere thereabouts!

[151949]

I buy tops by my bust measurement - skirts by my hip measurements and dresses by my hip measurements.

[Lipstickdiva]

I have the same problem OP. I am smaller through my shoulders and wide at the hips. I have an issue with a lot of longer, tunic type tops because if they fit my hips, they are falling off my shoulders. Same with certain styles of dresses.

With a lot of items, I have to take them to a tailor and have the tops taken in through the shoulder and under the arms. Otherwise, it's just trial and error to see what works.

I refuse to wear ill-fitting clothing. Jackets, blazers, blouses, etc. should all be able to be buttoned, even if you don't intend on wearing them buttoned. Otherwise, the item is too small and it looks too small.

[wilma]

I also am wider at the hips than shoulders. I have tried on tops that fit my chest and shoulders, but are too tight across the hips. I know exactly what you mean about not being able to button the last button on a shirt; I hate that so I don't own many right now. Then there are those tops that fit, but are too short and hit at the worst spot making me look even wider. I can't wear sheath dresses at all, because when I go up sizes to fit my hips, the top part of the dress looks way too big.

Unfortunately, I don't have any easy answers for you. I just try LOTS of things on and only buy what flatters my shape. I find that knit tops that drape a bit and a-line skirts and dresses work best for me.