Replies

1. 
   Teaf5 | Nov 28, 2006 12:54am | #1

   According to my dd (tall, slim, small-busted) black and bright horizontal stripes are THE tops of the season; sure enough, we saw them in almost every store last week. Maybe you should go try on a similarly striped rtw top and see how you look in it. It would be better than going to all the trouble to make a top and then find out the look is just not for you. I adore navy and white striped boatneck tops but cannot wear them for many reasons, including a large bust. I still pick them up in department stores and try them on, hoping against hope that they will look good on me, but they never do. Now, if I can only get my dd to wear one, I can at least enjoy looking at it on her...

1. 
   dotty | Nov 28, 2006 05:44pm | #2

   I guess I just love horizontal stripes . I try to get my husband to
   wear that boat neck Pablo Picasso look. No go .Not for my son either.

1. 
   user-51823 | Nov 28, 2006 08:00pm | #3

   ditto teafs- try some on in a stoer, or cut some fabric scrap stripes and play with them by pinning onto a shirt or tunic you already have to see if they look right on you. you can use darker colors, and ones that have less bold contrast to downplay the widening effect.

2. 
   fabricholic | Nov 29, 2006 11:16pm | #4

   Surely, the pattern going from shoulder to waist on the diagonal wouldn't add the pounds.Marcy

1. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 30, 2006 01:32am | #5

   It would depend on the width of the stripe.  A wide strip will  add pounds, even on the diagonal. 

1. 
   fabricholic | Nov 30, 2006 05:24am | #6

   I didn't realize that.

   Marcy

1. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 30, 2006 08:42am | #8

   Bold stripes are "busy" and attract attention.  The reason black usually is slimming and everyone wears it is because it doesn't scream "LOOK AT ME", (unless it's covered in sequins...that's another story.)

   Thinner stripes tend to just create a blur of color from a distance  and  therefore are less fattening.

   I know it isn't what you wanted to hear.  How about just using the stripes in a collar, etc, close to the face? 

2. 
   user-51823 | Nov 30, 2006 07:13am | #7

   i would tend to agree but rules can be broken, which is why it's still a good idea to stand in front of a mirror and move pieces of fabric around over a blouse to see what is most flattering.

2. 
   Wallaby | Dec 05, 2006 12:53pm | #12

   No, it would not necessarily add pounds BUT you can look lopsided.

   I had the (blush) experience of a man asking me this when I wore a yummy jumper with uneven diagonal stripes. I checked the mirror, and yes it was ambiguous and unflattering.

   Anyway I won't wear stripes on the diagonal again..unless it is a balanced chevron.

1. 
   fabricholic | Dec 05, 2006 05:40pm | #13

   Did he say you were lobsided? How rude! That's why I change everytime I see myself in the mirror. Ugh. Most of my tops are too short now because I am petite, but I have gained alot of weight and it is taking up in other places. Have a happy day!Marcy

3. 
   stitchintime | Nov 30, 2006 10:39am | #9

   How about combining striped and solid fabrics? I was thinking along the lines of striped sleeves with a solid bodice. Or a striped yoke  ( or upper section above the bust) with solid down to the hem and a repeat striped section on the hem area. Or stripes on the collar, hem section and cuffs and solid for the rest? It might satisfy your love of stripes yet not make your bustline the focus of attention.

1. 
   dotty | Dec 03, 2006 06:20pm | #10

   What fun to read everyone's ideas! I also love those Marcy Tilton T-shirts trimmed with stripes around the neck edge.

4. 
   mem | Dec 04, 2006 04:40am | #11

   I guess there is a difference between being a fashion Victim and being fashionable .I actually know the Burda top you mean and I think it might work quite well . I personally wouldnt do horizontal strpes across a large bust . I would use "essence of stripe" on a collar trim or perhaps on a yoke ABOVE the bust with a dark solid colour under it over the offending ones!!