WHy does one of these tops make me look great & the other the back end of the bus?

[Katymac]

this one & this one

Can you explain it in a way that I can understand so I an use this information when I buy new clothes

TIA

[Wolfcub]

I;m guessing it's the second one that made you look great? It has shape, the first one is a bit bag like imho

[haventsleptforayear]

All that gathering at the bottom of the top (not the dress) would probably sit on your hips and make them look big?

[Jewelsandgems]

Which one looks nice?

I would say based on my taste, the first one is barrel shaped, so is good at disguising any tummy issues, but other than that is just ok.

Second one I really like because it has good shape. Though for me, it may have too much going on around the boob-area, thus I may look better in first one after all

[Katymac]

Yep I bought lots of the first one for my staff (size 10 & 12) and 2 of the ladies look lovely - but I had to take mine back & also the ones for another lady (we are 14/16 ish)

I can't afford uniform @ £16 for the girls - so I need to find something cheaper for her (although like a cow as manager I am having the expensive one )

[Katymac]

The sleeves were wrong too

[Katymac]

You all hate me for spending more on myself

I can claim the staffs uniforms out of expenses but I use my own money for mine.....honest

[cherryblossoms]

Thing about no. 1 is that, the lack of structure and the material means you have to rely completely on having a really slight build around the shoulders/chest area in order not to look like a tractor.

It hangs from the shoulders and just covers. So if you are not waif-like in the shoulder area, and not fairly flat-chested, it's going to just make you look lumpy.

It's also cut really wide on the shoulders. And, technical point here, it's not cut to hang or drape in a way that means it would naturally fall in towards the waist, so it's just going to hang several inches away from your waist. that means it will cover a very large tummy but will look as though you have a very large tummy to disguise, even if you don't.

As everyone else has said, the set of the shoulders on no. 2 (the shoulders are set more narrowly), and the material, and the fact it has a structured waist built into it, and darting around the bust area, means it follows a female shape rather than hanging like a marquee over your widest bits, and making everything under it look as wide as your widest bits. No. 1 has no darting around the bust, which means it's a (wide) rectangle, no. 2 has darting, which means it can go in and out.

No. 2 also has that detailing on the bodice too, which is pretty and feminine but not overwhelmingly so.

There, I've repeated what everyone else has said but with any luck, you don't feel like an outcast any longer. I think people aren't posting because the other posters have said it all, really.

[Katymac]

Yes the two of us it didn't suit both have boobs

Now I just need a cheap top, that suits big boobs

(sorry I'm feeling a bit needy this evening )

[applepudding]

It depends on an individual's body shape;what suits one person does not necessarily suit another.

[cherryblossoms]

Short sleeved, fitted, purple shirt, maybe? No idea where you'ld find one, though.

I don't know what's causing your feelings of abandonment but i do know that shopping for specific, non-fun, items of clothing can often bring on a wave of depression in me.

[Katymac]

Having DH problems

I'll live

Yep I agree - I bought polo shirts but the girls say they are too hot & they aren't washing well tbh

[cherryblossoms]

Oh, poor, poor you.

Given you have that to worry about, I think they should be delighted with the polo shirts.

Actually, aren't polo shirts rather nice? A bit "Northern Soul"ish? Shame if they're not washing well.

What about looking for something similar to no. 2 in Primark? I think the key is cotton, structure and Narrow Shoulders. Or narrow-er - it's relative. I've noticed there is a strange tendency to increase the shoulder width as they increase the size when manufacturers make clothes. But of course, you can have a fairly large bust (requiring a 14, or whatever) but still be fairly narrow across the back/shoulders. Hence tractor-effect. Grrr.

I don't generally approve of Primark, but I think you have a dispensation. They really do do very decent cotton blouses.