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Original poster

Why, for the love of God, can I not find...

35 replies

missmakesstuff · 27/08/2013 22:59

...any 3/4 length sleeved tops, in a few colours, plain, in jersey or similar, with anything but a high round neckline? All I can find are high round necks and short or long sleeves, nothing inbetween. I am short so long sleeves are always too long. AND everything has bloody stripes!

I have several skirts in various colours that pretty much are my 'uniform' for school, with either wedge sandals or boots for the autumn, I need plain tops to go with them but I am a size 14 top with a 42 inch chest, I cannot wear a high neckline, I look like one huge boob...Can't wear shirts, they gape, need jersey as I am an art teacher and get filthy dip my boobs in paint when leaning over and they wash well. I wear dresses too but have all these nice patterned skirts which I have never worn as have no tops to go with them.

I go back to work next week like to get sorted before the term starts.

I can't spend too much as we are skint but could manage to find extra cash if I thought they would last/not go bobbly. Probably need black, brown, navy blue, maybe a couple of brighter colours too. Not too thick or too thin.

A v neck, wide kind of slash neckline or square are fine - I have looked bleedin' everywhere and nothing!

Has anyone seen any?! Or am I asking for the moon on a stick?

Help!

OP posts:
HarrietSchulenberg · 27/08/2013 23:01

Matalan? I have some LS tops from there. Round necks but not too high.

MrsBonkers · 27/08/2013 23:08

Google Bon Prix.
Not ordered from them yet, but looks like they have basics at reasonable cost.

Somethingyesterday · 27/08/2013 23:14

Too high necked? Too expensive?

Much cheaper!

Original poster
missmakesstuff · 27/08/2013 23:14

Thanks, tried matalan, Asda, primark, peacocks - all high on me - I have a short body I think, plus long sleeved - it might just be the one near me though, it isn't great.

Really want v neck or square neck - only thing that doesn't make me look too booby. Long sleeved just swamps me.

I heard it is a good idea to have 3/4 length if big boobed fat as it draws attention to the non existent waist. Plus I am always pushing them up as up to my elbows in clay and paint usually.

OP posts:
RobotHamster · 27/08/2013 23:17

I've seen a site linked on here but can't find it atm - will try again tomorrow

Original poster
missmakesstuff · 27/08/2013 23:18

eek...bit too expensive!! the 3/4 length ones further down the page look nice, good colours, but I can just see one tiny bit of acrylic paint ruining those...

Its not me that is messy, it is the students - they are a nightmare for walking around with a paintbrush covered in paint and their eyes closed apparently...

Just looking at cos and boprix, thanks for the ideas, will report back - much better prices...

OP posts:
Original poster
missmakesstuff · 27/08/2013 23:19

Cos still a bit high - everything seems to be cut like that at the moment.

when will the 80's inspired fashion thing end? it was bad enough the first time round...

OP posts:
Original poster
missmakesstuff · 27/08/2013 23:20

Ooh, thanks Robot for trying, I just knew someone on here would know where to look, I am clueless once I have mooched round the shops with DD and lost the will to live.

I use to enjoy clothes shopping, really hate it now, nothing suits me and we are skint so can't really buy anything unless I absolutely need it.

OP posts:
Fozzleyplum · 27/08/2013 23:20

How about these?

www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/products/34-sleeve-tops

WildThongsHeartString · 27/08/2013 23:23

What about alexon Sizes are big though so size down. I think there were a few tops like this in the sale, recent thread on here quite a few recommendations.

RobotHamster · 27/08/2013 23:24

Its frustrating - I like 3/4 sleeve too but they're hard to find. Have a look at debenhams though, and h&m sometimes have them.

Original poster
missmakesstuff · 27/08/2013 23:30

Some great suggestions there, thanks mrsbonkers surprisingly BonPrix had some, I really wouldn't have thought of them - also really like that kettlewell link but the tagline did make me laugh 'for women who love colour' if you don't love colour bog off

No debenhams nearby but can try online, have looked in H&M, couldn't see anything.

I think I just get fed up and then give up. it's not what I want to buy, buying for school is just so boring, but has to be done! I kind of resent it because I can't wear what I want to, can't look lovely and smart cause everything gets ruined, so just end up looking boring.

Thanks all though, really helpful, ignore my rant!

OP posts:
Original poster
missmakesstuff · 27/08/2013 23:33

Thanks pigley, we have a dotty p here, will try. Often find their clothes fit ok size wize - I am a size 12 in there too, joy! but that one looks quite long in the body.

I know, I am picky, sorry!

OP posts:
RobotHamster · 27/08/2013 23:34

Debenhans will let you search by sleeve length too, so no guessing if theyre just long ones pushed up.

Too many stripes and round necks. Everywhere. Argh

toisa · 27/08/2013 23:36

Zara have these

MorrisZapp · 27/08/2013 23:36

Blimey. I have the opposite problem. Can't find necks that don't display my bra straps.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 27/08/2013 23:37

If you end up on the Bonprix mailing list you may need to keep the catalogues away from the DCs, the underwear section is interesting.

toisa · 27/08/2013 23:39

Ah sorry, misread the high neck tops bit. I was thinking of these

HalfSpamHalfBrisket · 27/08/2013 23:45

uniqlo? They are usually pretty reliable for stuff like this.

Original poster
missmakesstuff · 27/08/2013 23:45

Right, I have to go to bed but am going to go through all those websites tomorrow, thanks so much to you all...

Have a few of the bonprix ones in my basket, just hope the quality is ok, they are very cheap. Also according to their size guide I need a size 20 to accommodate my boobs. Not likely! I get size 12, max size 14 usually.

morris I have very wide bra straps as need industrial scaffolding to hold these babies up, however I either try to reuse the ribbony bits that come in tops and sew poppers onto them to put round the straps to keep them up, or just make sure the straps match the top - so dark with dark etc. I just resent having tops that go right up to my collarbone, just make me look fatter.

not off to look at bonprix underwear section to see what is up with it

OP posts:
Fozzleyplum · 28/08/2013 00:10

Have just remembered - not sure if anyone else has linked to this site - a couple of friends who are generously norked swear by Bravissimo.

www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/products/tops/#/2

Hopefully · 28/08/2013 09:58

Another vote for kettlewell - loads of colours and the quality is brilliant.

GraduallyGoingInsane · 28/08/2013 10:06

I live in Gap's 3/4 sleeve, slightly scoop necked jersey tops. They always seem to have black/white/navy/grey in, plus whatever they determine to be the colour of the season. Usually about a tenner, often on 3 for 2.

Like so:

www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=57349&vid=1&pid=000351427021

TerribleTantrums · 28/08/2013 10:06

Land's End usually have a reasonable range of plain jersey tops with reasonable length. Dorothy Perkins usually have good length and don't shrink when washed. American Apparel might be worth a try too.

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