Broad SHOULDERS!!!

[NewUmberSloth]

Not really weight loss but - broad shoulders!!! I have always been insecure about my broad shoulders (17 inches, the average woman is 14-15 inches) not only this but my back is wide and I’m 5’10 so feel like a giant. I’m fairly slim (size 10/12) but hate wearing anything other than t shirts as feel so masculine… can anyone relate?

Yes, I'm a size 14 but 5'11 and broad shouldered, I always feel 'big'

Same. 5 foot 10. Size 12 ish. Couple size 10 some 14. But feel large as I've always been large.
Shoulder are broad too.

I have them also. The good news is we all have the physique to be excellent swimmers!

I've embraced mine. Think of them as 'coat hanger' shoulders.

Yes, that’s me. 5’7” tallish for a woman. My size has gone between 14-18 over the years but broad shoulders are not something I can do anything about. Add big boobs and a broad back 🙄. It’s not an easy shape to dress at all and I do feel like a big hulk compared to many of my friends. I usually wear tunics in drapey fabrics but anything that fits across the shoulder / back / boobs hangs like a tattie sack lower down 🙄. I haven’t worn a dress for decades.

To add insult to injury I live in France where the majority of women have quite small frames - yes they are slimmer than the average Brit but they are just more petite in general.

Any time we are on holiday in Germany or the Netherlands I do a lot of clothes shopping! It’s lovely to blend in with the tall, blonde, broad shouldered, big boobed local population for a change.

I love my broad shoulders.
How do you measure them? I just came up as somewhere between 16" & 18.5" across. what is a correct method? Where did you get statistic about what an "average" woman measures?

They lead to a great hourglass shape in my case.

I used to think I had really broad shoulders and then I lost weight - I now have quite a narrow frame, my shoulders are much more narrow but I think they’re actually still quite broad!
I swim a lot and I’m always complimented on my swimmers shoulders 😂

I hate mine, large back and no waist either. Makes me look bigger than I am and I'm only 5ft 3, not much I can do about them though

Very similar. I love them. I'm 5ft 8 and depending on how it's measured between 16-18ish. I've just lost loads of weight and seeing my shoulders stand out again is one of the best NSVs.

I have learned over the years what works (tailored cuts, halternecks, v necks, simple sleeveless, but not those fussy frill sleeves and definitely no puff sleeves) and who caters best for them. Tu are great, M&S are awful. I can't wear their fitted blouses. Also, with quite long arms, coat shopping can be annoying.

I accept my broad shoulders. Since getting my weight right down I’m enjoying fashion more, but I have had to consider how my traits - tall, slim, broad shoulders, generous bust - combine and how I want to present myself. Reading S&B has made me realise that a lot of women just assume everyone will enjoy wearing crew necks and boxy cuts, which are the worst possible choices for me!

For those who are broad-shouldered and tall, I found the Kibbe system recommendations for Flamboyant Naturals and Soft Dramatics really useful. (You are supposed to be one or the other, but I have the shoulders of a FN and the bust of a SD - so I borrow from both!). For me that’s meant flowing and draping fabrics, deep necklines (square, scoop, v, cowl, plunge), and a defined waist.

I agree with @lljkkabout shoulders giving you a nice hourglass shape. I even saw a stylist the other day recommending a tshirt with shoulder pads “to give you a strong shoulder and enhanced hourglass shape” and a chuckled because I’ve no need to work on that!