EASY TOPS
The shape of tops is generally shifting
toward an easier, looser fi t, which is
great news as that brings lots more
opportunities for fl attery to a whole
range of body types ... but they can
also look sloppy, baggy or bulky if
not handled properly.
As with dresses, it’s all about balance
and proportion. Even though these
shapes are relatively loose, they are
not boxy. The best, most fl attering
shapes look more like a slightly fl ared
tunic than a boxy T-shirt, and are
especially fl attering to ‘apple’ types
or bottom-heavy frames. The Burda
style in the bottom-right inset is a
perfect example of that idea (note the
long, slightly belled sleeves with the
gathered cuffs that camoufl age thick
arms, and the bare, split neckline that
shows off your collarbone – both are
great details to look out for).
Other fl atter-any-fi gure touches
are those irregular hems, whether
they’re high-low or artfully
asymmetrical. Flowing diagonal
lines in particular deliver a ‘one-two’
punch in terms of fi gure-fl attery.
They gracefully cascade down the
body, effectively streamlining your
shape while visually lengthening
it at the same time. We see that
spectacular effect on the stunning
Butterick tunic in the main image
at right (its rolled and tabbed sleeve
detailing is another treatment to
watch) and even on dresses, as in the
Burda design on the facing page.
A deep (but not too low!) V-neckline,
which we show in different forms on
this page is yet another detail that
fl atters most shapes, especially top-
heavy physiques.
Main image: Butterick B6069 tunic and pants,
Women’s sizes: 18W – 32W.
Insets (top to bottom): McCall’s M6899 top,
Misses’ sizes: 4 – 26.
Simplicity 1376 top and leggings, Misses’/Plus
sizes: 10 – 28W.
Burda Plus 6972 tunic, Euro sizes: 44 – 56.