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Wrap tops and empire line

anne

Veteran

I have often read that wrap dresses suit all figures, and I love the look of wrap tops, especially those that have a big tie on a crisp white shirt.
But when ever I have tried them on I haven't liked the result. My surmise is that this is because I have a small bust (barely A cup usually) and a small gap between waist and bust measurements
Comments?
Also Angie could you expand further on your recent comments that you don't prefer empire tops for pears?

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from

Tanya

Veteran

On the wrap tops/dresses: I love them and have pretty small chest myself. It could be that the deep-v they form is what makes you not like the effect. I almost always wear them layered over scoop-neck cami ( and with a padded bra), I find that helps a lot and also helps with the modesty issues since these tops tend to shift a bit throughout the day.

I would also experiment with the placement/position of the tie. I can not say in advance which will work, but you could try different positions on your torso to find the most flattering one. Also, some ties you tie immediately on the side while some other ones need to be wrapped around 1 or 2 times before tied, so I find those better in defining the waist.

Becky

Veteran

Anne, I, too have struggled with wrap tops because of my small chest (even with the cami and padded bra Tanya mentioned). It seems like I don't have enough to fill out the front; I've felt that it makes me look even flatter-chested than I really am (as if that were possible!). In contrast, I have a few higher-necked tops that seem to make me look like I am actually past puberty (i.e., I have cleavage!). I will be on the lookout for more like that!

anne

Veteran

topping this

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I do not feel believe that wrap dresses work for all figures by any stretch of the imagination! I don’t look great in a wrap dress – not curvy enough. Curvy hourglasses look best in wrap dresses. So do curvy apples and curvy inverted triangles. Occasionally a slightly pear shaped lass with a shapely bust can pull one off too.

Empire cut tops tend to hit pears at their widest part without enough waist definition. Not flattering. But empire cut dresses can work because they’re longer. Hope that helps, Anne.

marianne

I look pretty awful in wraps and I've been always puzzled by how wrap dresses are always advertised as looking great on everybody. Thanks for the explanation, Angie, it makes total sense!

Ellen

I am touch-and-go with wraps. I'm a rectangle, but do have some bust, so some wraps flatter and some just add bulk where I don't need it. I find I can't tell until I actually have the top or dress on, and it's all about experimentation.

Ellen

Also, faux wraps are harder for me to pull off than real wraps. I find that real ones are more adustable to create curves where I need them. With faux wraps, you're stuck with where the designer put the fabric.

julijuli

So - to recap - Angie - are you saying the pears should not wear wrap tops or empire tops? I'm wondering about those woven shirts that wrap around the middle like this:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

or something like this:

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=606784

Are those no-no's for pears?

Thanks!

anne

Veteran

Julijuli - those were exactly the type of tops I was thinking about - love them - don't look good in them.

I had 2 separate questions
1) wrap dresses or tops for the small breasted
2)empire line tops for pears

To which I think Angies answer was
1) need to have curves to wear wraps (which as I don't, up top, would explain why they don't look good)
2)"Empire cut tops tend to hit pears at their widest part without enough waist definition. Not flattering."

Angie I have a couple of tops that have seams under the bust but are then fitted through the waist. They are tailored type tops in woven fabrics. This wouldn't come under the heading of empire cut top would it?

Tanya, you are a fair bit bigger in the bust than I usually am (remembering that my bust size as seen in my pics is larger at the mo because I am breastfeeding - although even now there is plenty of room in my B-cups except first thing in the morning. I haven't seen maternity bras in A cup) which is perhaps why it can work for you. I will keep your tips in mind though - perhaps there will be some exception to the rule that would work for me with your suggestions!

ImogenL

(website)

Wrap tops work better for the bustier gal.

Wrap dresses are terrible on rectangles (of which I'm one, and I've tried on a million wrap dresses and they just make me look boxier and draw attention to my lack of waist).

Empire is anything that has a seam just under the bust and flows out from there, some are gathered, others just have a seam and then another piece of fabric, this can be flattering on the short waisted woman as it draws attention to the narrower part of the body and distracts from the lack of waist.

The Empire tops that have gathering - you need to be careful with them as they can easily make you look pregnant.

Nicole

Veteran

Hmmm...I'm as busty as they come, I don't look good in real wrap tops but I can wear faux wrap tops/dresses. Wrap tops that really wrap, or have ties, fall too close to under my bust--making me look even bustier. And true wrap tops tend to gape open or not quite cover enough of my decolletage--and wearing a cami under isn't always feasable.

So, I think you have to just keep trying on different styles and versions and hopefully you can find one that works for your shape. Fabric, stretch, sizing, and cut can make or break any top.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Well Anne, you're getting a whole spate of answers! Everyone is right. Empire cuts are not created equally and neither are wraps, hence the lack of generalization. Here’s my extra 2 cents:

o Empire cuts can be fitted on the torso – no gathering. These are better options for pears. I was referring to the boho type of empire cut that’s unflattering, which wasn’t clear and I apologize.
o JJ – those shirts might work because they’re fitted empires. Go for it!
o Tanya is small-chested but ROCKS a wrap because she is super curvy.
o Nicole rocks a faux warp too because she’s curvy in all the right places. Marianne on the other hand is not curvy enough for a wrap dress – just like me!
o Wrap dresses and faux wrap dresses fit very differently, so if you think you fit the bill, try all options.

Phew! I’m all wrapped out.

anne

Veteran

Thanks everyone! I think I'll have to leave those gorgeous wrap shirts and dresses as something to appreciate on someone else!

Glad that my favourite streamlined empire line tops are OK! (I think this style may not be very current, as I unsuccessfully tried to find an example on the Nordstrom site earlier. But I have a couple from pre-baby, including one I haven't worn yet, as I bought it at end end of season sale and then got pregnant)

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm now I'm confused. What if a wrap dress wraps around an empire waist? My favourite dresses are this style and I'm pretty sure I'm a rectangle (just about to try and post to the body shape forum to find out for sure).

This particular dress shape looked so good on me (or so I thought) that I not only bought it in 2 different colours, but got it copied into yet another print and a long sleeve version in Vietnam earlier this year. Now I'm worrying I've made a horrible mistake!!!

Anonymous

Can we see a picture of you in one of your dresses?
I see on your other post on body type you are an apple so maybe your favorite wrap dresses are perfect for you.