Many TG women, have broader shoulders. Here are some suggestions to remember, when you begin your Spring/Summer Shopping. Make adjustments for any padding. However, …broader shoulders… is the key area to work around. Consider these points for wide shoulders.
Broad-shouldered women with proportionally narrow hips and less defined waistlines.
Fabrics
Smooth, tightly woven, small print fabrics on top to minimize shoulders. Have fun experimenting with bold prints, plaids and wools in skirts and slacks.
Necklines
Deep scoop, V-, U- and round necklines that break up your shoulder line and are highly flattering.
A deep V-neckline breaks up a strong shoulder line.
Fitted tops with deep round necklines or shawl collars soften the line of your shoulder. I always suggest my TG women, purchase shawls to wear over your shoulders, and as a light wrap at night. Please get one solid color shawl ladies!!
Jackets & Tops
Keep detail, particularly on jackets, to a minimum; styles that soften the shoulders and slightly flare at the hem add balance.
Lightly gathered neckline adds softness to strong shoulders. The bit of curve in the hem of the jacket adds curves to your shape. No heavy lapel jackets, look for soft feminine jackets!
Mandarin jackets and tops with a simple vertical line banding relieve the strong horizontal line of your shoulders.
Skirts & Dresses
Interesting and beautiful skirts balancing your shoulders with a bit of swing are fun and flattering and look great on TG women. You don’t have to always wear a tight skirt!
Try gathered, sewn or unsewn pleated skirts.
A flared panel skirt balances the shoulders.
A trumpet hem balances out the shoulders nicely and draws the eye to those legs of yours.
Huggy skirts bring out your lower body curves so by all means wear them. You will have to wear your waist cincer to corset however.
Looser sleeves soften the shoulders and add curves to the hips.
Patch hip pockets with flaps and buttons on an A-line skirt add nice “weight” to the lower body.
Pants
Boot-cut slacks nicely balance the shoulders. Ideally they sit on or slightly above the hipbone to enhance the waistline and the flare in the pant leg starts below the knee. This really lengthens the leg.
Pocket details and pleats at the hips are always a good idea.
Pleats on cuffed and full leg trousers flatter slender hips and long legs.
Fly front, bootleg pants with side seam detailing are very flattering.
Pockets & Other Details
Pockets on jackets and slacks around the hip area widen you to balance out your shoulders.
Cuffed, fluted and bell sleeves also add nice fullness to the hips.
Gathered sleeves soften the shoulders.
It is best to try on different styles of clothing, so see what fits your taller frame and wider shoulders. I hope you’re able to try on your clothing, instead of ordering out of a catalog. However, for privacy, if you must order from a catalog…do remember these tips! Also, remember, no bright colors on top, keep them bold/darker.
I hope this helps, the Taller TG woman with her shopping.
Denae Doyle
