How to determine the best sleeves and necklines for your shoulders

You may know your body type, but did you know that your shoulders are the next most important aspect of balance? The ideal shoulder line balances the hips but is not exceptionally wide / square or narrow / sloping. Whatever the shape of your shoulders, choose the most flattering sleeve, neckline and stitching detail to help balance your entire silhouette.

If you have narrow, sloping shoulders

If your shoulders are narrow you know it. There is extra fabric on the shoulder and if it fits on the shoulder, it will fit the rest of the world. Shoulder bags slide easily. If you have narrow shoulders, look for style and design lines that flare horizontally, such as a boat neck, one shoulder, a wide “V” or a wide scoop neckline. The idea is to attract attention with wide collars, accessories on the shoulder and blouses or jackets in yoke.

Shoulder pads (whether they’re “in” or “out”) These are always good to have on hand to lift sloping, narrow shoulders. The shoulder padding also helps to straighten the round line created with heavier arms, as the fabric can fall down (vertical lines become thinner) rather than reveal the roundness of the arm (roundness adds pounds). Shoulder pads will always be your greatest camouflage companion. The shoulder pads do not need to be Golden Girl Gargantuan. Small ear pads are naturally virtually undetectable.

The power of padding

Because poor shoulder protection is just as bad as lack of protection for narrow shoulders, consider this:

o Choose the correct style of shoulder pads. Soft, rounded and more natural shoulder pads look best under tops and sweaters. The idea is to make it look like your shoulders are sharp. It’s not that you’re wearing shoulder pads.

o Get them in a color that matches your skin.

o Buy pads that lift your shoulders, but not up, unless you want to shorten your neck.

o Place the shoulder pad under the bra strap and pull out as much as necessary to balance the hips.

o Do not wear shoulder pads with tight fabrics. In fact, if you have narrow shoulders to begin with, avoid tight tissues that cling to the shoulder.

Visit http://www.shoulderpads.com for more information on this topic.

If your shoulders are narrow:

o Avoid sleeveless tops

o Contrasting vest and blouse for visual interest and flare at the shoulder line

o Try mid-waist zip-up hoodies to create a wide V, or tie a sweater over your shoulders to expand even more.

o Roll up the sleeves and place a blouse on the fabric on the upper arm.

o Choose wide straps on dresses and blouses. The wider the strap, the wider the shoulder will be.

Hint back: Use elastic bands or arm garters to keep long sleeves rolled up to three-quarter lengths on tops and sweaters.

The best tops for narrow shoulders

or boat neck

or wide spoon

o wide V

or off the shoulder

or sailor

or shawl

If you have broad, square shoulders

Broad, square shoulders can be frustrating. Often times the blouse pulls if it is buttoned up to the neck, the seams are too far down the sleeve, and you often have to go one size larger to fit on the shoulder. You have broad, square shoulders if, when your arm is relaxed, the shoulder is at a right angle. Usually the shoulder bone is prominent. If broad shoulders are a problem, consider the following.

o Try flared or peasant sleeves to draw attention down.

o Avoid puffy shoulders, boat neck, and bare-shouldered appearance.

o Avoid shoulder contrast by keeping vests or sweaters the same shade as the bottom of the shirt.

o Use vertical center front accessories and avoid attention placed on the shoulders, such as epaulettes.

o Choose dropped sleeves, halter lines, raglan seams and a kimono style.

o Wear spaghetti straps. The narrower the strap, the narrower the shoulder will be.

The best blouses for wide shoulders

o Gathered yoke

or halter

o Drop sleeve (good alternative to sleeveless)

or kimono

or Raglan

o Blouses that slim the broad shoulders

How to determine if your shoulders balance your hips

Here is a practical way to understand how to determine if your shoulders balance your hips:

o Take a string and cut it about 36 inches.

o Tie one end to a heavy washer or weight of some kind that will pull on the rope shown.

o Press the weightless end toward the front of your shoulder at the joint. (Move your arm back and forth. You can feel where the joint is.

o Let the weight hang down.

o If the rope is within the hip line, your shoulders are wider than the hips and should be kept to a minimum.

o If the line is inside the hip, the hips are wider than the shoulder and the shoulder should be increased.

When your shoulder line is balanced, so is your entire silhouette. Use line, texture, color and accent to create your ideal look for your ideal shoulders!