Boxy tops or tops that fit the body’s contours?

Dear users, dear authors,
How do you tailor tops to fit the body’s contours? Is this boxy cut—which doesn’t conform to the body’s contours—easier to sew by hand? Could that be the reason? 

Hi Josefa, of course a boxy cut is easier to make. It just has to be straight and wide. We had that kind of fashion trend back in the early ’80s. It was paired with carrot pants and wide belts.

The boxy cut has the advantage for designers that they don’t have to worry about measurements or body measurements. You just throw it on, and it hangs down over any body shape. Of course, that makes feminine figures disappear underneath.

If you do that with the “wrong yarn” or too much pattern or color, it can quickly look bulky or shapeless. It also doesn’t suit every body type and height. Personally, I prefer fitted tops. I think they’re more flattering for women.

Best regards, Ina

Yes, that’s exactly what I meant, Ina. Thanks. 

Boxy styles suit me just as little as form-fitting ones.

I like something in between.

When crocheting or knitting, you can manage with decreases and increases, but sewing with tons of darts is much more complicated—I find quick, straight seams much easier.
But personally, I’m kind of in between.

Once we reach a certain age, I suppose we’re all the “in-between type.” For me, “fitted” doesn’t mean body-hugging—it means the top is slimmer at the waist than at the bust and hips. That simply creates a slimmer silhouette overall than the boxy cut. The boxy cut hides everything, but it just looks shapeless. The tall models who showcase these styles can, of course, pull them off. At 1.64 m, this cut makes me look even shorter.

You can try to find my waist.
I always say I have a “tree trunk” body type.

Dear Marlene,

I recently read that after menopause, women increasingly lose their waistlines due to a lack of female hormones and therefore tend to take on a more “tree trunk” shape. So, you’re not alone. But with cleverly tailored clothing, you can visually conceal this. That’s why a good cut is important.

Best regards, Ina

I’ve never really had a waist, dear Ina.
The only difference is that I was of normal weight until I turned 30.

I’m not too worried about my “missing” waist.

So far, the fashion industry hasn’t really managed to produce clothing for “short people (i.e., only 1.50 m tall) who are carrying too much weight.”
Being short is often associated with being “petite.”

... and “tall” is often synonymous with “bulky.” I’m 1.78 m tall and constantly struggle with clothes that are either too short or cut like a tent.
I just don’t get it—aren’t all the models tall?

Hi everyone, I’m 60 and now weigh over 100 kilos; I’m a size 52. People have always said that boxy and oversized styles don’t suit plus-size women—I think that’s nonsense! - I love extremely wide, oversized boxy cuts paired with slim-fit jeans—since I have an A-shaped figure (small bust, wide hips), I think it looks great on me. For figure-hugging styles, you need more bust than belly ;-)—or just a figure like my daughters’ ;-)—for whom I also knit figure-hugging pieces in sizes 36/38.