Not everyone who has narrow shoulders wants to show them off. It's a purely personal choice. Some girls are perfectly happy with having thinner shoulders, and that's awesome. For those of you who aren't, however, here are 7 tips for flattering narrow shoulders. I hope they work for you!
Fitted clothes are important. Your clothes need to fit your body style perfectly. If they are too large, your shoulders will look larger than you want them to. If your clothes are too tight, however, then they can make your shoulders look even smaller and even more pronounced. A fitted look will make your shoulders look the best they can.
Choosing the right fit is about balance and proportion. For narrow shoulders, emphasize tailoring that subtly broadens this area. Look for tops with horizontal stripes or details like ruffles, epaulettes, or embellishments that add volume to the shoulder zone. Structured jackets and blazers with lightly padded shoulders can also create the illusion of width. Remember, it's not just about looking broader; it's about enhancing your natural shape so you feel confident and comfortable.
Shoulder pads are back, and they can really help with small shoulders. Don't go overboard; you're presumably not on the football team, so you don't want to look like a linebacker. You also don't want to look like a throwback to the 1980s, when women wore power suits with ginormous shoulder pads. A little bit of padding will go a long way.
Sometimes, the best way to flatter a feature is to call attention to it, even if you think of it as a flaw. Spaghetti straps draw the perfect amount of attention to your shoulders. They accentuate the shape and smallness of narrow shoulders, and bring them out as a stellar feature.
If you are looking to make your shoulders look broader, however, there are ways to do that as well. One of them involves the use of shiny fabrics. Metallic fabrics and others like them will make your shoulders look larger, although not too large, so they can flatter your narrow shoulders by making them seem bigger than they are.
Puffy sleeves are haute couture hotness, and they are ideal for flattering narrow shoulders. Sort of like shoulder pads, they will give the illusion of broadness, but they don't go overboard because they are an outward effect. Capped sleeves are good for this as well.
Puffy sleeves bring an element of romantic drama to any outfit, making them a perfect choice for those aiming to accentuate their upper body. The voluminous nature also adds a classic, yet trendy touch to blouses and dresses alike. Opt for styles with gathered fabric or ruching around the shoulders to balance your proportion and enhance your silhouette. When it comes to fabric, lighter and airier materials will prevent the sleeves from appearing too heavy, while still achieving the desired broadening effect. It's a clever style trick that not only elevates your fashion game but also boosts your confidence by complementing your natural body shape.
U-neck shirts and blouses are a no-no if you have narrow shoulders. For one thing, these shirts don't tend to sit right on narrow shoulders. As well, the curve of the neckline draws all the wrong attention, and they can actually make your shoulders seem even smaller.
In line with #6, it is better to choose clothing with square cuts and horizontal lines. These types of cuts automatically make shoulders look much broader, so if that is the effect you are going for, these are the kinds of clothes for you. The blocky design will create the illusion of width – but choose the cut carefully because, again, you don't want to go over the top.
I have larger shoulders myself, but I still understand the conundrum of wanting to embrace what you have by showing it off to its best advantage, and of wanting to minimize the look of what you consider a flaw. Do you have any flaws that you try to mask? Or do you try to flatter them?
Top Photo Credit: agentkevinski