Tips for adjusting clothing to conceal broad shoulders

Know your shoulder shape

Knowing the shape of your shoulders is an important first step in designing clothing that conceals broad shoulders. Broad shoulders can be caused by either bone structure or muscle mass. People with broad shoulders have a body shape where the width of the shoulders is significantly greater than the width of the hips. Fashion experts often refer to this body type as an inverted triangle. According to a survey by the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education, about 20% of women say they have this body shape.

Knowing your body shape helps you choose the right fashion and shows you which styles flatter your figure. According to renowned fashion stylist Rachel Zoe, “Style is a way of saying who you are without having to speak.” Determining your body shape is an important part of this communication.

It’s also important to understand that there’s no reason to feel self-conscious about having broad shoulders. It’s part of what makes you unique. However, if you want to create the illusion of narrower shoulders, there are many fashion tips you can use.

Finally, remember that while these guidelines are useful, they are not set in stone. Everyone’s body is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find out what works best for you.

Selection of structured pieces

The key to concealing broad shoulders is to create the illusion of a smaller upper body. An effective way to do this is to choose structured pieces. A structured garment is one that retains its shape due to the stiffness of the material or the way it is made. A structured jacket or coat that tapers at the waist can help create an hourglass shape and draw attention away from the shoulders.

A-line dresses or skirts can also contribute to this effect: as they flare out towards the bottom, they balance out the width of the shoulders and create a harmonious silhouette. A study published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts shows that symmetry and balance are generally perceived as more aesthetically pleasing. This principle can also be applied to clothing styling.

Fashion experts often recommend avoiding puff sleeves or shoulder pads, as they can accentuate the width of the shoulders. Instead, choose off-the-shoulder or raglan styles that sit lower on the shoulders and do not emphasize their width.

Finally, structured pants or skirts that add volume to the lower body can balance out broad shoulders. Look for styles such as wide-leg pants, palazzo pants, or flared pants.

Balance your silhouette

Another effective strategy for distinguishing broad shoulders is to balance the silhouette. The goal is basically to draw attention away from the shoulders and toward the waist or hips. You can achieve this by accentuating your waist when wearing peplum tops or dresses with a belt.

Another strategy is to wear clothing that, as mentioned above, adds volume to the lower body to balance out the heaviness of the upper body. Flared skirts, gathered hems, or flared jeans can help create a balanced look.

Conversely, you should avoid clothing that draws attention to your shoulders, such as boat neck tops or off-the-shoulder tops. Instead, choose a V-neck or boat neck to elongate your upper body and draw the eye downward.

The famous fashion icon Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is architecture: a question of proportions.” Therefore, pay attention to balanced proportions when choosing clothing.

Integration of colors and prints

Colors and prints play an important role in concealing broad shoulders. Darker colors are known to give the impression of a smaller size. Wearing dark tops and light bottoms can therefore help to minimize the appearance of broad shoulders and add volume to the lower body.

When it comes to prints, there is one simple rule: large prints make areas appear larger, while small prints or single-color areas appear smaller. Therefore, try to avoid large prints on the upper body. Instead, choose small prints or single-color, darker colors.

Vertical stripes can also be your friend, as they tend to lengthen and slim the part of the body they are on. For example, a shirt with vertical stripes can narrow your shoulders and upper body.

Color blocking can also be an effective tool in your arsenal. Using a darker color on top and a lighter color on the bottom can help balance out the wider upper half.

Experiment with accessories

Accessories can be used strategically to distract attention from broad shoulders. For example, long necklaces can help elongate your upper body and draw attention away from your shoulders. Similarly, bold belts can draw attention to your waist and help create a balanced silhouette.

Large earrings and eye-catching hair accessories can also draw attention to your face and distract from your shoulders. Avoid wide and short necklaces, as they can make your shoulders appear wider.

Handbags can also play a role in your clothing strategy. Choose bags that hang at hip or waist level, as they can draw the eye downward.

Handbags can also play a role in your clothing strategy. Choose bags that hang at hip or waist level, as they can draw the eye downward.

Try out different excerpts

The neckline of your top can have a big impact on how broad your shoulders look. V-necks and boat necks are ideal because they elongate the neck and draw the eye downward, minimizing the width of the shoulders.

Avoid wide necklines such as boat necks or square necks, as they can make your shoulders appear wider. Shoulder cutouts also draw attention to the shoulder area and may not be the best choice if you don’t want to show your shoulders.

Strapless styles, on the other hand, can be surprisingly flattering, as they expose the collarbone and neck and draw attention away from the shoulders.

Finding the right style that suits your figure can boost your self-confidence and make you feel comfortable in your clothes. The goal is not to hide yourself, but to highlight your best features and present yourself in a way that makes you feel good.