[fiver]

Does anyone have recommendations for cheap tank tops with a high/crew neckline? I'm looking for longer ones to layer under stuff and apparently I'm looking in all the wrong places because I'm coming up with nothing.

I'd love to find something similar to these: Chimera Clothing

 

[rjs111]

I always hate looking for camis and tanks to wear under stuff because they're all so low! I just bought a few camis from the LOFT outlet. They aren't crew neck by any means, but they do have adjustable straps so you can actually keep them up to cover cleavage. :IDK Sorry that wasn't much help, but I will keep an eye out for you.

 

[fiver]

Glad to know it's not just me! I didn't think of camis with adjustable straps, will have to take a peek around those. Thanks!

 

[justyne5]

I got a couple of long tanks from H&M that are relatively high (no cleavage showing and they also cover almost to the hips. They were about $6, I think.

 

[fiver]

Ooh! I'll have a look in a H&M when I get the chance. Thanks!

 

[peppamintgrl]

Yes! So glad someone started this thread....it seems that the only camis I can find these days go past my bra

The only one I currently own is from Gap, but they don't carry it anymore. The neck is a true crewneck, though.

OP, I have seen some at Ann Taylor before and I am kicking myself for not getting them when I could.

 

[idalis]

I have a couple from, believe it or not, victoria's secret. but they are a bit older now so not sure what they have now

 

[dreameddisaster]

I was just looking for longer tanks today. H&M did have some (with adjustable spaghetti straps) ... I saw maybe 6-8 different colors and they were a tissue weight. Definitely not crew neck, but they looked like they would cover cleavage.

I have older ones from Forever 21, the new ones are lower and thinner. Their racerbacks are higher in the front though.

 

[Tushkana]

I agree with H&M suggestion, BUT you have got to browse around because they have loads and loads of vests: some of them are low-cut, some of them cut higher, they might be on the same rack as well. Also (as for current vest collection), I think, their Divided brand is cut lower, but L.O.G.G. higher..

 

[Aeriel]

I don't have a brand or source to recommend to the OP, but am glad I am not the only one with this problem. I doubt I'd have more than a couple of (old) tank tops in my wardrobe if I didn't know how to sew.

It's not hard to shorten the shoulder straps on a tank top, or raise a scoop neckline in front by taking a couple of darts in the back of the garment. Tanks and tops seem to be proportioned mostly for tall women with long bodies, unwearable for the rest of us unless the garments are altered.

My advice: Learn to do this kind of simple sewing for yourself and you'll have a lot more tops to choose from. It isn't time-consuming or difficult.

 

[azee]

Here are a few that I think add a little more coverage.


Casual and Comfortable Stylish Women's Clothing. Effortless. Feminine. Classic. - ShadeClothing.com

Tees and Camis: Buy Affordable and Cute Tees and Camis

 

[fiver]

azee, thanks for the links! And thank you everyone for the other retailer suggestions!

I have a couple from, believe it or not, victoria's secret. but they are a bit older now so not sure what they have now

I think I know the ones your talking about! Sadly most of the colors were sold out of my size by the time I stumbled across them since they were being clearanced out.

or raise a scoop neckline in front by taking a couple of darts in the back of the garment.

It never occurred to me to try to alter existing tops! Is there a pictorial guide for this anywhere?

 

[Aeriel]

...

It never occurred to me to try to alter existing tops! Is there a pictorial guide for this anywhere?

Since there is no such tutorial here (that I know of) I googled to try to find one. My favorite result so far:

"Get your mom to do it."

Seriously - it's a simple operation to just cut the straps through the existing seam, and sew them back together again. Same on the darts; usually about a 3/8" dart on each side of the back neckline will raise the front about an inch.

You can also create a straight 1/2" seam down the back of the garment to both raise the neckline and take an inch off the width. If you just need the neck raised more, make a long dart right in the middle rather than a seam running from neckline to hem. Trust me, no one will ever notice these extra details if they are neatly done.

I am not that weird a size (I don't think), a petite 5'3", but if I couldn't alter clothes I'd have virtually no wardrobe that actually fits. I hated it in 1962 when I had to go, but thank god now for compulsory Home Ec for gurlz in highschool! Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

 

[betsy357]

OP....I wear a cami every day, A. to prevent cleavage showing and 2. to "hold me in a little" Ive gotten all my camis from The Limited. They have a little stretch to them and have spaghetti straps. Great layering effect, also. I kind of feel naked and jiggly without them. They are kind of pricey but occasionally select colors go on sale...even as low as $7.00. And they last forever.

 

[Tushkana]

^ Aeriel, could you possibly attach some pics of the finished garments please? I think it is not that easy to do darts on viscose or cotton+elastane vests.. :thumbsup thank you so much in advance!

 

[fiver]

Seconding the above request

Cutting the straps I can easily picture on camis and I think I see what you're talking about with the seam/dart in the back. I'm just wondering how the darts would work on a tank top that didn't need to be taken in width-wise.

Hee! I actually loved Home Ec/Typing/Woodworking. I was sad to learn they did away with it a few years after I left junior high -- those were useful classes.

Betsy, I actually have two camis from the Limited (they do last forever!) but they're on the shorter side. I'll have to pop in to see if they have longer ones now.

 

[Aeriel]

I wish I could attach some pictures, but I haven't a working camera at the moment. I will look for some helpful links, meanwhile try to explain in a bit more detail and more clearly.

I neglected to suggest that the very first thing I do with a garment that I believe needs alteration is wash and dry it (or wash and re-block it, if it's a sweater), just as you would do for a pair of too-loose jeans. Many times this will solve the problem, especially if I have bought off the rack and others have tried the thing on and stretched it. This alone will solve the problem about 50% of the time.

Making darts in the back of a neckline will make the neckline narrower, which has the result of raising it in front as well as making the shoulders slightly narrower. If you make two - 1/4" darts in the back of a neckline, its total circumference will decrease by a total of 1". This will affect the front as well as the back of the neckline, and also (very slightly) narrow the shoulders. 1/4" to 1/3" darts are about as large as I can make without screwing up the way the garment fits in other areas. So the effect from this alteration is much more subtle than taking a couple of inches off too-long tank top straps.

Sometimes I run across situations where, because of the nature of the fabric or the style of the garment, I can't make the alteration I prefer. And I do not love to sew enough to be willing to start deconstructing the garment to make truly professional alterations. I would describe both the neckline dart thing and the strap cutting thing as quick 'n dirty solutions. Most of the things I've altered this way are light, inexpensive summerwear that I may have for a season or two. If you are talking about an expensive piece you hope to wear for years, I'd take it to a seamstress or tailor.

I will search for some sewing tutorials I can link; meanwhile if you are really interested in doing this, ask a friend who sews how to go about it. It's much easier to understand if you have a real-life demo, for sure.

 

[Tushkana]

^ I can sew all right, but I cannot see how darts would look OK on a simple elastane or viscose vest. I am not sure that they will be aligned (on the same level) and be the same length due to the stretchiness of fabric.. I think it is quite difficult to do :magwink Alterations on other pieces rather than stretchy vests are quite easy to do, imho (if there is no lining).

 

[Aeriel]

Perhaps I'm missing something; but I'd have no difficulty taking two small, symmetrical, inconspicuous darts in the back neckline of the top above. Of course the darts would be visible when you're not wearing the top, but once it was on the darts wouldn't be very noticeable. You can press the darts either towards the center back or towards the shoulders, and tack them in that position invisibly so there is no bulky lump where the darts are.

However if I wanted to alter that particular top to raise the neckline, I wouldn't use darts, I'd just shorten the shoulder straps. I usually use the darts on things with sleeves. Because it looks stretchy, I'd also consider washing and re-blocking the above as if it were a sweater, in order to get the neckline as you want it.

As you point out, not every possible alteration is appropriate for every garment. And I have had a few things that I simply couldn't alter successfully no matter what I tried.

 

[Tushkana]

^ Probably, you are a pro :jumping I really am not sure if I can do anything with this kind of vest apart of shortening the straps not that I need too.. I am tall with a long torso and I don't really like the higher neckline, but I have another problem - all my vests ride up when I walk and I have to pull them down like every 10min.. is it because the hips are much wider than the waist or? Does anyone else have this problem? How to make the vests stay put? :thumbsup