The 80's are Back: A Win for Narrow Shoulders!

The fall and winter trends for 2018 are bolder and more deliberate in both design and structure. You may have already noticed bolder designs, such as glen plaids and hounds tooth, and firmer, angular structured garments. A markedly defined shoulder line is definitely the ‘it’ thing this season. The trend of a more defined shoulder is reminiscent of the shoulder pad fad of the mid to late 1980’s (think: Dixie Carter’s character Julia Sugarbaker from Designing Women). Vogue writer Steff Yotka used the term ‘assertive’ to describe this season’s trending shoulder line.  Fashion trends are a looking glass which reflects a snapshot of sociopolitical trends happening in our world. A bolder, more “assertive” shoulder line is definitely a nod to this past year’s focus on women coming out to tell their stories of sexual harassment and abuse as part of the ‘#Me Too movement’.

At times fashion trends can benefit, even maximize, a silhouette’s assets. As it happens, a stronger shoulder line is a definite fashion ‘win’ for those of us with narrow or ‘sloping’ shoulders (not the nicest of terms). You may have noticed that blazers and coats this season have more padding and structure allowing for the shoulders to be more defined- present. If you are petite (smaller than 5’3”) be prudent in your shoulder padding bliss. Too much of a good shoulder can dwarf you and make you look boxy and that much shorter.

Specific necklines can also reduce attention to narrowing or sloping shoulders:

Boat necks: the neckline elongates the shoulder line giving the appearance of wider shoulders. Note: if you have wide shoulders, you may want to avoid this neckline for its ability to make shoulders appear wider.

Square neck and Scoop neck tops allow for the eye to focus more on the center of the neck and clavicle area, detracting from the shoulder line.

Embellishments on the shoulders makes the shoulders appear to have more of a square structure and less narrowed or slopped.  Embellishment on the shoulders can be both patterns (florals, stripes, ect.) and structural additions to a sleeve, such as ruching, buttons/snaps. 

Styles to avoid for sloping shoulders:

Sleeveless tops, Razorback necklines, and Dolman sleeves all exaggerate a narrow or sloping shoulder line.

For those of you with sloping shoulders; it is your time to “square off!”