FASHION

Overcoming narrow shoulders

Q: I have narrow shoulders, which makes it hard to find dresses and blouses that fit right. If they fit at the shoulder, they are too tight across the bust and back. But if they fit my torso, the shoulder seams droop halfway to my elbow, making me look sloppy and round-shouldered. My sister keeps suggesting shoulder pads, but I would feel ridiculous with that 1980s linebacker look. What do I do? I can’t afford to have every dress and blouse altered to fit.

A: (From fashion writer Jean Patteson): You are right about ’80s-style shoulder pads: They did give women an enormously exaggerated shape. But not all shoulder pads are that extreme. Check the accessories department of a well-stocked fabric store, or visit a Web site such as shoulderpads.com. You may be surprised by the range of sizes and shapes, in both foam and molded fiber.

Experiment with different shapes to find pads that give you the most natural-looking shoulder line. Choose a color as close as possible to your natural skin tone. And avoid wearing shoulder pads under tight, clingy knits, which generally reveal the presence of padding.

You can also help create the impression of wider shoulders by choosing horizontal necklines, such as boat-neck, wide scoop-neck and off-the-shoulder styles. Wide collars and yoked designs have the same effect. Or try attaching a pin or draping a scarf toward the outside of a shoulder.

Some halter styles, which leave the shoulders bare, can create the illusion of width. But not always — so check the effect of a halter neckline carefully before buying the style.

When wearing sleeveless dresses or blouses, great posture is your best defense. So stand up straight, shoulders back.