Here’s a present for you: a review of the Jailyn velvet tank from an Hourglassy reader who is slightly smaller than the smallest size on the Jailyn size chart. This makes a nice contrast to last week’s review from someone who is slightly larger than the largest size on the chart. Her final photo proves this tank isn’t just for holiday parties.
When Darlene offered me the opportunity to review one of Jailyn Apparel’s new velvet tank tops, I jumped at the chance.
The tank top is made of a gorgeous rich velvet — with a surprising amount of stretch to it — and the quality of the stitching is impeccable. In these photos, I am wearing a size 2 full. For reference, I have a 35†bust and a 25†waist, and I usually wear a 30F-FF bra.
The cut of the top is quite modest, ideal for work or an office party. The neckline is high enough to completely conceal my cleavage, but low enough to show off a chunky necklace. My bra straps are securely hidden and not even my highest-cut bra peaks out from the armholes.
The top contours beautifully over my bust, but flairs out at the waist. According to Jodi of Jailyn Apparel, this effect is by design — the tops are meant to taper outwards rather than cling to the midriff, creating a more modest draping effect rather than a tight spandex-like second skin.
On me, the draping is more pronounced than I’d like at the front. My waist measurement is smaller than the 26″-27″ listed on the size chart, and my narrowest point is low on my torso — I’ve found much of the full-bust clothing world designs for a higher waist than mine. Happily, nipping in the waist is an easy alteration, and the princess seams on this top will make it easier still. I’ll be taking out about 3″ of material, so you may prefer to order down a waist size if you prefer a snug fit at the midriff.
For me, this is a perfect winter base piece to layer under a suit jacket. The texture of the velvet is warm and unusual, I find it lends a touch of femininity to the more severe styling of a jacket.
Folds under the waist make me think that alteration could be a little bit trickier than “just take in the waist”. And front drapes like that not only because top is too big in the waist, but also too small in the bust (it may stretch, but fit is affected nevertheless), so you may consider altering it there too, if it possible.
Good luck with alterations!
It looks like it is princess seamed, so it could be taken in at the waist and below but along the front seams as well. I like the idea of using of using princess seams for knits to get it fit well as opposed to darts or letting it just hang like most knit tops.
Princess seams indeed are great for taking in, darts could become awkward if they are very wide.
I just can’t help but notice that the front is shorter than the back and side seams are not in place + those folds on the back – I know all that signs too well, that’s why it’s a good idea to add in the bust (it’s often possible to get an inch or so from a little extra fabric in the seams if fabric isn’t damaged by needle).
(I’m the guest poster) Thanks for the advice! I am a not an experienced sewist, so I appreciate the comments. I was counting on the princess seaming to take in the front more than the sides, since I don’t have any room to spare in the back. The top definitely stretches over the bust, but I hadn’t realized that was causing the back folds.
I might have been better off with the “extra full”, as I was near the size boundary. There might be a lesson here about being on the boundary between stretch sizes in full bust brands, which I often am… in BiuBiu for instance, in some styles neither the 34B/BB or 34BB/BBB fits particularly well.