3.0 out of 5 stars
COMPARISON OF MULTIPLE TOPS FOR GIRLS (who are at that awkward in-between size)
Reviewed in the United States on 5 July 2019
My 23yo autistic daughter hates clothes shopping, a gene I suspect she inherited from me. She was due for new tops to go with her many shorts; since we live in Florida, tank tops are imperative much of the year.
Here are the stats and requirements:
- If she stands up very tall, she is almost 5’3”.
- She weights around 115 pounds.
- Her shirts have to be fun, not “blank”.
- If she wears an adult small, the shirt is often proclaimed to be boring. Because it is boring.
- If she wears a children’s L or XL or XXL, then we encounter the problem that these shirts are often made for girls who are stout but not yet developed. In short, they are too tight across the chest area.
I imagine that many parents of girls find themselves in this exact position: Neither the girls’ sizes nor the women’s sizes fit properly. What follows is my review of our adventures trying to find some acceptable shirts. This review will cover all of the shirts; photos will be provided only of the specific shirt under which you are reading this review. You are looking at shirt #6.
1. Level Up Retro Anime Manga Game Pixel Tank Top $21.99
5 stars
Fit/Size/Color : Women/Female Small/Purple
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: The words “Level Up” are printed across the front of the tank top.
VERDICT: A perfect fit! In addition, the words “Level Up” have special meaning to my daughter, so this shirt was a total hit.
KEEPER
2. How to Train Your Dragon 3 Hidden World Dragon Power Tank Top $22.99
4 stars
Fit/Size/Color : Women/Female Small/White
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: White tank top with the words “Dragon Power” and four images of dragons.
VERDICT: see below
KEEPER
and
3. How to Train Your Dragon 3 Hidden World Dragon Heroes Tank Top $22.99 5 stars
Fit/Size/Color : Women/Female Small/White
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: White tank top with the words “Hometown Heroes" and six images of dragons.
4 stars
VERDICT: Both of these shirts were a hit! Not only does she love How to Train Your Dragon, but the fit was perfect. Note that both of them stink to high heaven of vinegar, a smell I am trusting will disappear once the shirts have been washed.
KEEPER
4. Amazon Essentials Girls' 3-Pack Tank Top, Shark/Aqua/Raspberry XL (12) $13.50
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Three tank tops. 1 in bright pink. 1 in light blue. 1 in light pink with sharks.
3 Stars
VERDICT: Too tight across the chest. Also, there were complaints because “most of the sharks are upside down!”
REJECT
5. Amazon Essentials Big Girls' 3-Pack Tank Top, Shark/Aqua/Raspberry, XX-Large $13.50
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: same as above
2 stars
VERDICT: Underarm gap that easily shows bra.
REJECT
6. Spotted Zebra Big Girls' 4-Pack Sleeveless Tank Tops, Cat/Bird, Large (10) $18.00
3 stars
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Four tank tops, one with a cat and one with birds. I had to try.
VERDICT: This was always going to be a stretch. Way too tight.
REJECT
7. Frozen Big Girls' Elsa Space Dye Top with Chiffon Inserts, Light Blue Heather, X-Large $11.71
2 stars
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Frozen’s Elsa on an Elsa-blue t-shirt.
VERDICT: The tightest shirt of all across the chest. Bra shows through across the back.
REJECT
8. The Children's Place Girls' Big Graphic Tank Top, Sojourn Blue 08862, XL (14) $12.71
2 stars
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Denim-blue color (not fabric) with GIRL PWR and various images including flowers.
VERDICT: Tight across the chest and hangs very poorly. Good luck getting your bra not to show.
REJECT
9. Amazon Brand - Spotted Zebra Girls' Big Kid 3-Pack Sleeveless Tank Tops, Sports, X-Large (12) $13.50
3 stars
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Three tank tops. 1 with the solar system. 1 with the number 12. 1 plain white.
VERDICT: Too tight.
REJECT
10. Amazon Brand - Spotted Zebra Girls' Big Kid 3-Pack Sleeveless Tank Tops, Sports, XX-Large (14) $13.50
2 stars
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Same as above.
VERDICT: The solar system shirt was really iffy. It was still tight, gapped at the armhole, and hung awkwardly. We put it in the maybe pile, but realized we’d have to give away the shirt with the 12 on it (who thought that was a good idea?) especially since my daughter already looks young and then I was informed that the plain white shirt was unacceptable because it was boring.
REJECT
11. Amazon Brand - Spotted Zebra Girls' Big Kid 3-Pack Sleeveless Tank Tops, Mermaid, X-Large (12) $15.90
3 stars
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: 3 tanks tops. 1 says “CALL MY SHELL PHONE”. 1 has a mer-cat on it. 1 is light pink and plain.
VERDICT: After our experience with the exact same brand, we skipped trying on this size and went straight to the XXL, below
REJECT
12. Amazon Brand - Spotted Zebra Girls' Big Kid 3-Pack Sleeveless Tank Tops, Mermaid, XX-Large (14) $15.90
2 star
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: same as above
VERDICT: Too tight and the arm hole was too large, allowing way too much visibility. A real pity because these were cute shirts.
REJECT
13. The Children's Place Big Girls' Tank Top, Blue 01617, XL (14) $11.21
2 stars
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Dark blue tank top with large golden butterfly.
VERDICT: Too tight across the chest and the bra straps show with minimal movement.
REJECT
14. The Children's Place Girls' Big Novelty Graphic T-Shirt, Pink Quartz XL (14) $12.06
5 stars
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: White-winged unicorn on a pink shirt. There are many white sequins on the unicorn.
VERDICT: Perfect fit. She loves it.
KEEPER - and I bought a second shirt in black with a wingless unicorn on it.
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