...in a good way, I hope!
At the risk of sounding a tad melodramatic, I must share with you a 5 second project that could make the world a much better place.
I wear long sleeved tees and jeans pretty much all the time, even to work. It drives me crazy when my tee rides up and my jeans ride down. No matter how long my tee is to start with, through my meticulous laundry habits, the shirts get shorter and shorter.
I don't want to wear "Mom Jeans," but I don't want the whole world seeing my business either. While I've started to wear tank tops a lot, it has been hard to find ones I like that are long enough to prevent plumber's butt every time I bend over.
I saw an ad in the back of a magazine for the Hip-T, a band of fabric used to-- shall we say-- "close the gap," but I was not excited about paying $19.95 + shipping.
Sooooo, enter my 9 year old daughter's tank tops from the yard sale pile.
I grabbed some scissors and cut off the shirts right below the pits. The reason I picked my daughter's tanks rather than my own is that I wanted the band to be snug, and the tank-top material seemed to double or even triple in size as soon as I cut it off the shirt part. Trust me on this-- that's some stretchy stuff.
I was already dressed, so I just pulled the band on over my boots and jeans (stretching it further) and went to work. All day I felt covered and comfortable.
I made sure the band was a good length for maximum movement. Seriously, I could reach things on a high shelf or do jumping jacks or yoga (as if!) and still have prime real estate covered.
So, how did it work?
No sudden gusts of air as I sat at my desk! I was able to bend over to pick up boxes without feeling like I was offending people! And on the way home, the cold leather seats in the car did not give me a chilly surprise. This little band never once rode up the way a tank top would have.
All of that cozy comfort made me realize just how uncomfortable I usually am tugging and adjusting my jeans and shirt all day.
Here's a pic at the end of the day.
It appears that contents may have shifted during the course of the day, or it could have been all of those cookies. A quick trip through the wash tightened it right up again. Too bad that doesn't work for thighs.
If this starts a revolution, I'd like to ship these tank top bands to any woman my age or older who insists on wearing low jeans with a thong. Eeek. Now wouldn't that make the world a better place?
The End.
Linking up to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch!
32 comments:
Cute! Long tanks and camis are huge here in Utah, modest capital of the U.S. So there are tons of stores that sell long ones. Even with lace on the bottom.
Love it! Nice work!
Great idea! I always wear a longer tank top under most shirts/sweaters for those same reasons. I may have to try this!
Pure genius! Now...where can I find a daughter so I can replicate this idea one day?!
I would comment on how clever you are but I'm too busy obsessing over the fact that you weigh, like, 85 lb.
Dang, Anna, this is downright brilliant! And may I say that I am insanely jealous of your abs?
Amazing how simple some solutions can be! Thanks for the tip!
You are the smartest person in the world.
Fabulous idea! You and your ideas...man, you're good. You look awesome...do you know that?
Love it! I have to very careful when buying L/S tees because sometimes companies who make petites for my short arms also make the shirts short waisted. Very annoying! I'm 5'2", not 4'10"!!!
Holy cow. I am so doing this tonight. Cold leather seat on the small of your back is the worst! Thanks for sharing!!!
Brilliant! I'm doing that with some of my own old tanks!
World rocked right here! I'm 5'11" and I can't for the life of me find long enough tank tops. My tank tops ride up to like my bra, that's always interesting.
Love this concept. I shall thrift some kids tanktops or women's small!
Brilliant!!!
brilliant. brilliant brilliant! trying tomorrow.
verification word: "hynes"
hahahaha "the end."
best idea i've heard in a really long time. i thought it was just me.
but really, my love handles keep everything from riding up too much!
apparently you don't have that problem since you're what a size 2??
You have perfected the art of layering. Genius! And my goodness, such a slender genius you are too. I wonder if I tried that with a toddler sized top if I'd end up effectively back in Juniors sizing.
jbhat
I'm sorry to rain on your parade Anna - and it's probably only because I'm 7 months pregnant right now, but this tank thing only reminds me of the belly bands used to extend a pregnant lady's use of her regular pants once they can no longer be buttoned. And as soon as this sweet child comes out - I never want to wear another band of material around my waist again! So more power to you and all the gals who love it, but this prego chick just can't get on board because it reminds me of maternity wear and I can't wait to be out of that :)
Like Amber, I must say my first thought was of Bella Bands. Perhaps it is because I am always pregnant and couldn't live without these in my pregnancies. They used to be only for ultra-chic women willing to spend a zillion dollars at places like A Pea in the Pod, but now you can get them at Target in a variety of colors. It is a snug wide band, just as you created, that "closes the gap" as you say. Unlike Amber, I still love mine. Tall girls have the potential to do a lot of unintentional flashing even when we aren't pregnant!
I'm just 5'2" with a torso that correponds to that height so I generally don't have that problem... but what a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing!
Great idea. I am annoyed that the layered look is now necessary because shirt manufacturers have found a way to charge you for 2 shirts simply because one doesn't really cover you... too thin... too short... and one wash and dry and you have destroyed your wardrobe. I can now wear those shirts that shrunk up up up with your brilliant idea! thanks
I might have to try this.... I buy the 3 packs of men's Hanes tanks in size medium - they're long enough for my ridiculously long torso, and super cheap! Maybe I'll try the smalls and chop 'em up!
Thanks for the fun comments! I'm on day 3 of wearing my cozy tank bands. I'm not experiencing any more breezes down there, so they are working great! The pregnancy band comments cracked me up. I'm wishing we had something like that when I was pregnant. All I had were the $100 prescription panty hose--- to try to keep my veins from popping out. Not fun in the sandbox in July. Ick.
If you are planning to make these tank bands, buy the smallest tanks possible. I just bought more at the thrift store for .75 in the little kids sections. xo
Great idea!! You have rocked my world, I'm going to figure out a way to do this since I don't have a little girl to steal tanks from!
Anna - You always have the hippest thrift store suggestions. So going to Goodwill tomorrow....
that is completely brilliant! I'm not sure it would work on me, but I'm going to try it. I actually have this problem a lot when I'm on a photography shoot because I'm constantly raising my arms up high (esp. when I take the camera vertical) and trust me - no one wants to see that. especially some new mom... I don't want my reality to shatter her hopes of getting her pre-baby body back, ya know.
Which, by the way, I'm quite jealous of you. Your bod is so HAWT! I am gonna send some of my lbs. your way, mmkay?
You are a genius. I'm sending this to the Kirtsy gods right now.
Fabulous idea!!! I'm going to start scouring thrift stores for girls tanks!!! But, if I had a lovely figure like yours, I wouldn't be worried if I showed a little skin!!!
fantastic! looks cute and is very functional. can even do it with a colored tank and have a pop of color! thanks for the idea!
http://spinning-threads.blogspot.com
LOVE this idea! Have you heard about he new Spanx product...don't know the name...but you can buy a leg of a pantyhose? Just one leg at a time so if you get a run in one, you have another. I've been doing that since 8th grade!! WHY O WHY did I not market that idea! Anyway, Love the post...love your blog. I am now a follower!
~Vicky
Very cool idea! At 6' tall, I ALWAYS run into this problem. If you want to try some actual camis, I've found that Express is one of the few stores that actually has long ones. I literally wear one every day (a different one, of course)
I think the cut off tank would make a great tub top. Also make a cute skirt and use the top of the tank top on the top. Perfect matching outfits or mix and match. Either way you would be hot at the PTA meetings. : - ))
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