December 1st, 2009
Fact: lower necklines are more flattering for well endowed gals. Wherever possible I like to put a V-neck, scoop neck, boat neck or sweetheart neckline on a client with a larger bust because the lower neckline visually rebalances the size of the bust and elongates the long lean line. A shirt or blouse collar that un-buttons into a deep V-shape works equally well.
A busty lass wearing a high neckline like a crew or turtle neck has the opposite effect. It makes the bust look even bigger, as if the bosom starts from under the chin instead of below the shoulder line. But there are times when bustier lasses prefer to wear high necklines either because of the cold, or because it’s time to change things up. It’s not the best look, but there are ways of bending the body type guidelines once you fully understand them.
Follow these tips if you are busty but would like to wear a higher neckline:
- Choose an item in a lightweight fabrication. Stay away from bulky knits and stick to finer gauges and tissue weight fabrics.
- Create a V-shaped neckline with an additional layer. Layering over a high neckline with a tailored blazer, waistcoat or jacket to create a V-shaped neckline is quite effective, especially when the additional layer is left unbuttoned.
- Add an eye-catching vertical accessory. This draws the eye up and down and takes attention away from the bust. Crew necks look good with short chunky pendants that finish above the bust. They also work with long, soft collapsible scarves tied in vertical knots. Turtle necks look good with longer finer necklaces that drape over the curve of the bust, but are short enough that they don’t hook onto to the bust (Y-chains are a great idea). Wearing a soft slimming scarf over a turtle neck is especially effective when the scarf and top are in the same monochromatic colour palette.
Portuguese forum member Rute posted an outfit on the forum yesterday that perfectly illustrates all three tips on her deliciously hourglass frame. Be sure to check out Rute for visual inspiration. She looks fab!
13 Replies
Posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 9:10 am
Great tips, Angie! Sometimes I wish I could wear higher necklines, but I always feel the best in scoop or boatneck necklines.
If I want to wear a turtleneck, I have found that the ones with a yoke line look the best on me. Like this
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....33036-6600
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 9:22 am
Before I found Ylf, I always loved this red cashmere mock-turtleneck on frigid winter days. I’ll try to keep getting use out of it now by following your tips, which as usual are practical and easy to execute. Thanks Angie!
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 9:41 am
You are right Angie, high necklines make full busts look even fuller. Especiallly in tight, light colored knits with a poorly fitting bra on underneath.
I have a light pink three dots boatneck t-shirt I wear at home (over a leisure bra). I’m always so bummed out when I see my reflection in the mirror.
That particular t-shirt/bra combo is an unattractive one.
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 10:32 am
Thanks for these tips! I mainly have v-neck and scoop neck tops in my closet, but I would like to try some different styles.
My favorite way to create a longer line is with scarves, but I like the idea of a chunky necklace as well.
I will keep these tips in mind next time I go shopping. Thanks again!
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 10:50 am
This is valuable information indeed and I intend to use it just as soon as I can.
I’m confused about what a boat neck is though. I always thought a boat neck was almost like a slit that runs from shoulder to shoulder, like this:
http://www.kabukiprinting.com/.....t-neck.jpg
I really like that type of neckline for my shoulders, but I always felt it didn’t look good on my bust. I thought it made it look bigger because it’s still pretty high up.
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 11:22 am
Invaluable…thank you. I teach in a rather cold classroom and for the majority of the school year, I am in turtlenecks. My bust has lost some…ah…volume since having my two children, but I was professionally fitted for a good t-shirt bra and found that the bra, along with wearing a finer weight turtleneck and most often in a darker color did the trick. I haven’t tried the look with the necklaces for fear of the “ring a boob” look. The Y necklace as well as some of those gorgeous layered necklaces that fall above the bust would, of course, be a great answer. Why is it that things like this seem so obvious to some? Thank you again, Angie.
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 2:20 pm
yea! a post for the large busted! Rute looks great and like always, provides a good example to follow.
Interestingly, my husband has suggested I consider a certain high neck style of top, kinda like the one shown below, despite the fact that I avoid crew-neck and higher tops due to my bust size. He has a much better eye for clothing and proportion than I do, so I am inclined to think this sort of top could work for me. Definitely in general, v, u, and boat necks look much better on me.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....pe=Regular
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Even though I have a small chest, I gravitate toward square necks to show off my clavicle, so I guess it works for me!
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Great tips Angie! I’ll be using these. Another thing I do is to layer higher necklines with vests.
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Rute certainly knows how to dress her body shape, she always looks so fab!
I understand these tips are perfect for a larger bust but would you say the tips above may be utilised for any bust size or body type?
Posted on December 2nd, 2009 at 12:23 am
Gals,
I’m blushing! The true is that I’ve learned a lot with you all! The secret is to know what looks good on you. Each body is unique and the best way of knowing what works for you is to test different looks on you!
Angie,
I’m proud to be part of this community!
Thank you!
Posted on December 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 am
I totally agree with this post. I got rid of my turtlenecks years ago. Scarves are a great alternative if your neck gets cold.
Where I live the winters seem to have gotten warmer over the past 15 or so years. I guess I, too, have gotten warmer as I’ve aged. ; ) So I am not even missing the t-necks. But I have always and continue to adore scarves.
Posted on December 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 am
Rute looks amazing, her style is very chic and flattering.
Posted on December 5th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
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