BIG BUST

It really depends on the rest of your shape. You can't dress just your chest but most women with larger chests find that shape at the waist is a must to avoid creating a very boxy look.

9 years ago

purple8

Active Member

I used to have that size, and I had good luck with wrap tops with a cami underneath. I had a breast reduction 2 months ago, though, which changed things.

9 years ago

LearningCurve

Active Member

@Luisa: You're the first person I've met with the same bust size as me!! I really struggle too.

Are you wanting advice on general daywear or going out items?

You need to take into consideration things like body shape, general build, face shape, width of your shoulders, colouring, etc. Not to mention your own personal preferences.

What fabrics do you like? What kind of clothes do you want to wear?

@purple8: I so want one too! Have you recovered well from the op?

9 years ago

LearningCurve

Active Member

In terms of things that are generally flattering. The easiest items for me are scoop necks, especially tunic-style tops with an in-built belt (same colour/fabric as the top) as this will cinch you in at the waist. The problem I often have if I'm not careful is too many drapey fabrics that make me look bigger than I am if it just hangs from my bust then hits my wide hips, when I actually have quite a slim waist.

Look for tops or dresses with these features - that are fitted at the waist and skim over the stomach - as these will be the best ways to accentuate your curves without having them on display. If that makes sense.

Wrap tops are also great for that reason too (as dianthus says) but you may want a stash of camisoles and vests on hand for those tops that may require modifying.

I tend to avoid items with seams at the bust line as this always makes me think that it looks like the top doesn't fit me if the line sits on my boob, even if the rest of the top fits.

I avoid button up tops unless I know they're well fitting, though I'll still usually wear a camisole underneath or a fitted sweater over the top (sleeveless or sleeved depending on the weather), just in case the buttons work loose.

Avoid double breasted jackets and coats as these will make you look bigger, and look for deep v-neck style jackets with buttons that fit under the bust rather than on them (for the same reason as above: brings attention to the slimmer part of your body rather than focusing on the bustline).

Hope this helps!

9 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I would look at Inge's links.

I am close to your size. But, there are a lot of variations in shape. Are you more house glass, pear, or inverted triangle?

I share your bust, but I also am a pear with a very defined waist. It makes buttons downs almost impossible to fit. This oversized fluid trend is also difficult to not look like you are wearing your husband's clothes.

Still, it is doable.

And, I highly recommend you think through what you want your style to be. Any style can work with any shape. Some may be trickier, but all are doable.

9 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Very good point by Learning Curve about tops with seams under the bust. I wear a 30G and the seams are always about 2" above the bottom of my bra. Pfft. Not a good look. I bought a dress last summer that was like that but the pattern disguised it. I still only wore it once.

9 years ago

LearningCurve

Active Member

@dianthus: My mum still argues with me about it. She's convinced those lines are supposed to be on the bust. I think she's just (wrongly) convinced herself of this in order to continue wearing them. Not me. I'd rather just go without that particular item until I find something more suitable, however annoying it is.

9 years ago

Dixie

Active Member

I'm a 32F. It really depends on what your goal is, do you want to minimize your bust? Do you want to emphasize it? Do you want to avoid looking top heavy?

I don't find my bust a problem when I dress. I don't know. I guess I'm used to it, I think almost everybody has some kind of challenge when it comes to dressing themselves.

A basic rule, though, is fitting. You have to have a good bra and you should only use clothes that fit you right. You probably know that. Also, consider tailoring.

I wear almost any type of top, really. I'm in my 20's and I like to try different styles. Some make my bust look smaller and some bigger and neither is a problem to me. I do play up the proportions of the whole outfit to avoid looking top heavy. That is a look that I don't like.

For example, if I'm wearing a fitted blouse that emphasize the bust, I wear something more voluminous on bottom to balance it out. You definitely can wear boxy shapes but pay attention to the fabric, if it's light and drapes it would be flattering. If the fabric is really thick it is going to make you look boxy. I don't know which look you want to go for, maybe you want to achieve a more androgynous look or the bombshell look, most fashion advice for a big bust tells you how to minimize it in order to look more like an hourglass figure but who says that's what everyone wants?

So I recommend you thinking on which look you want to achieve, what parts of your body you want to emphasize/demphasize instead of thinking "how to dress your bust". What do you want?

9 years ago

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