Ask Angie and everyone: Drapey styles and bustiness

N-Marie

I am struggling to work "fluid" styles into my wardrobe, and I think my chest is to blame. I am petite and short-waisted with a larger bust. I love the look of drapier styles on models with slimmer builds, but when I try them on myself, they seem to fall straight down from the chest, making a "tent-like" effect that makes me seem like I'm pregnant. This can be somewhat mitigated by tucking or faux-tucking but then it creates a straight line from the widest part of my bust to the point of tucking- I don't seem to have enough torso length to allow the fabric to fall back towards the body. I know that the style is supposed to be "waist-surrendering", but on me it seems to be "torso surrendering" and just not flattering. Any advice? Is there a specific style of fluid or wrap top that would work better?

11 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from sparlingo

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I'm in the same boat...waiting to hear some solutions too.

I do wear some faux-wrap top styles, but not the ones that look voluminous enough to overwhelm...for example, I have a couple of Vince Camuto faux wraps but I think the Pleione ones wouldn't suit as well. Just a theory though since I haven't tried them. But yes, the faux-wraps don't fall from the bust so much as drape under it so there's not that empty-space thing going on.

11 years ago

sparlingo

(website)

Active Member

I occasionally feel the same, although I am not super busty (maybe average busty?) but I am short waisted and petite. I find if I'm going to go drapey I have to watch the length of the top, mostly in that it can't be too long. The trick for me is keeping my bum uncovered. I don't know why exactly, but I find if I surrender my waist I must keep my other womanly curves intact :). It also helps if the drapey top doesn't have too high of a neckline so that I maintain some length in the neck. I faux-tuck almost all drapey tops unless worn as a tunic over leggings.

11 years ago

N-Marie

Veteran

ambergreen- yes- the wrap-style top has been the first top that I felt did not look unflattering on me. I actually really liked the Pleione top but I did have to size down (see picture). Maybe I find it more flattering because of the deep and narrow V-neck, which is more flattering on a larger chest? And yes, it does help that the shortened and cinched front helpsto pull the fabric in towards the body while still draping.
sparligo - Interesting that you find it looks better with a shorter or tucked rear view. Most of the styles that I've tried on are high-low or circle hems, so maybe that's a contributing factor as well.

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11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I have the same issue but it's mitigated somewhat by my IT shape, which lets tops hang from the shoulders instead of the bust. But this is why I can't wear Eileen Fisher tops most of the time...What is your shoulder situation?

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11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

N-Marie. You look gorgeous in that wrap top:). Can I suggest looking at the proportions of your outfits and where and how the garment drapes? I am a similar body type, and am large busted and an apple... and I am bigger than you, and a lot of my wardrobe has that drapey element. One other thing is I often wear a minimiser bra to create a flatter/smoother line so as to eliminate the "tent effect". Also not all fabrics drape well, so fabric choice is moor taint too:)

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Just looked at your picture - I think you look fantastic! How you FEEL is a different issue - I know I am always self-conscious about feeling too busty, no matter how I look.

11 years ago

N-Marie

Veteran

alaskagirl- I love that top and skirt combo on you! I'm an IT like you - relatively broad through the shoulders. But I don't have very thin legs, so I think I'm sensitive to the fact that if I don't emphasize the waist/torso, I just look "thick" everywhere. I think the problem is more from the side/profile than from the front. I will think a top look fine when looking at the front in the mirror, then I turn sideways and go "hmmmm". I do think I am especially sensitive to this at the moment because I'm currently nursing a baby so bust size is more pronounced (and fluctuating!) than my norm.

Deborah- thanks for the suggestions. I'm probably not quite big enough for a minimizer bra (and that might interfere with breastfeeding) but I should probably be paying better attention to fabric choices!

11 years ago

Anonymous

N-Marie - although I don't see any sign of top-heaviness in the photo you shared here, I experience the same frustrations. I'm the unfortunate owner of a larger pair of breasts that I would like, given my frame size (sorry, I hate the word "bust" , makes me think of dowagers on Downton Abbey) . I love the look of wrapped and draped tops but unless the fabric is silk, silk-like or very sheer and soft, it doesn't work for exactly the reasons you laid out . But even then, I find, the problem is that I feel too "sexy" looking with such a soft, flowy top that sticks to my chest. Anyways, I have just resigned myself to not wearing them - that side profile issue is so scary I am sworn off that style. The semi tuck doesn't help, I agree.

Gee, I'm a real ray of sunshine today, sorry

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

N-Marie, you don't look like you're struggling at all. You look amazing in the outfit you posted. V-necks (or lower necklines), shorter tops, and not too billowing at the hip. Plus throw in the lower rise when semi tucking the front. Does that make sense?

11 years ago

N-Marie

Veteran

Angie- that's so kind of you to say,and thanks for the tips. I do find that I am spending a lot of time buying and returning items with a "fluid" fit - it's just not as obvious to me what will work on my frame compared to other items, and the tops never seem to look on me as they do on the models.

I think I may be buying fluid items that are too long and/or with too much volume at the hips. With fitted tops, I've often aimed for longer hemlines (down to an inch or so from the crotch) to held define and elongate the waist. That, combined with the lowest rise I can find in pants was best method I've found so far to offset my shorter waist. But perhaps that method doesn't work so well with the more fluid tops.

11 years ago

sparlingo

(website)

Active Member

Oh yes, since answering your post I have since noticed the photo that you have provided and feel compelled to say that you honestly look great! I don't really see anything awkward about it.

11 years ago

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