Brands for busties

Maya

Veteran

Woven tops only seem to come in one cut: small and straight. No curvy options exist when you're curvy on top.

I know someone (maybe Steph) mentioned BCBG is a good brand for busty girls. Any others?

16 years ago

Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from medusa

Rose

Active Member

I seriously do not know, other than Bratique Helen which I really want to try once I can put it in my budget.

16 years ago

Dashrashi

Veteran

I've had good luck with Benetton button-downs. There's also one cut of Express button-downs that really worked for me (Intimacy says I'm a 32F), but it's not currently on offer, I don't think (the placket buttons all the way up, like a normal shirt, and doesn't stop in the middle like the current button downs).

16 years ago

Sihaya

Veteran

Foxcroft shirts are great. Available at Nordstrom's. I also have good luck with class woven shirts at Ann Taylor.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Carissa’s shirts from Bratique Helene should be first on your list.

Non-fitted styles Foxcroft shirts are particularly good for apple shaped lasses. The fitted Foxcroft styles with front seam detailing are great for hourglasses. But Foxcroft styling is too mature for Maya.

I vote AT blouses at the moment. Martin & Osa, some H&M and Semantics. There is plenty more – but I have to run!

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

AT had a fabulous white button-down with great stretch. I scooped it up earlier this fall, not sure if they still have it around.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

BH is definitely first on my list Angie! I am anxiously awaiting the white Carissa shirt to come back in stock in my size so I can get it. No more SW's left. I wanted to wait until I had my fitting at Intimacy to make sure I was getting the right size before ordering.

I was just thinking it would be nice to have some woven shirts or sleeveless shells to layer under cardis and such, and I feel like I'm transitioning into a phase where I want to dress a tick smarter (well, sometimes anyway). Somehow, a knit over a knit looks sloppy to me even though I would have had no problem with it this time last year.

I will have to keep my eye on AT. Is ATL a good pick too? They are generally more affordable for me. I do not have a Martin & Osa near me but I could order online (I'm sure I will have lots of size questions though).

16 years ago

JennyK (NC)

Active Member

I would love to have some woven shirts that fit me well, but I just assume that I'll need to have them altered. I am looking forward to trying one from Bratique Helene. I'm not familiar with Martin & Osa. I'll check for blouses at AT soon.

I almost never wear woven tops because of fit issues. If they fit my bust they are way too big in the shoulders and at the waist and they are almost always too short to stay tucked into anything as well.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I commiserate Jenny. I have very narrow shoulders but a very large bust (my whole body seems to be a series of extremes). Sizing up and altering back down should be easy, but it isn't, because nothing fits in my shoulder area. I wear a small at the moment, but even that just barely fits my shoulders. If I go up to a medium, the shoulder seams hang down on my arms (hence I am a big fan of raglan sleeves).

Please try one of Carissa's shirts! You can contact her if you need size help. Here is a review and some pics for reference:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/01/.....usty-gals/

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Jenny- if you can find something that fits in your shoulder and bust, you can have the waist altered pretty easily. Maya's right- it's the shoulder fit that enables this.

16 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Maya, I know it is pricey, but I have also had a lot of luck with Brooks Brothers non-iron button-down shirts. I have also had luck with Ann Taylor, and do own one ATL button-down.

This is OT, but I was just in my local Filene's Basement (DC) and they had an entire wall display of those insulated velvet gloves you liked. They were only $12. I had just lost my pair (left them in a cab in NYC), so I ended up getting three new pairs: one black, one brown with quilted stitching, and one black pair that comes to the mid-forearm (I want to wear them with a 3/4 length sleeved coat I have). Thought you might want to see if your local store has them as well.

16 years ago

carissa

(website)

Active Member

Brands: Nine West (Nordstrom will have them).

Classique Entier - Nordstrom as well.

We have a client who purchases ATL, but she has to pin each one at the bust. As a home sewer she is very quick with that pin job.

BCBG - non tailored/fitted will go over the bustline.

Martin & Osa button downs fit terribly on my bustline. And I find Zara & H&M to be very straight cut (no curves).

We are launching our new site in the next couple of days http://www.carissarose.com

And look for us in Oprah Magazine shipping on Monday. They are featuring our brand.

16 years ago

JennyK (NC)

Active Member

I've been giving the Bratique Helene shirts some serious thought. To be honest, I'm very hesitant to spend $100 + $10 for shipping on a shirt I can't try on first! If it doesn't suit me I'll have to pay return shipping to, so I'll be out at least $15. hrm.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

For clarity's sake, wovens and buttondowns aren't the same thing. I just meant tops that are woven in construction rather than knit. They can come in many forms, not just buttondowns. I have a voluminous lightweight top from Banana Republic that is woven, for example, but it isn't a buttondown.

Personally I have found that woven tops with a hidden side zip are usually winners and tend to fit my bust surprisingly well.

Steph, I found the gloves for 25% off the sale price at Macy's! I didn't get them yet but I have to go back to use the last of my gift card.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I prefer the layering mix of “a knit and a woven”, or “a woven and a woven”. But “a knit over a knit” is the preference of most of my clients, and definitely the preference of most the forum. I guess because it’s more casual and more cozy.

Maya, I have many well endowed clients and we don’t seem to struggle with soft woven blouses at all. (Button down shirts are another story). Gap, Old Navy, Zara and French Connection generally work well. You have to keep the fabric collapsible as opposed to starched and rigid. And be prepared to belt sometimes as well. I’m happy to say that I do not have belt resistance with clients anymore. It’s ideal because it gives them the option of defining the waist if they choose to.

I'm *very* excited about your Carissa shirt.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Well Angie, I still have major belt resistance. More than ever, actually. I hate how they feel and how they look (on me). I will only wear them on coats and jackets.

Knit over knit is casual and cozy, but sometimes it feels dumpy to me. I'd rather wear a (woven) jacket over a knit top, or a cardigan over a woven top, OR a jacket over a woven top. I never thought this day would come!

The tops Tanya gave me at the YLF convention fit me well. So do my favorite Anthro blouses (one of which is a buttondown). I also have a Target top that fits well. The one thing they all have in common (minus the buttondown) is a side zip, so I think that is what I need to look for. They're not really as crisp as I prefer, but I think that's something I just have to get over.

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

It doesn't seem to me that any one brand works that well for busty gals. I have a couple of button down, woven tops from AT that work but I'm sure I must have tried on a couple of dozen before I found these. ATL also seems to work (especially this past couple of seasons). Of course, I wear a bigger size to begin with and I'm sure it's much more difficult for you, Maya, since you are so tiny with a big bust. BR & J crew are the worst for me - they seem to be cut for very small busted women.

16 years ago

Rose

Active Member

Maya, which BH shirt are you purchasing? I just looked at Carissa's new site and I like both the Carissa and the Emma shirt so much (and the wrap shirt too). I seriously must get one asap, time to stop buying quick-fix shirts and get a versatile long lasting one that actually fits.
FYI, I agree with Carissa's opinions on Martin + Osa and H&M. I am a size 6-8, 36D and have not been able to fit into most tops from those shops. I also tried on many button down tops at Benneton, and loved them, and was so tempted to purchase b/c of all places (BR, Jcrew, Martin OSA, etc) I feel like Benneton came the closest to fitting me in the bust but still no go.. there was still pulling/gaping at the bust.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Rose, Carissa explained the difference between the Emma and Carissa shirts and I think it had to do with the length. Emma is longer. I was going to get the Carissa but I kind of like the look of the Emma...although I think she mentioned Emma is better for long torsos, which I do not have. Hmm. I think I prefer Emma's slimmer cut over the bell shape of the Carissa...although both are fab.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And you are allowed to be belt averse, Maya. You need voluminous soft woven shells or blouses to wear un-belted under structured jackets and cardigans. Shiny does this all the time. Could work under your BF jacket too.

16 years ago

medusa

Veteran

Carissa, congrats on being featured in Oprah magazine! That is huge.

16 years ago

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