Busty Women and Cardigan Sweaters

Carol

Hi all, I haven't checked in in a few months, and it is nice to be back. I thought I'd start right in with a question about cardigan sweaters. I am broad-shouldered and semi-busty, and often my bust pushes the sides of the sweater out, making me look much larger than I am. In photos, the models never look that way--the sweater rests nicely over their chest.

I've thought of getting some double-sided tape to keep the sweater in place, has anyone tried this? If so, does it gunk up in the washing machine if you forget to take it off? It seems like a lot of trouble, but then maybe it's worth it if it makes me look better.

Any advice appreciated.

7 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from cindysmith

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I have't used it for that, but I've used it for things like keeping wrap tops closed, and it's pretty much fine if you accidentally let it go through the wash. Just stays in place and gets coated with lint.

7 years ago

KMM

Active Member

I wish I had some good advice for you. I’m also busty/ broad shouldered and my waist is smallish- I’ve never succeeded in wearing a cardigan open in a way that doesn’t look sloppy and floppy. Or a blazer, for that matter. I always button mine.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Taping might only work until you start moving around, and then your sweater would appear to be clinging and maybe even bunching mysteriously.

Better maybe to choose an open style that has apparent fasteners, like a self belt or buttons.

7 years ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

KMN I have the same issue, and I noticed when I wore my blazer closed I got more compliments. Maybe open sweaters/blazers don't work on everyone.

7 years ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, I like the idea of that. Used to wear some cardigans with a waist belt sometimes (they didn't come with it), and it looked okay, but I had to mess with it a little. Maybe that is the best solution.

7 years ago

3style

Veteran

I’m the same build on top as you are, and I’m of the impression that the only solution is to go up a size in the cardigan: so as to have it lie smoothly and not fan out funny out from the chest. I usually try to wear a thick body con knit top underneath the cardigan so as not to feel overwhelmed by too much fabric.

I do tend to think that a cardigan over woven top combination that doesn’t bunch or flare is a bit of a unicorn for those of us who have this type of figure.

7 years ago

Gretchen

Veteran

I'm a huuuuge cardigan fan. I run cold and almost always need 2 layers.

Totally agree with the suggestion of sizing up on the sweater so it will stay put. I also tend to go with either a longer sweater with no obvious buttons, or if a shorter sweater, fasten just the middle buttons to give an hourglass shape.

Agree totally with 3style that woven shirt + cardigan is a non-starter. For me cardigans are strictly over knitted tops, or over sleeveless dress.

To your original question, I'd vote against using tape. You might look at adding a snap or a hook to clasp where you need it.

7 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

It sounds like you are wearing open-front cardigans with no buttons. I have one technique for avoiding this gap with old-fashioned cardigans that button up. I just button up a few buttons in the middle of the front, maybe 2 or 3, and leave the top and bottom ones unbuttoned. Of course, this only works with a cardigan that buttons up the front.

7 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

When I read the post title -- I couldn't help but imagine the ultimate 50's "sweater girl" in my mind! Of course, those sweaters were engineered to get a different sort of attention all together. I experience your same struggle, and am even more perplexed because I was decidedly NOT busty until I had my son at age 38. I've had to relearn a lot of dressing formulas. I will say that a cardi with either a really low button stance and longer length (like a really deep v-neck when buttoned), or, conversely, a really snug jewel neck, look better. The open jewel neck is the worst. I found a slightly swingy cropped A-line cardi a couple of years ago, and it's my favorite, closed or open.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I am not at all busty but do not like the way a traditional crew neck cardigan lies at the neckline..my solution was to get rid of them as I prefer jackets over cardigans for the most part. A V neck cardigan may work better for you. I would get rid of those that are fussy to wear.

7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

I am with Joy, cardigans can be difficult to get to sit right and I am pretty flat chested. I much prefer wearing sweaters and also knitted ponchos.

I always thought my problem with cardigans was the fact that I did not have enough bust to carry them off!

7 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

Chiming in to agree that cardigans over womens is a nightmare for me to try and get looking right (unless it's a sleeveless woven top). I'm built broad through the shoulders, back, and sides of my torso (all those muscles I built up in my years as a stagehand), and the weight gain has just added bigger bewbs to the problem. I find that sizing up one size usually helps a lot in multiple ways. It gives all my bulk room to be bulky, it creates a bit of ease where the smaller size might feel constricting on my arms & shoulders, and it makes it easier to wear a thicker top underneath it when it gets cold.

7 years ago

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