Okay! Here are my thoughts. (Not concise, as I'm not necessarily a concise person unless I need to be.) You can take what you love and leave what you don't.Dressing va-voom has been multilayered and a journey over many years. So ask all the questions of me you would like.
I very much agree with Sal on everything she shared. I haven't had issues with button-up shirts personally; my bust is fuller but pretty proportional for my waist. I especially love the encouragement to find a body part to highlight. I heard 2025 is big for exposed shoulders, whether one or both. So use that trend to your benefit. Off-shoulder sweaters or summer tops, one shoulder numbers--should be good choices in retail. I'm also currently seeing tiny cutouts on dresses at the waist, which some women love and can be very va-voom but not "full exposure". I personally love the cut-outs and they don't bother me, but YMMV.
I love Roberta's superb answer to try sweater dresses! They do not have to be body con to work, either. Some ease can be more flattering and comfortable. However, there should be some waist definition, whether from the dress cut or a belt, to flatter the figure. (unless sewing/knitting yourself, you will likely need a tailor or belt as a lot of clothing is cut straight these days.) I don't currently have a sweater dress but really would love one again!
And Lisa offers some great pointers to make body con feel less conspicuous or scary when first wearing body con items.
Physical.
Cut and shape in the clothing are very important. You can add waist definition by belting a top or sweater. Though I've recently learned that not every single outfit needs a belt; sometimes eschewing the belt for a well-cut jacket or blouse and/or some styling is a better way to go.
Fabrics are huge! Fabrics that have richness/plushness and drape are usually best: knits, chiffon, silks, satins, French terry, etc. The fabric should drape and swirl around you, and/or hug you. Stiffer fabrics are great for some blouses, skirts, cigarette pants, and jeans. This is where you need and want some structure and body for shape.
A cami with ornate lace at the neckline is very lovely when worn under a sweater or blouse. It adds a lot of glam and sensuality with little effort when worn under a sweater or jacket.
Find brands or a tailor that will honor your body's shape. That has been huge for me! I went through weight fluctuations due to health issues from 2020-2023. City Chic and Eloquii have both been saving graces for me. They are beautifully cut for curvy and fuller figures. Typically expensive but I shop sales and clearance and have made out like a jewel thief given access to the Crown Jewels.
Look at wrap dresses and blouses. Another great va-voom basic. Even a button-up shirt or cardigan can be styled as a wrap top with a camisole and creative tucking. [Photo 1] Or you can buy a button-up shirt purposely 1-2+ sizes too large, and wear it off the shoulder(s) by unbuttoning it and positioning it that way. [Photos 2-3]
Confidence-- or at least, just do it.
I really agree with cjh. The first few times you dress outside your comfort zone, you have to bite the bullet and push into the discomfort. Sometimes the discomfort is really because the outfit doesn't truly connect with who we are and wish to express, or the fit/color/style is just off. But other times it's because we've believed certain things about ourselves, and our outfit challenges those beliefs or lies. You won't really know which is true until you start pushing into the discomfort and exploring it.
There is a range.
Va-voom is a range. It doesn't have to be full blast all the time.
Try a pencil skirt but pair it with a slouchy tee that you half tuck or knot at the front, and a t-strap or strappy sandal--nothing too chunky, utilitarian, or masculine. Or pair a chiffon blouse with jeans, then add an armful of bracelets and bangles. While not au courant, leggings worn with a longer cardigan, belted or not, is most lovely, very easy for everyday and... va-voom. (The hem should reach past widest part of hips for most flattering look.) [Photo 4]
Accessorize like mad.
There is still an art to it. But generally va-voom isn't low maintenance, functional, and utilitarian. You want layers of interest, glam, etc. So makeup and jewelry and hair/hat.
Makeup is a big layer. Cat-eye/bat-eye winged liner. Smokey eyeshadow and liner. Rich or vibrant lip colors. Bronzer. (YMMV; I'm an autumn but not everyone benefits from or likes bronzer.) Lots of mascara. Also make good use of metallic elements in makeup (and clothing for that matter). Metallic can be very glamorous and va-voom depending on application and use.
Jewelry should be seen, like the crowning jewel. There are a lot of styles and everyone has their own taste. Bangles or a couple of chunky bracelets. Ethnic/exotic/boho jewelry in various styles and metals. Real or faux jewels. You can do a bit finer, refined jewelry. I would stay away from anything too tiny unless you have very small features.
Hair scarves are magnificent! I wear them often. I love handknit and fabric turbans, and softly slouchy knit beanies. Soft floppy brim hats are also be fantastic. Those are my top loves. Otherwise, I'll use tons of combs and bobby pins for updos. Sometimes I do an updo and tie on a hairscarf. Soft braids are great. Half up-dos.
Basics are best.
A very good haircut for your face shape and lifestyle is essential. Ask your stylist for styling decisions.
Good skincare is a must. Invest in an esthetician if you need to. I had horrific cystic acne once. My esthetician was affordable (not pennies but affordable) and highly trained in treating acne conditions. She gave me my skin and confidence back. It's worth it to work with a good esthetician.
Finger and toenails well cared for, whether you do it yourself or hire someone. I don't like or get artificial nails. But I do keep my nails trimmed and well shaped. Occasionally I get a good pedi or mani, especially in the summer when toes are visible.
One question, with an exception.
When I was in my late 20s, I worked with a wonderful image consultant. She helped me get out of shapeless, baggy clothing that I thought was flattering one me but truly wasn't. She gave me a great question to ask as I shopped: "Would a man wear this?" If so, abandon said item and move on. It has been excellent advice. However, I do think there are times where this needs a bit of finessing. I wouldn't wear a man's tuxedo jacket cart blanche. But a tuxedo or smoking jacket cut and fit for a woman, with lots of built-in waist tailoring and such? Absolutely! I once wore a pair of men's sweatpants. I French-cuffed the hems and wore the pants with a very romantic blouse, soft updo hairstyle, and sky-hi Oxford heels. I did a lot of mixing and matching with one masculine item and added glam and va-voom to temper it. [Photo 5] The outfit was from some years ago, but just sharing to show one way it can be done.
Casual but not too casual.
Va-voom curvy me doesn't usually wear casual well like others. My clothes need waist emphasis and a bit of styling. Look at photo 6. The dress is essentially shapeless sack t-shirt dress. Yet, the peplum moto jacket has tons of interest and waist emphasis to rein it in. The long necklace adds a strong vertical line that keeps the eye moving. The knot at the hemline is both visually interesting and slimming due to the distraction and diagonal line it creates. And then very glamorous makeup with smoky eyes and glossy red lips. Still one of my best outfits in recent years -- forgive the horn tooting I knot, tuck or half-tuck tees and blouses that lack waist shape. And/or add a shaped topper. Add all the makeup, accessories, and shoes you love and want. We can always talk more about casual va-voom. And maybe that would be a good challenge for this spring and summer. Va-voom can do casual, but it's always going to look a bit more than everyone else. It's just the nature of va-voom. Only time I don't worry is fitness and outdoor wear. I love finding curvy cut fitness clothing, but it's limited. So I just do my best and forget the rest.
Other thoughts
I find romantic, va-voom etc can be done well but sometimes it can feel rather mature because well... it is a more mature look. I remember when I worked with my image consultant. She gave me so much good feedback and ideas. What was difficult was being in my late 20s. I felt overly mature in va-voom. I tried wearing a pencil skirt, wrap blouse and peep-toe heels together. She loved it on me, but it didn't feel quite me in my eyes. Part of my discomfort is I finally realized I really need juxtaposition and a bit of funkiness, artsiness or boho in an outfit. (We both finally realized that after I had more time to play.) And part of it is it was just a bit mature feeling. Some of that has resolved with age, and some of it I just need a little bit of artsy-fartsy with my outfits.
Hope this helps and I haven't overwhelmed you! I could honestly talk on and on about this and share even more. But this is more than enough, I'm sure.
Can't wait to hear how your va-voom journey goes <3
