What to wear if you have a large bust
Boobs are a topic of conversation for sure. Did you go up 3 cup sizes after having children? Did you have a breast reduction? Has yours gotten bigger as you’ve gotten older? Most of the women I know have something to say about their chest. Especially when it comes to dressing.
Dressing for a large bust can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for or what to avoid. You may see a cute top that looks fabulous on a small-busted woman, but if you wear it, everything will be wrong.
However, knowing what to wear and what to avoid can be quite confusing. While there are many x factors that determine what will work for your bust and body type, I want to offer you some guidelines to help you get the best fit and make dressing for a large bust a little easier.
1. Avoid tops with band sleeves – Banded short sleeves, especially in a contrasting color, do nothing but draw attention to your bust and make you look bigger than you are. Also, they are too ‘cute’ to look appropriate with a larger bust. Opt for a sleeker sleeve to create a more streamlined look.
2. Avoid gathering above, on or below the bust. In short, if the blouse or dress is gathered somewhere around the bust, it will visually add kilos and may even ask if you are pregnant. Gasp! Instead, choose a top that has a soft front and gracefully follows your curves for best effect.
3. Create emphasis on the waist – With a larger bust, it’s important to wear clothes that cinch at the waist to avoid adding pounds. However, this does NOT mean that you want to draw attention to your waist. Just wear clothes that accentuate your curves without unnecessarily drawing attention to your waist area.
4. Avoid anything boxy, especially jackets made of stiff fabrics. Boxy tops and jackets do nothing for your curves, but with the added clout of a stiff fabric, they really do become the enemy. At the first sight of a stiff, boxy blouse or jacket – run! Instead of hugging your curves, they pull away from the body and make you look so much bigger than you really are.
5. Chest pockets or details – If your chest is large, don’t wear something that simply advertises that fact. Instead, downplay it by wearing tops, dresses, and jackets without excessive embellishments like pockets (especially with buttons), appliqués, ruffles, or other embellishments. They’ll just draw attention to where you’d rather not have it. Wear your brightest, most embellished items below the waist, around your face, or even on your feet!
6. Knits are your BFF – When you have curves, the best choice for tops and dresses will be woven, rather than woven fabrics (think button-down shirts). They conform to your body, hugging it in all the right places. Leave the creaking buttons to the men. But be sure to use a fabric that has some substance to it. Some of the knits you’ll find these days are sheer, form-fitting, and show off every bulge, bulge, and bulge. Opt for something heavier with a bit of Lycra for best effect.
7. Open necklines – Anything that is tight or tight, especially turtlenecks, will simply enhance your bust and make you look bigger. An open V neckline can minimize your bust and enhance your silhouette. If it’s too low and shows too much cleavage, add a camisole underneath.
Another thing that can make a big difference is getting a bra that fits you well. This may seem like common knowledge, but wearing a well-fitting bra will make all the difference in how your clothes fit. If you haven’t fit in a while, go for a fitting (you might be surprised!) and buy new bras every few months.
They’re not made the way they used to be, and having a full bust will cause your bras to wear out more. Straps lose their elasticity and don’t fit as they should, so pay close attention and know what your needs are. Also, ‘girls’ should be mid-arm’s length, equidistant between elbow and shoulder. If not, you will most likely need a new bra.
