Dress Code: The Sartorial Challenges Of Big Boobs

As with all these things, there are a lot of “rules” for things not to do: horizontal stripes, high necks, tight tops, tight bottoms, anything big or baggy, large purses – I’ve seen all of these proscribed by one maven or another. We’re more concerned with what to do – for best fit and maximum comfort. The rest is up to you! The following are less negotiable!

Bras: This is something we’ve discussed before, but it bears repeating: for the big-busted woman, it’s not just about shape and lift, but comfort and health, too. We’ve talked about fit and sizing before, but let me repeat: if you can get a professional fitting, do it. (BiggerBras.com, for obvious reasons, is a terrific resource.)

• HerRoom, BareNecessities and JustMySize are all good resources for sizes through H, but what about pretty ones? Industrial strength is all very well, but if you’re looking for something a little more feminine, try Chantelle, Le Mystere and Panache all of which have pretty options in both underwire and soft-cup styles .
• For finding what they rightly term the 8th wonder of the world, we can thank Big Bust Support, who have indeed suggested a strapless large-cup bra that actually works. Does it verge on the “corset?” Yes. But the reviewers invoke jumping-jacks, people. In general, a bustier or longline style like this is a good option!
• A lot of women like to have a minimizer in their arsenal, just to work with different tops. A minimizer quite literally smushes you down – without making you look as smushy as that sounds. Not imperative, but a useful tool. Wacoal makes a very good one. Keep in mind that the fits can vary with a minimizer, so it bears trying on – don’t assume it’ll correspond to your regular bra size.
• When it comes to sports bras, don’t settle for the layered bra any longer: the name of the game is “shock absorber,” and while it’s a little more expensive, these things work – and come through 40G.

Bathing Suits can be daunting, but there are great options out there! A few things to look for?

• Underwire
• Halter-necks (not necessary, but supportive and flattering)
• V-necks

Bravissimo, which specializes in sizes D-K, makes a line of swimwear, some of which is very cute indeed. Meanwhile, the Swim Outlet has a whole section devoted to “D cup and up” whose bikini selection, especially, rates a look. And if you like a retro look, although it’s not explicitly big-bust, Esther Williams’ classic line comes in shapes just made to flatter a full chest.

Clothes:
As if it needs saying, find a good tailor and make him your friend. Your blouses will thank you. If you need to get jackets and shirts that are too big everywhere else, a tailor or drycleaner can take them in, shorten the sleeves, add a judicious dart. Alternatively, if a top is gapping, it’s easy to have an unobtrusive snap put in on the button placket.

• If, like many of us, you’re bigger on top, a wrap dress can be a good thing to have around: yeah, you may need a camisole, but at least – in a stretchy fabric – you can wear one size for a change. In general with dresses, jerseys can be great – but so can a structured fabric that holds you in (although this may require some tailoring.) Again, an open neckline – scoop, round, V or sweetheart – can be very flattering.
• In general, an open neckline can indeed draw attention away from the bust if that’s your goal; something vertical, like a pendant, good-sized necklace or scarf, can also break up a line visually.
• The shirt question is really eternal. While a lot can be done with camisoles, with double-stick tape, with a judicious snap, with tailoring, there is another option. It’s called Carissa Rose, and it’s amazing. It’s a site totally devoted to custom tailoring for big-busted women. While they make a couple of styles of perfect, classic dresses, nothing is more welcome than their line of shirts – all of which are way more reasonably priced than you’re braced for right now.

Whatever shirt you buy, make sure it’s sufficiently long, because your bust shortens the length. Look for an open neckline and structured fabric. Wrap styles look nice. The common wisdom is to avoid high necks; I say try any such top with a long pendant before ruling it out – but really, just stick with what’s comfortable.

• What Not to Wear Stacey’s fixation on a lock-and-load, single-breasted jacket that corrals “the girls” is not misplaced; such an item can indeed make one feel smart and trim. Those who wish to draw attention away from the breasts are advised to avoid embellishment and go for a minimal collar. A jacket that hits at the hip is always a safe bet. Try to find one with some shape and a deep neckline. And when in doubt, you don’t need to button it. I’ve found great jackets at H&M and even Forever21, so while you can spend a lot, you don’t need to. Wherever you buy it, take it to a tailor or dry-cleaner: they can pull it in at the waist or move a button and generally work wonders.
• Sweaters in a thinner knit may feel less bulky than a big, chunky cable-knit or similar.
• And yes, there’s a reason Joan Holloway looks amazing: styles of other eras were more geared to a full bust. So take stock and take inspiration.
• This is the kind of subject where word-of-mouth is really invaluable; if I’d listened to my AA mother, I’d still be swimming in giant-sized turtlenecks and wearing the wrong bra size. So spill: what are your tricks and tips, your resources and well-kept secrets? How do you keep your breasts from being the center of attention all the time — and showing them off when you feel like it? Inquiring minds — and aching backs — want to know!

• For all of our handy Dress Code guides, go here.

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