Tops for large bust

I am in my forties with a medium build but a large bust. I can never find tops to fit me when I go shopping and I always come home empty handed. Any suggestions as to what style top I should go for? Thank you for your help, Maura.

Hi Maura,

I work with a lot of women who have the same problem; the first thing I will say to you is are you wearing the correct size bra? We tend to forget about underwear but it’s the most important part of our clothes as the wrong size bra can add inches to your bust. Go and get remeasured - you might be pleasantly surprised!

When you go shopping avoid ribbed polo necks or any polo neck as they will make you look bigger then you are and also avoid thick heavy knit wear. Go for a wrap style cardigan - these are great as you can wear a little top underneath and tie the belt as tight or loose as you want.

A deep v-neck is a good choice also and they are big for winter; remember to keep the neckline wide open as this will help to give the allusion of a smaller bust. Good luck.

UPDATE

THE BATTLE OF THE NECK LINE AND TAKING THE PLUNGE!

I have a lot of responses on my blog on a question I did in my column a while ago regarding tops for large busts. I suggested to one reader that a v-neck is a good choice for a person with a larger bust and also to make sure they are wearing the correct bra which can be a major problem for a lot of women with a large bust. I work with women who are all shapes and sizes and I come across this a lot. I don’t  suggest that all women are but believe me a lot of us do! So get professionally measured and take it from there you will be more than surprised with the results.

When I suggest a V-neck is a flattering style for the larger bust I mean to wear a V-neck with a suitable vest top or cami-top underneath; not a revealing V-neck on its own which I am aware would only draw more attention to your rather large breasts which is something you are probably wanting to avoid.

Also some women have also suggested that a scoop neck, a sweetheart line or a square neck line - I would say whatever works best for you try it on and see how it feels. Opt for a cotton and lycra mix which will have enough structure to  really smooth out any potential bumps and an open neck line such as a v-neck, scoop neck or sweetheart neckline will open the neckline and draw the eye away from the bust area.

When I speak about women with large busts who continue to wear such items as polo necks and create  a Uniboob: these are the women I suggest to go for an open neck line such as the a V- neck which will reveal a lovely neck, two breasts and a smooth flow over the hips and draw the eye upwards and take the emphasise off your bust. Also the good old wrap top is a winner as it is body flattering and can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

Here are a few tips you might find useful!

DO WEAR

• A well fitted bra that lifts and separates-check the straps and make sure it gives you LIFT!
• V-necks and wraps tops with a camisole underneath to minimise cleavage.
• Single-breasted jackets with a narrow lapel.
• Boot-cut trousers and flared skirts to stop you looking top- heavy.
• Scoop neck line and sweetheart line is worth trying also.

DONT WEAR

• Anything double-breasted or boxy.
• Polo necks - they will make you look like you are carrying a tea tray.
• Drainpipe trousers - you will look like you are going to topple over.

TOP TIP WHEN BUYING A NEW JACKET FOR SPRING SUMMER!

• Bomber jackets look great if you have no waist.
• Tailored jackets flatter curvy waists.
• Jackets ending at the top of the hip flatter most shapes.
• Mid-length jackets look great on slime thighs
• Long jackets cover large bottoms.
• Jacket details and design can draw the eye upwards towards a beautiful décolleté for example.

Comments

[Alli]

sorry, I think it was Claire who was writing about the reduction not DeeDee - apologies

[Fiona]

www.bravissimo.com do clothing as well as underwear- may be worth trying

[Nadine]

Oh how happy I am to see I'm not alone. I love clothes but have a very sparce wardrobe (except for shoes of course) this is due to being a uk size 10 (us 8 I believe) and having a mammoth pair of 32FF's. All the fashions seem to be aimed at flat chested ladies and I am sick of wearing plain boring tee shirts and stretchy sweaters. I want something elegant which flatters my enviable figure and not have to wear oversized or boring. Oh to be able to wear a blouse!!! I have checked out bravissimo who have a small selection but as usual the price is pretty much double other clothing manufacturers. You just can't win it sucks!

[Emily]

So im 16 years old with a 36DD bust and it frustrates me so much that i cant find a bathing suit without it looking like an "old grandma". i've had this size of bust since i was 13 years old, my waist is only a size 5/6 (U.S) and it has caused me huge back problems. I can never find shirts that fit me properly and really well. its an ongoing battle. but here are some tips that i have found helpful, that you probably already know but..:

STAY AWAY FROM:
- shrugs.. you know those half sweater things...they just emphasize your bust.
- baggy clothes (i know this is hard because if you find a shirt that fits your bust you want to impulsively buy it, but generally tend to ignore the fact that it doesn't fit your waist)
- turtle necks.
- high scoop necks.
- tube tops.
- horizontal striped clothing (makes you look bigger)
- push up bras (seriously....the best bras to wear with a large bust are the fabric ones....not with a lot of padding, but still shapes your breasts.)

MUST HAVES
- v-neck vest. i'm not quite sure how to explain but sort of a choir type vest with a little bow at the back. this looks great with a v neck tanktop or tee-shirt that has really short sleeves.
- v-neck shirts...with a tank underneath to minimize cleavage.
- shirts with a thick band underneath the bust line, and a flowing body. some people say that this makes you look fatter, but i wear this all the time with some leggings and tend to look slimmer then i am.
- v-neck sweaters.
- for those days when you dont feel like putting an effort in , i find a nice fitting hoodie works really well too.
- tanks with a v-neck, or lower neck line, that have a BUILT IN BRA. make sure they are stretch...and when you find a style that works, buy multitudes. you can where them with anything. in fact, i had a job interview the other day, wore a white tank with a built in bra, a knee-length jean skirt and a brown blazer....and it looked great.
-long necklaces are also a GREAT THING. they bring the attention down the body to the slimmer stomach area...

thats all i cant think of for now but its nice to know that there are other people struggling with the same bust problems. hope this gave some of the older people a little boost because as a teenager...life being reflected in how you dress, i think i am pretty knowledgeable in what works seeing as i am judged every day in the hallows of highschool. :)

[Ester]

I love watching "What Not to Wear" and one of my favorite tips is this: Get a top that fits the largest part of your body (if you have big arms, get a top that fits them. And if you have a big bust, find a top that fits them - even if it's an XXL or whatever, just ignore size labels), then have the rest of it tailored to fit the way you want. I routinely take my clothes in to be tailored, and it's relatively inexpensive for me, the results are amazing, and I feel awesome. I know it would be great if the tops just came that way in the first place, but you gotta work with what you've got! Good luck!

P.S. One of the gals above mentioned empire-waist tops don't work with her bust. If you get an XXL top or whatever it takes to make that empire seam sit under the bust, you can either take it to a tailor or sew it on your own (I can alter most of my own tops now). Just figure out how many inches you want off the waist, turn the top inside out, and sew up along both sides of the top. Trim off excess fabric.

[Lisa]

I'm 5'4", size 8 (US) 34 or 36 DD. Absolutely agree about Empire tops and dresses being just awful...the line of the Empire seam always falls on top of my breasts. The Empire tops are made for tiny breasts. I can't buy a size that fits the breast and have it tailored...I would practically have to have the dress remade b/c the rest of it would be so big for me.

I'm in my 40's and when I was the age of Emily above, one piece bathing suits were actually fashionable for people in their teens and 20's (my 20 year old daughter is a 36DDD) AND not all beautiful gowns were sleeveless...fashion is VERY unkind to large busted women at the moment.

[Jemma]

For heavens sake, just wear a tube under your v-neck.

[ella minns]

why not try www.bravissimo.com they cater for curvt women up to a 'k' cup. i always use them, and was just wondering what else was out there. btw v-necks dont have to go down to the bottom of your bra!!! why dont you try a v that sits higher up!!! and comming form someone who is a 32 hh a d or dd cup is nothing to worry about!!!

[katie]

I'm the same as nadine, i have loads of shoes, boots etc as i know i can walk into a shop pick up a size 5 and know it will fit! I'm 25 and have the same problem as everyone else, i'm a 36F and find it impossible to find tops/dresses to fit properly. Its got to the stage that i hate getting an invitation to a wedding or anything that requires dressing up. I did however resort to buying a dress size 16 and got it taken in but its not the same when you buy something and then have to go get it fixed up before you can wear it! Does anyone know anyone who caters for this?

[ChristyM]

I've found a designer, Rochelle Behrens, who has a patented blouse design that eliminates the gap between buttons. I'm a 34F, and can wear a size 6 in her blouses...fits in the shoulders, arm holes, and sleeves...with no gap! You can order her blouses on line from www.rochellebehrens.com.