Large busted ladies, help me with wardrobe and confidence

[Anonymous]

Try StitchFix online. I am large-busted and they are the only merchant that can consistently fit me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My breast reduction was the best thing I’ve done for myself.

OP here: I was just thinking about calling my insurance to look into this! Especially after weight loss... Since I've heard sometimes they expect some before approving it. That's on my checklist to investigate!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: thank you all for your comments and suggestions! This bra fitting is one of many changes, all with a ripple effect: less and healthier eating, weight loss, teeth improvements, hair growing out, (hopefully) job stability... The next thing on my list is to meet with a stylist and I have a virtual call next week. The new bras are what pushed me over the edge to realize I need not only different sizes, but most likely different styles and brands of clothing.
I like the suggestion of trying knits. Thankful for the other poster with narrow shoulders. Confirmed my thoughts - will likely give away whatever blouses I have left that I keep thinking I'll wear some day/when I lose more weight. I already avoid embellishments, busy patterns and logos/words.

I'm 5'9". I'm almost into Tall fits but when I've tried, especially with jeans, I end up needing hemming or they're strangely too big elsewhere even if the regular size isn't too big. I do find that a lot of shirts/knits are too short on me- of course the bust is a factor but maybe I have a longish torso too.

I am curious about necklines - I am thinking of stepping away from crew neck and boat neck. Seems like V-neck (not too low of course) may flatter me most.

OP I’m the one who asked about your height. At 5’9” your chest is large but not overwhelming for your frame. I’m 5’2” and 34E and I believe I’m able to successfully camouflage and not have my chest overwhelm a small frame, so I think you can too. I’m in between misses and petite so I relate to the annoyance of being in between.

I choose clothes and jewelry with a strong vertical element to de-emphasize my chest. No crew necks, typically no boat necks. So this could be a dress with piping or vertical stripes, a v-neck sweater, etc. Lots of knits. I would rather show cleavage than look like balloons are strapped to my chest. I wear a belt or have something somewhere to draw the eye away from the chest like even fancy earrings. I kind of avoid blouses in general unless they are fitted in a particular way so that I don’t look like I’m popping out of them without tailoring. They exist! You’ll find if you continue to get healthier your body shape will change too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I pine for crisp, professional buttondowns, but have only recently discovered wardrobe tape for that gap between the buttons! I used to not be able to wear any buttondown shirts; even if the rest of the shirt flapped on me, there was always the boob gap. Now I can wear them just a little oversized

Look for shirts with extra buttons. I’m not sure what brands do this, but I have a chambray top that I got from Old Navy that has two internal extra buttons where there might be a gap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: thank you all for your comments and suggestions! This bra fitting is one of many changes, all with a ripple effect: less and healthier eating, weight loss, teeth improvements, hair growing out, (hopefully) job stability... The next thing on my list is to meet with a stylist and I have a virtual call next week. The new bras are what pushed me over the edge to realize I need not only different sizes, but most likely different styles and brands of clothing.
I like the suggestion of trying knits. Thankful for the other poster with narrow shoulders. Confirmed my thoughts - will likely give away whatever blouses I have left that I keep thinking I'll wear some day/when I lose more weight. I already avoid embellishments, busy patterns and logos/words.

I'm 5'9". I'm almost into Tall fits but when I've tried, especially with jeans, I end up needing hemming or they're strangely too big elsewhere even if the regular size isn't too big. I do find that a lot of shirts/knits are too short on me- of course the bust is a factor but maybe I have a longish torso too.

I am curious about necklines - I am thinking of stepping away from crew neck and boat neck. Seems like V-neck (not too low of course) may flatter me most.

OP I’m the one who asked about your height. At 5’9” your chest is large but not overwhelming for your frame. I’m 5’2” and 34E and I believe I’m able to successfully camouflage and not have my chest overwhelm a small frame, so I think you can too. I’m in between misses and petite so I relate to the annoyance of being in between.

I choose clothes and jewelry with a strong vertical element to de-emphasize my chest. No crew necks, typically no boat necks. So this could be a dress with piping or vertical stripes, a v-neck sweater, etc. Lots of knits. I would rather show cleavage than look like balloons are strapped to my chest. I wear a belt or have something somewhere to draw the eye away from the chest like even fancy earrings. I kind of avoid blouses in general unless they are fitted in a particular way so that I don’t look like I’m popping out of them without tailoring. They exist! You’ll find if you continue to get healthier your body shape will change too.

For me, "popover" tops work for the button down look without a gap.
I also find scoop necks more flattering that v-necks, but I have broad shoulder (vs narrow)

[Anonymous]

I am 6ft and 34 G, so I don’t think that large on my frame, but enough fit drama, newly divorced I am leaning into v-cuts. At 50 I have been using neck/chest cream forever, so planning on drawing the guys eyes to the skin, not the bulge, ie the cleavage, before I wrinkle. As someone said the cross over tops work most of the time. But showing more skin, ie scoop/v actually works.
Like the other poster said, if you are all covered it looks like balloons

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Men are going to stare at G cups. It’s as certain as the sun rising in the east. As long as they’re not talking to your chest in the office just act cool.

Yes we will… G cups. ❤️

[Anonymous]

17:24 and 18:41 nailed it. Same bra size. Midi and sheath dresses will look great on your hourglass shape. If you're uncomfortable with any cleavage showing (and I do agree with the posters above that it's best to show a little and avoid the balloon look - sadly, that Jackie O/sporty style of crew necks will never look good on us), consider pretty, dangly earrings as PP said. Crossover tops and wrap dresses.

Or consider an interesting style of pants (sailor, etc - something that flatters your smaller waist) and just a simple v neck or scoop neck top. I am also partial to split neck tops or mandarin collars.

I have a pretty smile and big breasts, and yes, I get a lot of male attention, but I don't let it stop me from wearing clothes that make me feel elegant and relaxed. All of the above help me achieve that feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My breast reduction was the best thing I’ve done for myself.

OP here: I was just thinking about calling my insurance to look into this! Especially after weight loss... Since I've heard sometimes they expect some before approving it. That's on my checklist to investigate!

I did my reduction at 54. Op, this is the root solution to your problem; a surgical reduction. Everything else will be a compromise and you will spend the rest of your life seeking advice and clothing solutions or bra options, etc. Reduce them and find your freedom.G9od luck and there are several threads on this too btw

[Anonymous]

OP, I’m also 5’9”. My chest is not quite large, but I do need a heavy duty bra or the girls hurt. I love cardigans because they create a strong vertical line and narrow my upper half. I buy dresses and shirts that fit my chest and have them tailored under the armpits. It’s really the only solution. When I had less money, I’d buy clothes at the thrift store and have them tailored because nothing fit me off the rack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Men are going to stare at G cups. It’s as certain as the sun rising in the east. As long as they’re not talking to your chest in the office just act cool.

+1 I don't know about stare, but definitely will notice/look/glance. I am a 32H, yes I have boobs, they are there, nothing I can do about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My breast reduction was the best thing I’ve done for myself.

OP here: I was just thinking about calling my insurance to look into this! Especially after weight loss... Since I've heard sometimes they expect some before approving it. That's on my checklist to investigate!

NP here. My insurance covered it. I was a 36H. Life changing!

For now, though. V necks are right (not too low). I usually wore dark colors and simple. I wore a lot of sweaters and blazers to cover/distract (that is where you can use color).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My breast reduction was the best thing I’ve done for myself.

OP here: I was just thinking about calling my insurance to look into this! Especially after weight loss... Since I've heard sometimes they expect some before approving it. That's on my checklist to investigate!

NP here. My insurance covered it. I was a 36H. Life changing!

For now, though. V necks are right (not too low). I usually wore dark colors and simple. I wore a lot of sweaters and blazers to cover/distract (that is where you can use color).

NP. Hush your mouth with that blasphemy!

[Anonymous]

For reference: I'm 5'5" and 32G. Finding a bra that does its job and is comfortable is something to celebrate.

Knits are your friend. V and scoop necks will do wonders: lengthens the neck and, if not too low, de-emphasizes the volume of your chest.

If you have crew neck and turtlenecks in your wardrobe that you like, try accessorizing with necklaces or scarves to create a visual V / break up the expanse of fabric. You can also fill in a neckline that otherwise feels too revealing.

Talbots tops run long in the torso (I usually by petites from them), so they might be a good fit for you. They also have plus sizes that are the same style as the rest of their clothes. Yes, some of it is old lady-ish, but some is more modern, or at least classic enough to be the building blocks of your wardrobe.

Banana Republic tops also seem to run long in the torso. How generous they are in the bust varies with the style.

Boden tops are usually generous in the bust. They used to give the measurements of the actual garments by size, so you could know how deep the V neck actually was. I don't know if they still have that information on their website or not.

I have found that Vineyard Vines is also very generous in the chest.

In dresses, Lauren Ralph Lauren tends to be shaped for larger chests and narrower hips.

Lululemon makes a sports bra in a DDD. If I size up one cup size, it is a great fit and I can run in it (so instead of a 32DDDD, I wear a 32DDD). It has adjustable straps and hooks on the band.

The woman who writes Wardrobe Oxygen is on the cusp of misses and plus. You might find some good ideas from her blog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pine for crisp, professional buttondowns, but have only recently discovered wardrobe tape for that gap between the buttons! I used to not be able to wear any buttondown shirts; even if the rest of the shirt flapped on me, there was always the boob gap. Now I can wear them just a little oversized

Look for shirts with extra buttons. I’m not sure what brands do this, but I have a chambray top that I got from Old Navy that has two internal extra buttons where there might be a gap.

I have one of these:
https://the-shirt.com/ (the icon shirt, $135).