Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The shoulder line is important. Sleeves should be set-in or raglan. Avoid the drop-shoulder tops that are trending now. I agree that you want to minimize embellishment on the bust. Fuller shirts balance your top.

what does this mean?

A set-in shoulder means that the sleeve meets the rest of the shirt at your shoulder/armpit line, like a blazer or traditional shirt. It is the most tailored, traditional, and IMO the most flattering especially if you have a large bust. It is often harder to find because it requires better assembly skills and more precise sizing.

A raglan shoulder means that the sleeve meets the shirt on a diagonal line from the armpit up to the neck - almost like the body of the shirt is a halter top and the sleeves come up over the top of the shoulder. You mostly see this on sweaters. I don't love it because it can make my shoulders look bulky, but it does visually minimize the bust.

A drop shoulder is when the sleeve attaches near your bicep, as if the body of the shirt is a t-shape and the longer sleeves attach to the t-shirt sleeves. It's very unflattering and usually baggy, but cheap to make.

I'm DP but I'll add that if you are busty you probably will not like flutter sleeves or tulip sleeves either. Puffed or ruched shoulders can work well, in moderation.

Minimizer bra is a must

Wrap dresses

A line dresses

Above is what works for me - also short and curvy

What size are you?

Anonymous wrote:The shoulder line is important. Sleeves should be set-in or raglan. Avoid the drop-shoulder tops that are trending now. I agree that you want to minimize embellishment on the bust. Fuller shirts balance your top.

what does this mean?

https://www.karinadresses.com/ -- Lots of dresses with v necks that aren't super deep.

Anonymous wrote:You could try a minimizer bra, but personally I don't. You need a v-neck or surplice top and a fitted waist that is lower than empire / possibly lower than your natural waist. Wrap or faux wrap dresses may work well.

If pinning the v-neck closed isn't modest enough, you can wear a cami under. There are a variety of products that are half length or bandeau style to avoid adding bulk and warmth.

I tried for minimizer bras. I found one I like (I’ll look up the brand name later, can’t remember).
I even wanted to find some sold to trans men. Like maybe not the tightest version of those, but truly minimizing me down when I want to. (Not all the time)
Couldn’t locate that, and that’s ok. I’m not on the right online algorithms to find them I guess.

*I love the wrap dress suggestion. They haven’t been in stores for some years now, but I’m sure I can find one online

You could try a minimizer bra, but personally I don't. You need a v-neck or surplice top and a fitted waist that is lower than empire / possibly lower than your natural waist. Wrap or faux wrap dresses may work well.

If pinning the v-neck closed isn't modest enough, you can wear a cami under. There are a variety of products that are half length or bandeau style to avoid adding bulk and warmth.

Anonymous wrote:What dress *tops* (like the top half of the dress) are good for these characteristics

-large boobs
-short

What should the neck and waist be like?

Lately, I’m finding that dresses with a tighter waist are necessary, but then they turn the boobs into a partitioned focal area.

Think like Elizabeth Bennett in the A&E pride and prejudice. The high waist style just made her top look huge.

If it’s gappier at the waist, if it’s not a cinched/empire design, then my waist looks larger. The boobs force the dress out and I lose the waist.

Higher necks also make my chest looks look big, the material high and making the area look large.

Lower necks show my very-large cleavage, and I don’t love this, again.

Maybe I need a boob job?? Would that solve it?

It's what I did.

It solved it. I can wear shirts that button up and everything now.

The shoulder line is important. Sleeves should be set-in or raglan. Avoid the drop-shoulder tops that are trending now. I agree that you want to minimize embellishment on the bust. Fuller shirts balance your top.

Another good look is an open cardigan or jacket over a dress. Make sure the cardigan is large enough that it drapes without constantly needing to be adjusted. It hides industrial strength bra straps.

Anonymous wrote:Op, it's hard because tunic length are not as popular now. Instead, now, so much is cropped shorter. Shorter is not a good look. The ideal would be a tunic length.

Otherwise: no attention to the bust. No pleats, no ruffles, Ideally no buttons, no chest pockets, no embellishments. Never anything written across the chest, ever. Even athletic team wear.

No peasant-style blouses (they hang loose but the problem is they are gathered loosely around the neck and they flare out making you look wider)

Drape is the most important thing. A flattering drape. If and only if you have thinner hips and thinner legs, then a fit and flare silhouette would work

Fit and flare can work very well on pear shapes. It's the only style that's ever worked for me! Big boobs, narrow torso, curvy from the waist down.

Op, it's hard because tunic length are not as popular now. Instead, now, so much is cropped shorter. Shorter is not a good look. The ideal would be a tunic length.

Otherwise: no attention to the bust. No pleats, no ruffles, Ideally no buttons, no chest pockets, no embellishments. Never anything written across the chest, ever. Even athletic team wear.

No peasant-style blouses (they hang loose but the problem is they are gathered loosely around the neck and they flare out making you look wider)

Drape is the most important thing. A flattering drape. If and only if you have thinner hips and thinner legs, then a fit and flare silhouette would work

I like fit and flare styles with a scoop or boatneck. V neck is ok if not deep. Avoid crewneck; makes boobs look massive -- especially if dress is short sleeved.

It Sounds like you know what you need

Defined waist
Open neck line

Strapless are not in style at the moment but can show a lot of skin with out too much cleavage. One shoulder can work similarly. V neck usually are too revealing.

I'm similar with an hourglass shape.

V neck (but not too deep!) and a fitted waist seem to work, like a-line or wrap dresses. Sometimes a-line reads too young, though.

I'm interested in other responses, too!

What dress *tops* (like the top half of the dress) are good for these characteristics

-large boobs
-short

What should the neck and waist be like?

Lately, I’m finding that dresses with a tighter waist are necessary, but then they turn the boobs into a partitioned focal area.

Think like Elizabeth Bennett in the A&E pride and prejudice. The high waist style just made her top look huge.

If it’s gappier at the waist, if it’s not a cinched/empire design, then my waist looks larger. The boobs force the dress out and I lose the waist.

Higher necks also make my chest looks look big, the material high and making the area look large.

Lower necks show my very-large cleavage, and I don’t love this, again.

Maybe I need a boob job?? Would that solve it?