Disclaimer:  I know that many of my readers won’t find this article applies to them, either because they are men or because they are women who don’t have this problem.  You’re excused!  Just ignore this post.

Clothing Tricks for Busty Women

Necklines

V-neck and scoop help elongate your torso which helps bring visual balance, making you less top heavy.

Avoid Turtlenecks alone.  They make the chest look lower because the distance from face to the chest is one elongating color.  Not good.  Layered under a v-neck can work or use a necklace or scarf to create a V line.

Halter neck is a no-no.

Sleeves:

Three quarter length sleeves or elbow length are most flattering because the forearm skin brings the eye to the arm, not the chest.  The eye automatically goes to the place where the fabric ends and the skin begins.

No Dolman sleeves- adds bulk in the chest area.

No batwing sleeves- adds visual weight to the torso.  Definition between the torso and arm is lost, forming a solid mass visually.

No cap or short sleeves that stop at the breast line- calls attention to the chest.

Avoid puffy sleeves or very full sleeves.  The less fabric and bulk, the better.

Avoid spaghetti straps.  Choose wide straps to bring balance.

Shape of clothing:

Choose slightly fitted styles that skim your body and define curves and waist, showing your shape modestly.

Avoid loose cuts that hang straight down from the bust- hides your waist and makes you shapeless and large.  Tents aren’t flattering.

Wrap dresses and tops are flattering because the diagonal lines separate the breasts, and the ties define the waist.

Draped or ruched tops in soft, thin fabrics are flattering and feminine.

Avoid tight tops- no need to shout for attention.

Jackets should be simple, fitted, single breasted, single button with waist indents without wide lapels.  No pockets or embellishments on the chest.  Avoid boxy and bomber jackets.

Sweaters shouldn’t be chunky knits or have cascading folds.  Choose fine knits.

Belts are your friend if the dress is already fitted.  But trying to cinch in too much loose fitting fabric won’t be pretty.  Long torsos can pull off wide belts and some of us with short torsos can try thin belts or hip belts. But I can’t seem to make a belt work no how, no way, possibly because I don’t have much of a waist.  Wait, I do have a waist- too much of one!  I’m pretty much just straight down from shoulders to hips.  Oh, well.

Avoid gathers at the neck because the extra fabric makes for a top heavy look.

Avoid large buttons and other detail in the chest area.  The simpler, the better.

Long, thigh length tops shorten the leg and contribute to a top heavy look if you are short.  Tops that end at the hip or crouch help lengthen the leg which is important for short, busty ladies.

Avoid pouch pockets which add bulk to the stomach area making your entire front poochy.  Instead, go for a slimming trim cut with front seams and side pockets or no pockets which gives definition to chest and stomach.

Usually, zippers are more slimming than buttons on jackets and coats.  Opening to just below the bust will avoid the ‘about to bust’ look if the jacket is snug.

Zippers and their buttons add bulk to the stomach area and therefore should be avoided.  Side zippers or pull on pants give a much flatter appearance and give a smooth, slimmer look which helps define your shape avoiding the blob look.

 

Layers

Layer thin layers.  Try tying the top layer at the waist.

Fabrics

Light to medium weight fabrics- gentle drape, less bulk, easy to make fitted construction with darts or panels

Choose cashmere, cotton, and jersey.

Avoid bulky or very fuzzy fabrics- we don’t want to be marshmallows!  Don’t hide your feminine shape by looking like a shapeless blob. Chunky knits aren’t flattering, so choose fine knits. Avoid velvet.

No ruffles, embellishments near the chest.

Handbags

Medium to large sized purses balance large busts.  If you’re petite, choose medium sizes.  Small purses exaggerate your bust size.

Colors and Patterns

Dark colors minimize. Tops in dark colors make the bust appear smaller.  Save bright or light colors for accessories.  If you’re short and busty, go for monochromatic looks- same color from top to bottom or same shade on top and bottom.  For instance, a dark brown sweater with dark blue jeans gives the eye an uninterrupted sweep from top to bottom because the pieces are both dark.  If the top is lighter or darker than the pants or skirt, the abrupt change will become a visual block that stops the eye momentarily instead of coaxing the eye to flow from head to toe.  Flow is key for short and busty women.

Avoid horizontal stripes on top.

Avoid large patterns if you are large busted and petite.

Necklaces

Shorter necklaces are better than long chains that “fall off the cliff”.  Shorter, colorful, chunky necklaces draw the eye up and distract from the chest.

Last Hint:  Get fitted by a professional before you buy your next bra.

The Pennsylvania Dutch have a saying, “We grow too soon old, and too late wise.”  This is true.  While doing research for this article I realized some of my clothing wasn’t doing me any favors, so I got rid of some and put others aside for alterations when I get my sewing machine out of storage.  The good news is that we can learn and change.

For further reading and great illustrations:

http://allwomenstalk.com/repost/500ecb63745f08c762863bbf