How to Dress Busty Women

I have already talked about small busted girls, and a fashion era in which they were idealized, but what about their more buxom counterparts?  Most clothing is made for average women, of course few women are perfectly average. Despite having a trait valued by modern western society, bustier women tend to have a hard time finding clothing that fits their not-so-average figures.  They also often receive little pity for their clothing struggles because they have an idealized trait.  For bustier women, the main struggle is accenting their curvaceous figures without adding weight where it doesn’t exist, and while still appearing work appropriate and professional.

She is so happy about her comfortable sweater
it shows enough skin to give her length, but
covers enough to be worn in a professional environment

One of the most important things for picking clothing is ensuring that your clothing is comfortable and supportive.  Shirts and dresses should have some sort of thick straps to cover your bra, which to maximize your comfort, should also have thick supportive straps, and be well fitted.

Creating a long elegant line from your neck to your bust will, make your neck appear longer, which counteracts the illusion of a short neck that larger busts can create.  Easy ways to achieve this are by wearing v-neck or scoop neck tops.  These will also give 'the girls' some breathing room, without the risk of them attacking the nearest unsuspecting passerby.  Another way to show off a long elegant neck is with a short necklace, or earrings.  These will also draw attention up toward your face, for those days that you feel you need to remind everyone where your eyes are.

Other flattering necklines, for days that you do feel like showing of some of your cleavage, are the sweetheart, the Queen Anne and the cowl necklines.  These each show some cleavage while being fairly modest at the same time.  These will compliment your chest by showing enough skin that you won’t look saggy, as is the case with high necklines.  These are typically some of the classiest ways to show off your excellent cleavage. 

This is a sweetheart neckline, a Queen Anne
neckline is almost identical except it
 typically has a high neck in the back. 

This is a cowl neckline, meaning it has extra fabric
that can fold over in a very pretty way.  This particular
neckline draws the eyes up toward the face.

The wide cut of this neckline forces the eyes to
move inward when looking at the waist, thus
emphasizing the proportionally small waist.

While neither of the particular necklines shown in these pictures reveal any cleavage, they are still both flattering.  This shows how sweetheart and cowl necklines can be versatile because they flatter a large bust whether or not they reveal much cleavage.

The next important thing to do is define your waist.  You probably have a knockout figure, however getting clothing to emphasize that requires a bit of thought.  Shallow wide necklines can be very flattering because the wideness around the neck matches or surpasses the wideness of your bust.  This creates an inward moving line from your shoulders to waist.

Both the form fitting top and the skater skirt
work together to show off her hourglass figure
in a fun and playful manner.

Peplums and skater skirts can be your friend because they flare out under your waist, just be cautious, especially with peplums as they may make you look fuller where you don’t want to.   Pairing crop tops with something high waisted can take advantage of your great figure while showing off your waist to bust ratio.  Make sure that the cropped top is fitted, if it hangs down loosely, you will look heavier, instead of like you have an awesome chest to waist ratio.  Belts, preferably thin ones, can emphasize a small waist as well, but make sure to place the belt at least 4 inches below your bust.  This space will create a smoother transition toward your waist so that you emphasize your entire shape.

For fashion inspiration you have a wide range of eras to look to.  Consider pin up style, the 1950’s, and certain parts of the 1960's (look at the style seen in Mad Men for examples of which aspects of the 1960's fashion are most appropriate for your build).  These are the era's when women strived to achieve curvaceous full figures.  Most clothing from these decades is perfectly suited for your build.  Pin up style is marked by the high waist, and form-fitting top.  This is a currently popular look, and good for an ordinary day.  You can also draw wiggle dresses, or wiggle skirts with a simple blouse, from this era.  Wiggle dresses and skirts are form fitting and have a narrow hem at the bottom to create a swaying motion when the wearer walks.  They will look tastefully vintage while showing your curves. This is a look you can emulate fairly directly.  The 1950’s are known for the fit and flare.  Fit and flare dresses, can be very flattering as long as the collar at least reveals some collarbone, remember high collars are to be regarded with caution as they can make you look saggy.  If you cannot find some of these items, likely the wiggle skirts and dresses, in conventional stores, Bettie Page Clothing sells mostly pin-up and 1960's era clothing that is specifically designed for curvaceous figures.  http://www.bettiepageclothing.com

A fitted blazer or jacket, such as the one above
flatters a curvaceous figure, and can easily be
thrown over most outfits.

You will also benefit form owning blazers with fitted waists, dresses and blouses with simple asymmetric cuts, and shirts and dresses with three quarter sleeves.  Wrap dresses will be your best friend; they will show of all of your beautiful shape, and are typically very sophisticated looking.  A dress or top with mesh covering the upper part of the chest can be youthful and flirty without calling too much attention away from your face.  For more casual days, you can wear a half open button down with a tank top underneath.  Tank tops are a worthwhile investment, because they provide an easy way to cover up when you don’t feel like showing cleavage.  You may have difficulty finding clothing in your size.  Wearing a blouse and skirt may be easier than finding a dress that fits you properly everywhere.  If you really love a piece, invest in getting it tailored to fit your body.  The investment in one tailored outfit will be worth far more than many ill fitting ones.

I hope this gave you guys some ideas.  If you like any of my suggestions, send me a picture of yourself wearing something inspired from this post, or if you have any suggestions or ideas for how more curvaceous girls can look fabulous, send me those and a picture if you want!