Dressing to Flatter Bigger Breasts
Here Rigby & Peller offer some advice and information on how to dress to flatter larger breasts. A survey carried out by lingerie outlet in 2006 suggested that the average bra size in the UK is 36C. For many stores any bra size larger than a 36C can be considered larger than average, and women who are above a C cup may find it difficult to find flattering underwear. At Rigby & Peller we offer beautiful lingerie in sizes up to 48I, and our best selling sizes are from a D cup upwards.
Gorgeous Bras for Larger Breasts
The first, most important and most obvious point to remember when you're dressing for fuller breasts is to wear the right bra. We estimate that around 80% of the women who walk through our doors at Rigby & Peller are wearing an ill-fitting bra. The most common issue we see with larger breasts is women wearing too small a cup size. The truth is that many women hope they can reduce the visual impact of their large bust by squeezing into a smaller, chest-flattening bra. So called 'minimiser' bras actually give the opposite effect of making the bust appear wider than it is. They push the breasts out towards the sides, often making a very slim woman appear bigger than she is. Always buy a comfortable, well fitted bra which brings the bust inwards, giving the appearance of a slimmer waist and bust line, and then begin to flatter your breasts with your choice of outerwear.
For everyday wear we would always recommend a full cup bra for those with fuller breasts. A full cup bra offers excellent support for day to day wear and a bra with a forward shape will make a bigger bust appear smaller under tailored or fitted clothes. A bra with a 3 part cup, such as Empreinte's Thalia balcony bra would give a wonderful silhouette and is available in a range of colours.
A common myth is that women with larger cup sizes are not able to wear plunge bras or balcony bras. Nowadays this is not the case. Prima Donna offer a plunge bra in most of their ranges up to an F cup, and our own Rigby & Peller collection includes a plunge style up to a G cup. A plunge bra for a lower cut or V-neck top is very flattering for fuller busted women. It will draw the eye to the décolletage, which can be very attractive with the correctly fitting bra.
Proportion & Balance
Your outerwear should be all about proportion and balance - balance between the top and bottom halves of your body. Probably the most effective way to flatter your breasts is to subtly draw the attention away from the centre of your chest and to focus it around your shoulders, or to emphasise other parts of your body; your legs for example. Consider the following tips for balancing larger breasts:
- The angle in an A-line skirt helps to balance your torso with your legs. This balance is great for fuller-busted women.
- Wearing a well-fitting shirt (which has no seams cut close to the skin) with a fitted skirt or fitted trousers is a great way to emphasise your curves.
- Make sure your blouse is not stretching across your bust. When it's buttoned up there must be no gaps between the buttons - this is a sure sign of a poorly-fitting top.
- A boat-neck or v-neck will draw the eye to the décolletage. The wider the neck generally the better, and there are boat neck shirts which open almost to the shoulders.
- To give your torso length, choose tops which have vertical lines in multiple colours. This his the advantage of appearing to stretch your torso which makes you look taller, slimmer and your bust seem more in proportion. Horizontal stripes will have the opposite effect, emphasizing your bust.
- Wear boot fit jeans to balance the width of the bottom of your body with the top. Straight-legged trousers give your body length; a useful effect for those who are more petite.
- Wear lighter colour trousers and skirts than your top. This keeps the main focus low on your body, away from your chest. It's quite a slimming effect to, if you get it right.
To Sum up
Flattering a fuller bust is not about hiding your figure and trying to squash your breasts into a minimiser bra, but enhancing your best features. We often find that once a woman is wearing a properly fitted bra, her confidence increases and her clothes fit her better. Once a fuller bust is lifted by a supportive bra, the waist is slimmed and enhanced and a beautiful hourglass shape is created. The clothes can then be chosen to support and make the most of a woman's figure.