Blazer for big breasts?

[lemniscate]

So I really really want a blazer, have wanted one for about 3 years. But I have 34H breasts and I just find that they sit really badly on me - they either don't fasten properly and gape, or when I have them open they sort of hang off my boobs so from the side I look absolutely enormous as you can't see my waist.

I need a blazer that has a nipped in waist rather than one of the looser styles I think. But I've never found one that suits so I've stopped trying. I'm a size 14 on top usually, with an hourglass figure so size 16 (although almost 14) in trousers.

Anyone with big breasts got any suggestions of where to look? Or should I just avoid the blazer idea completely?

[EldonAve]

pepperberry?

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

I think of a blazer as a double breasted, shapeless number which I'm sure you know is what you need to avoid. Unfortunately for the hourglass-shaped among us, they seem to be universally available whereas the cute, fitted, nipped-in feminine style of which you speak seems to be like ben's teeth as far as availability in the shops goes.
I'm a 30G so buy a 12, sometimes a 14 if there's gaping. But I find the beauty of that style is that the low v at the front is pretty accommodating, so if there's gaping it usually means the sizing is small. But everyone's different so...

I bought one from Esprit (through Zalandoo) recently.cream with faded red stripes, kind of nautical but not too yo ho ho.
Esprit often have the single-breasted style, I'd say they're about mid_range for price and quality but nothing edgy there, nor especially smart if that's what you need.
Vivianne Westwood is the queen of tailored fitting for boobs, and All Saints sometimes have cheaper VW rip-offs.
You could try registering with Dressipi and see what they come up with, or do a search on Shopstyle.
Unfortunately I think finding a lovely fitted jacket is a bit like finding the right pair of jeans - you just have to try loads on.
Oh, I've seen lovely ones at Jigsaw in past seasons - not looked there lately though.
And Boden stock them, but I've found the stuff from there they claim as 'fitted' rarely is. Have had them from Hobbs and Ted Baker in the past also.

[lemniscate]

Yes, definitely not a double breasted old buffer type thing! I want something that can smarten up jeans or a skirt rather than it being a work thing. I work from home or else am out with the kids so generally just in jeans, and I just sometimes want a quick way to feel a little smarter.

I like some of the ones in Zara but nothing has ever fitted me there so I don't know if I should bother even going in there.

Thanks for the suggestions. Shotgun - I think you're right about it being like jeans, speaking of which... :) I'm just going to have to go a blazer shopping day, aren't I? No getting distracted by dresses or skirts or shoes, just focus on the one item and trawl every shop in Christendom.

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

Good luck with that!

[Dollydowser]

lemniscate, we could be twins. I am similar size and have also been looking for a blazer. I've tried all the ones recommended on here, Zara, H&M, Uniqlo. None fitted very well, lots of unfurling collars. I've tried all the M&S ones, some that fit but have got cropped sleeves.
The Pepperberry one fitted beautifully, but was a bit too long. I looked in Espirit in Westfield last week, nothing. I'm at a loss as to where to try next.

Tell me lemniscate, where else have you bought clothes from recently, especially tops/Tshirts? Apart from some Pepperberry dresses, I haven't found anything that fits/looks flattering.

[lemniscate]

I haven't bought many clothes recently as I am exercising lots so changing shape a bit and didn't want to invest too much, but I am getting close to my weight/size goal so thinking about buying again. I find that invariably only one or two shops fit me properly at any one time. I have recently been fitting a size 14 at Hobbs really well so most of my recent stuff is from there - a few scoop neck or cowl neck tops, a lovely silk blouse and two dresses, a great quilted coat. But their blazers are generally a bit too smart for my needs or a bit too short/boxy. I have picked up a few tops from New Look, and the skinny £20 jeans in M&S are the ones that fit perfectly at the moment, and would look great with a blazer. Grr!

[Dollydowser]

I can't do skinny jeans, too much of the carrot look! Yes I like some of Hobbs stuff too. I don't need smart/office clothes but its hard to find casual clothes to suit an hourglass shape.

[lemniscate]

Skinny jeans only work on me with my high heeled shoes or boots, not with my flat Converse sadly (too carroty then!) I find a long thin cardigan usually helps too as it skims over the worst of my hips :) Might be worth a try with the right tops and shoes.

Trousers are my big issue. Skirts are fine as they skim my hips, but I find trousers fit my hips and thighs but then gape at the waist, or are just too tight on the thigh and hips. I cry whenever a pair of jeans dies as I know I will have such a struggle to find some again. For tops I choose v-neck, scoop neck or cowl neck if not too much fabric, and they must sit below my waist rather than on it or that just cuts me in half and looks terrible. I also hate loose tops as I look pregnant because there is a such a big bosom in the way of any streamlining!

[ComradeJing]

You aren't going to like this answer I suspect but I've always found the blazers at Ralph Lauren are the very best for fitting a narrow waist and big boobs.

Admittedly I was a 32D or DD when my size 8 (UK) jackets fitted where as now I'm a G and haven't lost baby weight so they don't fit at all now and I don't know what the fit would be like in a bigger size but back in my thin with boobs days they fit perfectly.

[scotsgirl23]

Pepperberry is worth keeping an eye on there's are great when they get the style right. I would keep an eye on ebay too - I have two lovely blazers (bravissimo branded from before they switched over) that are perfect with jeans, one in a cherry red and the other in a stone colour, single button and short enough that slightly bigger hips don't cause a problem. I am a similar shape to you by the sounds of it and they are very flattering. I've seen a few come up on ebay, sometimes brand new.

[Dollydowser]

I am 5'3" so that could also be part of the problem! Also I did skinnies the first time round I can't do boyfriend cardies as I lose my waist, I don't wear converse either, only wedges/platforms.
I have a pair of Wallis jeans but I don't wear them often, but I have heard good things about PZI jeans. I have a 10" difference between my waist and hips and like you I don't suit any top with gathers or extra fabric. I prefer a sweetheart or deep scoop neckline to a v (unless its a really deep V) and yes end below my waist (but not long either). Add on to that list a preference for certain colours that I know suit me = virtually impossible!!

I have been shopping with a personal stylist (40th birthday present) and got great tips ( and came home with masses of shopping bags) but when it comes down to actually trying to find clothes that tick all the boxes its very hard. My last shopping trip saw me return empty handed and money in my purse!

[lemniscate]

I think I'm about a 10 inch difference too in waist and hips too! I'm 5'6 so slightly taller, but still not tall enough :) I'm seriously considering a shopping trip with a personal stylist - how did you find yours? I am very particular about what I will and won't wear in terms of design and pattern, and then add in all of your requirements too (you are so me dolly!) and it's no wonder that I never have anything to wear. I have just looked in my wardrobe and I have 7 tops that I think suit me, 3 pairs of jeans and one skirt. I have a very basic black suit which is fine for when I need to be smart for meetings. I have more success with finding lovely dresses and love wearing them, but I find I need heels with most dresses as I have quite fat calves so flats look bad, but I find walking in heels quite hard so can only really wear them for short bursts so don't tend to see dresses as useful day wear and hence don't buy them that often!!! I've been working really hard on losing baby weight and toning over the last year or so and my figure is looking great now, but I just need the clothes to go with it.

TBH, I would spend money in somewhere like Ralph Lauren if I felt it was the perfect fit. I find so few clothes that suit that I'm happy to spend a bit more when I do find something as I know the cost per wear will be small!!!

This is turning into a rant about how hard it is to find anything that suits me, rather than just trying to find a blazer, isn't it? I feel the need for an hourglass, size 14, big boobed support thread :)

[Lottapianos]

'I feel the need for an hourglass, size 14, big boobed support thread'

I'll be your second member!

[Dollydowser]

I'll be your third! I have the big calves too, love my Duo boots and can wear platform wedges no problem so now wear skirts all the time. I can't find any day dresses to fit though (apart form the new summer ones I've bought from Pepperberry) where do you find dresses to fit?

I have been trying to lose the baby weight too (although not as hard as you, not exercising) but probably nearer to a high street 16 (14 Pepperberry). I don't mind spending on clothes if the fit is right and I will get a lot of wear out of them.

I found my stylist online, Anna Moore,and we went to Westfield at Shepherds Bush (she does Bluewater too). My youngest was 18 months, I felt really fat and ugly, and had 2 parties and a wedding to get outfits for. Anna was lovely, and it was a bit of a counselling session thrown in! I came away feeling fantastic! It made me a bit sad to think of all the weddings I've been to over the years and had expensive outfits for but still looked/felt rubbish. I would do it again at the drop of a hat. Well worth the cost (not cheap) but I had great fun and also get some invaluable advice and style tips.

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

A good starting point in finding your own style is House of Colour. You first have your colouring analysed to find the palette that suits you and the proportions in which you'd look best wearing them. Then you can have an image consultation which covers the style 'personality' you fit into, and also looks at your shape etc. i think you can do them both in the one session now - takes a few hours.
It's well worth it, but be warned, you still have empty-handed shopping trips occasionally - but at least everything in your wardrobe suits you, and you don't have to buy things to 'go with ' each other any more!
I've also seen a personal stylist, who trained with HoC originally, but is now independent. She took me shopping and gave me lots more tips - and made me less worried about age-appropriateness.

[scotsgirl23]

Would also like to sign up for the "big boobed size 14 but with a waist" club. I have at least a 12 inch waist-bust difference and it's a nightmare. However I've just given up on jeans entirely and surrendered to the dresses!

(wonders if we should have an additional sub group for the thunder of thigh?! )

[lemniscate]

Hobbs again, dolly! Once I find a place that has clothes that fit, I stick with it :o Designers at Debenhams are worth a look too - a couple of J by Jasper Conran have suited me well when tried on although I've only ever bought one (because of the shoe issue!)

I have a couple of fabulous Tesco (believe it or not!) dresses too that I'm just fitting into again (a chocolate brown broderie anglaise 50s style nipped in waist, puff sleeves and big skirt is a favourite that I just finally fit into again after 2 children!), and a great M&S wrap dress that I've had for about 6 years. I find wrap dresses work well for me because they can give a bit depending on weight gain or loss. I'm not so comfortable yet with trusting myself to maintain my figure so I like clothes that are a little bit forgiving at the moment.

I need to investigate boots and wedges a bit more I think, as I love dresses, they make me feel smarter than jeans and are generally just lovely and swishy!

Thanks for the stylist suggestions. Will take a look. I'm near Brighton but can come up to London easily enough.

[lemniscate]

I'll join the thunder of thigh club :o

[Dollydowser]

Shotgun, its not help with finding our style we need, its help finding the clothes to fit that we know are our style. Its not easy finding tops or jackets that are nipped in at the waist. Often it means going up a size or even 2 sizes to fit the bust, then things are massive on the waist.

lemniscate, I love Hobbs shrugs. Hobbs was one of the shops Anna introduced me to. I used to love their shoes, but not so much lately. I've just ordered a blazer from Debenhams in my fav colour free delivery, free returns. We'll see how that fits! Thanks for reminding me about Debenhams

[scotsgirl23]

Dolly, I bought that two days ago! It's quite good for curves, colour is slightly more mulberry than it looks in the picture but still very nice!

[Mombojombo]

Can I join? Can I? I'm a 5'3" size 12-1 with 32HH bosoms. The only blazer I've ever found that looks good on me was from jolly old primark. It's kinda like a tux jacket but more nipped at the waist. Bought it yeeeears ago though.

The main beef I have with clothes is tops & dresses gaping at the armpit and showing off a goodly portion of fetid grey nursing bra because I've had to go up a size or two to accommodate the chestage.

[Dollydowser]

Ooh, have we started a quiche? I've always wanted to be in one of those!

Welcome mombojombo, more the merrier. No one ever stands a chance of glimpsing my armpit as I keep my bingo wings covered at all times. Plus I'm always freezing, and never without a thermal vest and a cardigan

scotsgirl what good taste you have!! Its good to hear that it stands a chance of fitting when it arrives, you never know with internet shopping.

I have emailed Anna to ask if she can point me in the right direction for a suitable casual blue blazer, I'll let you all know if I get a reply.

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

Dolly, the reason I mentioned the style thing was that Lemniscate had asked how to go about finding a stylist.
I know it's difficult to find things that go in at the waist and fit the boobs - 's why I answered the OP!

Hope that clarifies things.

[Dollydowser]

Sorry Shotgun, thanks for clarifying. How did you get on with the shopper, did you make any good finds, shops that were boob/waist friendly?

The only dress I have bought this year not from Pepperberry is this Next bird print Tea dress and I have to say it fits me even better than the Pepperberry Tea dress. I prefer the fluted sleeves and slight flare to the Next one. Its very flattering.

[scotsgirl23]

I would have to say that is one of my complaints with pepperberry, they often seem to make their dresses very straight through the hip - I have big boobs but I'm not top heavy, I have the ass to match! It's just the bit in the middle that is a couple of sizes smaller really.

I do like their shirts though. Although I came across somewhere else that does shirts for big norks so will be giving them a try soon too as they had more exciting colours
.