Corporate looks for a booby girl

[lolaismyfavouriteandmybest]

I'm really struggling to dress for the (thankfully rare) occasions that I have to look corporate.

my boobs are large and high up and I have too much cleavage for buisness dress in just about everything that I wear.

One of our directors is a woman and gets it just right. she is also curvy (although much thinner than me) but she can wear a scoop neckline without a hint of cleavage! the same top on me looks indecent.

I'm wanting plain(ish) high necked tops (blouses gape) to go under my suits but I can't seem to find anything. My suits are mostly dark so i like to put a bit of colour underneath to stop me looking washed out. (white is a no no too) I'm a size 16 top.

has anyone seen anything rhat would do? I'm getting pretty desperate.

is this dress corporate enough?
French Connection
I'm a similar shape to you and it looks fab

otherwise, something like this with a pencil or a-line skirt?
out of stock in larger sizes

bravissimo clothes
££ but fab
here

I disagree MrsB

IME Bravissimo clothes are badly cut, wash badly and very dull.

That cream top would be fab if they had any Thats the sort of thing, nice fabric, I'm really looking for bright pinks/reds greens and blues but I would wear cream.

I have ankle issues so I don't do skirts I'm afraid. also my corporate visits are usually to factories and I can end up going up and down the mesh metal stair cases and walkways above the factory floor. So trousers only for me!

I wear some Bravissiom things at home but they are very revealing so are a definite no no for work of any kind let alone client meetings. I've found the quality variable, some have lasted well some fell apart. And I'm not very taken with their new styles I have to say.

If you have ankle issues then (apart from mid summer) go for skirt + boots. Instantly smarter and you can get away with a more causal top than with trousers (IMO). Maybe a wedge heel?

for a very plain t-shirty top that you could easily dress up with a skirt you could try this fc again
It has a slightly bat-wing thing going on so is very generous on the top half without being baggy round the waist.

i have this kind of shape as well, and am quite short. It's been a long time since I neede to look corporate but I always found it really hard. I look bulky and stupid in suits, and blouses that fit my waist gape on my bust. I have found that Laura Ashley cut quite well in shirts and blouses for our body type, and also Betty Barclay which you can get online from John Lewis. I always favour a nice smart wrap dress in plain or understated patterns and colours, with classy costume jewellery - chunky wood or silver (not too much) and a well fitted jacket and boots. Can't go wrong.

Love that FC top! I might get a couple of those!! I've never bought from FC. any idea what size a 16 would be? (is XL going to be big enough?)

FN I'm tall and I think I look nice in suits if I can get the cut right. (my dd says I look like a man but she knows all the best compliments) blouses are a complete no go unless they have some stretch and I can sew them up down the front

I'm just not comforable in skirts and dresses. I always feel over dressed. Its a funny one in my line of work. if I turn up in a skirt and heels I don't get to see the factory floor and that's where you learn the most about what's going on.

and I have to dress for high summer as when I do get let out to play it's usually somwhere with very warm weather.

Hi lola, how about going for tops with a modesty panel? They're normal wrap tops but they have a panel (which looks like part of the top) that you can pull up/push down as you want to cover yourself up (or reveal more if you want!)You can get them from most highstreet shops.

Amy

I would embrace the dress. Seriously, I have about 6 M&S Limited Collection dresses. This is my latest purchase - lovely really heavy cotton and looks much better on me than the model (as I actually have some curves!)

Although I have this top from Monsoon which is really pretty but dresses up for work really well, especially with wide leg trews.

Thomas Pink also have good shirts - they normally have a wrap around one each season and, with a white vest underneath, it's very flattering. I've had mine 3 years and it's still immaculate so well worth the extra cash.

That monsoon top would make me look scary! It's got the detail in exactly the wrong place for me I'm afraid.

I like the dress but I just don't feel comfortable in dresses, I wish I did...

And I've not found a good vest to wear under shirts, I still have cleavage Any tips would be appreciated. But last time I was away it was 40 deg so the vest was definitely layer too far under my suit.

Amy - could you link to a modesty panel please? I've never seen them on high st.

hi,
I think a Large would be fine in the FC top. I am a 32H and there is more than enough room in a L. I suspect I could even have been ok with a M.

I really think you should give skirts/dresses a chance. I didn't wear them for years - used cycling as an excuse. But I now rarely wear trousers to work. IMO it is far less effort to look like you've 'made an effort' in a skirt/dress.

LOLA

House of Fraser have that PC top...
(I have it in a large if that helps)
It looks dreadful on their website, which is presumably why it is so cheap and in stock!

HERE!

I've ordered the FC top in jelly bean and purple! Keeping my fingers crossed that L is large enough. (I'm a 34G) Thanks for finding it for me!

I can't wear skirts for my day to day job anyway as I work in a lab and it's against the health and safety rules. (I would have to change into the very fetching work issue trousers if I turned up in a skirt or dress.)
and like a said I don't feel comfortable turning up to a factory site in a skirt.... I do wear them occasionally at the weekends though (but I need to wear boots or have a v long skirt to cover my horrible ankles.

still looking though if anyone knows of more nice tops....