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?

I tried this dress yesterday too. It was lovely, although the 14 was actually a bit big on top! I am wearing a 34H at the moment but have actually lost a bit of weight recently incl 5cm off my boobs and think when refitted that I will probably be around a 34FF/G (random guess!). So this dress should look good on a big cup. I think it is also quite generously sized - I am just dropping to 14 from 16 on my bottom half and it fitted me well on the hips so I think it's a big 14 and a 12 might fit some of your true 14s much better. It fitted in all the right places :)

The town nearest to me only has M & Co and New Look and that is it, so my regular choice is very limited! But I am quite close to Brighton so when I can find a spare afternoon I will be able head down to a wide range of good shops :) I might even brave H&M (whenever I do, I find something, but I can rarely bear entering the Brighton shop!)

Can I join please? Am a short arse at 5' 2, a size 12 on the bottom and 12-14 on top.

I find that jersey dresses from The White Company are good for me (although some of them could do with being a bit shorter) and they are v good quality. They are mostly cut to skim across the bust then tighten in at the waist and then flare out over hips. Can be had for about 50 squid in sales and are worth every penny.

If you are rich - try Vivienne Westwood jersey dresses. They look like nothing on the hanger but some of them are very flattering. They can be hit and miss though, so be prepared to try several. I love her skirts for work too and her drapey tops (although I only have one of those).

Tops are really difficult. M&S Limited Collection used to do a basic scoop neck t-shirt in good quality cotton and with different sleeve lengths. They were fantastic for basics - white/black/navy/grey. Unfortunately they no longer do them and I can't find anything else anywhere near as good to replace them.

Hobbs can be okay but their sizing varies enormously - indeed, I bought a jersey cowl neck top there recently and had to buy a large as the medium was so clingy. Have had a couple of scoop neck striped t-shirts from there in the past though in a medium and they are v good - excellent quality. Go for the thicker ones there, as the thin jersey ones are really clingy and unflattering.

The best jacket I possess was from Linea at House of Fraser but again they are v hit and miss. Hobbs sales are also good and they sometimes have nice ones - I have a quite casual navy one that has straps and buttons at the back so that you can nip it in and wear it open but quite tight at the back.

Hi Remus, have read your S&B tips in the past, you are more than welcome. I agree that tops are the hardest to find. I have phoned Pepperberry and had a moan, why are all their tops either tunic style or sleeveless? I would love to try some VW clothes, where to go to try them on?

lemniscate, how low is the neckline of your new dress? It look high in the photo, just the sort of neckline that makes me look v matronly! Well done on the weight loss btw.

Haven't seen that book before shotgun, thanks for drawing it to our attention, its always good to get another perspective. I swear by Trinny and Suzannah Shape Bible, I know not everyone does, but I have yet to meet anyone who can't identify their body shape in it. I think their basic shapes/styles for clothes is spot on (but don't always like their choice of clothes for the people in the book).

I can do sleeves that are a little bit puffy (not much) but definitely can't do cowl neck and sleeveless. I agree with someone here (sorry can't find the post now) who said they can't do with any excess fabric.

Thanks for all these lovely ideas.I have got big boobs completely out of proportion to the rest of me.I have been ecstatic this year beacause i have found a coat/mac that comfortably fits all over. Not everyones to everyones taste im sure.Bought it in a size bigger that i normally buy for tops, but it fits lovely. New look 1062/2391/703/33

I'm having serious clothing envy over some of these things - especially some of the dresses, which are gorgeous! I've been wearing jeans most of my life, and have finally reluctantly come round to the fact that I look a million times better in an a-line skirt or wrappy style dress. Does anyone have good jeans tips for days (like today) when I can't bear to get my legs out?

I agree that everyone here seems really clued up on how to dress - if you ever watched Trinny and Susannah you will have seen that's actually pretty rare. It is supposed to be an enviable shape to have, but don't you find other women mostly seem to want either straight up and down figures or a kind of stick with boobs look?

For tops, seriously look in H&M. V flattering scoop neck basic long sleeve tops and lots of fitted ones, all v v affordable.

I do like that m&co dress - had one v similar from Dotty P's last Christmas and got loads of compliments. Nice length as well - that's another one of my bugbears - the assumption that we all want to hide our legs.
Us hourglasses are lucky enough to have shapely legs and slim ankles, so anything below the knee looks a) frumpy and b) expands the width of the calf.

Agree with VW - I think we have her to thank for that clingy/drapey style that's become popular now - it's finally filtered down. Isabel Oliver does similar, cheaper versions - but they seem to crop up everywhere now.

I've only ever seen VW in the likes of Selfridges/Harvey Nicks, but I live in a pretty rubbish place for shopping. Plus as an SAHM I couldn't justify spending £££, so tend to go for high street.

Kettlewell Colours' tops look to show potential, but I haven't tried them, so can't conment on shape or quality.

I have this wrap cardi from Kettlewell. It works well for me because it gives a flattering deep V, brings me in at the waist and then the dangly ties hide any tummy bulge. It has washed and worn very well, no bobbling. I have just bought this in raspberry which has the perfect neckline for me and the sleeves are perfect for covering my bingo wings. Only complaint is that its a little bit long (a couple of inches) and too expensive for a T shirt but as I am so short of clothes I would rather have one perfect top than half a dozen cheap but not perfect.

Another perfect for me tie cardy is this Boden one which fits beautifully. Boring colours though, I got useful navy.

I'm a bit nervous about the neckline on the dress, will report back when it's here!

Remus - I have a Limited Collection navy scoop neck top, and it's wonderful. So flattering and such good quality. I still look in M&S every time I go in there just in case they do them again. It's still in my wardrobe but has a massive olive oil stain on it that I just can't get out :( Anyone got any top tips on removing oil so I can save it? It is one of my favourite tops of all time, which is ridiculous given it is just a plain navy scoop top!

I've had success with plain ol' Fairy Liquid - apply to the dry garment and wash as normal. Or those little bottles (Beckman's? Dylon?) for individual stains are pretty good - as is Travel Wash from the tube.
I threw out loads of decent clothes over the years before discovering you could actually dissolve the oil stain!

A couple of bargainous possibles at M&Co: this...

...and this - has an Abigail's Party look that I find strangely appealing .

I like the Abigail's party dress alot Shotgun, its got the narrow band around the ribs like my Next bird dress. Perfect for showing off an hourglass's narrowest bit, yet softly draping on bits I like to disguise- arms and tubby.

Just reporting back on this dress which arrived this morning.

It's lovely! The description lies about it being yellow - it's actually orange and grey. But it fits brilliantly and the neckline is just right. It shows my cleavage but unlike with many wrap dresses I'm not worried about my bra showing. It skims my hips and tummy nicely, finishes right at my knees (I'm 5ft6) and the belt gives my waist definition. Miraculously, it is the perfect fit for me right now! So I'd definitely recommend it as worth a try.

It also has that nice thing of being smart enough for a meal out (am going to wear it on Sat when DH and I are going out, as I have the perfect pair of pale tan patent court shoes with gold heels to go with it!) but simple enough that it would work well during the day. I think a pair of wedges for day time would be perfect so going to try and find some. Saw a simple grey pair in Clarks today that would be ideal but they didn't have my size.

Glad your dress is a good fit. Mine was awful!

Lemniscate - perhaps we should write them an email demanding to know why they no longer do them!