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Original poster

A good style for very busty teen...

37 replies

gastromum · 28/12/2015 11:23

Hello

Hoping somebody can help!

I've a 14 year old teen who has a very large bust - 36 DD. She's probably about a size 10/12 elsewhere. She has always lived in leggings and printed t-shirts, never really been "into" clothes, but is now starting to take an interest.

She's got a few checked shirts, but has to get a larger size to fit her chest, which means they just end up looking big elsewhere.

She absolute hates her chest, and any sign of a cleavage. I've made sure she has good, well fitted supportive bras. She wants minimisers but I'm not sure if that's a good idea whilst she is young, we were told no underwire but without them her back hurts.

She gets very despondent when clothes shopping as everything just doesn't sit right, and it totally affects her confidence.

I'm not at all big busted so have never had to think about that when choosing clothes and am clueless.

Any ideas what kind of style may suit?

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 28/12/2015 11:31

If she is a 10/12 I think she probably isn't 36" under her bust. One of the bra ladies will be along later to advise, but I suspect that she will need a smaller band size and larger cup size for proper support.

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 28/12/2015 11:32

First off I'd suggest a bra intervention. It's very unusual for a size 10-12 to have a 36 inch rib cage. If it's that hard for her to get stuff to fit I'd suggest her cup size may be bigger too, a dd really isn't that big in reality

RaisingSteam · 28/12/2015 11:38

First go to Bravissimo and get properly fitted for bras - they will sort her out with one that's not too in-your-face. She is unlikely to be a 36DD if she's only a size 10 or 12. It sounds bonkers to be a 32F but that's how bra's are sized these days, no-one needs to know.

I had a large bust from my teens and still have bad posture from slouching to minimise it. I wouldn't wish that on anyone!

I should have a look at Pepperberry. Because the clothes fit better they actually make less of your bust, a lot of it she might think is frumpy but they have some basics as well. It's encouraging just going to the shops as many of the staff are quite young and look great in the clothes.

How about
this this or this or www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/products/knitwear/cardigans/notch-neck-cardigan/black/pt214blk/this Any good?

I'm sure they had a checked shirt earlier in the season but they will be getting the spring stuff soon. Can't go wrong with black really.

Original poster
gastromum · 28/12/2015 11:45

She's absolutely mortified by the thought of a bra fitting, but it does sound like perhaps my idea of a good fitting bra may be a little bit off

OP posts:
RaisingSteam · 28/12/2015 11:52

Honestly going to Bravissimo is a lovely experience - no being prodded about by old ladies and strapped into a parachute harness like in the 1980s. Try and get to a branch for a look on the sale rail and maybe she would be happy to try a couple on and be checked. It was life changing for me.

With the shirts you are better to buy say a size 12 and have it unbuttoned at the top with a black T shirt underneath. Even better if a slightly fitted style to start with like this rather than "boyfriend" styles.

hey good luck Smile

Branleuse · 28/12/2015 11:57

Once shes in a proper fitting bra then her boobs will be comfortable, properly supported and less annoying to her and will be a much more flattering look. Definitely get her to a bravissimo.

mysteryfairy · 28/12/2015 12:01

My 13 year old DD is a 34E fitted by bravissimo and wears size 10 jeans so it's not impossible you are approximately right on your DD's bra size. DD does look very busty, far more so than me. I'm around a 28G though so I think she gets ample cleavage from me, but has DH's far bigger frame to contend with too.

On the bra fitting front DD hates it but I insist and bravissimo are good at giving her a fitting with a young member of staff. I make sure the rest of the trip is full of nice treats to compensate for the trauma.

DD just dresses from the same shops as her friends...Top Shop, Pink, Hollister, Jack Wills etc. She is also 5ft 9 as an additional challenge. For things like jeans where bust is not an issue I let her choose exactly what she wants from where she wants so she feels she has some fun choices.

On the Top Shop front there is a stunning but sturdy (definitely size 12, maybe 14) tall assistant at our local branch who gives DD really helpful advice e.g. she got her wearing men's joggers for length, she steers her towards scooped neck tops. It's worth looking out for someone like that to befriend as DD far prefers advice from a peer.

Original poster
gastromum · 28/12/2015 12:04

Great, I'll get her down to Bravissimo, it'll be good to tell her someone I "know" had a daughter with the same issues and they were great with her!

OP posts:
RaisingSteam · 28/12/2015 12:09

Just to say when I hit 32DD in my teens I was so embarrassed as I thought that was abnormal large and conspicuous, mostly because of idiotic Page 3 stuff like "Here's busty Sarah showing off her D-cups ooh-er" that is an utter load of bollocks. Your DD isn't that busty, such that people stop and stare in the street, she's just got a normal feminine shape.

Also the fact that most ordinary shops only stock bras up to about a C cup is stupid too. A standard size 12 ( 36 bust/29 waist) is going to be maybe a 32DD or a 30E if she has a small rib cage.

Bunbaker · 28/12/2015 12:11

DD is self conscious about her lack of curves. The boys at school tell her she looks like a 12 year old boy Sad.

She is 15.

Branleuse · 28/12/2015 12:13

my boobalicious friend also has a busty teenager and has had her fitted at bravissimo from the very start.

senua · 28/12/2015 12:17

Ditch the shirts. Shirts are designed for flat chested blokes, not feminine curves. Even fitted shirts can gape. I seldom wear shirts, and then only unbuttoned ones over T-shirts.
T-shirts and fine knits are her friend. With a V neck.

NicoleWatterson · 28/12/2015 12:28

What about tea dresses and tunic type tops over leggings. Most of mine have quite high necklines. They are also generally quite forgiving on big boobed small waisted types. I sometimes wear a vest top underneath, or jumpers over the top.
Think bernadette in Big Bang- although hers are still slightly lower than mine, but that sort of dress

Couldashouldawoulda · 28/12/2015 12:29

Yes, try Pepperberry! They're part of Bravissimo. Everything cut nicely to fit big boobs. I had a few tops from there recently and like how they fit.

StatisticallyChallenged · 28/12/2015 12:34

Definetely get her to Bravissimo, or have a read of this and take her measurements if she really won't go for a fitting. As others have said, it's fairly unlikely that a size 10-12 14 year old is actually a 36 back - not impossible but my default would be "probably not"

Once she's in well fitting bras she might find clothes a bit easier anyway as her breasts may well sit in a different place. Pepperberry are good fit wise but might be a bit mature for her, although for basics like shirts they are useful. There's also biubiu and Urkye (both polish brands) and dd-atelier (russian I think) who do clothes which are sized by clothes and bust so a bit more flexible. Also, if you can sew at all it's worth learning how to take things in at the waist - owner of 30HHs here, trust me it's a useful skill!

Helenluvsrob · 28/12/2015 12:44

My youngest has been a bravissimo girl for ever ...bra intervention will be painless and life changing. Boobs will be supported and shapely not made to look Betty boop escque.
Tops wise she wears a lot of a line vests - especially with an inverted pleat at the scoop neck - fit at the shoulder and drape well - sainsburys or primark are fine.
Yes to shirts worn open with vest top too. Also the more peasant top style things with elastic at hip level. Got to be the right size not too big though.
( dd now 16 and size 10 30FF which I suspect your dd could well be she looks lovely and girlie , not like pin up material - the only problem fit was a blazer for 6th form - again sainsburys provided!)

Helenluvsrob · 28/12/2015 12:45

Interestingly pepper berry fits well on dd but does rather emphasise her shape which isn't what she wants

Original poster
gastromum · 28/12/2015 12:58

Ok she's read the thread and agreed to go up to the Covent Store branch on Saturday. Will let you know the verdict !

OP posts:
MrsSchadenfreude · 28/12/2015 13:00

Both of mine are large of nork. DD1 is 17, and looks great in skater style dresses - with a scoop neck, small waist and flaring out over the hips. For tops/T shirts she tends to wear scoop neck or v necked tops, which look great with jeans or shorts. (She likes Desigual, which is a bit more colourful and interesting, although £££.) Both wear checked shirts, but with a close fitting vest top underneath, and with the shirt either open or buttoned up from around the chest area. Scoop/V neck is the way to go - it doesn't need to be a low scoop, just not up around the neck throttling like an ordinary T shirt.

I would also second Bravissimo. M & S put DD1 in a 36D, which made her look enormous. Bravissimo fitted her in a 30J or 32H, and she looks miles slimmer and much less busty, and felt a lot better about her shape.

Branleuse · 28/12/2015 13:19

Freya bras do lots of styles for big boobs, and the unpadded ones are great for slimming you down

christinarossetti · 28/12/2015 14:21

A well fitting bra willake her look slimmer and well- shaped, rather than busty.

I agree Freya bras are pretty and last well.

RaisingSteam · 28/12/2015 16:17

One tip trying on bras, remember to try your top on over to see how the shape looks with clothes on. Sometimes a new bra can feel or look a bit odd but of course nobody sees you in only your bra!

MrsSchadenfreude · 28/12/2015 16:24

YY, RaisingSteam - I always go bra shopping wearing a plain T shirt, so that any lumps and bumps are visible!

Bunbaker · 28/12/2015 18:35

I do as well MrsSchadenfreude

Fluffycloudland77 · 28/12/2015 20:43

I hope she does go.

It really is best just to crack on with embarrassing things. It's not like they've never seen boobs before.

There's a dressing gown/robe on the back of the door and it's all discrete.

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