How to style a top heavy shape without looking matronly

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

I'm really struggling to find clothes that fit and flatter me. I have big boobs, a G cup, I need to wear a size 18 to accommodate them. I'm a 14 in jeans so smaller hips and bum. I do have a tummy though. Losing weight is a work in progress but I'm in my 40s and it is so bloody slow, in the meantime I have loads of clothes but hate most of what I have and most of what I try on.

I am sick of buying dresses with inadequate boob space or that are huge everywhere else or that look horribly frumpy/matronly. Jumpsuits seem impossible. Everything seems to assume a pear shape figure and if a shop shows clothes on larger women they always have small boobs and a big bum/hips so give me no idea how things will look on me.

I would love some recommendations for Instagram accounts to follow for fashion inspiration. Any suggestions for shops to look at and any styling suggestions also gratefully received.

It’s a huge, pardon the pun, struggle. V-necks are a must, long lines will cover the tummy. No Breton tops. Honestly, your choices are limited. Have you looked at East? I sort of think that a sophisticated boho style can help with the matronly look?

what sort of style do you like?
I think that lower necklines help. I cant wear anything with a crew neck or high neck, or wear jewellery to break it up.
Its a shame Bravissimo have stopped doing their pepperberry clothes, but you can still get them on ebay. Some of it can be a bit middleaged, but some of the basic pieces are great. ASOS now do a range for fuller bust.
I think you also need to make sure that tops are fairly fitted, but with stretch. Ladies fit Tshirts with a low neck and a good bra. I think the right underwear is important. High waisted pants with light support will make you feel trimmer but without constricting you like shapewear would. Wrap tops I think are flattering, as you could wear a cami under or a crop top type bra under if its too cleavagey

Josie Jayne is quite a good one to follow, and fuller bust bestie, and the lingerie princess, although I think theyre all slimmer, but they do give good ideas of clothes that have boob room.

Ive noticed quite a few things in asda in the last couple of years that have plenty of boob room, so might be worth looking in there

V necks are really difficult to find at the moment, I think that is part of the problem, so much in the shops is crew necked.

I'll check East, not somewhere I normally look at.

I think that as you get older you need to be a bit careful with lower cut tops/wraps etc as they can make you look a bit Bet Lynch. I wear either v necks, zip necks - opened, or collared tops with a round neck underneath as I find that gives the bust reducing illusion of the v neck without the exposure. Uniqlo are quite good for this neckline.

Pretty well everything else needs to be tailored to fit - try to learn to do this as it is expensive to get someone to do it for you. I blame the gay designers of the noughties who designed everything to fit the androgynous silhouette they fancied. This lack of cutting for a bust has leached into the mainstream now.

I found pepperberry clothes depressingly middle-aged, there is a market there for clothes for big boobs but they missed the mark.

I didn't know about ASOS, I will check their range out. Thank you. I'll try Asda too, I haven't looked at their clothes for ages.

I know what you are saying about underwear and I probably need a couple more bras. I don't find high waisted knickers help, they tend to roll down. I don't have "mum tum" my tummy is higher/rounder which contributes to the top heavy look.

I will try those insta accounts. I don't mind looking at someone smaller if they are dressing a similar shape.

Agree, always struggle too. Yes to v-necks if you can find them, but scoop are also good, and surprisingly boat neck too. Unlike pp I am a fan of bretons/stripy tops, but they have to be very fitted, makes your boobs look great against the smaller waist.

For summer I have found Fat Face brilliant, as most of their dresses have elasticated panels, so you can drop to size 12 even with a 32HH boobage (me).

Boden also have a couple of good jersey/and fully elasticated top dresses, which both have a lot of give in, and therefore you can easily go down to a 12.

I recently bought a couple of t's from Superdry, v neck and went for size 12 and they are still quite baggy, so could've gone for 10.

I agree re: boat necks and Bretons.

In fact one of my frustrations that prompted this post was my attempt to replace my favourite navy and white striped t-shirt and only finding crew necks.

Boden and Fat Face are on my radar, though prices at Boden have gone up recently!

I'm a similar shape but a bit more "well-upholstered" all over - I love Gudrun Sjoden stuff, and I get a lot of compliments (and feel good myself) wearing slinky vests (mostly M&S) underneath their shirts which come in all sorts of bright colours and funky prints.

Hmm I'm not really a fan of shirts, too much ironing.

What tops do people wear with jeans?

I'm a similar shape and size and am really struggling this year too. Nothing has any shape, and I don't want close-fitting and stretchy, I want body-skimming.

My go-to was always v-neck or boat neck tops (not jersey) with angel sleeves or 3/4 length sleeves , which are fitted around the bust/waist and then fall from the boobs. They don't exist at the moment, the closest is a shirred top. Peplums and frilly/puffy sleeves just add bulk. I am resigned to not shopping much this season, and making do with what I have!

I'm a similar shape and I'm afraid to say started making my own clothes as it was impossible to find boob accommodating clothes that didn't make me look two sizes bigger all over. I've completely lost track of 'the high street' and now just look at what the general trend seems to be shape/ and fabric wise and make something that I like in that style.

Styles that really suit me in sewing patterns and remain constant in my sewing rotation are:

the True Bias Ogden Cami in various fabrics and patterns

Tilly and The Buttons Rosa dress (really flattering as it skims the tummy)

The Meghan Nielsen Brumby Skirt and the Meghan Nielsen Tania Culottes. Both Worn with an Ogden cami or black (must be black) boat neck top

Loads. Loads. of Fibremood Norma floaty lowish cut blouses

I'm currently making a really structured pair of black denim 'balloon style' I AM sunshine jeans and intend to pair them with my various ogden cami tops and my various True Bias Marlo Cardigans and Tilly and the Buttons Stella Hoodies.

I appreciate you aren't going to become a master dressmaker overnight but it might help thinking about different styles that might suit.

@pastabest Those are exactly the shapes that suit me! The blouse especially, I love it. I have neither the time nor skill to make clothes, is there anywhere you can buy them?

Although more ironing and something I’ve always avoided, I’m starting to appreciate shirts and blouses more. You can wear a more fitted top underneath, low-ish cut and then offset with an open or partially open shirt I’m surprised how much oversized shirts disguise a large bust and they tend to button up without gaping. Tuck in if worried about looking big all over. Quite versatile for different occasions. A massive trend at the moment too.

I’m ludicrously top heavy, large bust, broad shoulders.

Model in pic not afflicted but this look works with a large bust and any age.

@pastabest I actually can sew but I don't really have the time to make a whole wardrobe. My skills are somewhat basic too.

@pastabest I sew, that's a super helpful list, thank you!

@JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon to hell with ironing, I wear crumpled linen shirts (hung up to dry to avoid the worst creases) and they look fine!

@TheOGCCL yes, this look exactly (but with covered midriff for me), you can have shirts completely open or buttoned to wherever looks best, and it looks fab over jeans or leggings or even shorts if you wear those.

I was coming on to say a fitted vest, usually black for me with either shirt or slouchy top over, off the shoulder tops are good, preferable one sided only.

Along these lines.

www.google.com/search?q=layered+vest+and+slouchy+top+womens&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjL1_WW0Pf3AhUOphoKHTN6AHQQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=layered+vest+and+slouchy+top+womens&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzIECB4QCjoECCMQJzoFCAAQogQ6BwgjELACECdQsBlY5EJg2EZoAHAAeACAAacCiAHMDZIBBTkuNi4xmAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=7YqMYoutGo7MarP0gaAH&bih=623&biw=360&client=ms-android-huawei-rev1&prmd=sinv#imgrc=sv-8720104-349699MUK1

www.google.com/search?q=one+shoulder+batwing+top&client=ms-android-huawei-rev1&bih=623&biw=360&hl=en-GB&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ALiCzsbOcOgIDNXnsoBuwMdx8xLct3iprQ:1653377989988&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiiz5b-0Pf3AhUQgFwKHXC7APAQ_AUIGigC#imgrc=jR3gIsewWePybM

www.google.com/search?q=one+shoulder+batwing+top&client=ms-android-huawei-rev1&bih=623&biw=360&hl=en-GB&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ALiCzsbOcOgIDNXnsoBuwMdx8xLct3iprQ:1653377989988&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiiz5b-0Pf3AhUQgFwKHXC7APAQ_AUIGigC#imgrc=VEf1dF7x90gJiM

Maybe I do need to look at more shirts......

I have this figure type. A vest top with either an unbuttoned shirt or a light cardigan works well for me. I am a skirt wearer rather than trousers as I find a skirt more balancing - A-line or loose to just above the knee.

Also, skater dresses providing they are not too clingy.

Sarah Beeny always wears shirts. Never looks matronly, but is a quite casual look

A sleeveless slouchy top like the ones linked above works well with a different colored really close fitting long sleeved tshirt underneath - the sleeves seem to detract from the width elsewhere. I wear a slouchy black top with an extra small white uniqlo t shirt underneath.