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Fuller bust instagrammers - with clothes on?!

55 replies

Cinnamonandcoal · 27/12/2022 22:40

As the unfortunate owner of 34Js, buying clothes is hard.

Lingerie also used to be v hard but there are a load of great brands these days, plus a bunch of women on Instagram who try all the bras on and see which are good. Helpful!

No so many specialist clothing brands particularly since Pepperberry disappeared, and I also haven't found anyone on Instagram who is a similar shape and looks at clothing rather than lingerie. The ones that do try clothes are generally in their early 20s and go for tightness and lots of cleavage.

I'm in my mid-30s in a corporate job and would LOVE to find someone out there who is scouring the shops to inspire others with the clothes out there which might fit and which are the kind of things I'd buy. Is there anyone I haven't come across yet? Or any other suggestions?

I just don't have the time to spend hours shopping in person and when ordering online I send 95% back because it doesn't work for me, even though I only order the shapes which might work! I'm very ready to be influenced.

OP posts:
lenalemonade · 29/12/2022 05:33

Some great ideas on here

MagnoliaMix · 29/12/2022 05:43

Another 34J here. Thanks for starting this thread OP. Also feeling very low about finding clothes I like, and love the idea of an ongoing thread to share ideas and finds.

DannydeVitooo · 29/12/2022 08:08

But Georgia grogan is just fat. There’s a difference imho

Cyberworrier · 29/12/2022 08:27

Thanks for starting this thread OP.
I’m a size 10-12 with a 32G bust and I find it very difficult to find anything. I tend to wear slightly oversized v neck t shirts from Hush at work which probably isn’t that flattering or glamorous.
At weekends/evenings out, I wear dresses with a v neck, usually bought in a 12 and stitched in a bit at the waist. It’s a real pain in the ass.
I agree with a PP that some of the plus size bloggers mentioned maybe have a different issue, in that they are plus size? Rather than regular size with plus sized bust?
As an aside, does anyone know where to get nice nighties/pretty cami sets with built in support? Everything on Bravissimmo looks a bit meh and Curvy Kate only had one thing that appealed. I’m glad at least it’s easier to buy bras now than before but it would be nice to be able to buy special/sexy things without breaking the bank. Have looked on asos too and they didn’t have anything.

Cinnamonandcoal · 29/12/2022 09:42

Cyberworrier · 29/12/2022 08:27

Thanks for starting this thread OP.
I’m a size 10-12 with a 32G bust and I find it very difficult to find anything. I tend to wear slightly oversized v neck t shirts from Hush at work which probably isn’t that flattering or glamorous.
At weekends/evenings out, I wear dresses with a v neck, usually bought in a 12 and stitched in a bit at the waist. It’s a real pain in the ass.
I agree with a PP that some of the plus size bloggers mentioned maybe have a different issue, in that they are plus size? Rather than regular size with plus sized bust?
As an aside, does anyone know where to get nice nighties/pretty cami sets with built in support? Everything on Bravissimmo looks a bit meh and Curvy Kate only had one thing that appealed. I’m glad at least it’s easier to buy bras now than before but it would be nice to be able to buy special/sexy things without breaking the bank. Have looked on asos too and they didn’t have anything.

I'm always on the lookout for this too! I got the Bravissimo Flora nightdress recently which I really like. They used to only have it in a tacky bright red but now have a dark green.

Otherwise soft bralette type things under normal pyjamas.

OP posts:
Cinnamonandcoal · 29/12/2022 09:51

Worklessplaymore · 29/12/2022 03:55

No influencer recommendations but a few tips for corporate dressing:

  • wide legged flowing trousers balance out a big bust and there are a lot of wide legged styles atm
  • go for fine knits that are ribbed as the ribbing helps with the fit and gives you a waist; perhaps v-necked cardigans with a low camisole or ribbed knitted or jersey polo shirts with a collar

This sort of look but with long sleeves (as short sleeves end where your bust is largest and make you look wide all the way across):

www.marksandspencer.com/pt/ribbed-collared-button-through-knitted-top/p/P60557508.html

  • buy jackets that are soft: perhaps half cardigan/half jacket and buy to fit your shoulders not your bust so don't close them, with a darker coloured top filling the gap if that makes sense. Another style of jacket that can work with a big bust is the half-cape half-jacket type but you have to be very careful with the fit.
  • look for extra curvy stretchy shirts or v necked cardigans and take them to get altered so that the button placket is sewn up at the back to avoid gaping
  • you can even put a sort of v-neck twin-set look together by getting someone to sew a stretchy top in a dark colour under an open v neck cardigan; so that the sides of the cardigan don't constantly fall backwards. Or pin the cardigan closed to your top with safety pins.
  • experiment with shoulder pads to broaden your shoulders
  • it's often good to roll up your sleeves a bit at the wrist to expose the thinnest part of your arm too. Or to have wide collars and long floppy cuffs to distract the eye away from the bust. Or colourful bracelets.
  • another trick is to wear a classic white shirt with a low v-neck knitted tank top in a dark colour over it, so you literally darken your bust area.

Good bras essential!

All good suggestions thank you. I'm ok with the basics really. It's not so hard to find fine knit jumpers or stretchy t-shirts which fit me - it's looking for dresses and the more interesting and non stretchy tops and things.
I guess also although I do wish they were smaller I'm not trying to hide my boobs away, just to cover them appropriately.

At some point I will as someone else suggested get a reduction - first I want to lose a bit of weight and then find the time and organise it. I'm a 14-16 at the moment and want to be a bit smaller first. Unfortunately however losing weight for me doesn't seem to reduce my bra size by much. At a size 12 I'm still an H-cup.

OP posts:
OnceAgainWithFeeling · 29/12/2022 10:07

Back when I wore dresses to work Phase Eight were pretty good for me in terms of shape, pattern and stretchiness.

Cinnamonandcoal · 29/12/2022 10:11

I started the thread! Also I need to learn how to link properly but anyway...

www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4707604-tried-and-tested-clothes-recommendations-for-the-fuller-of-bust?utm_source=thread&utm_medium=share

Please save it and come and share recommendations as you find them.

OP posts:
Pelo22 · 29/12/2022 10:13

Fuller bust bestie
Hey.thecloset

Both on IG

Worklessplaymore · 29/12/2022 12:05

Esprit curve dresses work for me

Edinburghmusing · 29/12/2022 12:06

Oh good thread and following. Nothing to contribute!!

Findyourneutralspace · 29/12/2022 12:10

Any recommendations for T-shirts? I’m 36J and it makes every T-shirt I buy really short. I need to find a bit more length.

Nat6999 · 29/12/2022 14:30

DannydeVitooo that is just plain nasty, she is disabled & uses a wheelchair. She can't help her size as she suffers chronic pain.

DannydeVitooo · 29/12/2022 15:31

I didn’t do a PhD in the woman fgs. Just looked at her grid

astronewt · 29/12/2022 15:37

Sadly Saint Bustier is no more, but have you had a look at Alice Fawke for nice workwear? SB used to stock a lot of Baum und Pfergarten. Vivienne Westwood is also great for boobs, look for it on eBay.

alicefawke.com/

lurchermummy · 29/12/2022 19:09

Following - 34J also and find buying clothes a nightmare especially now I've added a menopausal belly to the mix! I end up with everything too big on the shoulders.

lurchermummy · 29/12/2022 19:14

And to add - the problem with being say a 34J as opposed to a bigger size is that the proportions are wrong - if you size up to say a size 20, the boobs fit but everything else doesn't - shoulders, arms, etc. Its not just the waist. I can actually sew but even finding patterns which work is a nightmare and I don't have space in my house to have a sewing machine set up, and to cut fabric etc, not to mention being busy working etc. There is absolutely definitely a gap in the market - having big boobs doesn't automatically make you "plus sizes" and wanting to look like Hattie Jaques.

clementinejuiceforxmas · 29/12/2022 19:18

People saying just take it in at the waist are trying to be helpful but have no idea tbh
Everything about a garment is often wrong - the size of the arm holes (showing the bra, my personal pet hate!), the length of the torso from neck to waist etc.
My tip is go for curve ranges if you can & even in the smaller end of the sizing as these are cut better for curves, eg buying blazers. Also soft stretch fabrics as pp suggested
Also Elomi for bikinis

Worklessplaymore · 29/12/2022 19:28

For everything that's too big on the shoulders, I take them to a skilled local woman who does alterations. Each alteration costs between £20 to £30. It's worth it for a coat you are going to wear year after year. She sometimes puts the odd dart in here and there to avoid a tent effect.

Findyourneutralspace unfortunately I think the style ATM is very boxy and short. I hate a gap too! I've had some success with Long Tall Sally t-shirts but the cut is not very curvy. Next have some called "longline". And you can find the odd extra long t shirt in Marks.

Worklessplaymore · 29/12/2022 19:31

So agree clementinejuiceforxmas. I have narrow shoulders and fairly slim arms and a big open neck and arm holes look wrong on me.

GetOffTheRoof · 29/12/2022 19:39

Matalan, M&S, Primark all do longer body ladies tops - I have lots of vest tops from Primark for example which work well.

Look for "longline" as a search term online.

OnceAgainWithFeeling · 29/12/2022 21:18

GetOffTheRoof · 29/12/2022 19:39

Matalan, M&S, Primark all do longer body ladies tops - I have lots of vest tops from Primark for example which work well.

Look for "longline" as a search term online.

I try to avoid sweatshops.

Cinnamonandcoal · 29/12/2022 21:29

Agree, taking in at the waist is fine if you just have to go up one size, but there's a limit to how much is possible with more than that. I'm short and have not much space between my boobs and shoulders anyway so often have too much space there even on things that are the right size.

OP posts:
FurAndFeathers · 29/12/2022 21:39

OnceAgainWithFeeling · 29/12/2022 21:18

I try to avoid sweatshops.

So where do you shop that caters to fuller busted women?
constructive suggestions appreciated!

JaceLancs · 29/12/2022 21:52

I’m a busty hourglass - not as big as you but a GG or H cup
For dresses I love Ralph Lauren, Bombshell or some phase eight styles
I always go for v neck or low round or boat neck styles
They are quite hard to find but raglan sleeves for coats and jackets avoid the whole too big on the shoulder issue - I love vintage jaeger