Big Boobs & meno belly - please help me refind my 'look'

[HavingAnOffDAy]

Help! Please.

I'm 46, peri-menopausal, and since lockdown/start of menopause have really lost my way clothing/style wise. I used to be a decent hourglass size 16, but am ore recently an 18.

I've always had a big boobs, and currently measure a 34L so don't have a huge back - it's all up front.

I used to wear a lot of wrap/tea dresses with tights & boots, or jeans & fitted-ish tops, but since the dreaded meno belly started I just don't look or feel right in those styles as I'm only short - 5'3 & a bit ,and really short waisted.

My legs are OK - granted a bit short, and my bum is good, but I just feel all out front & so have ended up in jeans & hoodies/jumpers most days for work & also at weekends.

I'm working on losing weight but just feel so frumpy & shapeless.

Any advice & links to ideas welcome.

Have no advice but am in the same sodding boat. Commiserations! Will follow this post w interest.

I'm another one who sounds very similar to you @HavingAnOffDAy so commenting to bump thread and hopefully attract lots of inspiration ! 🤗

I'm the same. But I now wear skater type dresses they are more flattering and shirt dresses. But over all im now at the point wear I think sod it. This is what I look like now. I do go for soft fabrics tho as I cant stand tight scratchy things.

HRT, good sports bra and exercise. It will change where you store fat, especially running. Couch to 5k maybe?

Thank you. I'm on HRT & have been thinking about running again...I just need to actually do it now that my energy levels are starting to rise again!

Any suggestions for someone that can’t run due to prolapse? Feel embarrassed putting it out there but I can’t manage running. Been walking regularly.

I do spinning classes as I hate running with a passion. Maybe try this or cycling ?

I have a huge meno belly along with skinny limbs. I look like one of those happy Buddhas.

Thanks - I’ll think I will have to get my bike out and give it a going over and include w the walking.

Oh this is me too - same height shape and size right down to the short waist.

I find shirt dresses quite good work wise. Not too flared or long a hem. Wrap dresses used to be my go to and the odd wrap top is still good.

I am learning to love a wide neck actually - wide v or boatneck if I can find them. Maybe a bit drapey. I like this for example (although maybe not this colour way): www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/knitted-wrap-top-pink-red/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4qDrK2tgQMVaYtQBh1NOwsMEAQYCiABEgL94PDBwE

I am also going trouser shopping tomorrow which is bound to be horrific but I'll report back if I do find anything half way useful.

@Einevinefine I have started strength training. Get a buzz from it and am able to tolerate it well with various old dodgy injuries.

Iamthattree thank you. I’m going to order a couple of shirt dresses & see how I get on. Just need them loose enough so my ridiculous boobs aren’t straining the buttons!

Good luck trouser shopping! Would love to see if you end up with something

I'm going back into war dresses for the winter, although they seem hated on here! Brilliant for highlighting boobs, they disguise the overhanging gut and give the illusion of a slightly smaller waist. I'm scaling up my jewellery size too, because my old tiny, delicate necklaces make me look even bigger.

I was an hourglass size 14 until menopause hit a couple of years back. Now I'm a size 20 apple with 38G boobs. Awful.

Similar height/shape and commiserate! I’m 34H and that’s enough of a pain so L sounds tough. I still wear wrap dresses but no longer wear jeans. V neck mini pinafores with no waist also work well on me and shirts with v neck sleeveless jumper and pencil skirts. It’s tricky though.

Also just received parcel from New Look - cord pinafore , worn with M and S satin shirt. V flattering and also geometric black and white shirt dress ditto. V cheap and much nicer than Boden order that I sent back last week.

Another post menopausal apple. All boobs and belly. Look like a pumpkin on two knitting needles.
I''ve just gone loose,floaty and flappy. Fitted shows the bulges. Getting smart flappy trousers for work is a pain though. Lots of bright summery ones but my office is more formal

Could someone link to a shirt dress which works, as I usually avoid button-fronted clothes due to my boobs!

I know this sounds stupid but how do you all know you are peri/menopausal? I am the same age & my body has changed -more stocky round the middle & bigger tum and boobs (straining size12 now) - but how do I know if this relates to menopause or because I’ve snacked/drunk more and moved less since lockdowns?

Strength training for sure. Gets rid of the stomach fat more than anything else, and is important for the bones as we get older

Swing tops that come to your hips and flare out slightly. Asymmetric tops are also good. Straight leg pants or slightly flared to balance you out. Long necklaces or v-necks. Swing tank tops/shell tops under open button ups.
Dresses and tops that hang from the bust.

You are my tribe 😃

To be honest I have always been low maintenance and I like in boyfriend jeans and black tsirts.

I rarely wear makeup, think I was last Christmas I put some on !
I don't watch to mask or hide how I look, if that makes sense, I'm proud of me, and I want to be me and look like me, not throw trinkets like jewellery, fussy clothes I can't relax in, paint make up on. I am how I am and I don't want to look untrue, if that waffles on a bit?

I know because I've not had a period since 2020

@learieonthewildmoor - dresses that hang from the bust are disastrous for those of us with huge boobs. - even with meno belly . You look twice the size !

V-neck midi dresses are my friend.

Running helps my legs & bum but boobs are 34ff & have a pot belly.

Low carb has helped lose a bit of weight.

So I am back.

I tried on a purple shirt dress and green wrap top in oliver bonas. Shirt dress was too big both in terms of fit but also poofy sleeves which swamped me.

The wrap top was too low but it had a collar which suited me well. I may go back and retry it.

In JL I tried on some quite neat slim fit trousers - they fit very well but didn't flatter at all around the tummy. Then a snakeskin pleated skirt which I quite liked and dark red shirt dress with a tie at the waist which should have looked good but I think was too bulky (plus not my colour).

I eyed up a shirt print leopard print dress in H&M - cotton and everything! I may go back for that too. I would need to belt it I think.

Trouser wise, tried a few pairs in M&S (specifically work trousers). They have a high waisted tapered pair in a thick stretchy ponte type fabric which are new in apparently. They were pretty good actually but much as I hate to do it, I think I am going to size up to give the gut a bit more room. I didn't like any of the wide legged ones as they sort of clung to the gut too much.

So a mixed trip but some ideas

I always size up and add a belt which I fasten at the smallest part of me. I think because I've accepted this is what I look like now and im going with it im not so critical of the stuff I wear. I find if I can get a shirt dress with a bit of stretch in it, it helps with my large bust. Im also doing strength exercises the doctor sent me a link.