What kinds of tops look good on busty middle aged women?

[OhFreedom]

I have disproportionately big boobs. In my youth I always had a flat stomach and small waist, so my go-to was just fitted/tight t-shirts/tops - never really had to think about it. But now I'm middle aged, I'm stumped, as I don't want to wear clingy/tight tops any more, but baggy things don't look good because of the big boobs.
I'm a size 10, with 32E chest.
What do others wear?
TIA

I wish I knew the answer to this!

I think sort of in between. Not too tight. Not too baggy. Block, dark colours on top. Structurally interesting tops. High quality thick material. It should skim but not cling to the middriff.
I like a bat wing, a puffy sleeve, an off the shoulder, a boat neck, a half zip in a sweater works.
I know everyone says v necks but I personally feel frumpy and dated in that shape.

@olivehaters I'm not really a fan of a v necks either, unless they're especially nice IYSWIM. I think the halfway house sounds a good idea. I have a feeling expensive brands may be the way, but I don't have much money right now, so struggling... it was so easy when a tight H&M t-shirt was fine...
Thanks for the post!

It’s really tricky. I look for tops that have a bit of shaping at the waist. They then skim your curves without clinging. I’m planning to experiment with taking in the side seam at the waist.

Also divide up the chest vertically ( eg with open cardigan in different colour) or horizontally. Tops with zip neck are good.

some brands :
Pour Moi (at Next) .

Fairlie Curved. Weird website, claims everything is designed to fit a larger bust. Has a few basics eg t- shirts.

Bravissimo used to do clothes to fit a larger bust, and they still come up on Vinted or eBay.

Shirts/blouses but with a vest top underneath so I can keep the top two or three buttons undone without flashing too much cleavage

My boobs are bigger than yours but I love fitted top worn with looser bottoms. It brings back the hourglass shape that I naturally had in my youth

It’s tricky. Anything that buttons I find hangs off my shoulders if they’re able to fasten or fit on the shoulders but don’t do up, I’m 36GG. I can’t seem to manage wrap tops unless I discreetly fasten a safety pin inside to stop one boob popping out, usually at the worst moment! Anything without some waist shaping makes me look like a fat barrel as it just hangs from the bust. This is why I mostly live in knitwear unless it’s boiling hot, luckily a rare event here on the very north high moors.

It's tricky though as we age as even when very slim, the flesh is different so there are bulges on the back where the bra is and the stomach isn't as taut (on me anyway). So tight tops just look a bit trashy on me.

It's such a dilemma as I prefer elegant and even slightly androgynous styles but boobs just make everything look matronly. Then if it's tight it is always slightly sexual and in a slightly yuck way to me now I'm older 😔

I've been on this journey too.

I have this wrap top (other similar colours and designs on this site) which works well with trousers for work or more casually with jeans.
https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/button-knitted-wrap-top-in-teal/

I've always liked wrap tops but now I have bigger boobs and a less defined waist in middle age I'm finding wrap tops like this one that have a bit more structure to them (as opposed to stretchy cotton) work better. If I'm wearing it for work I tend to wear a vest top underneath for less cleavage.

I also like blouses that have a scarf neck or layered effect going on. Less fitted than a wrap top but when tucked into trousers still create a shape without drawing attention to the boobs or clinging to back rolls.

Photo below as an example of what I mean.

Whilst I don't like all their stuff https://onehundredstars.co.uk have some nice pieces that work for figures that are top heavy.

Apologies if these seem expensive as you say money is tight. I am finding in middle age that fast fashion rarely works bar basics like vest tops. It's better to have less clothes that cost a bit more per piece. That said if you can work out what style and fabrics work for you then bargains can probably be found on Vinted/Ebay or in charity shops,

I am size 14 with 36g boobs

layering - things with a seam or line with an open panel at the front - this cuts vertically the shelf of boob!

vest top or t-shirt with open shirt over the top

vest top or camisoles with kimono jackets for a slightly more ‘going out’ look - I have several from ‘one hundred stars’

For work I wear straight leg trousers and a sweater which skims not clings or loose shifts, like boxy dresses, but often with a smart cardigan or thin jersey blazer over the top.

this will sound weird but trust me - batwing tops are very flattering as they don’t cling at the side of the boobs, also kimono style dresses or ‘cape’ dresses work well for smart occasions

I really like that blouse in your post, OvaHere, but can’t seem to find it in your link. Can you say where it’s from, please?

V or tie- neck blouses; structurally interesting tops /large sleeves; stuff frills; appliqué (sometimes); softer peplums; blazers

Other than v-neck, none of those are suitable. Why add volume where you don't need it. No ties, frills, embellishments etc.

I try to stick with plain, slightly fitted, or draped, v's or scoops, good fabrics. I am a size 12 32HH so don't try to hide them honestly, cos I can't, but wear something that flatters and gives a waist and a shape. Wearing a good bra helps with back fat, so ribbed and shearing also a go-to

I find quite tight lowish necked tops with an over shirt or a fitted hoody over the top works well

It's this one.

https://www.nicolefarhi.com/products/celadon-gina-scarf-neck-blouse

Peplums give me my waist back and balance out my boobs by adding to my hips.

Joseph ribkoff zippy up tops are flattering.

Thank you all - some great ideas here.

Wider bottom half - wide trousers, with pockets (cargos, etc.) - is also definitely useful to me. Balances out the boobs.

How do people feel about blazers? I don't have one, but am wondering whether they're a good investment item as they can also be waist emphasisers, and break up the boob area?

Scoop Neck Long Sleeve Tee Black - Women's Tops | Saint + Sofia® UK (saintandsofia.com)

Is this s good shape, or does it not have enough waist? I happen to have Saint and Sofia vouchers, so trying to shop entirely from them at the moment (which is tricky...)

I'm your size and blazers work fine for me.

Otherwise, I wear v necks (deep) or scoop necks when I can get hold of them. I know it's boring, and it's quite difficult to get ones that skim rather than cling.

I wear looser jeans but not wide leg with them. Wide legs overwhelm me somehow.

Not very inspirational I know😀

I have one similar to this but fron Zara. I wear it to death. Cheap too, and no need to iron.

Agree with @DomesticatedSavage blouse not fully buttoned up with vest top underneath. I have short sleeve ones for summer and long sleeve for winter. A fitted denim shirt looks good too.

Fitted, boat/slash neck, plain colours, sturdy/stretchy fabrics, along the lines of this: https://www.vivienofholloway.com/women-c70/tops-c12/slash-neck-top-c215

Scoop neck also generally fine.

Scoop, v-neck or boat neck.

M&S do a jackets with ruched shoulders in a few colours. I bought an oatmeal/beige colour that goes with quite a few things. Might not be to everyones taste but worn with wide trousers I felt balanced out at the top and bottom which draws less attention to boobs and tum.