Blazers for short, fat people with big boobs

[Bookishnerd]

Help please!

I got a new job last year and it’s got a much smarter dress code than I’m used to. I always wear smart dresses, but this role requires a blazer when I’m on site.

I’ve bought loads and have yet to find one that really suits my shape. So I’ve got a cupboard full of mid-range, lovely things, and yet I’m reluctant to wear them because they just make me feel uncomfortable. Issues vary - either too tight round the middle, or too gapey at the boobs, or they just don’t hang right.

I’m 5’1, size 20, big boobs. Hourglass figure, just a bit more sand than I’d like.

Would love a blazer to accentuate the good bits and hide the bad bits, and I don’t mind spending money if I can guarantee a good fit.

Any recommendations?

I’d suggest finding your best local alterations service and having anything gaping or not hanging right tailored to fit you properly. (And maybe sell / give away anything that’s too small and can’t be taken out at the seams.)

I'm similar but slightly taller. Size 18 currently but most of it boobs and stomach. I bought this jersey boyfriend style jacket in the January sales. It's quite loose fitting yet quite flattering. I wear it a lot with trousers and dresses.

It was from M&S but by The White Company- obviously it's no longer available but you could try looking for similar styles.

The agricultural/horsey type brands tend to be more accommodating of fuller figures have a look at Rydale/Joules / Hoggs of Fife etc

I found, As larger lady generally, that either short, unstructured blazer or a much longer length to well below hips or even mid thigh worked best . Both with lapel and single button . The v shaped is needed to soften bust. Better though to not do up most of the time. I also had a couple of loose unstructured, drapy, waterfall front long length ones that worked really well (think soft fake suede )

round necks did me no favours - a massive block of stiff fabric across bust added like 3 sizes it seemed. On hips didn’t work either, but then I’m very apple shaped.

I also used to wear a lot of jersey or knitted long line cardigans- not your standard “granny” ones. But ones with more structure, lapels and maybe a tie at waste that i couod tie at back so give appearance as cinched in waste - these were all around knee length I’d wear over wider trousers. I travelled a lot (planes) so jersey separates were my standard go to for travel- no ironing needed

id also say scarves draped in v- shape were my friends with jersey to dress up and look professional. Have a lovely collection of scarf I could pack and then put on with a plain black jersey separates and look very polished without much effort when travelling. They’d add that focal point away form bust without adding bulkiness (we’re talking silk, Devore, chiffon not wool or linen)

This is all really helpful, thank you.

And I know it seems obvious now that you’ve said it @DisneyHag but I don’t know why I didn’t consider alterations! Makes total sense and I’m used to getting things hemmed to fit but a bit of a blind spot for me in other areas.

About 15 years ago the shops were full of short, curvy jackets which really suited a bosomy figure. Typically they had 2-3 buttons, perhaps a shawl collar. Really flattering and feminine. Then recently they were all long straight huge things with one low button, that only work with wide shouldered, slim hipped, flat chested bodies. So I recommend that you look carefully at websites, and check Ebay and Vinted, look for 2-3 buttons and a curvy cut.

For example, this is expensive but illustrates the shape I mean:

https://shop.edeandravenscroft.com/collections/womens-suiting/products/juliet-tailored-shawl-wool-crepe-jacket

this is worth a look;

https://www.hobbs.com/product/mel-jacket/0123-4500-9045L00-BLACK.html#cgid=workwear-clothing-suits-co-ord&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0123-4500-9045L00-BLACK&pos=20

and this;
https://www.hobbs.com/product/sami-jacket/0224-4006-7829L00-WARM-PLUM.html#cgid=workwear-clothing-suits-co-ord&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0224-4006-7829L00-WARM-PLUM&pos=10

I don’t deny altering a jacket will be more expensive than taking up a hem - but it should be worth it.

Hobbs, without a doubt.

www.hobbs.com/product/mel-jacket/0224-4500-9045L00-NAVY.html#navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=workwear-clothing-suits-jackets-blazers&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=size&prefv1=20&pid=0224-4500-9045L00-NAVY&pos=0

You could also buy one too big and have the waist altered. That can work.

I never do up my jackets, I wear a vest or floaty top underneath, usually the same colour as the trousers, and then just let the jacket be loose. This stops issues with having to get a huge jacket with big shoulders just to do up round the front. I think of jackets as an extra layer rather than the main top itself.

This is a brand I discovered in Italy but they have a shop in London & deliver.

expensive but very tailored & shorter sleeves which suits me at 5ft 2

i buy in the sales

www.luisaspagnoli.com/en/gb/clothing/jackets-%26-blazers

Have you tried the M&S ruched sleeve blazer? They make any outfits feel a bit more formal. I have a few and regularly wear them with jeans and a smart t-shirt for the office.

Have you tried the Whistles jersey blazer? They do it every year, and it is a short, fitted style.

https://www.whistles.com/product/slim-jersey-jacket-30907.html#cgid=Jersey_Jackets_Clothing_WW&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=slim-jersey-jacket-30907&pos=0 Looks like there is an offer on too so you could consider getting a few different colours.

Haha @EBoo80 !

I was wrong @Bookishnerd White Stuff are still selling the jersey jacket I own for £34 in their sale section available in size 20 and 24.

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/1994/daphne-smart-long-sleeve-jersey-blazer/GREY_MLT

It’s such a classic! I only have one colour and now tempted by more…