How to dress when menopause triples your bra size and adds 2 stone

[Monr0e]

Good morning, I'm feeling very low today. I had a trip out to the theatre last night (Blood Brothers - amazing) and getting ready just brought home how little clothes I have and how crap I feel in the few things I do own.

Over the past couple of years I've gone from a size 12 to a size 14/16, but the biggest change has been my boobs which have gone from a 34DD to a 36H.Thank you menopause

I massively struggle to find anything I feel comfortable in, any tops and jumpers, I always feel like a big wall of boob up top. Or I have to get larger sizes to accommodate them and feel even bigger than I am.

I don't have a massive budget, but would love to have just a few basics, a decent pair of jeans, wide leg pants and some tops and knitwear that don't make me feel awful when wearing them.

I am meeting friends tomorrow for lunch and another show and at this point I just don't want to go. Can anyone advise where to look or how to dress when you're top heavy or suggest some items? Thank you 👚👗👖

Watching....

MENOPAUSE TRIPLES YOUR BRA SIZE?!?
I had no idea!
Omg, I'm peri and just bought 6 new bras!

Send them back. You'll be busting out of those (mainly round your armpit sadly).

I am browsing party wear thinking exactly the same. Put on 2 stone in 6 months mainly around my waist. Wish it was my boobs! Don't have a clue what to wear. So annoying.

I try and wear v necks if I can to stop "the shelf" i hate it, i also buy some jumpers a size up so they are a roomier, I buy full bras so no balconette etc and I wear the straps a bit looser.

Ok, triples may be a slight exaggeration. Slight. But it certainly feels like it. And it doesn't happen to everyone. I have friends who are sailing through menopause with no weight gain or Katie Price boobs, unfortunately, I'm not one of them.

V necks are a good shout. I also prefer a wide sleeve / bat wing jumper as they also seem to sit better across the wall of chest area.

I'll happily share mine, would love to chop half off and donate them.

I feel the same, I have some lovely clothes that I’ve held on to, you know, for when I diet… do I just admit defeat and do a mass charity shop clear out? My fear is I just keep expanding 🤣

All of this! All of it.

I got a couple of good triumph bras, which help with the massive boobshelf (high sides to contain the spread) - they take me down a dress size visually.

Also wearing a lot of shirts - automatic v neck and seem to help, but some interest (not fussy). All my trousers now seem to have elasticated waists, but trying to keep a bit on-trend/classic. Wrap style tops seem to help give illusion of a waist.

it's really hard to find things with all the boxy styles, and often I just seem to look like a sofa.

As for dressing up, I am flumoxed. So many beautiful dresses, so few that fit. 😫

Anything that distracts really, I can't wear stretchy materials now .it just clings and bunches and no polo/roll necks . I didn't know this happened nobody really tells you, 😕

Tbf i am maybe a stone over weight now so not huge amounts but my shape totally changed.

I feel you. I have gone from a 32 B to a 34 E! I blame HRT.
Have a look at the Phase 8 Christina jumper. It's a batwing style.

Well this is bad news, as I'm just heading into peri and I'm a 34HH base size. I'll look forward to trying to find a K/L cup 😂

High sided bra. Game-changer 😁

I’m already a KK and not at peri…

Not everyone experiences their breasts growing as a result of perimenopause. However, for many yes, it's a thing, particularly for those with dense breast tissue which it turns to fat. Sadly, it's a common thing for many during perimenopause as fluctuating hormone levels can trigger it. Additionally, HRT is often incorrectly prescribed and this too can add to increase breast size and more body fat - the latter is also due to insulin resistance, another charming perimenopause side effect not oft discussed. It's also more common to gain weight at the waist as well as stomach and hips. The fat cells in these areas produce oestrogen - this kind of weight gain is the body's way of producing oestrogen that the ovaries can no longer.

For those on HRT, if you're still dealing with ever expanding breasts and weight gain, it's decidedly likely your HRT dosage is incorrect and needs to be recalibrated.

Am in the same boat; gone up to a 16 from a 12/14, and in some sizes even a 16 is pushing it. I have also developed a shelf for a chest; gone are the days when they looked good, it's basically a drooping rectangle that I feel I could balance a pint on. I feel like I should be wearing a tabard and an extra in a Les Dawson sketch!

My other issue is I've banged on weight in the top half of my stomach under my bra band. Previously the weight would go on lower down so easier to dress it, now I can't because everything clings :(

Some barrel leg jeans and high waisted trousers look ok, depending on the cut, but I;m only 5'4 so have to be careful I don't look like sideshow bob. Boxy jumpers are out as they make me look square, polo necks too as its all boob shelf and that's it. For work, I invested in a couple of smart trouser / waistcoat combos from M&S (I work in a relatively have to dress smart office) the trousers always have an elasticated waist and usually wide legged, and the waistcoat gives an illusion of a waist and hides some of the rolls.

I really struggle with casual wear. I used to enjoy putting outfits together and looking good, these days I just put clothes on (if that makes sense?) the difference between wearing and styling I suppose.

In the last 12 months, I've also found that prints / patterns age me, and a lot of stuff that's meant to skim past the bulges actually makes me look bigger than I am. Most of my recent purchases have either been from M&S or for tops / jumpers, Oliver Bonas or White Stuff (their non patterned stuff)

Any recommendations on brand for these?

A game-changing bra would be so helpful. I’ve taken to wearing sports bras as they make me look more like my previous self (less of a shelf and significantly less volume). But you have to wear quite high necked clothes with these. It’s a struggle.

I went from B to D and put on half a stone.

Quality fabric is more important as our lines are less smooth.

I recently bought some wider jeans but in a soft thick not stiff denim and team them with a slightly cropped jumper. I also bought a woollen dress with a very slight flare to the skirt. Hormonal changes made me feel self conscious. Invest in really good undies.

Mine are from M and S. I’ll try to find which one x

Jeans: Levi's rib cage.
No patterns or prints.

Feeli g the solidarity, thank you

I have invested in some decent bra's from bravissimo which certainly help. Unfortunately I haven't yet found a sports bra I can squash these beach balls into.

I'm not on hrt, can't take progesterone so no influence there.

My lovely mum has offered to take me shopping for some bits for my birthday next week, which is amazing but also a bit overwhelming as looking for and trying on clothes can leave me feeling quite low when I think I look like a small caravan in everything.

I'm 5 foot 7, boxy jumpers definitely out. I'll give m&s a go. And try not to sob in the changing rooms.

I know this isn't the point, but someone forgot to let my boobs know. I'm fifty and they appear to be shrinking. Never been bigger than a 30C!