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 👚👗👖

@Notonthestairs thank you

A decent tailor is your best friend here. Having high street dresses tailored improves the look like nothing else.

The same thing has happened to me OP. A decent bra and clothes that don't hang from your boobs. Wide legged jeans work well to balance things out.

Has anybody ordered from Cider before? Their ads keep popping up and they look like they have some nice items, wide leg trousers and some lovely jumpers.

I went from 34D to 36G.
I hate them. I treated myself to bras from Rigby and Peller this month and have always bought good well fitting bras. But I'm still 36G at the end of the day.
Difficult not to look matronly.

This m&s bra is my current favourite. Preferred to all my bravissimo bras at more than twice the price!!

The good thing is that you're 5'7" so have the height to carry the weight.

Always go for wide leg trousers - the width balances you out.

Skim over your bust and stomach but dont hide them.

Use shoulder pads if you have narrow shoulders - these will minimise your bust by comparison.

Choose v-neck jumpers with set-in sleeves, anything else will broaden you. Wear a white high-necked t-shirt underneath to cover your skin if needed. This also brightens the face.

Try to choose jackets and coats that are shaped slightly, so that they give the impression that you go in in the middle.

I remember 12 years ago when i went through this, my bust ballooned seemingly overnight but I still had a thigh gap.

Sports bras are easy at a H!
panache sculptress
Elomi
bravissimo own brand
Shock absorber

elomi Matilda bras are v comfortable for every day

I’ll find the jumpers I like, they’re not expensive but good for every day

These. They’re nice and long too for some reason labelled as tunic but they’re not

https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/ti824

they do a jumper but it’s a lot shorter

https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/cf005

I also have these cardigans in every colour as they look good with a top and jeans or wide leg trousers

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/knitwear/black-stitchy-knit-balloon-sleeve-cardigan/p/924461601

These t shirts have a good neckline and are long enough (I’m 5ft 10)

I'm thinking of buying this from Next - Black/White Monochrome Stripe V-Neck Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
https://www.next.co.uk/style/SU670960/AM3761

My back size hasn't changed, but my boobage went more dense when I was in HRT so looked bigger and got spillage. Off it again now, and boobage has softened but still the same volume. I am a 32HH. I tend towards v necks, or soft swing jumpers. Zara satin shirts as a pp, and linen shirts in the summer. Bravissimo Millie bras.

Contrary to expectation, I also have a number if very fitted, ribbed tops, V or scoop, which actually make you look thinner than you are, although the boobs are all out front. Flattering though. I also only wear skinny jeans...... Don't care about fashion.

I suppose I shouldn't complain about being only an E. But I miss my B cups.

As everyone has said, v neck tops are your friend. I prefer to wear a thin v neck jumper with a thermal long sleeved T underneath as opposed to a thick jumper with a thin T.

Wide leg jeans or trousers help with balance and try tucking your top into them to create a waist. Also cross over, wrap style tops and dresses can look good.

I've just bought 4 Demure bras by Fantasie. It's taken me ages to find something that is comfy and fits well (I've gone from a 32 E to a 34 G and a size 10 to 12 over the last few years). It's got a slight minimising effect and has a good uplift. Bloody expensive though!!

For me, the extra weight is all around my middle, and like @LittleMy77its also on the top half of my stomach. I’m a totally different shape to when I was younger, and I think my thighs are actually slimmer (mainly due to muscle loss I think).

I’m still wearing the skinny jeans / longer top look as this seems to be most flattering on my body shape.

How tall are you @Jugendstiel? As your clothing style does sound comfy and flattering but I fear would make me look wider, as I’m quite short.

Same for me @ABeerInTheSunshineMakesMeHappy My thighs ate so thin now and my bum is as flat ad a pancake but my chest is still enormous.

Just wait until 20 years after menopause and most of your body weight transfers from your thighs and your bum to your boobs and your middle. And hair moves from your head to your chin!

Also forgot this website, their plain t shirts are really useful
i have the v neck ones and had to size up but that might just be me!
https://fairliecurved.com/

@WithDiamonds where's your woollen dress with a slightly flared skirt from? Have been on the look out for one

Doesn't make much sense as less oestrogen wouldn't make your boobs bigger, would they? Maybe in conjunction with the menopause weight gain if someone has a tendency to put weight on the books particularly?

And then a gain of two stone sounds like a lot just for menopause too. If she hasn't already I'd urge OP to go to to the doctor to see if anything else is going on. Can HRT help with this? I've heard of HRT itself causing weight gain though...

Have you got a link to it?

I am so glad you posted this!
I've gone from a 14 at 40 to a 16 at 48 and the weight has gone on my middle and bust.

Was a 32g, now a 34JJ/K and have found my top half so difficult to dress.

I'm on hrt and have reduced my dose slightly as the higher the dose the bigger my boobs,... But if I don't take enough my symptoms come back. Feel like I can't win!

I've always had big boobs, in my 20s/30s I was always a 32f even when slimmer.

I've found Elomi full cup bras are good. I also find tops with dropped shoulders more flattering. I don't suit v necks as hate showing my chest skin, but do like wider or boat necks ..

And for me the weight gain and boob size both happened when I started hrt,.... But I cannot take the incessant migraines, nightsweats, hot flushes and brain fog without hrt. ☹️

long-line tops, no patterns, dark bottoms

I sympathise OP. I tend to wear this kind of thing, but I’m a casual dresser:

black jeans

www.levi.com/GB/en_GB/clothing/women/jeans/ribcage-bell-jeans/p/A75030007

v neck
Emmeline Wool Blend V-Neck Jumper - Ash Marl | Baukjen

short jacket www.zara.com/uk/en/quilted-jacket-with-patch-pockets-p08372279.html?v1=457739917&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11260393417&gbraid=0AAAAADqbk7ZtBm2lA0vOttEmL2S2GTUwW&gclid=CjwKCAiA_orJBhBNEiwABkdmjAMpnnPT0IjhKbqm4reiiS9dsHkrXuVjn7nPMi-xMJqLdRPWR0tlARoCdR4QAvD_BwE

Omg. Yes the boobs. I lost some weight a while back but where in years gone by the first place to lose was the tits...nope!! The hboobs continued to grow. Sad thing is they're not even nice boob's. Just some matronly soft squidgy shit that adds inches in a totally frumpy way.
Ive also gone from.a general 10 to a 14/16. My mum tum/apron is like an additional mono boob these days, just something for my sad tits to rest on.
I work.out so hard and have issues with eating(not eating) but that's a whole other thread.
Ive just come home from city break and felt vile and.miserable. Nothing felt comfy nor nice. I looked like a fat blob. It doesnt help that im.not a normal height...I just hit 5ft.
It takes me ages to get ready to go anywhere because I empty the wardrobe eveeytime trying stuff on and my self confidence is through the floor. I have such a busy few weeks coming up socially but have "nothing" to wear and considering cancelling and staying home in my PJs.
Sorry to hijack. I am reading with hope and interest.