flattering clothes for the ample busted

[GettinTrimmer]

My bust measures 43in, I am hoping to reduce that as I lose weight, but at my slimmest I am still a DD cup. Can anybody recommend flattering clothes? I know to avoid polo necks from watching Trinny and Susannah ages ago! Does anyone have more tips?

P.S. When I say flaunt them, I don't mean show 3 inches of cleavage and shove it in people's faces - just wear a great bra, dress your boobs nicely, and don't hide them under acres of fabric, and you will have many an appreciative fan (including jealous flat-chested women ) without anyone ogling you.

SQUARE necklines and EMPIRE line dresses/tops/jumpers etc!!!!!

Oh and thoroughly agree with Bravissimo recommendations.

Agree with Toddlershambles re work clothes. I have to look very smart for work and with my hobbit-like stature and 36FFs (if I remember rightly) it's hard. Getting the right fabric and investing in dresses and jackets is the way ahead.

I would add that you have to accept that most of the high street shops just don't carry much stock that fits on the top half. I now head for M&S, Gap, Hobbs and if I'm feeling flush then Jaeger.

WIll also add a cheer for bravissimo. Great fitting service and will advise on the cuts of different makes- you can end up with a different size in one to another.

Getting measured and trying on bras at Rigby and Peller was one of the most lovely experiences of my life - calm, beautiful surroundings lovely undies, a doorman..... bliss. It all felt very special and I ended up with some very pretty bras. Would go back if I could afford the trip. Must admit this was before the wide availability of larger bras on line.

I'd recommend looking for lower cut tops (either scoop or v-necks) and then layering if you feel in danger of escaping when you look down. Anything except high necks - which just create the impression of an enormous ski jump plunging down from neck to somewhere close to your waist.

lol at skijump - that is exactly what high necks make me look like!

for all of you out there hating your enormous boobs and considering reduction, please think carefully. I am 14 weeks post reduction ( was 34 HH, 5ft 4 and a size 14, now a 36D) and it has been a nightmare, i reaseached and pondered for 10 yrs abouthtis op , and spent £6000 on it an dhave had ad readful time. the surgeon has made my boobs lovely and small and pert but the after care has been shocking and i have leaking open wounds which wont heal on both breast so they are swathered in bandages so actually boob+bandage about the same size as origingal! the only thought that keeps me going is the large compesation claim will be spent sorting it all out and then i can buy loads of pretty bras

Ashley, I am 36 DD and I wear polonecks and would tuck a shirt in to a skirt. I think 36 DD is not actually that big if you are tall and are wearing an uplifting bra.

But it is still too big for some other clothing styles - cropped cardigans, smocks, little vest tops, loud patterns.

I love my M&S Supima cotton vests (from underware dept) I wear them under v necks or shirts open to bust line so you dont get that button-pulling look.

A good well-fitting bra does far more for you than any top you would wear over it.

I use Bravissimo, Rigby & Pellar, JL quite regularily. I also recently bought a bra in Leia and was happy with the service & fitting I got from there too. And IMO the best bra fitters are the ones the dont actually measure you. I have also bought from little independent shops whenever I have come across one (on holiday etc)

If you have never had a fitting by a "proper" brafitter before then I would recommend going to one. Then you will know what you need to look for when trying bras on. (and gives you somewhere to start when ordering online)

I was 32e for years (size 14 but very small back) I am now 34g/h & size 16 (still got baby weight) When I was 38wks pregnant with ds2, I went to buy a nursing bra from Debenhams (nearest store other than m&s for me to buy from) & was measured a 38! The assistant then handed me a B cup to try on! FFS My first bra at 12 was a B cup!! I ended up fitting myself, using the knowledge I had gained from shopping at the other stores with properly trained staff.

Bravissimo would be the best from all your helpful recommendations, I've just looked at a video on their website of someone who thought she was a 36DD, but was actually a 32FF. The difference in the right bra was amazing.

Does John Lewis come a close second? Anybody any experience of their fitting? I can easily get there.

I am going to look also for an independent lingerie shop around Southampton.

I can't get to a Bravissimo store until we have a weekend break in London or something, unless I ring and speak to them for advice.

mummydoc I hope your boobs get better soon. What size were you before?

YoMoJo - x posted with you! I will speak to someone at Bravissimo, but how do you find John Lewis?

JL depends on who you get but they are usually ok, but it would give you a good idea. I always buy Freya bras in JL as they seem to suit my bust shape best.

I always pop my top back on when trying on bras & then jump about a bit, raise my arms up, bend over, just to check it is comfortable & fits well - when i brought my sports bra I even jogged on the spot & did some star jumps! Lord knows what they thought I was doing in the changing room Any doubts i dont bother buying it anymore. Sometimes the size can be right but not the style.

Mega Thanks for your feedback about John Lewis. love your comments about minimiser bras! I used to wear them, but then I put on weight and outgrew the ones I owned.

GettinTrimmer - I live near Southampton! and there is a great little independent shop in Botley (Hidden Agenda) - and they've recently opened their second shop in Romsey if that's any good to you. The owner is really good and stocks all the good brands - even if you just go in there to get fitted properly that would be a start. JL are also good in Soton (scary but v. efficient older lady fitted me for nursing bras 4 years ago!). DO NOT go to M&S in Hedge End - they are worse than useless in terms of measuring accurately.

A word about Freya vs Panache. I discovered from Bravissimo in Cov Garden many years ago that there are two "types" of boob - one with more volume up top, and one with more volume down below. I can't remember which way round it works, but a lot of Freya bras have a seam across the centre that basically cuts each boob in two and creates the double boob thing, so if that doesn't work for you try Panache as they are the opposite! I swear by the Panache Tango balconette bra - it's the only style I wear because it gives such a great shape. Bearing in mind I was a 36 G before DS1, went up to an L (!) cup when bfing, and I'm now a 34 GG.... bra buying can be a bit fraught, but I would also second a) getting sized properly, b) finding a make and style that suits you, and then c) getting on Ebay and buying that make/style brand new and much cheaper...

TopSOP I am only a short drive away from Botley, I'm in Fareham. Thank you so much, I will go there over the next couple of days

I am not an avid shopper so I avoid West Quay, but would brave a scary lady for a good fit. My bras are embarrassingly old and probably ill fitting.

DH looked incredulous when I said it could be worth going to Bravissimo in Brighton for a bra fitting - they just don't get it do they?

Re John Lewis I always get fitted there now and have had great service.
Am pg at the moment but before that I wore mostly Fantasie and Charnos, both stocked by JL. I was a 30E, now I think I'm a 34F or something, have another 2 months of being pg and then a year or more of BF so aaaaaaaaaaaaages till I can go and buy pretty bras again .
Before my first proper fitting I think I'd been wearing 34B or something equally unsuitable for years due to rubbish M&S. A proper fitting literally changed my life (and this was about 13 or 14 years ago!).

he might not get the need to travel to brighton for underwear

i promise you he will get it when you have new sexy bras that fit you

I got fitted as a 34 F at Rigby and Peller - bought one bra there - then went online and bought from figleaves - so that was much cheaper! I also buy from Bravissimo.

Anything high necked looks bad on me... I usually wear scoop necked tops or v-necks with a vest top underneath.

I sometimes buy clothes from Bravissimo - their dressses are very good! Found the suit very poor quality though...

I too wear bootcut or flared trousers - I have v. skinny calves (buy from duo boots) and need the flare to balance me out a bit!

Hello
Some fab advice here! I agree with all above and just want to add that a good fitting is essential. You need a good fitter- some of the independent lingerie shops are excellent.
I detest M&S fitting for us bigger boobed!!

My friend has a masters degree in lingerie and has worked for years in the industry and she thankfully enlightened me in the correct fitting.
A few pointers- A good bra should fit around the ribcage snugly- the front bit should be flat against the front of your chest. Your breasts should comfortably fit in the cups. The wire should be against your ribs at the side, not touching breast tissue and not digging into the armpit. When you try on for the first time, adjust the straps to fit you. You should do it up at the back on the loosest clip- it will stretch over time and you will need to do it up on the tighter clips as it stretches.

I have now been happily supported for years and it really slims you out- elongates your midriff.

Even though I am really confident with fitting I still always drive 10 miles to a bra shop I know and trust. I get the shop owner to fit me and check the bra- every style fits differently so you need an expert eye. Don't be shy. Oh and you will need to budget £20-£30 for a bra!!! If you really need to buy by mailorder then get a couple of different sizes and styles so you can compare the fit and return those that don't fit.

Just get one or two at a time- Handwash them with TLC and dry on the radiator in the night.

Oh and one last thing- if you can bear to- dress like the gorgeous lady you are- skirts from places like boden with patterns on them, or dresses.

Oh and I bet you're not a DD if they feel that big to you- come back and let us know how you get on.

Loving this thread. Havent laughed so much in ages.

Its so true about the minimiser bras, I had them back in the 90s and they push your boobs under your armpits, how can that be good in any way???

Another loud vote for Bravissimo, they have a fantastic range of styles and best of all they understand what its like to be blessed in the boobage area. They sell my favourite ever bra: panache Tango, for me it is perfect in every way.

Agree with the layering and wearing of v necks 100%, also the one colour top and bottom and wearing of cardis to cut the shape down.

For those of you pregnant I found a fantastic invention in Blooming Marvellous, you can probably get them in good haberdashery depts too... a bra band extender! I found that for many weeks during my pregnancy my cup size stayed the same but my ribs kept expanding, and this little marvel means you can stay in the same bra but just extend the back as you get bigger. I think it would work just as well the other way for people losing weight...
hth

I know it's prob been said but nothing with horizontal stripes or fussy detail accross the chest! I wear alot of v neck dark/black tops with a hint of colour vest underneath. Cardigans left open or very drapey jersey type cardis! Got a nice one from Next that I almost live in! Stuff that makes you look longer so less 'ample' up top is good.

Fantasie bras are very good for large busts. Debenhams have really improved their fitting and they have a massive range of bras for larger cup sizes, including the Fantasie range and if you get to a store while the sales are on you can get larger cup sizes at a fraction of the full price!

John Lewis are also pretty good for fittings and also stock the Fantasie ones and unlike a lot of the larger sized bras they are actually very pretty and in nice colours. I remember when big boobs meant having the choice of black, white or beige bras!

I am not sure that all Bravissimo stores fit properly as IME I have found they tend to measure me as being smaller than I am. They are good for having brought out the range of clothes for more ample bosoms - long overdue IMO.
As for La Senza - do not go there for a proper fitting. I went there after having been in maternity bras for ages and even before we went in when I mentioned I thought I was probably an H cup, the assistants looked at each other as if I was some freak of nature! The woman told me I was an F fitting (I've not been less than a GG since I was in my 20s so this was unlikely), I said are you sure? she said yes and brought me a bra that barely covered my nipples
Useless!

I agree that v-necks are the way to go (saw Gok Wan's tips on that) and I find shopping less stressful now because when I'm clothes shopping, if it doesn't have a v-neck I don't even look twice at it! Saves me loads of time in the shops!

Good bras! I love Fantasie ones, they are comfy and have good uplift. John Lewis and House of Frazer do them.

I like scoop neck tops, and no patterns. Uniqlo are good for plain scoop necks. IMO they are quite hard to find.

Loving this thread I agree with everyone else that Bravissimo is fantastic, they are so good at measuring properly and making sure you get the right fit. I get my underwear and swimwear from there.

John Lewis are fairly good but as I'm a 30F (I have a tiny back) they rarely have anything in my size.

M&S is crap, I got measured by a matronly woman in her 60s who tried to put me in a 36B which I could barely get on, I was so worried it was going to ping off and hit her in the face. She then insisted that it was a perfect fit despite the fact it was like a nipple holder on me.

another vote for Fantasie they do seamless basics and pretty sets always a good fit

trousers I like bootcut and straight leg just below waist

I like fitted tops and tunics, have loads of different colour vests
no fussy collars of any kind

and as we are on the subject my holy grail is to find nice semi fitted V neck t shirts in good colours (not pasted) that keep their shape in the wash

love warp dresses or floaty short empire ones to wear with jeans