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?

onlyjoined - when i was bf i was a 41in bust and still wore a 32G bra

Mummydoc - where did you have your op? I have been thinking/planning a reduction for years, but a bit scared of ending up worse than now (34GG and hating it).
Are you getting better now?

Mummydoc - sounds like a shocker! Hope you get better soon.

Being short as well as ample I have trouble finding dresses to fit, as if they're big enough for the frontage they are often too long in body and skirt and too big in the shoulder and waist. But last WE found fab navy jersey dress in Monsoon, scoop neck, cap sleeves, goes smoothly in where I do and doesn't look like the boobs are in a serving hatch. Have worn it twice for work so far, once with white shirt under, today with fitted cardi over, fab find for hourglass girls!

Yes to bootcut trousers and jeans with stretch in them too.

Finally (and slightly shamefacedly) I found Trinny and Susannah's dress for your shape book really helpfull...

Re. the 'modesty panel' - you can achieve the same effect (albeit for more £££) by wearing lacy vests in lots of diiferent colours, not just white or black.

White Stuff always have them, and I've bought them from Kew and Jigsaw.
Kettlewell Colours also sell them, although I haven't tried theirs.
My pc isn't letting me link, but they also have ruched wrap tops, and I think twist-front tops, which are very flattering.
Some good pictures of suitable styles for the big of boob, although the models aren't particularly built that way.

I'm not sure double-breasted is a good way to go, as it widens and emphasises the chest, making it more of a 'block.'
Single-breasted with wide lapels and either nipped in or skimming the waist are far better.

Ourlady Thanks for the link to Kettlewell Colours, I like twist front tops but it's sometimes difficult to find them.

www.femalefirst.co.uk/catalog/sizing-chart.php

This link should help you work out your OWN correct bra size...personally I don't rate my Local Bravissimo at all...they have a tendency to size you according to what they have in stock..... I've tried it on recommendation of a friend, & was not impressed at all, & I do have a lot of years of proffesional experience in how things should fit, so know when they are wrong......my friend was sold a Bra, which she was flattered into buying by it been a smaller strap size & bigger cup size than she really needed, causing under arm bulging...which she thought was normal for all Bras

but that said I DO agree a good fitting bra is essential, & many people wear the wrong size

& as for Trinny & Suzzanna...don't get me started...lol........

Yes high & polo necks ARE fine with an ample bust, but not tucked in & do break the neckline with chunky jewellry to draw the eye away from your boobs...... & wrap tops ARE great, especially with a pretty vest filling in the cleavage if its not apropriate to flash a bit........

basically anything that draws your eye to your neck/decolage, as opposed to boobs with work, so V necks, or high with chunky accessories, scarf etc.......keep it fitted or tight UNDER your bust so as not to give the illusion of big all the way down...or nip in, & then out again if you are bigger below too...... & keeping lines long, such as tops worn out of waist bands, tunics etc also will help give a more balanced illusion.... & pattern is really down to personall taste, though of course avoid anything that gives a bit of a "bullseye" effect over your boobs

hope that helps

betterware modesty panel

www.betterware.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?pid=057529&language=en-GB

dorothea im also thinking about a reduction in a 38 fF cup i hate it it, and this is normal not breastfeeding size.

i had to laugh at imagining me tucking in a jumper it would look like i was going to fall over,,,,,whoa there she goes,

loving the tips on this thread theres some really good ideas on here

Not sure if it's been said but generally a round neck doesn't look very flattering on a fuller bust. Much better with a v-neck.

Generally I think I'd buy less flimsy clothes, you know the sort of shirts and skirts with no lining and slightly see through fabric where you can see every dimple on the skin. I'd rather get my hands on slightly thicker, lined or corseted fabric.

Oh and definitely do not wear voluminous curtain hangers with frills and print across the boobs. Show off your curvy shape, don't hide it as that could make a big bust look fat IYSWIM and that wouldn't do you justice.

Disneystar1. Worst thing I could would be tucking in as I'm an apple shape anyway.

I am going tomorrow to an independent lingerie shop close to me, recommended earlier on, thanks everyone for the advice.

Boden have a twistfront dress with a pattern that flatters and distracts from the tummy.

I find a v-neck cardigan over a scoop or v neck top is a quick and flattering look. A v-shaped hem is good too - if you can find a top with a twistfront and v-hem you are onto a winner (please let us know if you do!).

I still wear a few maternity/BF tops - they have a bow at the back to draw in the waist but make the bust look great.

I just bought top/dress for a tenner. It's great for hourglass figures and broad shoulder-types and my bra is well-covered too, comfy and flattering.

Thanks DontCall Me Baby - will take extra care when choosing an outfit from now on.

I think I get away with it because I'm tall but now I'm post 30 gravity will start to win the battle and I'll have to review my options.

sorry taken a while to get back to you who have kindly offered sympathy over my poor boobies plight! I went to transform clinic, i had done a lot of research into my surgeon ( barbara lutz) and still stand by what has happened was not due to a poor surgeon. Infact the surgeon i am now seeing says it is quite a miraculous job as i have gone fromm HH to D cup and htey are symmetrical and the nipples are level. what doesn't change is the breadth of your boob. I do not have any gap between mine , you know hte bit of chest wall were wirse are supposed to sit flat . i am boob to boob IYKWIM. I live 1 hr away from my nearest transform clinic and they were dreadful in the aftercare , i am sure they would be ok if you live right next to their hospital in london but if like me you are 3 hrs from london and 1 hr from their bristol clinic i would seriously suggest seeing a local surgeon first.

i think Rigby and Peller tan the arse of Bravissimo

I was going to recommend M&S secret support vests (DD-G variety) for comfy sleepwear, but looking at the website it seems they've done away with the heavyweight purple and cream cotton vests I have, and the black 3/4 sleeve top, and replace the whole lot with a single kind - a white vest in overly thin material. Good old M&S, you can always rely on them to f* it up, can't you? Grr.

How do you all get on with sports bras? The Bravissimo one looks good.

I walked out if Bravissimo sans sports bra as when I tried the starjumps trick I bounced all over the place.

Finally got one from www.enell-sports-bras.co.uk which is fantastic - it's a struggle to get on but it actually minimizes you and camouflages the bulges, plus grips everything so firmly that there's no room for pendulum-swinging.

Looks rather like a surgical appliance, but I'm not the sort to wear my bra as an exercise top anyway.

shock absorber ones

If any of you do end up in Bravissimo then certainly in the London stores at the weekend you usually have to have made an appointment to see a fitter as otherwise you'll be hanging around for ages.

shock absorber sports bras are good - and go up to nice big cup sizes

Murtette - same in many Bravissimo stores I think. I went to get fitted and hadn't realised the appt system and was told there was a 45 min wait and that was on a mid-week day!
Same with John Lewis, esp at weekends, so always worth checking if they operate a booking system for fitting appts

Maybe I'm particularly bouncy, but I don't find Shock Absorbers as supportive as the straitjacket Enell.

I'll look into an Enell one next time - not heard of them before your link, OurLady.

No, I hadn't either, but searched MN for sports bra threads and came across them.