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Dresses for big boobs and belly

47 replies

Dressdilema · 27/05/2023 19:03

I really struggle with dresses. I've put on about a stone in the last few months (medication) which has made it worse. I am now a size 14, large bust (34H) and all my weight has gone on my belly. I am fairly tall (5ft 9), early 40s.
I have slim legs (but not much else) and i need to wear a bra, and would prefer short sleeves (not thin straps)
Everything i try on doesn't fasten across the bust, or clings to my belly, or is like a tent and makes me look even bigger/shapeless.
Wrap dresses don't suit me, lots of the styles now are tiered and the cut is all wrong, or they have the cups/gather around the bust (which i just don't fit into)
Looking for a couple of summer day time dresses, budget up to about £50 per dress. Don't mind a pattern but nothing old fashioned.
Anyone suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
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Daffodilwoman · 28/05/2023 06:31

I Love that dress birdsong.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 28/05/2023 12:26

Im same shape as you OP, I prefer a slightly lower waist dress with a v- neck work for me. Empire line makes me look very mono boob and akin to Demis Roussos!

Dresses with a seam around the waist also don't work for me. My boobs 'lift' the dress up so I end up with a higher hem at the front than at the back. The waist of the dress then also sits too high and accentuates my belly instead of skimming over it.

Sosander can be very hit and miss, but when they add a bit of Lycra to the material they get it right for me. This one is really flattering. It's not a true wrap dress, it just has a wrap top: www.sosandar.com/pink-black-animal-print-faux-wrap-midi-dress

This one is good too: www.sosandar.com/turquoise-animal-print-split-detail-maxi-dress

The quality at Sosander isn't worth paying full price for, but there's usually a sale on (there is now!) so worth a browse.

HamHand · 28/05/2023 12:35

You have a similar figure to me op, though I’m 2 inches shorter. 2 dresses I’ve bought recently that I love are
This from Nobody’s Child
and
This from White Stuff (despite huge boobs I sized down twice)
I thought the puff sleeves would look silly on the first dress. I saw someone wearing it at the beach and she looked fantastic, asked where it was from and ordered it to try. It looks really good, hides the tummy too.

Navy Crinkle Starlight Midi Dress | Nobody's Child

Navy Crinkle Starlight Midi Dress

https://www.nobodyschild.com/navy-crinkle-starlight-midi-dress.html

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 28/05/2023 12:37

It's really annoying that the style you're looking for isn't in fashion at the moment. I watched a really good video that someone else had tagged on another S&B page about how to dress a bigger bust/belly figure. Great hints and tips, but basically knee length, 3/4 length slim fit sleeve.. nothing like that available at the moment.

Looking around at women in the street and what they're wearing... so many looking dumpy in the puff sleeve frills and ruffles that are currently all the rage. They'd look half the size in something with less fabric and a better cut. I hate it that women have to be slaves to fashion - we have so little choice! We just have to sit out what's 'in' until a shake that flatters in back in fashion.

Looking in the shops yesterday - the choose is either puffy sleeves in a maxi/mid dress or ruffles in a mini dress. No knee length dresses with slim sleeves to be found.

JessandJupiter · 28/05/2023 13:26

I’ve similar proportions to you op and could have written Justgottokeeponkeepingon’s post and I’m 5ft 8 and a half.

Tbh, I have given up wearing summer dresses. I find revealing skinny legs under enormous boobs and big tum just looks wrong on me. Like a pumpkin balanced on two straws! 😃😃. It balances out in winter when I can wear sturdy long boots under a dress but not in summer somehow.

So I stick to tried and tested formula of very wide legged trousers and a tightish jersey or ribbed top, sometimes with a collar, but always with a deep v. Ribbed is good because it allows you to
go in and out! Stick to plain darkish colours for work especially; no florals ever.

I sometimes sew up the button line of a fine ribbed v neck jumper or add a lacy placket at the bust to a v necked top. I don’t try and hide my bust, I just clad it carefully and wear very good bras.

You can put together all sorts of versions of this look :

**very casual beach wear outfit: well cut pocketless linen wide legged trews, t-shirt, wide linen scarf worn as pashmina m, maybe long linen shirt

**office - wide leg M&S pants with wide collar ribbed polo shirt with deep v

** wedding - very wide leg crepe trews with draped front vest thing with long crepe blouse or loose cardi-jacket or those jackets that looks like capes

You have to be careful not to go too hippy and drapery because at my age one just looks a busty mess so work hard on other areas eg have sharp haircut, no grey roots, always good shoes, accessories and manicure. And bracelets are important if you have a big bust. Attracts eye to thinnest point!

Sorry op - that’s probably not much help if you are after dresses - but good luck with your search!

JessandJupiter · 28/05/2023 13:29

Having said all of that, I do find the odd thing at Ulla Popken but you have to be very choosy!

JessandJupiter · 28/05/2023 13:39

Btw, one thing I learned from Trinny, if you wear a belt with a shirt dress for example, and you have a bit of a tum and a bust, but smaller hips and narrow shoulders, is to chuck the belt that the dress comes with, and but a belt that is thicker at the sides and then narrows down dramatically at the front. That way it creates a waste for you at the sides (where you are thinnest) but still gives the visual impression of the unbroken line of the dress at the front which emphasises the vertical - if that makes sense!

ClemFandango1 · 28/05/2023 14:15

Doesn't anyone else find a shirred bust makes them look hugely pregnant?

OhBling · 28/05/2023 14:16

Bigpinkslippers · 27/05/2023 22:03

I'm big of bust and belly but only 5 foot and a 16/18. Surprisingly this dress from tesco is flattering

I'm 5ft 4 but also 16-18 with large breasts and am wearing a very similar dress to this right now from a similar type store but in South Africa. Agree it's surprisingly flattering.

The only upside of very large breasts though is that even though I carry a LOT of weight on my tummy, as a rule, my breasts are still big enough that my tummy is (slightly) smaller. Which is why I think this style of dress works.

Other dresses I tend to wear are ones that are looser but I can pull in with a belt to create an illusion of a waste.

Dressdilema · 28/05/2023 15:55

Thanks everyone, some nice dresses/brand suggestions. I've ordered a couple of Dancing Leopard ones (15% if you register for news letter). I don't like anything that clings on my boobs....i find it makes them look bigger (I don't want to emphasise them!) and yes @ClemFandango1 I agree!! I like ones with a waist/draw string, I had a nice jersey one from M&S last year. It pulled me in but hid my tummy. @HamHand they are nice and I'll spend a bit more if they suit me and are nice quality.

OP posts:
Dressdilema · 28/05/2023 15:59

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 28/05/2023 12:37

It's really annoying that the style you're looking for isn't in fashion at the moment. I watched a really good video that someone else had tagged on another S&B page about how to dress a bigger bust/belly figure. Great hints and tips, but basically knee length, 3/4 length slim fit sleeve.. nothing like that available at the moment.

Looking around at women in the street and what they're wearing... so many looking dumpy in the puff sleeve frills and ruffles that are currently all the rage. They'd look half the size in something with less fabric and a better cut. I hate it that women have to be slaves to fashion - we have so little choice! We just have to sit out what's 'in' until a shake that flatters in back in fashion.

Looking in the shops yesterday - the choose is either puffy sleeves in a maxi/mid dress or ruffles in a mini dress. No knee length dresses with slim sleeves to be found.

I agree!!! The current trends look awful on me. I used to wear a lot of Savannah Miler dresses from Debenhams - slim sleeves, mid length. They suited me and fit well (alas, they are very tight on me now!!!)

OP posts:
HeiXiong · 29/05/2023 20:21

Ugh! I just typed a big message with links then list !

@Dressdilema I’m almost the same size as you and find Jo browns (they have plenty of non-bonkers dresses) Roman, Dorothy Perkins, and sosander good

I’d be interested to hear what you think of dancing leopard

Tickyandtackyandjackiethebackie · 31/05/2023 19:52

Sorry, late to reply. I find the sizing quite generous- medium usually fits me x

Magenta65 · 31/05/2023 19:54

I’m a 22, 38 F bust, I find milkmaid cut dresses flater my bust and belly/thighs best like this

Dresses for big boobs and belly
Dilbertian · 31/05/2023 20:04

I'm a similar shape: 5'8", size 18, 36F bust with a wobbly stoutness.

I recently bought this dress and it fits perfectly. Curves really nicely around my bust and gives me the illusion of a waist.

Not so keen on the colour, but that bodice style really works well for me. Now eyeing up some of the shorter-sleeved dresses in the website.

www.joebrowns.co.uk/carries-favourite-dress-we740

SweetSakura · 31/05/2023 21:28

Following..same issue..same body shape. Been on heavy steroids since last year and I don't recognise my reflection and none of my clothes fit. I just want to hide away. The judgy looks and "diet advice" from "well meaning" people doesn't help.

Rina66 · 31/05/2023 21:33

I know you said dress and I know how Mumsnet feels about jumpsuits, but would you consider something like this, comes in lots of colours?

www.no-angel.co.uk/shop/shop-all/jumpsuits-playsuits/pink-frill-sleeve-tie-waist-jumpsuit-5456/

Dressdilema · 02/06/2023 11:51

Still waiting on my Dancing Leopard order. Ordered a couple of bits from an online shop called Apache Stores which kept popping up on FB. They have some lovely dresses. I've got this one - it's arrived and it's nice and light for summer, loose but a little bit of shape so it's quite flattering (photo of the model, not me!!) Thanks for all your suggestions and hints, I'm working though them!

Dresses for big boobs and belly
OP posts:
Dressdilema · 02/06/2023 11:52

Rina66 · 31/05/2023 21:33

I know you said dress and I know how Mumsnet feels about jumpsuits, but would you consider something like this, comes in lots of colours?

www.no-angel.co.uk/shop/shop-all/jumpsuits-playsuits/pink-frill-sleeve-tie-waist-jumpsuit-5456/

I like this, but jump suits are never long enough for me (5ft 9)

OP posts:
Madagascary · 02/06/2023 12:09

Come over to the book reduction AMA. Life is too short.

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