Garments to Minimize Your Bust

Feb 13th 2012 at 3:15PM by Wendy Rose Gould

Let's talk about a more personal issue today, ladies: boobs. For those of us who are more endowed than we prefer, our bust line often yields many frustrations. From stares to comments (would you ask a random, small busted woman what her bra size was? No, I don't think so.) to ill fitting garments, a large chest can often be more annoying than it is a perk.

As a fellow member of the big breasted community, I 100% understand the aggravation associated with clothes shopping. Not only can we never be seen without a bra, but dresses, blouses and tops must be sized up to prevent gaping at the buttons and that leaves the rest of the garment ill-fitting in other areas.

While you can't truly reduce your bust size without the help of surgery, there are certainly a few ways you can minimize your bust with undergarments, shape wear and certain styles.

Pictured top left: Lyssé Leggings Control Tank Dress ($49). It's made from 86% polyster and 14% spandex for a controlled stretch that minimizes your bust, waist and hips. This is shape wear than can be worn as outerwear!

Rounded Square Necklines
Choose tops with a rounded square neckline. This draws attention up toward your clavicle, neck and face and away from your bust. While V-necks are also flattering, the square shows a little more skin and makes your top look more proportional. The more fabric around your neck and bust, the more exaggerated it'll be.

ASOS Midi Dress With Square Neck, $80.50
T Tahari Sweater, Lucille Square Neck Long Sleeve Metallic Knit Ruched Top, $29.99
Cable & Gauge Sweater, Short Sleeve Metal Ring Square Neck, $22.49

Shirt Dress with Linear Lines
A Shirt dress is especially flattering on curvy or hourglass shaped women. When they have linear lines, this draws the eye up and down instead of side to side. Linear lines can be part of the print or buttons that go up and down the center. A belted waist will highlight your curves.

Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Shirt Dress, $167
Topshop Petite Pleated Midi Shirt Dress, $100
Coldwater Creek Textured Shirt Dress, $44.99

3/4 Duster Jacket or Cardigan
This creates a longer silhouette, making you look taller and leaner. This de-emphasizes a large bust. Choose either a solid color or one with an all-over print to draw attention to your entire figure and not just certain areas (e.g. your bust).