10 summer styles to flatter a big bust

Summer is just about here!!! But are you one of the many women who dreads Summer dressing because you find it hard to find summer styles to suit your ample bosom?? How to style a big bust is a question I often get asked. So I thought I’d dedicate a blog post to the topic, especially as the average UK bra size is now a 36DD, but yet mainstream fashion still ignores big boobs.

In the hot summer months, looking cool and chic when you are blessed in the boob department can be a challenge. You can’t just chuck on a strappy, floaty dress and go bra-less.

I totally get it. In my early twenties I had enormous boobs. The contraceptive pill plumped them up to a size which was totally out of proportion to my frame. I was so conscious of looking overtly busty that I did everything I could to conceal them. ‘Minimiser’ bras from M&S were my go-to and I even used to strap them down further with a bandeau top (in addition to the minimiser bra!!!)

When I look back, I feel sad that I didn’t have the confidence to enjoy my curvier silhouette. Armed with more understanding and knowledge of shape, I now know that the key to flatter a larger bust is to create good balance and proportions. Indeed it is easier when clothing is more structured and covered-up in the Winter, but there are so many current summer styles that women with big boobs can wear and look amazing in.

Here’s my top 10 Summer styles that will accommodate and flatter a big bust:

1. Wide Straps
It goes without saying that a supportive bra is absolutely essential if you have big boobs, but the more support you need the wider the bra straps. So whilst dresses with spaghetti straps are off-bounds, there are lots of summer dresses around with wide straps that will conceal bra straps. This dress from JD Williams is ideal; the vertical stripes and v-neck are both flattering elements for a larger bust, plus it has a gathered waistline and tiered full skirt which will create balance for the upper torso.

2. Shirred Bodice
This shirred dress from Boden will divide opinion for women with big boobs… For some the stretchy, shirred detail will provide too much emphasis, whilst others will love the accentuation and support it provides. The a-line shape of the dress will provide a nice element of balance for a large bust.

3. Button-down Dresses/Jumpsuits
Again these styles tend to have nice wide, bra-concealing straps and the vertical line of buttons is elongating. The v-neck of this jumpsuit from Free People is flattering as it will reduce the visual volume of the bust. The defined pleating at the bodice provides structure for an ample bust and the overall shape creates a beautiful hourglass silhouette.

4. Square or Sweetheart Necks
These are the most flattering shapes on larger busts. Not as revealing as a v-neck, a horizontal or sweetheart shape shows a modest amount of décolletage and the angular lines flatter a curvaceous bust by providing structure. If you have great legs – get them on show! This square-neck dress from Mango  is perfect for you!

5. Ruffle Skirts / Wide-leg Trousers
A styling trick to draw the eye away from a large bust is to wear something eye-catching on the lower half of your body. A ruffle skirt is ideal for this technique. Wide-leg palazzo pants also work too, such as these below from Phase Eight. Keep the top half really simple (such a v-neck top) so that the focus is entirely away from the bust.

6. V-necks
V-necks elongate the torso and provide a narrow central point on a curvaceous chest. The exposure of the collarbone and décolletage draws the vision up from the bust. Linen-jersey T-shirt from H&M

7. Wrap Dresses
A wrap dress is always cited as the busty women’s best friend… which is largely true but there are exceptions to this rule. A wrap style may not flatter if it doesn’t completely cover a large bust, instead it will create cleavage and therefore emphasize – which is ok, if that’s what you want to achieve. If less va-va-voom is your thing, look for loose wrap styles with fluted or kimono-style sleeves like this dress from Traffic People.

8. Kimonos
A loose kimono is the perfect, cooling layer when it’s hot and an ideal cover-up if you have a big bust. You can wear your favourite cami-top underneath and not worry about exposing your bra straps. A versatile piece, they make a funky throw-on over jeans – like this kimono from Mint Velvet – but are also fab for covering up on the beach too. If you choose a longer line kimono, it will provide a lengthening effect to your silhouette.

9. Bardot Style
An off-the-shoulder style brings focus to the shoulders and away from the bust. Look out for Bardot-styles which have a large frill layer as this will completely conceal the bust like this dress from Monsoon.  Wear a necklace or statement earrings to further draw the eye upwards.

10. Ditsy Prints
A small, busy print confuses the eye and is much more flattering for a big bust than a bold print. Bold shapes will draw the eye in to focus directly on the large shapes. Ditsy florals and leopard prints are ideal. This jumpsuit from M&S X Ghost fits the bill with a wrap front and flattering wide legs.

I hope that this post has proved that if you have big boobs, you can still wear many of the current summer trends. Remember – this is just a guide. Depending on your proportions, you may feel that some of these options don’t work for you. Whether you wish to conceal or emphasize, it’s important to do it on your own terms and wear whatever makes you feel good!

I asked Midsize Fashion Blogger Maxine, and Curve Model Jayde to tell me about their preferred ways to dress their gorgeous busts

If this post speaks to you, I’d love to know your thoughts. Are there any other styling tricks or shapes that work for your large bust? Please leave me a comment or contact me directly.

If you’d like some tailored advice with your wardrobe and how to dress your shape – please get in contact about my Personal Styling Services. I’d love to help!

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