Reader Question –I have a 44 double D bust and I’m about 172 centimeters tall. I’ve tended to hide my bust in loose flowing clothes and I recently tried a figure flattering dress. I was amazed as I did look busty but in proportion. Why is this this? balanced body proportions
Oversized Clothes Don’t Make You Look Slimmer
Oversized clothes really don’t make you look slimmer. Because they stand away from the body, your body appears to be as large as the clothes and when you have a large bust, the clothes hang from that point, rather than coming back in and contouring your body.
Yes I know they are super fashionable right now and there are ways of following this trend if you love it (key – go DOWN a few sizes so it’s only a little oversized), but really, it’s not a great trend and really doesn’t work for most body shapes well!
Instead, the key is to create balance with your bust using the best shapes for your body shape silhouette, proportions, and scale.
The key to dressing successfully with a large bust is to create the illusion of having a balanced body. By wearing a figure-flattering dress, you balanced body proportions, creating a sense of balance with your body shape.
The reality is that very few people have perfectly proportioned bodies.Knowing your proportions will help you design a wardrobe that emphasizes your favourite parts of your body and balances your figure. If you aren’t sure of your body shape, check out my body shape calculator – despite the name, there are no numbers or measurements required as numbers are NOT an indicator of body shape as they don’t tell you anything about your silhouette.
Once you know which body type you tend towards, you’ll need to know how to select clothes that create balanced body proportions.When you understand your proportions, you can visually balance your body shape to flatter your figure.When you see how body proportions work together you’ll see that even a slight adjustment to a garment will make a big difference to the overall effect.
Remember that everyone is slightly different and you may not fit exactly into each shape description – if you have a significant difference from the usual body shape features., check out my post, What Guidelines to Follow When Your Body Shape isn’t “Standard”
If you do have a big bust, there are some great really easy ways of making your bust appear in balance with your body. These are simple illusions that tricks the eye into seeing something completely different.
Tailor to your shape
One of the biggest issues for women with a larger bust is finding tops and dresses that both fit nicely and flatter their shape. It’s definitely a challenge, especially if your bust is also larger in proportion to your waist, you’ll find tops are too fitted across the breasts and baggy everywhere else. This excess fabric can actually make you look larger.
Through my many years of having a very full bust I discovered that clothing that came under the bust that were tailored and skimmed my curves gave me a better shape. Slimming garments will be fitted to your figure – skimming not clinging. Defining the waist creates an illusion that visually balances your proportions and de-emphasizes the larger bust.
For your existing, looser flowing clothes, some shaping darts below the bust will improve the look of those garments. A flared skirt hemline will also help balance out larger chests to avoid looking ‘top heavy’.
Lower necklines
Opening up the neckline with a v-neck style elongates the area. They avoid bigger busts looking overly wide whilst looking particularly flattering in showing your feminine shape. The neckline breaks up the ‘square’ appearance of the upper body.
The thing to keep in mind is just howlow the base of the ‘V’ goes. A slight sweetheart neckline flatters the decolletage area while a very deep v-shaped neckline often shows all of the cleavage. The trick is finding the sweet spot. Try scoop necks and use cami’s or a b-string with anything that you feel is too revealing.
Large scale necklaces
Large scale necklaces are great at making your bust look smaller. They create an illusion of scale. When you place something large next to large bust, the bust appears to look smaller in comparison to the necklace.
By contrast, if we put something small and delicate, next to a larger bust, it actually makes a bust appear larger.
Larger scale necklaces are a brilliant way breaking up the ‘square’ appearance of the upper body similar to the lower necklines. A large-scale necklace is also perfect for bringing attention up towards your face and dressing your portrait area.
There are heaps more large bust tips here on the blog too. I have written over 2,500 blog posts so chances are fairly good that I’ve written something that can help you dress for your specific body proportions and personality.
If you want to get a complete handle on your colours and styles you can always enrol in my 7 Steps to Style program which educates you all your style fundamentals – what you never learned at school and no fashion magazine ever told you. If you are struggling with your style and you’re not sure where to start that is the place to start, this program is full to the brim of useful style information. balanced body proportions
Recommended Reading
7 Ways to Play Down Your Large Bust
Minimize a Large Bust with Jewelery
Tops to Flatter a Large Bust
As a seasoned fashion expert with a deep understanding of body proportions and style, I'd like to shed light on the intriguing dynamics of dressing for a larger bust and achieving balanced body proportions. My expertise is not just theoretical; I've navigated the challenges of a full bust myself and have spent years exploring the nuances of fashion and body shapes.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
1. Oversized Clothes and Body Proportions
The article rightly dismisses the notion that oversized clothes make you look slimmer. The key reason is that these garments don't contour the body but rather hang from the point of largest volume, often the bust. This results in an unflattering silhouette, especially for those with a larger bust. Instead, the recommendation is to opt for figure-flattering dresses to create the illusion of balanced body proportions.
2. Understanding Body Shapes and Proportions
The article emphasizes the importance of knowing your body shape through a body shape calculator. It's a crucial starting point to design a wardrobe that complements your figure. The acknowledgment that everyone is unique and may not fit exactly into standard body shape descriptions is a nuanced understanding of individual differences.
3. Tailoring for a Larger Bust
Tailoring is presented as a powerful tool for those with a larger bust. Garments that come under the bust and are tailored to skim curves create a better shape. Slimming, fitted garments define the waist, visually balancing proportions and de-emphasizing a larger bust.
4. Neckline Strategies
The article discusses the impact of necklines on the overall appearance. Lower necklines, particularly V-neck styles, are recommended for elongating the upper body and avoiding the 'square' appearance. The key is finding the right depth of the neckline to flatter the decolletage without being overly revealing.
5. Large Scale Necklaces
The use of large scale necklaces is suggested as a clever strategy to make a larger bust appear smaller. The principle is that placing something large next to a large bust creates an illusion of scale, making the bust look smaller in comparison. This aligns with the broader concept of using accessories strategically to draw attention and create visual interest.
6. Visual Illusions
Throughout the article, the concept of visual illusions is recurrent. The idea is to manipulate perceptions through clothing choices, necklines, and accessories to achieve a balanced and flattering appearance, especially for those with a larger bust.
In conclusion, the article provides practical insights into the intricacies of dressing for a larger bust, showcasing a nuanced understanding of body proportions, style, and the art of creating visual balance. For more personalized guidance, the author suggests exploring additional resources on the blog or enrolling in a comprehensive style program.
