The art of dressing your figure is incredibly personal. You can read a million articles about what suits your natural body shape, but ultimately you have to feel comfortable in your look. Your bust is the centre of your silhouette, and has a huge impact on the styles that will both look and feel good. We look at how to dress well using your bosom as a central point, no matter what size or shape you are!
Build your foundation
First things first – your bra. This is integral to your comfort and image. When it comes to flattering bust styling, it’s all about knowing the shape of your boobs and the kind of support they require. This dictates both comfort and aesthetics. Ill fitting bras are not only uncomfortable, but they can cause longer term pain, a bad posture and give your silhouette lumps and bumps that you don’t want!
Bra size
Sizing is so important for choosing a bra – this may seem obvious, but so many of us are wearing the wrong size bra simply out of habit. You should measure yourself every 6 months or so, to check that you’re wearing the right size. Your body may not only change over time, but also be different depending on the time of the month. Some women like to have a couple of bra sizes to account for these natural changes.
Measuring
While different brands and styles may fluctuate, there’s a basic principle to measuring yourself for a bra. Place a flat tape measure under your bust, noting the result rounded up to the nearest even number to arrive at your band size. Then measure the fullest part of your bust. Your cup size reflects the difference in between the two measurements starting at AA for less than 1 inch, A for 1 inch, B for 2 inches and so on.
Bra style
You may prefer a balcony bra as they make you feel sexy, a full cup T-shirt bra because they make you feel secure. Plunge bras are really versatile with most outfits, and push up bras are the go-to for making a splash! Your choice of bra style has an impact not only on the shape that you arrive at, but also on how confident you feel. Both of these things affect your look, so it’s a delicate balance to tread.
Shapewear
Of course, you may choose a foundation which shapes all of your torso, not just your bust! A bodysuit or camisole compresses and smooths from your shoulders right down to your waist. This line will lift your breasts, but also affect their appearance of proportion. By cinching your waist, your breasts will balance with your hips to create a cool and sexy overall shape.
Outfit choice
It’s true that your outfit will depend on the occasion – are you dressing for work, an evening event, a day out, a date? These are all things which dictate the formality of the clothes that you choose. When it comes to dressing your bust, though, the important things are neckline and fit. These are the aspects which will frame and accentuate your breasts.
Neckline
A scoop neck is flattering across different shapes, and a boat neckline can offer a touch of elegance and highlight collarbones. Meanwhile, a sweetheart neckline can bring a romantic air to your look, and a halter neck can make shapes appear balanced by exposing the shoulders. These nuances can transform an outfit from merely complementary to a massive confidence boost.
Fit
Although it can be tempting to hide under a baggy fit, for larger breasts tight fit is ultimately flattering. These lines show your shape, especially if you have a foundation of shapewear like a corset. Smaller breasts can look great under baggier shift style garments.
The most important aspect of dressing for your breasts is to feel comfortable and confident. For many women, this inner confidence can be helped with supportive shapewear. To shop our ranges, head here.
Becky is a content manager who writes informed industry based articles for businesses and consumers. She’s written for Elle Courbee on women’s issues and fashion for a number of years.
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