How To Dress When You Have A Large Bust

October 18, 2023
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Women come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, which is great! Yet, there may be parts of our body that we wish to downplay, while we want to highlight others. This article takes a look at how to dress when you have a large bust. Some of you may like to highlight your bust, while others may want to downplay it.

Only you can decide for yourself what you prefer to focus on.

For example, if you are adorned with a large bust, some of you may want to downplay this while others may want to celebrate this part of your body and accentuate it (hello Kim Kardashian!)

Have a small bust? Check how to dress for a small bust.

How To Dress With Big Bust: Highlighting Your Bust

If you are proud of your big bust and like to show it off even more or if you want to give the illusion that your bust is bigger than it actually is, then here are some tips on what to wear to enhance your bust.

The Right Bra Is Crucial

Always choose a good bra underneath that supports your breasts and lifts them up.

How To Get The Right Bra Measurement

Measuring your bra size yourself can be tricky as ideally you would need to wear the perfect bra to get the right measurement. I like the directions by excellent undergarments site Bare Necessities.

Here are their guidelines for measuring band size:

Measuring Band Size

There are two ways to measure your band size. The best bet is to do it both ways to see if you get a consistent measurement.

1. Bring the measuring tape around your back to the front, keeping it under the arms and bringing it up across to the middle of your chest. If you get an odd number, round up to the next even number to get your band size.

2. Measure across the bottom of your band, directly under the bust and across your ribcage. Make sure to keep your measuring tape straight around the back to front. Again, if you get an odd number, round up to the next even number to get your band size.

Measuring Cup Size

1. Measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust, with the tape straight across and around your back, bringing it to the front.

2. Subtract your band measurement (from step 1) from this bust measurement. The difference calculates your bra size- each inch represents a cup size. For example, if you measure a 34 inch band size, and a 36 inch cup size, the difference is 2: which would indicate a B cup.

I encourage you to read Bare Necessities full guidelines or go to your local shop and get a professional assistant to help you.

Use A High Waistline

A high waistline emphasizes your breasts (and makes your legs look longer).

Wear Deep V Necklines With Cleavage

This will focus the eyes’ attention on your bust.

Lizzy wears a print maxi dress | 40plusstyle.com

Lizzy @whatlizzyloves above (read her style interview here) opts for a pretty maxi dress that combines a deep neckline with a long maxi length. If you don’t want your bust to show, you could always add a pretty camisole top underneath.

Check out these maxi dresses from Area Stars, Free People, Boden and Amazon that you can wear with this similar pair of sandals, bag and necklace.

Embrace Halter Necks

This neckline creates the ultimate bombshell look!

Add A Pendant

Adding a pendant between breasts will focus the attention on them.

Wear A Cowl Neckline

Any drapes that fall on top of the bust will always enhance them.

Embrace Ruching

Ruching and higher waist will also help to enhance the bust.

How To Downplay Your Bust

If you are very well endowed and want to downplay your bust, here are some tips on how to dress when you have a large bust.

Again A Good Bra Is Essential

You still want your breasts up high, so you can bring more attention to your waist.

You will want a bra which offers good support and keeps your bust in place without boosting your cup size any further (unless that is your preference!) Below are some good options for large busts.

Wacoal Visual Effects Minimizer Bra

Chantelle C Magnifique Seamless Unlined Minimizer

Vanity Fair Beauty Back Smoothing Minimizer Bra

HSIA Full Coverage Lace Minimizer Bra

For more ideas for the best bras also check our article on the best bras for large breasts.

Play Around With Belts

Belting high usually emphasizes your bust.

However if you combine a belt with layering and with a longer vest, it has a minimizing and lengthening effect.

The belt also adds structure to the outfit and can highlight a defined waist.

Double wrap leather belt | 40plusstyle.com

Max Mara Malaga Double Wrap Leather Belt

How to dress when you have a large bust | 40plusstyle.com

Julie @stylishparadox above (read her style interview here) wears her shirtdress over her pants. A shirtdress is a great style to opt for (just make sure the buttons don’t gape at the bust), because you can alter how many buttons you open at the neck and the hem to create different looks.

Get her look with this similar shirtdress (another option here), pants (another option here), pumps, clutch, earrings and belt (another option here).

Wear Peplum Tops

A peplum top may not necessarily downplay your bust, but it can definitely make you look more balanced. Look out for a peplum that starts fairly low down for a more flattering effect.

You could wear a statement necklace over the Nordstrom peplum (below) to add interest and draw the eye to your face.

Nordstrom Signature Ponte Peplum Top

The tie front peplum (below) will draw more attention to your bust because of the ruching, but the flared hem and sleeves also create balance for your curves. Reviewers say it’s a flattering top in easy-care fabric, and the flutter sleeves provide good upper arm coverage.

GRACE KARIN Tie Front Peplum Top

V-Necklines Are Your Friend!

V-necklines can be good for downplaying a bust although you don’t want it too low or show any cleavage. Otherwise it will have the opposite effect.

Scoop, sweat heart and square necklines also work. The eye will focus on your exposed skin and not so much your breasts.

Halogen Floral Smocked Hem Surplice V-Neck Blouse

Georgette wears a yellow top and beige pants | 40plusstyle.com

Georgette @grownandcurvywoman above (read her style interview here) opts for a yellow v-neck top. Her balloon sleeves add drama at her wrists, rather than drawing the eye to the bustline.

Recreate her outfit with this similar wrap top, wide pants, sandals and earrings.

Try A Square Neck

A square-necked top can be one of the most flattering choices for you if you have a larger chest. The neckline draws attention to your decolletage and away from your bust.