Certain styles can be less flattering than others when it comes to dressing for your bust size. Whether you have a larger or smaller bust, avoiding these fashion mistakes can help you feel more comfortable and confident.
1. High Necklines
High necklines, such as turtlenecks or crew necks, can make a larger bust look even bigger, creating a more top-heavy appearance. Though it might feel counterintuitive, V-necks or scoop necks actually help to elongate your torso and create a balanced look that gives your body a proportioned look.
2. Plunging Necklines
Deep plunging necklines can often make the chest area look even flatter for those with smaller busts. For the illusion of having a fuller bust, a sweetheart neckline or a slight V-neck is your best bet. These necklines can enhance your natural shape rather than detract from it.
3. Strapless Tops
Strapless tops can be tricky for those with larger busts, as they often don’t provide enough support, leading to constant adjustments. They also draw attention to your bare shoulders and, by extension, your bust. Instead, try a wide-strapped top or a halter style for both support and style.
4. Baggy Tops
Oversized or baggy tops are super comfortable, but when it comes to trying to show off your figure, they can overwhelm a smaller bust, making your entire silhouette appear shapeless. Fitted tops with a bit of structure or ruching can add dimension and flatter your figure without overwhelming it.
5. Halter Necklines
Halter necklines are fun tops, especially during the Summer. However, they don’t suit everyone, particularly those with a larger bust. Halter neck tops can accentuate the width of your shoulders and draw attention to a larger bust, making it seem even more pronounced. A better choice would be wide straps or a boat neck to balance your proportions.
6. Ruffled Tops
While ruffles look great and can add volume to tops and dresses, too many can overwhelm a smaller bust and create a disproportionate look. It obscures your upper body and may even make your bust appear smaller than it actually is. Subtle details, like a small ruffle or pleating, can add the right amount of volume without overpowering your frame.
7. Crop Tops
Crop tops are a fun and flirty style, but the fact of the matter is that they can create a disproportionate look by cutting off at the midsection. This makes a larger bust seem out of balance with the rest of your figure. You’ll look like your best-dressed and most proportionate self when you opt for longer hemlines in tops and shirts.
8. Tight Button-Up Shirts
Button-up shirts that are too tight can cause gaping at the bust, particularly for bigger busts. Gaping leads to an unflattering and uncomfortable fit that draws unwanted attention to your upper body. Look for styles with a little stretch or that are specifically designed for a fuller bust to avoid this issue.
9. Spaghetti Straps
Bigger busts need tops that provide ample support, so thin spaghetti is a no-go for those with a larger chest. Spaghetti straps can dig into your shoulders and offer little support for a larger bust, making the top appear ill-fitting. To look your best-dressed self, opt for a top with wider straps or a spaghetti strap top that has built-in support.
10. Boxy Tops
When it comes to having a smaller bust, the last thing you want to do is to make your chest appear flatter. Boxy or shapeless tops can make a small bust look smaller and less defined. Tops with a defined waist or some tailoring around the bust can help create a more flattering silhouette and a bust that appears fuller.
11. Empire Waist Dresses
Empire waist dresses, which cinches just under the bust, can make a large bust look even bigger and create an unbalanced look. Because of where the dress cinches, it also naturally draws the eye to the area, which may be the last thing you want to do. A dress with a defined waist at the natural waistline can offer a more flattering shape.
12. Tube Tops
Tube tops can flatten a small bust, offering slight shape or support. Not just this, but tube tops that are tight can create an unflattering mono-boob look. Opt for a top with built-in cups or a bandeau with a little structure to enhance your natural curves for a better-looking bust.
13. Double-Breasted Jackets
When you have a larger bust, the last thing you want to do is make it look even bigger. Double-breasted jackets can add bulk to your chest area, making a larger bust look even bigger. A single-breasted jacket that isn’t bulky and has lining and layers will better flatter your shape and make your bust look smoother.
14. Loose-Fitting Tops
Having a smaller bust means adding definition to your chest to give off the illusion of having a bigger bust. Loose-fitting tops can drown a smaller bust, making it difficult to see any definition. Tops with some structure, such as peplum or wrap styles, can help define your shape without adding bulk.
15. Bold Patterns
Large, bold patterns on tops can draw unwanted attention to a large bust, making it seem larger than it is. As well as this, larger busts can warp certain patterns which will draw unwanted attention. Opt for solid colors or smaller, subtle prints to create a more balanced and refined look.