The Curvy Thread

[Arielle]

What styles will flatter a big bust, but a small waist?

I'll start off by saying that I'm a new member, so I'm really sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum or anything.

I'm 17, and I have a DD cup and a pretty small waist. I can't find anything to wear that doesn't make me look either 20 pounds heavier than I actually am or like a complete bimbo. I'm sick of having to wear only sweaters and the occasional tee shirt. I really want to know what sort of styles I can wear that will flatter my figure (I've tried looking online, but all I can find is closed for plus sized women, which I am not), and are still fashionable. Any help would be immensely appreciated.

 

[As You Like It]

Sounds like anything from the 1950s or 1950s-inspired would look good on you, as small waists and generous curves were very much in fashion then. Think Marilyn Monroe.

Princess-seamed dresses would be good for your figure, as they tend to follow the line of the body, but not be extremely fitted. It allows your shape to show, but leave something to the imagination.

You might also like a dart-fitted blouse or jacket, though you may need to get one that fits your bust, then have it professionally altered to bring it in to your waist.

Lightly-fitted A-line or "skimmer" dresses might work, too, especially when paired over slim fit trousers and used as tunics. Consider an interesting belt, scarf, or sash to emphasize your waist and draw attention downward from your bust.

I'd highly recommend taking some sewing courses and learning how to alter clothes, if not make them from scratch. I have found sewing to be invaluable to me for getting clothes that fit where they should, as I'm posessed of wide shoulders and a bubble-butt! Not all of us have the ideal, standardized figure that most clothes are made for, so some of us resort to customization!

 

[Alejandro]

Nobody but you would come up with the best suggestions AYLI

 

[brian]

^ agreed

 

[Luna]

I've had to deal with having large breasts my whole life... and I did what you are doing all throughout high school...

Now while I think breasts should be sort of covered up when you're 17 and under... once you hit adulthood... why not just flaunt them? I used to hate having a chest... now I just embrace it and buy cute tops in the summer...

When I say embrace it.. I'm not saying... wear a bikini top to school... but who's to say you can't wera a deep v-neck...

But there is a downside... and you mentioned it.. it's so cold in the winter.. it's very hard to find flattering sweaters that don't make you look bulky. I actually did find some nice sweaters that flatter my body from Macy's ... Victoria's secret has some great stuff for larger chests too...

I'm talking in circles.. I'm confusing myself.

Hope I've helped at all.

 

[Luna]

Oh! And don't try to downsize your chest by wearing a blazer with one button... if you got with a blazer.. make sure you're able to button either above or at where your breast starts... if you buy a one button blazer.. chances are it will make you look like you are bursting out of it. Another sucky thing about boobs. :-\

 

[shadow]

It is also absolutely essential tto wear a good fitting bra, get your size measured by a specialist.

In your upper half, your style should be slightly tailored but not tight. Shirts with open necks (maybe a low t-shirt underneath so that you can undo a few extra buttons without exposing too much) is an option.

Avoid turtlenecks. If you are cold, wear a low necked t-shirt and a jacket/ cardigan open on top. Tshirts should fit perfectly, not too tight or too loose, ideally with a bit of lycra.

Enjoy your boobs! Show always a bit of cleavage and have that area always well moisturized and if possible slightly tanned.

 

[Melisande]

Hi! There are threads for tall people, short, plus size etc....Want to start a thread for us hourglass/curvy people? What designers/brands do you think make the best/worst curvy clothing? What styles suit curvy figures the best/worst? Post some of your favorite curvy inspirations and photos!

From my own experience:

BEST BRANDS& STORES:
Jeans: personally I've had the best luck with Earl Jeans. Miss Sixty.
Designers& Brands:
Blumarine=wonderful fitted, low decollete sweaters that accentuate curves! Tsumori Chisato, Dries van Noten =feminine flowy shapes and patterns...
Zara=makes fitted curvy jackets and well-hipped pants.

BEST SHAPES: deep decollete, flared pants, long or full skirts, chunky shoes, soft drapes, fitted waists

DIFFICULT SHAPES: cigarette/narrow pants; high-necked victorian blouses and Classic, tailored, Queen Rania/Hepburn styles (beautiful but looks too "buxom" and matronly/threatening with a large bust! ); very sexy styles (too hot for comfort ); childish styles (looks regressive...)

Some curvy ideas from my favorite style icon: (sorry I dont recall where they are from since Ive been collecting photos for years)

 

[TheSoCalledPrep]

I must have cap sleeves... regular tees make me look TERRIBLE..

Trouser jeans look the best...AMAZING actually because of the straighter looser cut...

avoid low cut tank tops...

 

[justlucky]

I feel like I push them in like very thread, but definitely Joe's Jeans, both the honey and socialite styles. Plenty of room through the bum and hips, without being big in the waist. Definitely my favorite.

I also like Jcrew for basics like tees and tank tops; the fit is a bit longer, and a bit bigger through the chest without being baggy in the waist.

 

[QuirkyCool]

Long necklaces are tricky for the busty...the "dangling over a cliff" look...

Shapes have to be very well defined otherwise you look pregnant.

DVF wrap dresses are gorgeous for work and dinners,as they flater bust,waist and hips.

I like jeans with a slight bootcut or else a straight leg...actually Gap low rise flare jeans,Replay straight leg jeans and Levi's 529's look good on me.

This season's waist accentuating fashion is good for us

 

[baRose]

Great thread!

A line skirt tend to look good on us.

If you have big breasts, turtlenecks can be a big NO.

 

[cupkate]

wrap/ ballerina type sweaters are my great loves in the fall.
anything that has a v neck style draws attention up.

i actually always get compliments on looking lean when i wear lots of layers. it seems to work as reverse psychology.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I think this thread's a great idea! I've mentioned some of this on other threads but ... tops are what I have the most trouble with, and I don't like to spend the earth on them either as they don't last as long as skirts, pants, jackets ... I have good luck with

* Tommy Bahama (nice roomy fit)
* MaxStudio
* Ralph Lauren
* Patagonia (just the knits--nothing that buttons--forget that)
* J Jill (I have seen this store mocked as strictly for old ladies, but I have found some great-fitting things there that could most definitely not be worn by an old lady!)
* Dana Buchman
* Barry Bricken

I'll tell you what so doesn't work, and that's the Gap. I was in there getting underwear from Body Gap, and I saw a purple silk camisole like I need for fall. I had to get home, so I bought it without trying it on. When I had a chance to put it on ... uh-uh. I can get it on just fine, but it shows waaaay too much cleavage, and the empire waist hit at what is still my bustline. Back it goes ... I always wonder when I'm shopping for these kinds of things ... what do all the surgically-enhanced gals do? Where are they shopping??? Cuz all I see are a huge selection of push-ups and tops like this that are not meant for me ...

 

[aquamarine]

I like Esprit... their clothes fit me pretty good, and I even found "used" brown corduroy pants that I LOVE... they never fit me elsewhere.

Also, their pants come in various shapes and three lengths (still too long for me, but whatever ).

I like simple tank tops, not too low cut...

I find T-shirts with really short sleeves problematic (the kind that has like mini sleesves)... if your arms are not super toned, bleh.

I like pants that fall loose from the waist on... dunno how to describe that... here it is called Marlene cut sometimes.
Also boot cut.

Waist-fitted jackets, stripes are lovely.

On another note: I tend to like a bit bigger bags, not those mini ones I think those look more "proportionate".

 

[anhphan]

uhh... anything stretchy will do.. baggy is not good.. they'll make u look fatter!..

 

[cupkate]

do any of you have problems with boots fitting your calves? years of soccer and tennis made my legs extra muscular. i just got a new pair of boots and they won't zip all the way. hopefully since i'm losing weight i'll lose some in my legs, but i really don't feel like i have much fat there.

 

[Neo_Classic]

The pictures in this thread that are suppose to represent "curvy" must be a joke.

 

[fashionista-ta]

The pictures in this thread that are suppose to represent "curvy" must be a joke.

I don't think they are meant to represent curvy per se ... simply styles that work for curvy figures, which of course vary a lot. Feel free to post your own pics

 

[Neo_Classic]

Oh thank you, Fashionista-ta. I was wondering.