AARP Hearing Center
How to Dress to Flatter a Big Bust
Simple updates in neckline choices, bras and proportion-balancing silhouettes make everyday outfits look and feel better to showcase a voluptuous silhouette
10-minute read
(From left) Sofía Vergara, Queen Latifah and Oprah Winfrey wear stylish cuts: an A-line midi dress, a shape-enhancing blazer and a wrap dress with a deep V-neck to flatter their curvy figures.
AARP (Getty Images, 3)
Key takeaways
- Underwire T-shirt bras and minimizer bras both can lift, smooth and reduce bust projection to improve the fit of many tops.
- V-necks and boatnecks balance a fuller chest, while high-neck styles can make the bust look more prominent.
- Mid-rise jeans, open sweater-blazers and A-line midi skirts or dresses create more balanced body proportions.
“I can’t wear that — I’m way too busty.”
“No turtlenecks or horizontal stripes, ever?”
“I’m all chest, so can I wear high-rise pants?”
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Some women love having a big chest; others truly don’t. No matter which group you’re in, dressing to fit and flatter a generous bustline is sometimes a challenge after 50. Diminished estrogen levels, thinning skin, gravity and weight gain (or even temporary bloat from salt or alcohol) can change the way your breasts look in clothes.
Of course, size matters, but even if you’re a consistent 34DD or a 36G, your breasts may have gotten saggier, more close-set or wider-set with age. Women blame their bras, fashion trends and manufacturers’ stingy sizing and wonder, “Am I doomed to oversized tops and shapeless dresses?” The answer is no! How do I know? I’m a beauty and style editor and personal shopper for women over 50. Here are six new ways to shape up and be a bosom buddy:
(From left) Wacoal Women’s Visual Effects Minimizer Bra in Black; Bali Breathe Women’s Minimizer Bra in Underwire Almond.
AARP (Macy’s, Target)
1. Wear only bust-boosting underwire bras
Don’t be sidetracked by wire-free bras that claim to lift and support as much as those with wires, or by push-up and balcony styles that reveal more than they conceal (no matter how fabulous they seem without clothes). Only an underwire in a T-shirt bra or a minimizer style will provide the oomph you need. Which one is for you? Probably both!
T-shirt bras have molded or lightly padded cups that create a smooth, firm, lifted but natural-looking rounded shape, and they’re a good choice if your breasts are saggy, uneven or shallow on top but heavy at the bottom. A minimizer bra is designed to gently compress breast tissue and reduce your bust’s forward projection by up to 11/2 inches. And thanks to the underwire, both bras will hoist your breasts up and off the ribcage to gain an inch or more of torso space. You can wear even “difficult” tops (button-up shirts and blouses, shirtdresses, fine-gauge knit pullovers, striped boatneck tees) with the right bra.
Help the process with minimizers like the Wacoal Women’s Visual Effects Minimizer Bra in Black or Sand ($74, macys.com), in sizes 34 to 44, C to J; the Bali Breathe Women’s Minimizer Bra in Underwire Black and Underwire Almond ($26, target.com), in sizes 36 to 42, cups C to DD; and the Chantelle Lingerie C Magnifique Underwire Minimizer Bra in Nude, Hazelnut, Black and Blushing Pink ($88, nordstrom.com), in sizes 32 to 40, cups C to H. Details like higher reinforced side panels that prevent overflow, wider straps to reduce shoulder strain and cushioned underwires are typical bonuses.
(From left) Charter Club Women’s 100% Cashmere Long-Sleeve Boat Neck Sweater in Classic Black; Croft & Barrow Extra Soft V-Neck Sweater in Md Charcoal Heather; L.L.Bean Women’s Pima Cotton Tee, Long-Sleeve Open V-Neck in Fig.
AARP (Macy’s, Kohl’s, L.L.Bean)
2. Stick to V-necks and boatnecks
Every fall and winter, women with big busts ask, “It’s cold. Can I wear a turtleneck or crewneck?” Yes, you can. But know that while those necklines are warm, the extra coverage also visually emphasizes the size of your bust.
Here’s the truth: The more neck, collarbone and upper chest you show, the better. V-necks never fail. The inverted triangle of bare skin visually strengthens your shoulder line to balance the width at the bust, while the point adds separation to break up the shelf-like impression of a large bust. Mid-chest V-necks and wider Vs have more impact than small, shallow ones. The runner-up neckline? Boatnecks! In one chic swoop, a boatneck strengthens the shoulder line to balance the bust, adding enough bareness to counteract a closed-in look. Women ask, “Why not scoops?” The rounded shape of a scoop neckline reinforces the roundness of a big bust, while the straight lines of V-necks and boatnecks have a firming effect.
Check out Vs in tees and sweaters such as Croft & Barrow Women’s The Extra Soft V-Neck Sweater in Charcoal Heather, Mineral Black, Genuine Navy or Midnight Grape ($25, kohls.com); L.L.Bean Women’s Pima Cotton Tee, Long-Sleeve Open V-Neck in Deepest Brown, Black, Fig, Raven Blue or Shadow Green ($37, llbean.com); or the Gap Women Modern V-Neck T-Shirt in Black, Navy Blue or Terra Brown ($31, gap.com).
For boatnecks, choose ones like the Coldwater Creek Easy Waffle Long-Sleeve Tee in Black Raspberry, Laurel Green or Creek Blue ($60, coldwatercreek.com); the Quince Women Mongolian Cashmere Boatneck Sweater in True Navy, Brown or Varsity Red ($80, quince.com); and the Charter Club Women’s 100% Cashmere Long-Sleeve Boat Neck Sweater in Classic Black, Crantini or Deep Pine ($100, macys.com). Dark neutrals such as black and navy help diminish the look of a larger bust, but try deep greens, berries, purples and browns for a similar but fresh effect.
3. Trust a sweater blazer for a tailored effect
Women over 50 with curvy shapes have a love-hate thing going with blazers. They say, “At work, a blazer used to make me feel less self-conscious about my chest, but now I don’t know,” or “My tailored blazers feel stuffy with a casual wardrobe.”
While it’s true that the crisp tailoring of a blazer is effective for bust control, updated knit versions suit relaxed lifestyles. Jackets like the Croft & Barrow Women’s Swing Sweater Blazer in Mushroom Heather or Dark Ink Heather ($35, kohls.com); the Nine West Women’s Knit Open-Front Blazer in Mini Houndstooth ($40, kohls.com); and the Quince Ultra Stretch Ponte Open Blazer in Roasted Pecan, Black or Charcoal ($62, quince.com) offer the same style perks of traditional woven blazers but with a softer structure. Think about how black ponte knit pants offer a comfy but flattering alternative to your old black tailored pants. Designed to be worn open, knit blazers still provide bust coverage but frame the torso to visually whittle away bust width at the outer silhouette. They look just as good with flowy midi dresses and knee-high boots as they do with jeans and sweaters.
(From left) Lascana Women’s Lapel Wrap Blouse in White; Donna Karan New York Women’s Printed V-Neck Long-Sleeve Blouse in Olive Brine Multi; YesFashion Women’s Long-Sleeve Top Wrap V-Neck in Black.
AARP (Kohl’s, Macy’s, Target)
4. Go wrapped or ruched to solve a bust-plus-belly issue
Double trouble? If you have a large bust and a belly bulge, it can create what I call a “bubble effect.” With barely any space or definition between them, it’s tough to tell the two body zones apart under clothes. Women often try to solve this by wearing a long, oversized top, which only amplifies the problem.
Kick off the solution with an underwire bra to create a little space between the bust and belly. Then follow up with a V-neck or boatneck tee or sweater in a darker color, but go up a size for a more relaxed fit at the midsection. There’s another solution that’s ideal for dressier situations, and that’s a wrap or ruched blouse, like the Donna Karan New York Women’s Printed V-Neck Long-Sleeve Blouse in Olive Brine Multi ($109, macys.com); the Lascana Women’s Lapel Wrap Blouse in White ($70, kohls.com); and the YesFashion Women’s Long-Sleeve Top Wrap V-Neck in White or Black ($35, target.com), to subtly whittle the area into a gentle hourglass shape. These styles take advantage of the bra lift’s extra spacing and look perfect over any black pants you own.
J.Jill Modern-Fit Straight-Leg Jean in Horizon Wash.
J.Jill
5. Lower your pant rise
What does rise have to do with a big bust? Everything! High-rise pants or jeans and a big bust rarely get along. While efficient at tucking in muffin tops, high-rises rob your torso of space, which compromises all the extra lifting your bra is doing. Think about this: A high rise is about 9 to 111/2 inches (or more in extra-high rises) from the waistband to the bottom of the crotch and sits high on the torso, above the belly button. They are a good match for bodysuits, tuck-ins and cropped tops … none of which a big bust needs. Mid-rise pants and jeans have a rise of about 8 to 91/2 inches and sit at or just barely below the belly button. They offer more torso space for your bust and let you do a semi-tucked or untucked top.
Try a pair of mid-rise jeans, like the Coldwater Creek Knit Denim Pull-On Bootcut Jeans in Dark Wash, Medium Wash or Black ($90, coldwatercreek.com); the J..Jill Modern Fit Straight-Leg Jean in Horizon Wash ($99, jjill.com); and the J.Crew Factory Women Relaxed Bootcut Jean in All-Day Stretch in Shady Sky Wash or Dark Tinted Wash ($60, factory.jcrew.com), and see the difference for yourself.
(From left) T Tahari Women’s Split-Neck Belted Dress in Fall Spots; Quince Women Matte Crepe Long-Sleeve Midi Dress in Coffee Bean Brown; Simply Vera Vera Wang Women’s Pleated Midi Skirt in Madeira Berry; Cupshe Women’s Sweet Routine Midi Skirt in Brown.
AARP (Bloomingdale’s, Quince, Kohl’s, Macy’s)
6. Let A-line midis balance body proportions
Want to avoid a top-heavy look quickly? Whether you’re 5 feet tall or 5-foot-10, a size 6, 14 or 18, S, L or XL, toned and trim or carrying around extra pounds, a buxom bosom can steal the spotlight. Instead of opting for a big top and skinnier bottom, give a big bust an equally generous fashion partner below the waist.
You can do this one of two ways. Plan A: Add an A-line midi skirt, like the Simply Vera Vera Wang Women’s Pleated Midi Skirt in Navy Water Floral, Madeira Berry or Black ($40, kohls.com); the Cupshe Women’s Sweet Routine Midi Skirt in Brown ($42, macys.com); or the Vince Camuto Faux Leather A-Line Skirt in Chocolate or Rich Black ($89, nordstrom.com), to any of your V or boatneck tops. Visually, this creates an inverted triangle on top and a regular triangle on the bottom to even out your proportions. The extra length enhances the A-line’s sweep.
Plan B? Try a fit-and-flare midi dress with an open neckline and an A-line bottom, like the Quince Women Matte Crepe Long-Sleeve Midi Dress in Cabernet Red or Coffee Bean Brown ($80, quince.com); the T Tahari Women’s Split-Neck Belted Dress in Fall Spots ($148, bloomingdales.com); or the Donna Karan New York Women’s Long-Sleeve Belted Midi Dress in Black Cherry ($199, macys.com). It’s a similar balancing act to Plan A, but in a one-and-done design. A smocked waist or adjustable tie waist gives you the flexibility you need in the bust area.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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