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20 Flattering Tops for Big Busts And 14 Tips For Dressing a Fuller Chest

Flattering Tops for Big Busts

As women, we ALL have different body shapes and along with that, styling issues or obstacles to consider when getting dressed. Understanding how to minimize AND maximize your assets can help you feel the most confident. Working as a wardrobe stylist for years, I’d often get asked about how to dress women with a fuller bustline. But finding the right tops that fit and flatter a large bustline can be a challenge. Not all tops are created equal! You have to consider cut, fit, color, neckline, cleavage, and fabric…to name a few. Today we’re diving into the best tips for dressing a fuller chest and the most flattering tops for women with big busts. Celebrate your curves!

If you need help determining your body shape AND learning how best to dress it, this post is a great place to start!

flattering tops for big bust

Tips on How To Minimize Big Busts

Tip #1) The Right Bra

Finding the right bra that fits great is the absolute, numero uno, MOST important tip for dressing a larger bust! You don’t want spillage out of the top, sides, or back that will look lumpy under your tops. I recommend getting a professional bra fitting at a retailer close to you. This will allow for the most accurate measurement and will help you find that perfect-fitting bra. Soma or Nordstrom are great options. Having the right coverage and fit with your undergarments is key to getting tops to fit well. You want the girls lifted, separated, and shapely! You might want to consider a bra minimizer for extra comfort and support.

Tip # 2) Flattering Necklines

A V-neckline is universally flattering and works especially well for a large chest. It’s subtly sexy and helps prevent a large bust from looking shelf-like or solid (you want to avoid the dreaded uni-boob!) It will draw the eye downward, therefore, taking the focus off your bust area. Scoop necklines, square necklines, draped, and cowl necks are also ideal for large chests and bigger busts. Allowing some skin to peek through at the neck will elongate your torso and give the illusion of a smaller bust.

Bonus Tip: You can also achieve the same look of a v-neck by unbuttoning a few buttons of your button-down blouse! The key is not showing too much cleavage.

Tip #3) Choose The Right Fabric

There are certain fabrics that will actually emphasize and draw attention to your bust. Fabrics like chunky knits, heavy velvets, sequins, satin, and fur can add unwanted volume.

Tip #4) Camis Are Your Friend

You can layer a cami underneath a deeper v-neck to minimize exposure. If a shirt is too low cut, a camisole will help you create a bit more modesty. Be sure to find one with adjustable straps so you can control just how much cleavage you do or don’t want to show.

wrap style tops for big busts

Tip # 5) Wear Wrap Style Tops

I realize I’m not large-busted, BUT a wrap front top similar to the one I’m wearing above is typically a wonderful option for women with a larger chest. There are just certain top styles that will be more flattering on a large bust and wrap tops are at the top of the list! The overlapping fabric creates a flattering v-neckline drawing the eye downward, away from the bust, and toward the waist.

By the way, wrap DRESSES offer the same flattering benefits for a larger chest. You’ll find some gorgeous wrap dresses here.

Tip #6) Minimize Volume

You won’t want to wear a blouse with too many ruffles or flounces. Instead, look for simple tops that won’t add a lot of extra volume to your top half and save the drama for your lower half.

Tip #7) Necklines To Avoid

Turtlenecks and crew necks are not the most flattering necklines for women with large busts. A high neckline can make the chest appear larger.

Tip #8) Say Yes To Larger Straps

If you are wearing a tank, choose one with wide straps to hide your supportive bra straps underneath. Tops with slim straps can look unbalanced causing the breasts to look larger.

Veronica Beard Fauri Shirt

Tip #9) Choose Stripes & Patterns Wisely

It’s no secret that horizontal stripes can make a large bust look wider and larger. Vertical stripes on a body-skimming blouse will draw the eye down. Solid-colored tops or tops with less busy, small patterns are also great options. Large patterns draw focus and attention to the chest whereas solids, vertical stripes, and small patterns take the focus away from the bust and can help camouflage a larger chest. See how the blouse I’m wearing above naturally draws the eye down toward my waist and elongates my torso? If I had a larger bust, I would probably open a few of the buttons at the neck to create a v-neck effect.

Tip #10) Wear Dark Colors

Speaking of wearing solids, if you are trying to minimize your bust wear dark-colored tops! Wearing a darker color on top and saving your brighter, more colorful pieces for your lower half will draw the eye away from your chest and toward that bright pink skirt or those eye-catching boots.

Tip #11) Avoid Boxy Styles

Sometimes in order to get a top to fit across your chest, you are left with boxiness and bagginess in the bodice of the top that makes your mid-section look larger than it is. Which really isn’t flattering! How do you fix this? Tuck in or front tuck your top, find a top with a cinched waist or tie front, or get your top tailored to get the right fit. You want to avoid a tent-like look that doesn’t allow for waist definition. If you have a larger waist and worry that tucking in your top isn’t flattering for your belly, you can tuck in your top, add a waist belt, and also add a third layer like a jacket, blazer, or cardigan to create waist definition with added coverage on the sides.

necklines for big busts

Tip #12) Add Strategic Bling!

Jewelry is another important factor to consider when looking to minimize the appearance of a large chest. I really love the idea of a short statement necklace or choker like the one I’m wearing above. It draws the eye up toward your beautiful face and shows off that collarbone sweet spot. Longer necklaces not only draw the eye toward your bust but depending on the length, they might also not lay comfortably on your chest. Statement earrings are another great jewelry choice for taking the attention away from your bust line.

Tip #13) Sleeve Length Can Distract & Divert

When you have a large chest, wearing short sleeves that are level with your bust line can visually draw out the vertical line of your bust making it look larger. Opting for sleeveless, ¾, or long sleeves will create an optical illusion to minimize that line.

Tip #14) Choose The Right Fit

If you wear a shirt with a popping button or gaping holes, that draws the eye directly to your breasts. Tight blouses that are stretched over your bust can create creases and wrinkles too while also making your breasts look distorted. I think we can all agree that’s not a good look! You want tops that skim the body and show your shape, but that aren’t too tight.

Now that you’re armed with the best tips to help you find the most flattering tops to fit and flatter your large bust, are you ready to put them into action?

Keep scrolling for 20 of the most elegant and flattering tops for dressing a fuller chest.

Are you a large busted woman with a styling tip to share? Well, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave us a note in the comments so other women can benefit from your knowledge. And if you’re interested, see more fashion & styling tips and tricks HERE.

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Wraps That Work

Elegant & Flattering
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Cozy Wrap Sweater
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That’s A Wrap!
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Surplice in 13 Colors
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Beautiful Button-Downs

Lovely Print
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EXTRA Bust Buttons
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Vertical Stripes
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Under $100
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Bra-Friendly Wide Straps

Comes in 4 Colors!
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Great Basic
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Elevated Tank
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Pretty Lace Trim
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A Must For Larger Busts

Basic V
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Love The Sleeves!
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Flattering Twist Front
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Flaunt Those Curves
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Flattering Sweaters

Incredibly Affordable!
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Layered Look
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Square Neck
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4 Color Choices!
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17 thoughts on “20 Flattering Tops for Big Busts And 14 Tips For Dressing a Fuller Chest

  1. This article is so helpful! I’m a 30G bra size, plus my shoulders are very narrow, so I look like I’m all chest under my clothes! These are great tips that I’ll definitely try. I love your blue/white striped high-neck blouse in the photo. Would you share where it’s from? Thanks, and I’m so glad I found your site!

    1. So glad this post was helpful, Laney! Erin’s top is older and sold out in the striped pattern. It is still available in white here: https://rstyle.me/+h3RtxYsx1Y0gbCdnuxM87A. Let us know if you have any other questions or need more shopping suggestions! We’re happy to help and so glad you found the site! ~Team Busbee

  2. Great tips! I’m a 5’ 10” thin, inverted triangle with a proportionately large bust, and I love a long necklace that hangs below the bust. It draws the eye down from my bust and broad shoulders. I’m new to your site, and I just love your style! Can you point me towards any specific articles or videos on dressing an IT or anything specifically for tall ladies? Thanks!

  3. Thanks. Every things are beaitifull. I do like to read every story and learn about style more and more. Best vishes and love from Serbia.

  4. I’m so glad I found this website! You’re absolutely BRILLIANT!!
    As a 61 year old woman, my biggest dressing challenge is a short apple shape torso. I have a fuller bust, and a belly.
    At 5’8”, I have slim long legs but my torso area looks like a scoop of ice cream plopped atop a cube.
    Suggestions?

    1. I am SO glad that you are here and enjoying our content! A whole lot of styling has to do with highlighting our assets and minimizing our “problem areas”. Though this looks different for us all, I promise it is true for everyone! Here’s a great video full of tips for the Circle Body Shape: https://youtu.be/rqtu42-Th1c Hope this helps! ~Erin xo

  5. I loved this article. Thank you for all the great suggestions! Can you do a part 2 focusing on jackets and coats? I’m looking for a great black blazer that flatters my bust and emphasizes my waist. I want to be on trend but the boxy blazers just don’t work for me.

    1. I’m glad you loved this one, Sara! Thanks for sharing your idea of having a part 2, great idea. In the meantime, here are some great picks for larger busts:
      https://rstyle.me/+Xpu1Gyr0Zq7dAw939tWl0Q
      https://rstyle.me/+_-8lRAAKvSS2S7VS0_UFGg
      https://rstyle.me/+CNIjLgAUWyY5t-OclBeASw
      https://rstyle.me/+pfpnG4DpajHVqlwqjlUtJg

      Here’s a short video that you may like, chock full of tips for larger breasts:
      https://www.instagram.com/p/CjqxGnrLn5F/ ~Erin xo

  6. I really wanted to thank you for this article. Minimizing and flattering my bust have always been a challenge for me and this nice easy read has given me lots of ideas and I especially like that there are some links to products that I can try.

  7. You’re beautiful, stylish and a lovely person and I agree with just about everything you style and show. However, as a big busted lady, I must tell you that wrap tops and dresses don’t work. They settle into the space between the breasts. When I try to pull the side that wraps over, onto the other breast, it must be pulled way over and doesn’t look good at all. Leaving the wrap over side fall between the breasts makes them look larger. I’ve tried many styles of wraps, different fabrics and manufacturers, and none work for me. Thank you for all you do to empower women and help them look and feel their best! I truly appreciate all the help and advice you’ve given me🥰😍😘

    1. AnnaMaria you are THE sweetest! Thank you for sharing your experience and feedback. Wrap tops are typically a good option for many women with bigger breasts, but certainly not all. Definitely depends on your shape and the cut and fit of the garment. ~Erin xo

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