posted by teresa on
December 1, 2008
how to wear: cardigans for the big-busted
You found the the perfect cardigan, only to discover when you try it on, it either pulls at the bustline or it’s way too chunky and makes you feel like the Michelin man.
If fashion designers think that the majority of women are B cups, they are sorely mistaken. The average bra size has grown from 34B to 36C over the last 10 years, according to to many retailers and researchers. And in my line of work, it has become painfully obvious that shirtmakers and designers need to visit store dressing rooms to see first-hand the exasperated women trying to find something that fits at the bust and still taper in at the waist.
Until the majority wakes up, here are a few great cardigans for those that have C-D cups that help streamline your top half, make you look stylish, and still keep you warm this winter.
- Drape cardigan
, $118
Any drape cardigan works well on the larger busted as long as the armhole is cut high enough on the side to follow your silhouette. You don’t want a lot of fabric otherwise it starts to add “pounds” where you don’t want them. - Vince V-neck cardigan
, $295
Yes, v-necks can be extremely slimming but be very careful the top button hits right at the top of the widest part of your bust, not below. If it hits below, the fabric will wrap around your bust and make you look bigger. And ALWAYS leave the last 1-2 buttons undone. - Vince Ribbed Cowl Sweater, $295 (on sale Mon + Tues only)
This version, I’ve thrown in to throw you off. It works — trust me. But don’t wear it how they styled it. Sometimes I dream of just going to these photo shoots and restyling half of the shots - this is one I’d love to redo. Leave the last 2 buttons un-buttoned and button the rest all the way to the very top. It is a cool, drapey, t-neck/cowl sweater that will keep you super warm. Typically, I say no to ribbed sweaters but this is a nice, mid-weight cashmere where the ribbing doesn’t buckle or wave.
- Cashmere cardigan with waist detail, $169
Any smooth, clean-styled cashmere cardigan will keep you looking svelte and staying warm. This one has a bit of structure which is perfect. Un-button the top button as crew-necks will make a large busted gal look bigger.
(9 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
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December 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
Thank you for this post! This is my biggest wardrobe struggle (finding tops that fit in the bust that are not too big everywhere else).
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
great post!! one would think that a flattering cardigan for a well-endowed girl would be easier to find since its a knit fabrication — it stretches.
but alas i am so tired of only owning open front cardigans. i actually saw the vince cardi on sale on neiman marcus, but it was gone by the time i clicked on it.
i have one topper (summer weight), i had to move the buttons further down waist-ward and it still looks a little off proportionally. but i do feel cute in it!!
December 4th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Please write more tips for big-busted ladies! I have the triple threat challenge of big-busted, petite (5′2), and hourglass. Keep your inspirational, creative, and always classy “What to Wear” and “How to Wear” articles coming!
December 4th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Leaving the last two buttons buttoned is a no-no? I always associated that look with “my shirt is too small.” Guess Mom was right (as usual)!
December 4th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
leaving buttons undone i think in general connotates a lack of fit. i recall when i was a less endowed mid 20 something i bought a french blue button-up shirt. i wore a black lace hanro camisole underneath and unbuttoned the first couple of buttons over the bust (because they wouldn’t button). i walked out to show my then boyfriend now husband who so matter of factly stated “that shirt doesn’t fit you” that he burst my “so cute - i made it work” balloon! but i did learn a lesson of what we think passes as camoflauge doesn’t always do the job.
December 5th, 2008 at 8:54 am
You can certainly tell an item doesn’t fit when a) you can’t button the item, and b) there are what I call “pull wrinkles” at a particular area. Leaving buttons undone on your layering pieces at the bottom does not connote a lack of fit. Rather, it incorporates basic design principles so that there is not a horizontal line cutting you at the hip area. Big busted gals need their torsos to look as long and lean as possible. Creating an inverted-v at the bottom by leaving those 1-2 buttons undone, helps tremendously.
December 5th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Well, I think your point is well made - you can’t take a shirt that doesn’t fit and try to make it fit by wearing some buttons undone. But I believe the tip was to take a sweater that fits, and then to give the illusion of an hourglass, open the top and the bottom of the knit piece. Giving it an hourglass shape - and balancing out a heavy top and emphasizing the smallest part of the waist.
But, as I say, your point was well taken. Also, as a side note, I firmly believe that most (I’m saying most, not all) men haven’t a clue about fashion or what kind of a silhouette makes a woman most attractive or feel the most confident. (And isn’t that what it’s all about?)
December 5th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
here here to both teresa & kate, well said. i like teresa’s comment about the inverted V - very personal stylist savvy. and kate’s comment about confidence - that is what it is all about. absolutely right.