Let's play Geek Barbie

July 8, 2010 8:07 AM

Help a 28yr old buxom lass find clothing that fits properly and looks grown-up without being boring.

I work in a casual office, so for ages have been living in trainers, jeans and T-shirts. Sadly, I'm realising that few T-shirts suit me - more sadly, I'm realising that most of my summer clothes don't look right and I feel even more scruffy when I try to dress up. Help me find things that will look great. I'm in the UK, though may consider overseas stores.

Data points:
- I'm a size UK16 with a 36FF bust. Most high-street clothing here is cut for a C-cup.
- Anything with 'cups' sewn in, therefore, is NO GOOD.
- I am5ft 10, pale, red-haired, so purple, pinks and oranges tend to clash.
- I like skirts, cardigans, duffle coats, and green, red and blue things.
- I really like the style of Anthropologie - it's quirky without being teenagery - though it's very expensive over here and like many things will not fit my bust more than likely.
- I rarely wear heels as I have huge and tender feet. I like shoes that are comfortable to walk in, though it's hard to find shoes like this that are both durable and pretty.
- Stores I like: Topshop (on occasion - I find it hard to get things that fit) Monsoon (mainly dresses), vintage-inspired pieces (though most genuine vintage is too small or short on me).

posted by mippy to clothing, beauty, & fashion (30 answers total)

Oh - and I like buying things that will last if I love them forever, so as long as they're not uber-expensive, feel free to suggest anything you like.
posted by mippy at 8:10 AM on July 8, 2010

OMG, you're basically the UK equivalent of ME, so I'm very excited to see what people recommend!

Not sure if you've checked out J. Jill, but they're good for "grown-up but NOT stuffy" pieces, and sometimes have wickedly good sales. Oh! And the Sundance Catalog, but ONLY their outlet section.

As far as shoes go, I am something of a connoisseur of "comfy, cute and indestructible". Tsubo's leather options (NOT the canvas ones) are great. So are Danskos. Dr. Martens makes lots of shoes which are adorable and bulletproof (if not immediately super-comfy). You may be able to find Tredair stuff, too (similar to Doc M's, but better-made).
posted by julthumbscrew at 8:23 AM on July 8, 2010

I think I heard this on one of those What Not to Wear clones: buy an item of clothing that fits the largest part of you, and have it tailored. If you go this route, make sure there's a sufficient allowance around the bust, particularly with button-down blouses, to prevent gapping. I see straining buttons on the subway almost every day.
posted by orrnyereg at 8:28 AM on July 8, 2010

I don;t wear button-down blouses - I see nice ones, but I have the choice between only wearing it open with a vest underneath, or buying a size bigger and having it not fit anywhere else (or worse, hang straight off the bust down).
posted by mippy at 8:32 AM on July 8, 2010

In case you don't know, Bravissimo don't just sell lingerie - it's actually very good for picking up staple pieces that will fit your bust. Their stuff is a pretty good quality, better than Topshop but not as good as Coast, if that makes sense. Boden is also good and tends to be generous in the bust, try their wrap dresses as those are always great for a larger bust size.
posted by ukdanae at 8:39 AM on July 8, 2010

Bravissimo do clothing, so they might have something you like.
posted by knapah at 8:40 AM on July 8, 2010

Not sure how much you are willing to spend, but Look on etsy.com for custom made clothing, they'll be more expensive, but very likely good quality and fitted exactly to your body. They have lots of vintage inspired things. Some of my favorites are:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/heartmycloset
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ananya
http://www.etsy.com/shop/YongS

Also try thrift shops, clearance racks, et cetera. Sometimes you will find the perfect fitting thing if you hold out long enough, and clearance racks are good for finding uncommon sizes at low prices. Someone mentioned getting things tailored, and that can be actually really worth it for fit and quality both, and not too expensive overall especially with thrifted stuff, it usually puts it around the price of a store bought item. Try to get in touch with some local tailors and talk to them about clothing options, pricing, et cetera. It's helpful to build a relationship with one you like a lot.

I hope this helps!
posted by tillie at 9:02 AM on July 8, 2010

Boden seem a bit...too old for me really. I think I need something sort of between New Look and there.
posted by mippy at 9:04 AM on July 8, 2010

I totally 2nd the JJill suggestion. I've started getting my work stuff there and have been very pleased with the fit and quality.

Two things I've noticed about "classy" dressers:
1. They tend to wear simple, elegant jewelry. Either nice understated pieces (nothing cheap or too trendy) or a striking signature piece...a stunning necklace or fabulous bracelet.
2. As soon as your favorite sweater, pants, shirt starts to look like "your favorite" than it's time to stop wearing it to work. By this I mean that it starts to look worn, pilled, well-washed, slightly faded etc. and stops looking good. Wear it at home all you want, but it's no longer suitable for work.
posted by victoriab at 9:06 AM on July 8, 2010

See you're in London - I'm not your shape, but for slightly quirky, smart-but-stylish-without-being-boring I love Brick Lane/Spitalfields markets on a Sunday.

Lots of clothes there are being sold by the people who made them, so are less likely to be your standard off-the-peg in terms of style or sizing. Between the two markets, there are so many stalls that you'd be bound to find something, I think. Also lots of vintage stalls. I'd never stumbled on Anthropologie before, but I'd say it looks like it's in a similar vein. Sighhh... (gazes dreamily out of the window 400 miles away).
posted by penguin pie at 9:09 AM on July 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

I strongly second the recommendation of working with a tailor to have your clothes fitted.

I've been doing that for years, sometimes buying clothes at the outlet shops and having them altered to fit properly, which costs about the same as buying directly from a shop.
posted by desl at 9:10 AM on July 8, 2010

It's hard to recommend certain clothes or brands, because even though we might have similar measurements, it's likely we fit clothes differently. I love skirts in the summer, trousers in the winter with tall boots, and cardigans all year. But I have a stack of camisoles and stretchy tank tops that I wear under everything. They fix too-low necklines on a V-neck shirt, and flatter me better than a crewneck under a cardigan.

I recommend following some normal-person fashion blogs. There are really good ones out there that have given me some great ideas for business casual clothes. The women who write the blogs usually post daily photos of themselves. While they might not have the large bust that you have, it is a good place to start. You can just get a sense of what you should look for, and take that idea with you as you shop. I recommend Already Pretty, academichic, byHillary for starters. I am not as into accessories as they are, and don't feel comfortable with the whole 'belted look' thing, but I know that reading these has affected my style. I have bought fewer new clothes since reading these this year because I'm taking advantage of what I already have in my closet.
posted by aabbbiee at 9:19 AM on July 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Disclosure:I'm 5 ft 8 in., 40DDD, UK size 20 on top/16 on the bottom - I feel your pain. Luckily, I just found IGIGI a few weeks ago and ordered a dress from them. It arrived yesterday and it fits like a dream.
posted by echolalia67 at 9:23 AM on July 8, 2010

36G/UK18 here, used to live in Cambridge.

Trust me, you're not going to find flattering tops in any of the high street shops. As far as they're concerned, women don't have boobs. The one exception to that was M&S. Yes, yes I know, M&S is for old ladies, but their cardigans fit like a dream! They tend to be more fitted at the waist than most, and they drape better.

Nthing Bravissimo. Their lingerie is phenomenal, and as all busty girls know, the bra can make or break an outfit. Plus, all of their clothes are made for people with big boobs and are actually flattering for those of us who are a little (or a lot) more endowed. Their strappy tops are a godsend. I'm in Los Angeles now, and I STILL order stuff from them. I haven't found anyone else that carries the same quality and selection.

I also liked Next. If you have boobs, their tops are useless, but their trousers are not bad. I have no idea why, but the way their stuff was cut fit me when no one else's did. If their stuff fits you, I would head there to pick up a couple of trendier pieces to mix in with the rest. Plus they're cheap, so you don't mind so much when they go out of style in 6 months. Keep in mind cheap clothes that fit will always look better than expensive ones that don't.

As for shoes, I have really wide feet and was never able to find shoes that fit. Ever. I essentially had to have family in the US send them to me or do massive shoe shopping when I went home to visit. Of course, I have crazy wide clown feet, or as my husband likes to tell me, feet like hams (thanks hon!) so I can't really offer any advice on that one.
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola at 10:10 AM on July 8, 2010

Mippy, I think you might have missed the point about button-down tops: buy them so that they do fit your top--yes, they are huge--and then bring them to the tailor.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:15 AM on July 8, 2010

I am 5ft 10, pale, red-haired, so purple, pinks and oranges tend to clash.

I'm shorter and have brown hair, but am also endowed in the chest region. Check out Tom and Lorenzo's fashion posts on Joan Holloway on Mad Men, for both color and shape ideas*. I've been studying her style very closely.

Christina Hendricks, the actress who plays Joan, is a busty, pale redhead. She looks amazing in purple, orange, and pink, as well as the expected greens and blues.

Joan works a very structured, stream-lined style well. Her office sleeve lengths are usually perfect for a chesty woman. (And she has the same problem with too much fabric in the arm pits of button blouses that I do!)

*Warning - the fashion posts are plot spoiler-y if you care about that sort of thing.


Oh, how I wish Bravissimo was in the US. I would drive to LA just to shop there.
posted by Squeak Attack at 11:02 AM on July 8, 2010

I'm sure a tailor is a great idea for us curvy women, but not everyone has the money and time to spend on it.

I suggest looking for knit tops instead of woven - in other words, a cardigan set is going to be more flattering and comfortable than a button-down blouse.

Similarly, try thinking in terms of layers - you can probably find some simple, staple camisole/tanktops that are inexpensive and comfortable alone on a hot day at home, but can be dressed up for work (meaning, hide the bra straps) with a blazer, cardigan, or a crocheted top.

To find t-shirts that fit, look for ones with gathered or pleated fabric along the front. Old Navy has some at the moment, but I'm sure you can find some closer to you. Here's a link to what I mean.

If Boden seems too old to you, I don't think you'll like J.Jill. How about J.Crew, though? Also, I've never bought anything from Modcloth, but their stuff is cute and might be the style you're going for.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 11:14 AM on July 8, 2010

This might be an answer, also. I haven't tried it myself, but have seen links from some sewing blogs. It could, at minimum, give you an idea of something that might be flattering.
posted by annsunny at 11:18 AM on July 8, 2010

I'm watching this with interest, as I'm a 16, everything's too short, but the bust is slightly easier at DD/E, and I'm 27 and not looking to pass for 40 and dressing for brunch.

A male friend has recently bullied me into blazers, how do you feel about them? With a t-shirt and jeans that are pretty well-fitting, they look smart as hell and are very flattering on curves and a big bust. If you're wearing them with trainers and quirky jewellery, they won't look square or frumpy. Zara is the obvious answer here, though it's a bit of work finding the larger sizes - I'm rocking one over a grey American Apparel t-shirt with a plastic green necklace and a polkadot H&M skirt right now, and it's kind of smart charity shop chic.

Also, I'm sure you know this, but regularly trawling Marks and Spencer for the non-frumpy stuff is worthwhile because the bust is kind of a given in their clothes. I find the Autograph Weekend stuff, with the right jewellery and brightly coloured shoes, is where I'm getting the best returns.
posted by carbide at 11:23 AM on July 8, 2010

a decent v-neck is your friend, not talking bout the quite high neckline ones an old lady might be comfy with nor the really wide ones, that look more round than v shaped - look for reasonably low, without over exposing yourself but properly v shaped things. some wide round necklines, which are reasonably low might also work. knitwear is definintely your friend, as is Bravissimo for under and outer wear, as are wrap dresses/wrap tops with little vests underneath, as are cardigans with vest tops/halterneck tops.
posted by koahiatamadl at 11:44 AM on July 8, 2010

I'm a bit older than you, so I'm going to tell you the things I wish someone had told me. It would have saved me from a lifetime of frumpy clothing.

You have an awesome rack. You absolutely must show it off. People pay good money to get what God gave you. Flaunt it. Do not try to camouflage or hide your fabulous tits.

Scoop necks, v-necks, and wrap tops are your friends. Embrace them. Crew necks and polo (turtle) necks are not. They will make you look heavy.

Ignore what the flat chested girls in the fashion magazines are wearing. Fashion does NOT scale. What looks good on them will look absolutely awful on you. Similarly, what looks plain and boring, perhaps even dowdy on them may very well make you look like sex on a stick.
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola at 12:01 PM on July 8, 2010 [5 favorites]

I'm picturing a good vintage 50s or 60s look, like the Mad Men recommendation. Think about full skirts, knit tops and a cute cardigan.

Cinch the smallest part of you - probably right under your bust or your waist if you're lucky - with a belt or sash or something. That does wonders for anything too loose, and shows that you have a womanly shape (many men find that appealing). That may help your blouse situation, buy them big and cinch.

I love wrap dresses in a knit fabric for work, they seem to work really well for busty women and almost anyone. consider investing in a good Diane Von Furstenberg version, it will fit well and last forever.

And ballet flats are your shoe solution if you don't like heels. Try French Sole for a variety of options.
posted by rainydayfilms at 12:04 PM on July 8, 2010

I feel badly because I probably gave you an old lady answer.

So I'll pop back in and sat my go-to for this summer has been tank top (vest in UK) + cardigan + skirt / shorts / jeans + sandals.

There's a lot you can do with that format. Embellished tank/vest + boyfriend cardigan + above-knee skirt + sandals could be cute/young and casual office friendly. Cropped cardigan + ruffled tank + slim jeans + metallic flats could be quite dressy.

I subscribed to this blog recently: proficisamur! Unlike me, she's young, slender, and long-waisted, but she has some interesting ideas.
posted by Squeak Attack at 12:54 PM on July 8, 2010

I was watching one of those What Not to Wear type shows recently, and they recommended Rebecca and Drew for button down shirts for busty girls. Looks like they are pretty expensive, but could be in line with the price of buying a regular shirt and having it tailored? I have no idea how much custom tailoring costs though, so this might be way off base. They're in NYC, but might ship to the UK.
posted by bobafet at 1:20 PM on July 8, 2010

I haven't bought any of the clothing lines they carry yet, but Figleaves is where I get all my bras (I'm 30G) and I'm extremely happy with quality, service, and their customer review system. Given their specialization in hard-to-fit women for bras, I expect they have several styles that will work on your figure.
posted by thatdawnperson at 3:08 PM on July 8, 2010

I sew hooks & eyes between the buttons on my blouses to keep the tragedy of "gaposis" at bay.
posted by vespabelle at 9:01 PM on July 8, 2010

I'm fine with bras - Freya seem to work well on me - but even in shops that sell bigger bras the clothing isn't cut to match.

I think generally I want to look a bit more 'together' and feel too old to be wearing T-shirts and jeans all the time (in fact have realised that lighter T-shirts seem to hang far better on me than heavier jersey), but in a casual office wearing a wrap dress when there's no meetings will feel odd at first. I do have a couple of dresses from Boden but they were sale buys for meetings - I may bust them out in the autumn though.

French Sole look pretty, although about twice as much as I'm used to spending on shoes. Are they good quality? I've heard good things about Duo as well, but they're also expensive. Similarly, Get Cutie do cup-sized dresses but I need to justify my purchase as they are more than I'd normally spend on a casual dress.

I don't really have the resources - time and money - for tailoring, at least not until I work somewhere that requires it. Long-term I'd like to learn how to alter things myself, but it will take lessons I imagine! The hook and eye thing used to work but not anymore. Where are some great places for tank tops, then? I've been keeping an eye out but seen nothing that floats my boat, or at least looks like it will survive two washes.
posted by mippy at 1:45 AM on July 9, 2010

If you feel too dressy in the wrap dresses you could maybe ease your way into it by wearing them over jeans?
posted by penguin pie at 4:05 AM on July 9, 2010

35 year old UK female here who has gone through a bit if a fashion rebirth in the past year - I've forced myself out of my comfort zone, done some research and bought clothes I wouldnt have done a year ago. I've done alot of high street shopping this past year.

Research means I regularly look at Chictopia.com and the wardrobe remix flickr pool and make a note of what I like the look of and then go shopping with an outfit or item in mind. Polyvore.com is a handy tool. For a blog where someone tells you what shapes and styles might suit you and what to pair with what, I like youlookfab.com.

I'm 5ft10, 34E, size 16 although I've lost some weight and have bought sizes ranging everywhere from 10 to 16 and have probably gone down a cup size too.

High street shops that I can find things that fit in:

H&M. Trousers are a good fit, they tend to be long enough through the body. Pros - very cheap, cons - very cheap.

New look. I used to scoff and walk past New Look thinking it to be only for teenagers but whoever is doing the buying for New Look at the moment is doing a good job. The other week I went looking for the perfect pair of black jogger/hareem trousers, must have tried on 5 pairs and found the best fitting (and cheapest) in New Look. Skip over the very flashy teen stuff. Sizes seem to be quite generous, especially in the bust.

Dorothy Perkins. Found them to be generous on the sizing, good for tall busty girls. They tend to have some wacky patterns but theres some good classics in there if you hunt for them. They seem to have a more primary colour palette than some shops too, good for your greens, reds and blues.

Shops I dont get on with:
Topshop. They size small. Real struggle to find something that fits.

River Island. Too flashy, size small again. Nice accessories though.

Next. Some really bizarre patterns in here, also size on the small side but there is the odd gem to be had.

A really easy way to look more together is to match your shoes with a belt. I've been a big belt convert recently. The shops are full of tan leather shoes at the moment. Scour charity shops for mens tan leather woven belts, there is nearly always one in every charity shop I swear, doesnt matter if its too big, the cool girls are looping them over, examples 1, 2, 3.

Charity shops are also great for blazers which are all over the high street recently, roll up the sleeves to update the look. Bonus points if the lining is a different colour.

When browsing I've learned to look for styles, shapes and lengths and to ignore the colour and pattern. Try on everything that catches your eye, even if youre not sure about it on the hanger, it may be really flattering.

If theres a style or trend thats a bit daring for me I'll look for it somewhere cheap like H&M. If the experiment is successful then I know to look out for it in a better quality version.
posted by Ness at 4:07 AM on July 9, 2010

See, I've found the opposite with New Look - their dresses are indecently short on me. Used to really like Dorothy Perkins but quality seems to have gone downhill these days.
posted by mippy at 9:43 AM on July 9, 2010