Busty mefites: what are your favorite layering camisoles?
August 20, 2015 2:03 PM   Subscribe

I like wearing v-neck tops, but I have to wear a camisole/ modesty-panel if I want to wear them and avoid cleavage. I'm having trouble finding camisoles that meet my needs. Anyone have any that they love?

We've had questions before from smaller-chested mefites who wanted camisoles to wear instead of a bra. I have the opposite problem:I'm a smallish person with biggish boobs, and I'm looking for cleavage-covering camisoles to wear on top of a bra and under low-cut tops. I wear a 30E bra in most brands. I currently wear cheap camisoles from Forever 21 and Target, but they don't really do the trick. They start out ok, but they seem to slide down my chest, and I end up popping out of them more than I would like. Some of them also ride up at the bottom, which is really uncomfortable and annoying. I am looking for something relatively high-cut that can accommodate my ample boobage and that will not ride up. I definitely don't want a shelf bra, and I'd prefer not to have any lace at the top. I mostly wear black and white camisoles, but I'd be open to more interesting colors.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total) 29 users marked this as a favorite
 
Nordstrom house brand - Caslon or Halogen - usually about $20, good stretch fabric, lots of colors, sturdy stitching, and no annoying tiny shelf bra.
posted by matildaben at 2:08 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


I like the Tami tank from Old Navy. One year they made it in like 20 colors.

What I like about it is that it's long, it's all cotton and doesn't get that shiny clingy thing that ones with spandex get. I tend to wear it under other cotton shirts, so I'm not sure how it would go under something in a slicker fabric. I have luck with coverage (I am busty), though the straps are a big wee long for me.
posted by vunder at 2:09 PM on August 20, 2015


I (~28F) have a few of the uniqlo airism camisoles that I wear over a bra/under a shirt. I never have a problem with them riding up, they stay in place well all day. They also don't grab at any of my other shirts, which has been a problem I have had with cheaper ones.
posted by anthropophagous at 2:09 PM on August 20, 2015 [4 favorites]


I have the same problem, and I adore these Second Base demi-camisoles. They only reach to the bottom of the bra, so they don't ride up or create any extra bulk under my t-shirts. There's a tiny bit of elastic at the bottom of the cami, but it isn't a shelf-bra - it's really just half of a camisole. They go on sale at Amazon sometimes too.
posted by dialetheia at 2:11 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


Hi! I had the same problem until I found these jockey slimming camisoles. If you look at the picture you'll see there is a spandex section in the middle but the top around your bust is cottony and looser, as well as the bottom strip. These don't ride up or smoosh my chest at all, and have the added benefit of some smoothing action. Can't say enough good things, really. I am a 32 E bra size and a small in the cami, which fits tight around the middle so if you don't like that you might want to size up.
posted by sarahnicolesays at 2:13 PM on August 20, 2015


Old Navy tanks are my go to when I don't feel like letting the girls hang out. They're thin and cover my double ds comfortably.
posted by Ruki at 2:34 PM on August 20, 2015


I have a bunch from Gap and Old Navy that have all been fine and served their purpose, but my favorite (and the most expensive at about $20) has been the Gap fluid cami. It's made of rayon and has much less stretch than some as well as non-adjustable straps. It feels very silky and nice, keeps me from scaring the horses (I'm a 32E), doesn't ride up or down (on me) and comes in a fair number of colors.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 2:49 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


I just got one from Loft that's cute, super soft, and has adjustable straps that are pretty firm. Would totally recommend you look at their clearance section for great deals. Most of their shirts are tasteful and office appropriate but young enough to be fun.
posted by DoubleLune at 2:53 PM on August 20, 2015


I wear the Old Navy tanks/camisoles, and I wear a 38H.
posted by culfinglin at 3:17 PM on August 20, 2015


I'm the same bra size as you and I wear uniqlo camis all the time for this. They always have plain black, nude and white, but they have loads of different colours too. I take a small, if that helps.

They also have some pretty nice scoop neck tshirts and wider-strapped vests which also work well under v-necks and wrap dresses, if you're looking for variety. And their cashmere and merino v-necks are worth looking at too.
posted by tinkletown at 3:21 PM on August 20, 2015


I'm quite large chested and I like the modal camis that Costco sells under their Kirkland brand. They're super cheap and have adjustable straps.
posted by LyndsayMW at 3:34 PM on August 20, 2015 [4 favorites]


I have had success with Soft Surroundings faux-camis
posted by janey47 at 4:10 PM on August 20, 2015 [1 favorite]


Karen Kane Super Soft Tanks are the holy grail as far as I'm concerned - I'm full busted, always have 4 or 5 of these and I wear them until they fall apart. They're way less athletic and more outfit neutral than it looks on the website (ie, not lacy, yet not out of place in a professional outfit) and the modal fabric stretches but doesn't cling in the precise way it should. They also live up to being soft, wicking moisture but breathing and having a pleasing texture. Nice length too. I believe if you sign up at the website you can get 20% off your first order.
posted by sweltering at 11:27 PM on August 20, 2015


Yep, I came in to recommend the Costco ones too. I have a long torso and use them for double duty - modesty for cleavage but also tucked in so that I can bend over safely if I leave my other layers untucked. I wear one every day, because the ones with the elastic shelf bra is especially nice as a bonus layer of support when I'm in the midst of a hormone filled boob pain day.
posted by librarianamy at 4:41 AM on August 21, 2015 [1 favorite]


I have a bunch of Old Navy ones that work well for me, plus some Ann Taylor camis.
posted by gingerbeer at 5:16 PM on August 21, 2015


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