The other day I received an email pleading with me to help with dressing the petite and busty figure. This body shape can easily look disproportionate and unbalanced as the scale of the bust is large, but the scale of the overall body is small and petite.
- Too much fabric will overwhelm you, keep garments slim and body skimming
- Minimise the size of your bust with lower necklines and larger scale necklaces to draw the eye upwards
- Upsize your necklaces by wearing pieces made from multiple smaller pieces rather than larger pieces which will wear you
- Keep your mid-section free of detail. Your large bust will make your waist look shorter than it is. End tops around your hip bone.
- Keep your tops more boring – unless it’s a busy dense small scale pattern.
- Look for vertical detailing to elongate your frame.
- Jackets are great at hiding your bust and the opening will create slimming verticals on your body
Hi, Imogen. I have a daughter who is petite and busty. She also has an hourglass figure, Would all of these suggestions also apply to her? Interesting subject.
MaryAnn,
Yes these would also apply to her – you want to follow the tips for petite – plus some of the tips for the X shape
I am a large busted v shape, about 5’6″, and those suggestions seem to fit with pretty much everything I have found that looks best on me. I am a redhead with fair skin and I find that that also affects the busyness of patterns and the need for cleaner lines. Maybe it is because the freckles already create their own pattern and adding more pattern to it can look a little messy?
Terri – That’s great! As far as patterns go, it’s to do with both your skin and your personality. Freckles do work well with small dense patterns (such as leopard print). Look for a lower contrast rather than a high contrast too so that the colours aren’t too much for you!
I’m 5’2″ and wear a 32J. I have an hourglass figure but am extremely short-waisted. Your comment about avoiding detail at the waist is spot on. Although I have a relatively small waist (which most other tutorials would suggest belting), wearing a belt makes me look like I’m nothing but “Boobs and belt”, as I’ve heard someone call it. . Like Terri, I’m a freckled redhead and I’ve found that I patterns work best on me it they’re predominantly vertical. Thanks for this; I’ll be looking to recreate that blue ensemble!
Thanks for the help. I’m 5’2 petite, busty and a V shape. These tips have helped. Especially the open jacket and minimize at the the waste.
What do you suggest for 5’1″ large bust (34G) and a tummy (I currently weigh 138lbs and carry most of my weigh around the middle). I don’t like things clinging to my stomach, it makes me very self conscious. Shopping is a daunting task that generally leaves me feeling quite low. Any tips that you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I would love to be able to wear a cute sundress without feeling so self conscious. Thank you.
I would be looking at caftan styles for summer!
Im 5ft 2″ and 38DD. I like certain patterns, but I generally draw closer to darker colors. So I also want to experiment with color and also with shapes. So I need help with what color combos look good together. Along with shapes knowing which ones will elongate me.
OMG, you are such a wealth of knowledge! Could you please, please elaborate on number 3 “Upsize your necklaces by wearing pieces made from multiple smaller pieces rather than larger pieces which will wear you”? I’m not sure what you mean:(
Read this https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2014/10/how-to-upscale-your-jewellery-without-it-overwhelming-your-features.html and this https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2016/10/choosing-accessories-by-personality.html and https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2013/04/the-scale-of-necklaces-relating-to-your-bust-size.html for tips on upsizing!
Im 5ft tall 38h bust med waist small hips and 66yrs old. Looking a great cocktail dress to wear to formal wedding help!
Hi Jeri, try something like this http://bit.ly/2CKAXIP or this http://bit.ly/2BQUevg or http://bit.ly/2ot1YMh or http://bit.ly/2CJNJak – you can see they are all on a theme – but the soft draping cape element will hide bust and tummy and highlight slim hips.
Hey Imogen! I’m 34E-26-26, and I’m 5’11” in height. My bust is quite firm. I’m looking for something to wear casually in the summer where I live. I don’t want to look trashy, but I certainly am not looking to hide anything.
Hi Isabella – I’d recommend you read up these posts https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2012/04/tops-to-flatter-a-large-bust.html https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2016/11/where-to-shop-for-clothes-when-you-have-a-large-bust.html https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2009/11/top-tips-to-distract-from-a-larger-bust.html https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2016/11/best-online-shopping-options-for-office-attire-for-big-busts.html
Hi can you help please shopping is a nightmare I’m 5ft 3 -32 DD small waist 26 inches big hips 38 inches but very long legs what would work for me? All I tend to wear are all black tight trousers and tops. W
When you’re outside of manufacturing standards (petite and busty) it’s much harder to shop as clothing retailers are not making clothes with you in mind. Think about wearing a column of colour – this way you balance out your top and bottom halves more.
Hi imogen!
I’m 21, about 5ft 1 and 30FF. I need a variety of clothes to wear out for evenings as well as daytime at Uni.
I like the high waisted jeans and crop top look but it’s not very flattering as I already have relatively long legs for my body. Are there many ways around this or do you have alternative suggestions? Especially as most tops seems to be crop tops in stores at the moment, not sure what else to wear!?
Thanks
Check out these posts on wearing cropped tops when they aren’t the most flattering garment for your shape https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2016/02/wear-cropped-top-dont-defined-waist.html https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2014/11/how-to-wear-a-cropped-top-or-sweater-jumper.html
I just returned an Alex Evenings beautiful dress size 12. It was too tight in the bust and about 10 inches too big in the hips. Usually, I wear a large top and size four pants. I am 90 years old and have lost over three inches in height. I am too small to wear wide pants or flowing skirts. I weigh 117 pound and am only 5’2”. My measurements are 42, 30, 33. My under bust is 34, but I have a large boney chest and rib cage. Right now I’m between a 36 and 38 DD. In some bras, I wear a 36f. I’m working on my core to reduce my middle and build up my skinny butt and thighs. I guess I have to stick solid color separates.