A big chest can make shopping extremely
difficult (trust me I know). And while some dresses just don’t work, others fit
and flatter in all the right ways on top.
One of my favorite stores is Forever 21 and it’s where I buy
a majority of my summer dresses. My problem is I have a large bust, and I have
a close friend who deals with the same issue. I shop there frequently, and
recently, her and I went there together. After trying on what was probably
dozens of dresses and seeing them on both of us, I saw which dresses worked,
which didn’t, and which ones were “just ok”. All the dresses below were ones we
actually put on in the store.
1. Yellow
Ruffled Floral Print Dress
I tried this on. I was really drawn to the bright color and
the floral print, however I tried it on without a belt. Consequently the dress
just went out and over on my chest, like a tent. When my friend suggested a
belt, she pulled it in at the waist line for me, making the dress “just ok”. My
waist looked smaller, but my bust looked a little bigger. This one was left on
the rack.
2. Blue Flounced Open
Back Dress
I now own this dress, so needless to say it absolutely
worked. The empire-waist is not too high under the bust. It’s low enough where
you have enough room for your chest, and the waist band is thick enough where
it also gives a slimming effect. I normally avoid dresses that feel tight on
top, but this dress was tight in the sense that I felt supported. And despite
the fact that it has an open-back, it’s placed so that you can’t see the back
of your bra (which matters, because going braless with a big chest is a huge no
no). The way the ruffle falls also accentuates your chest in a good way,
covering yet emphasizing at the same time.
3. Colorblocked Knit Dress
It was a shame, because this dress sounded so good in
theory, but it just didn’t work very well. My friend tried it on, and the
elasticized waist was coming up noticeably high under her chest, and the cotton
knit fabric just stretched across her on the front. Women with larger chests
also have to be careful about rounded necklines, because well they can cover
they tend to make some women look wider on top. Also having had some experience
with dresses of this material, I know that they tend to shrink up if not washed
and dried properly. So it may fit your bust in the store, and then after one
wash may be riding up underneath your chest.
4. Tie Back Tropical Print Dress
I tried this dress on and realized this was not a style that
worked on me. The bodice is a non-stretch fabric so it just kind of presses
down against your chest. Also, the tie-back makes it hard to find a bra that
you could wear with this dress. Button-closures along the hemline don’t really
work as well as an empire-waist line for slimming purposes either.
5. Cascading Ruffle Dress
I own this dress as well (in fuschia) and it’s very
comfortable and flattering. Well I tend to stay away from spaghetti straps,
these are adjustable. And the neckline leaves room for a supportive,
thick-banded strapless bra. The cascading ruffle also almost works like a sort
of V-neck because of the way it falls, and it flatters your chest while still
providing you enough room. It’s also very airy and light, which is perfect for
summer. I’d say it’s definitely a buy-worthy item.
6. Flounced Tube Dress With Belt
This was just a no. My friend tried it on, but really women
with larger busts should generally avoid tube dresses. The top was just
shapeless and the belt was oddly placed, where it wasn’t very flattering. The
way the dress falls from the seam at the top kind of goes outwards and
sideways, once again something that can make a girl look wider on top.
7. Sleeveless Polka Dot Dress
My friend and I both tried on this dress, and I was so sad
because I loved it so much on the hanger. Unfortunately, this was a “just okay”
dress in that it didn’t really do anything for our shapes. Normally A-lines
work really well for a large bust, but the pleating down the center front and
the placement of the elastic waist just kind of turned our bodies into
rectangles. But I still feel like this dress could work for some women with
large busts, so I say try it on if you happen to be at Forever 21.
8. Poppy High-Low Dress with Belt
This was another dress that both my friend and I tried on
and while it was “just okay” on me it looked really nice on my friend. The
thick straps allow for a supportive bra and the neckline is flattering as well.
The V-neck was a little deep for her, but with a fuschia cami underneath that
problem would be fixed immediately. It’s
a dress perfect for a summer party.
9. Ditsy Bow Dress w/ Belt
Unfortunately this is not the exact dress I bought, I couldn’t
find it on the site, but it is the same concept. I loved this kind of dress
with short sleeves and a low-belted waistline. The placement of the waistline,
the high neck, and the lack of pleating was very flattering and made me look
less broad than I am. It was also really, lightweight and comfortable which is
nice for warm weather.
I hope you guys are
lucky in your own shopping adventures! And for all of my fellow chesty girls,
accept it and embrace it. While some styles just don’t work, some work wonders.
Feel as beautiful as you are and enjoy summer sundresses!
