Dressing Your Bust

Fashion tells us small breasts are in. Maxim tells us to get implants. We say love what you have. Using tips from history, here are a few ways to highlight your bust no matter the size.

Marie Antoinette would say it's okay to show some cleavage, but balance it. Don't pair your breasts with a tight skirt; instead, wear something knee-length or longer and widen the hips with a bubble skirt, peplum or (gasp!) harem pants. You can further balance the attention drawn to your chest with a big headband or other hair ornament.

Here's a second take on the same idea.
Another, more work appropriate way, to play up larger breasts is with an abundance of ruffles or other bust-centered details. Unlike with the previous inspiration keep everything else low-key.
The Victorians didn't draw the line at busty attention with mere ruffles. Oh no. While they'd cover themselves to the neck for day wear, they simply could not add enough details to the torsos of their dresses. More necklaces, more pins, more ruffles.
The Regency period favored a modest bust, and gave us one of our favorite things in fashion: the empire waist. Only the breast is fitted in this style, so even a medium to small bust is enhanced.
Silent film star Louise Brooks would say a small chest has the advantage of subtlety. You can look chic and sexy in daringly low necklines that on a larger woman would scream "Pam Anderson."

Wearing a top or dress cut in angular planes is another flapper inspired way to dress small breasts.
I'll have one more installment of this series -- focusing on the waist -- in the coming weeks.

Comments

Robin said…
The Louise Brooks look is stunning! I love a ridiculously plunging neckline on a woman with little breasts. So elegant!
Anonymous said…
I'm not too convinced about the ruffles on girls with large breasts. It really enlarges then and they don't sit quite right. Is it just me or am i doing something wrong?
Jael Paris said…
Ruffles do enlarge the breasts, but the period I'm cribbing from here would have been very into that. If you have a large chest but want to make it look smaller, do the opposite of what's listed here for large chests.
LyddieGal said…
I love the 'marie at the office' look. some days i would love to have a smaller bust so i could wear those plunging necklines.

-but as you said, you've got to work with what you've got!
Retha said…
"Love what you have" - what a great message & I enjoyed your walk through the history of the bust in fashion.
Wow! I love all of these stuff, they are all wonderful. Wearing that fabulous dress was fantastic. Thank you for sharing.


Charles A

Popular posts from this blog

Happy 10th Anniversary... and goodbye.

Dramatic Makeup

Meet your new favorite simple summer dress