Thursday, March 15, 2007

on the boobs

As a woman whose breasts normally lean on the smaller side, I'd always made jokes about wishing for big boobs. Although I'd never go the plastic surgery route, I thought that "bodacious tatas" (as coined by Liz) wouldn't be bad.

Now that I've graduated into this new world of humongous breasts (leaning on the D side of things), all I can think is HOW THE HECK DO YOU DO IT?

Nothing fits. Nothing. Not one of my old shirts fits me now. All the stores that used to work for me don't anymore, because their shirts are too short with the breasts in the way. If I move to the bigger sizes, then the whole shirt swims on me. So I'm still wearing maternity tops, or at least those maternity tops that don't have a huge amount of belly space in them, of which I have a few. I'm remembering fondly my perfectly respectable B cups.

But seriously, where do larger breasted women shop? Gap doesn't seem to work, neither did Ann Taylor. Am I shopping at the wrong places? Or maybe I'm gravitating toward tops that would have fit my smaller bust and now hang all wrong. HELP!

18 comments:

Yankee, Transferred said...

Personally, I order my clothes from Omar the Tentmaker. He's reasonable.

Knit Wit said...

Right there with you on this one. Normally I am a decent C/D cup and a medium shirt fits nicely. However; I find the nursing size DD's way to much and annoying.

Have you tried the nursing wear from MotherHood? I have a few of those and they seem to fit better than a regular size shirt.

Hope the info was helpful.

Phantom Scribbler said...

Yeah, aren't D's a great fit with small frames and narrow shoulders? Not. I've gone with the "shirts that swim on me" look. Though, honestly, I've been nursing so damn long now that D seems small to me. At least they're not frickin' E cups anymore...

Unknown said...

Can you shop in the petite department and buy a size (or two) larger than usual? That may get you the right proportions.

a/k/a Nadine said...

My normal breast size runs in the D range, so I'd be interested in this advice too. I usually end up with shirts that I swim in. It is frustrating and not flattering. Nothing like ill-fitting clothes to boost your confidence, right?

Anonymous said...

I'll pipe in!

Lately, a lot of shops seem to be doing the "long and narrow" t-shirt trend. Gap has a few of these, J.Crew, Old Navy...not all of their tees are longer, and some are long like tunics, but they do have a select few tops that are longer than your average, but shorter than a tunic. And cut narrow. I pair these with a sweater that fit perfectly before the babe, but is now a little shorter than the extra love on my belly will accommodate. Also? I fell in love with classic button down shirts from J.Crew last time I was in the market for post-maternity wear. They are tailored and look crisp, and you can obviously wear them with anything from jeans to slacks, and they are good year round.

My girls are normally a c-cup, but give themselves a nice promotion into the d range after I have my babies. The button downs are comfy and flattering.

Also, babystyle has REALLY cute transition wear that is great for nursing, and it's cut the right way in all the right places.

Anonymous said...

and I don't know why I didn't think to tell you about J.Crew and Babystyle while we were IN THOSE SHOPS yesterday. Duh.

Anonymous said...

I'm not nursing, but as somebody who already has Ds... I have never found something that looks right on me in Ann Taylor. Ever. They lure with the cute clothes in the window display, but then nothing fits me right.

NYC Company usually fits.

Liz Miller said...

LL Bean Petites (size large), Lands End ditto. Nordstrom's ditto. Nordstrom's for bras.

Nursing blouses are often good because they're extra roomy.

Look for shirts with gussets in the back (like most men's shirts have) instead of tucks in the front. Also, don't tuck in your shirts - that pulls across the chest.

And...hi there! welcome to my world!

Anonymous said...

Yep, Land's End petites are good (sweaters, T-shirts, buttondowns), and Nordstrom's has many good shirts.

Anonymous said...

Oh I feel yuor pain. As someone who is normally an A cup going up to a C/D cup was huge. I wore alot of tank tops, the nursing style that has the flaps that come down, with button down shirts or cardiagn type sweaters. I also like those tanks because you can tuck them into your jeans so when you nurse you don't have to show the belly.

Now that I am an A wannabe, the clothes are baggy on top.

Anonymous said...

I am normally a DD on a small frame, but nursing took me to a J. I had no idea such a think existed. I cried for a week. Anyway, I went the button-down route in a size larger when I had to go back to work. If you can find some stuff with good darting it will help you not feel like you are swimming in it while the larger size will accomodate the girls. Also, you will gradually start going back down again soon. It seems like around 4 months or so they started the slow ride back to what now passes for normal. Lands End, J Crew, Ann Taylor, all worked well. Good luck!!

Liz Miller said...

Oh! I forgot to mention the cardinal rule of the bodaciously tata'd. NO POCKETS. Never, ever wear any shirt that has a pocket.

Have fun with them! Make sure your bra fits!

Mara said...

Get the big shirt that you swim in (but that fits the boobs) and have darts put in by a tailor to make the rest of it fit.

ccw said...

I am a small B under normal circumstances and a large D while nursing. I found myself wearing the tight. clingy maternity tops and buying things in a larger size. Sure, it's a bit baggy but that's just the reality.

Being able to wear my old tops and sweaters has been one of the best benefits of not bf.

The rest of my family is at the smallest a DD and they buy clothes at regular stores. You just have to decide if you want the fitted, big chest look or the non-fitted look.

Anonymous said...

i need help figuring this out as well.
isn't it crazy how our maternal bodies can change so dramatically?!

Unknown said...

I would have LOVED to have been a D or even a DD when I was nursing. Did you know that they make an 34H? I do. From experience!

Sassy said...

I'm only three months pregnant and my A cups are starting to run over. I'm glad they're small now. It might mean they're manageable once the baby comes.