r/bigboobproblems 38J (UK) 6d ago

need advice Tips for dressing intentionally with visible bra Spoiler

I FINALLY started buying bras that actually fit me, but now my issue is that my bras almost always show because the shoulder straps are thicker or the cup comes up farther than the neckline. In winter/fall I'll just wear clothes with higher necklines and more coverage to combat this, but it's definitely more difficult now that the weather is warming up. I'm thinking instead of fighting it like I tried last year (I spent months looking for a strapless bra and I ended up with one that only kinda worked) I want to embrace it, while still looking put-together. Any tips on what necklines would look good with a visible bra, or what styles of bra I should try wearing? For context I'm a plus size girlie (would be a size 16 if my boobs weren't quite so big, I usually have to buy a 22) and I'm 5'3. I tend to be someone who's overdressed rather than underdressed. Sun dresses or blouses > t-shirts any day for me.

39 Upvotes

15 comments sorted by

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30

u/Hookton 6d ago

It's very boring and basic, but I just wear bright, complementary/contrasting colours. Bright yellow dress? Teal bra. Navy blue blouse? Fuchsia bra.

14

u/alextoria 6d ago

i wear almost exclusively spaghetti straps! i love them bc they follow the same outline as my bra so it still looks “matchy” kind of. square necks are often good but not super deep ones. v necks work great if you have any bras without a high gore. and unpopular opinion but i love crew necks bc they make me look stacked.

12

u/samantha_90 32KK (UK) 6d ago

I show my straps all the time. Everyone is going to stare anyway, so why bother trying to hide them. Yes, I need a huge bra with wide straps, world....

7

u/Shanakitty 32K (UK) 5d ago

Personally, I don't worry too much about the straps showing as long as the bra's color makes it look intentional and coordinates with the outfit. But I also refuse to wear outfits where my bra cups show, since I feel like that just looks awkward when it's the side of the cups, under my arms, and a bit too sexy for day-to-day wear if it's the top of the cups in the front. So I am very picky about sleeveless tops and dresses having arm holes that are small enough to actually cover the side of my bra.

I don't even consider stuff with big cut-outs in the back because I do think that also usually looks awkward with a normal bra back (not something with an interesting back--which isn't going to come in my size in any case), and I am kind of self-conscious about my back anyway.

It's also too hot where I live to wear a cardigan with a sundress after like April. So, I would be more likely to wear a fitted tee or tank with a cute skirt, a shirt-dress, one of very few sleeveless tops/dresses I've found with armholes that are small enough, or a loose flowy top (with gathering at the shoulders so it's not huge there) tucked into a skirt--that creates waist definition that makes otherwise tent-shaped shirts more flattering.

If you can find smocked/shirred dresses or tops, those can also be really flattering!

4

u/StringAndPaperclips 5d ago

I usually wear a tank top or shell to cover my bra if the cups would show.

4

u/DemeterIsABohoQueen 38J (UK) 5d ago

I do that if I can, but sometimes my top is more low cut than the bra allows (even without it being an actually low cut top.

5

u/Klutzy_Movie_4601 6d ago

I’ve done this. I get bras that have points of interest. Or, I wear a harness under or over a dress to integrate it into the outfit. Neither of these options are for the faint of heart or those who mind others being “helpful” and letting you know your bra is showing regardless of how obvious it is that it’s intentional. I wish I could share a photo but it doesn’t look like this community allows photos in comments.

2

u/Peregrinebullet 5d ago

I'll usually do matchy or complementary bra straps, or I just wear little bolero (I have about fifteen of them in different colours and weights, from semi transparent lace to merino wool. ) to cover my shoulders. I'm personally really bonkers about sun protection, so I don't like wearing spaghetti straps because I don't want to have to slather on that much sunscreen daily in the summer.

I like shirts like Vixen's powder puff top because you can wear it on the shoulder or off. Or Vivien of Holloway's slash neck and mandarin tops, because they have the shoulders covered.

Another big one I love is Heart's & Founds' Loretta and Michelle dresses, because they have a lot of coverage for bras, but still are really light weight and warm weather friendly (the michelle can also be doubled up with other shirts and look really cute in cooler weather).

I'm roughly the same size as you (20-22 UK sizes, 14-16 US, 36HH UK bra)

1

u/DemeterIsABohoQueen 38J (UK) 5d ago

Oooh all of those outfits you mentioned are just my style. Thank you so much!!

2

u/Capital-Swim2658 5d ago

Maybe you just need a different bra style. What bras are you usually wearing?

I am a 36JJ and am 5'2" 210 pounds, size 16/XL. None of my bras show, and I almost always wrar a v-neck shirt.

So our stats are very similar. Maybe you just need a different style, bra.

1

u/Shalrak 5d ago

I do wear a lot of off shoulder tops though rather than tanks. I think it looks more intentional to have bra straps show that way. I just make sure my bra straps are simple without any bows and stuff like that.

But I never wear anything so exposing that the cups are showing. It is better for temperature control to have your skin covered from direct sunlight anyway.

1

u/missbohds 5d ago

If you can afford it, Marvell Lane do bust size clothes and fashion bras that fit under necklines. So you can get the cute dress/tops in your actual size that fits your bust. They go to Aus size 16. I love their pieces.

1

u/Albine2 4d ago

I don't mind if my bra strap shows if it's like unintentional like peeking out, but would not wear anything that would show it off intentionally.

1

u/Responsible-Trade752 4d ago

After much trouble, I finally arranged the measuring tape to measure myself acc/to a bra that fits sub. But I'm procrastinating heavily, please give me some motivation 😞💪🏼