Flat to Fabulous – 9 Ways to Dress a Small Bust

When your cup doesn’t exactly runneth over, it can be hard to feel feminine in our crazy, breast-obsessed world.

But as we all know, bigger doesn’t equate with better. A smaller bust can be just as beautiful, though a small chest may present a few dressing challenges.

If you are looking for ways to enhance what you have, here are 9 style tips on how to dress a small bust when you are flat-chested.

1. Try an Interesting Neckline

Fortunately, there’s a great upside to not having much cleavage. It allows you to pull off cowl neck tops and plunge V necklines like no other. Both styles look very elegant on smaller-busted women. In fact, they’re your best tops!

A cowl neck automatically adds a touch of volume, enhancing the appearance of your chest. A V-neck closely hugs the curve of your breasts, making “ the girls” look more shapely and bigger than they really are.

If you want more cleavage, be sure to wear a good bra. Push-up styles are the best for this.

To enhance your bust in a V-neckline, long necklaces that fall between your breasts fill up space, creating a fuller look. Shorter styles draw attention to your collarbone, creating a dainty, ladylike look.

2. Create Curves

Looking curvier instead of sticking straight also helps you look chestier. The best kinds of clothes for small-busted women nip in at the waist, making your bust look fuller by contrast.

A  fitted jacket is a great example of this. Belting a shirt or top at your natural waist also helps emphasize what’s up top.

3. Try Strapless Styles

Many gals over 40 prefer to steer clear of strapless. However, a small bustline means your breasts will stay in place effortlessly, and your dress will highlight one of your most feminine body parts – your collarbone.  Ensure the top of the shirt or dress hits high on the chest to avoid showing too much skin.

4.  Show Some Skin

Here’s a great trick. If you feel self-conscious about your small bust, distract the eye with a low back or backless dress for instant oomph.  This dressing tactic might feel risky after 40, but it can be demurely sexy when done right.  In fact, most older women have beautiful upper backs because this is not an area that is affected so much by age.

The key to keeping backless clothing classy and not trashy is to make sure the neckline and hem are modest compared to the exposed back.

Another way to enhance your bust is to wear tops with lots of detail. For example, tops with lots of sequins, buttons, flap pockets, or ruffles covering your chest area visually add weight, making your breasts look fuller. This is a good trick to use when you want to wear a lighter bra, as a heavy wire push-up makes you feel like you are wearing a floatation device!

6. Wear Scarves

Take inspiration from Audrey Hepburn, who had a small bust but chose to play up other parts of her figure.

Audrey always looked classy and very feminine,  and no one missed the cleavage.  One of her favorite tricks? Wearing a boatneck top with a cute scarf to distract from her bust and draw all eyes to her shoulders, neck, and collarbone.

Built-in cups, boning, or darts that you can’t fill out will make it look like you forgot your breasts at home! Stay away from details like this up top.

8. Enjoy Strappy Styles

Halter dresses and tops were designed for smaller chests. Thin straps also work.

One of the prettiest tops for a small bust is a camisole with fine, delicate straps worn under a blazer. This looks effortlessly transitions from work to dinner.

No matter how small your chest is, have confidence in your cup size. There are plenty of bras out there for small-busted women that create the illusion of more if that is what you want, and besides, think of Audrey Hepburn…Beauty is being, not the bustline.

Do you know of any styles of clothes for small-busted women? What have you tried?