Hi ladies,
I'm big busted (36DD), big shouldered with an average waist. I cannot seem to figure out cardigans.
I normally wear a size M in most tops, and they fit quite comfortably - not too snug or baggy. If I buy a M in a cardigan, the buttons pull everywhere and I look like a stuffed sausage. Do you normally go a size up? What's the trick?
This seems to be a standard problem for me across all brands, so I'm wondering if I'm just buying the wrong size?
Thanks ladies! Looks like I'm just buying the wrong size and need to go up!
I'm also large busted, and I love cardigans! But normally I don't button them up. I leave them open over another top of the other part of the sweater set...?
My 36dds are not going to fit into a medium! Try a size up. When I do button I usually just button the top button or the bottom 3 or 4, never all. If you button the top button, it minimizes your the girls, if you button the bottom buttons, it highlights the girls. So, depends on the function or the look I'm going for.
I'm big busted as well, and I mostly leave them open. I find that I maximize my bust line when I button them, so I let it stay at my sides. Sometimes, on a windy day, I button one button right below my bust line. Why not try going a size up to L? I usually wear M to L tops, but definitely L with cardigans.
Yeah cardigans fit snugly...I'd say with your bust size & shoulders you'll need a L, maybe with some brands even an XL - so that the buttons will close comfortably.
I'm a 36DD and I always buy a L or XL to fit. If it's a Jrs size I need to go to an XXL. You've got the extra bulk of a shirt to go over so it only makes since that you'd need a bigger size. All my jackets etc are at least a size bigger than my shirts. A size M shirt is even too tight around the bust for me.
You should only be in v neck cardigans. The other kind will be awful for you withyour large bust and broad shoulders. The v will visually slim you. I would try sizing up too.
I've learned that all sizes are not the same. A medium in one brand or one style may fit differently than a medium in a different brand or style. Some of my t-shirts are size large and some medium and I have one that is actually an x-large. I suggest that you recognize that in a cardigan you need a large and buy a large.
One advantage with a cardigan is that you can try it on over whatever you're wearing and thus know if it fits.
Yes I think you will either have to leave them open or stop buying cardigans! ;) If I really want to wear one I usually let it pull just a little bit, if it pulls too much then I just don't button it. I find it hard to find one that fits over my bust without pulling or being too big, so I compromise with a bit of pull. I love the look of button up shirts too but I just had to stop buying them b/c they didn't fit. :(
Don't button the cardigan. Belt it or layer it. Go up a size if you want to button it, but there are other ways to wear them. I usually button maybe the two middle buttons and then belt it. I wrote a few posts about this very thing a while back on wearing cardigans:
how I wear mine:
http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2011/04/personal-style...
http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2011/03/rule-breaking-...
http://littlelovables.blogspot.com/2011/03/fashion-bloomi...
Before I got pregnant with my newest I was in a 34D bra and S/M top, but for cardigans I usually buy a M/L. If they have the low buttons that only go halfway up they will pull under your breasts giving you a buxom barmaid kind of look, which is, at best, unflattering. I prefer roomier cardigans--they are my "extra" if it is chillier than I thought it would be, or if I don't want a jacket, and great for places with varying temperatures. They are also nice to keep handy if you are feeling trim when you leave the house but have a big brunch or something and want to cover up afterwards. :) I don't always button them, which can help. I would go for longer length cardigans, too, since you are a small size but large busted--they can help balance you out if you have a much smaller waist than bustline, otherwise you just look cut in half and top-heavy.
I have a larger bust, and I have recently discovered that bolero/shrug style cardigans are very flattering. They are left open, make the waist seem smaller, and still give some extra warmth. I never button up normal cardigans as they just add extra bulk where it's not needed.
It could just be that for your body type a cardigan won't work. We all have clothing that just doesn't work for our body type. Maybe the cardigan is it for you since you have tried all brands and none work. Just a thought.
Just don't button the top half.?
