Boobs. Tatas. Bosoms. Breasts. Small and perky, or pendulous and well-endowed. There are as many types of breasts as there are women. Yet if you’ve ever put on a cute flannel only to be faced with the dreaded chest gap, or slipped on a sweet sundress to be silhouetted by side boob, you know your bust can be a source of frustration as well as an asset.
Everyone’s body has a unique breast size and shape. There are many ways of categorizing or classifying them, but there are no actual medically defined breast shapes. That said, a few of the most common types of breasts include:
- Round – the breasts are equally full at the top and bottom.
- Side Set/East West – the breasts go from the center of the chest and point to the sides. They may be wide set or close together.
- Athletic – the breasts are set wider apart, and look more muscular with less tissue. They may also seem perkier or more round than other types of breasts
- Narrow – the breasts are longer than they are wide and point downward. The bottoms are fuller than the tops.
- Tear Drop – the breasts are round and characterize by smooth lines, with the bottom slightly larger than the top.
- Bell Shaped – the breasts are large and fuller at the bottom.
As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re celebrating one of sexiest, most celebrated, and most defining aspects of the female form by tackling the topic of how to best dress your breasts. Read on to learn how to handle the most common tata troubles!
Asymmetrical Breasts
Maybe you have one breast that is larger than the other, or one points a little bit to one side or the other. It’s worth noting that all breasts are uneven to some degree; breasts may differ slightly in size, position, and even shape. However, if your breasts differ greatly in size, or if the size of one breast changes suddenly, it may be a good time to speak with a doctor.
What Works Best: A printed top can add interest to your top area and distract from uneven breasts. If you’re looking for a modest appearance, flowy fabrics will keep your girls undercover. Use a decorative scarf or high neckline to disguise a disproportionate look. If you are smaller breasted, a bralette will give your boobs a more even shape, while a padded bra with a removable insert can help you balance out a bigger difference in size and shape. When buying a bra, be sure to fit the larger boob first, and avoid push ups as they won’t solve your problem.
Flat Chested
Having small boobs can be regarded as both a blessing and a curse. One of the benefits of being small breasted is the ability to go braless and wear strapless without any fuss. Another bonus is that many women with small bosoms often have well toned arms to show off. You’re also less likely to worry about side boob or gaping, but some types of clothing may make you feel insecure – like a form fitting body con dress or even a swimsuit.
What Works Best: When dressing small breasts, you will want to break up the space and add dimension, or pull the eyes away to other parts of the body. Avoid plunging necklines, corsets, or any tight fitting tops that can be unforgiving. Shirts with texture are one way to add interest to your chest area. Opt for necklines with added interest – like crew necks, cowls, or asymmetrical styles. Have fun with flashy features like ruffles, flashy buttons, or bows. Add interest to plain designs with chunky necklaces and scarves. Don’t be afraid to brave crop tops, halters, spaghetti straps, tube tops, and layered tanks – your wardrobe options make your well-endowed friends envious! Also consider styles that highlight your arms or shoulders, including cap sleeves, puffy sleeves, and off the shoulder or one shoulder designs. Prints are a plus too. Go bold and braless!
Too Large
A blessing or a curse, big breasts can lead to big problems when it comes to finding the perfect fit. Bra spillage, second boob, the boob shelf and back fat are just a few of challenges of the well endowed.
What Works Best: Fortunately many big chested issues can be solved with a good fit and supportive undergarments. Though it may seem counterintuitive, a heart shaped or v neckline elongates your neck and chest and helps you avoid a top heavy “shelf” appearance. When shopping for dresses, look for wrap around styles, and darts that accentuate the waist. Long layered skirts and voluminous trousers balance out your figure. To avoid a blocky appearance, add a narrow belt. A full coverage bra with wide back wings provides an all around smooth shape and the best, most comfortable support for a bigger bust.
Gaping
Almost every woman has had to deal with gaping every now and again. Side set boobs and athletic boobs tend toward a larger gap at the center of the chest. The size and shape of your torso and rib cage can also make your button downs bulge open.
What Works Best: One of the most common problems with dressing your breasts also has one with the easiest solutions. A wardrobe that is made to measure ensures a perfect all-over fit for all size breasts. If you are shopping off the rack, look for plunging necklines that draw the eyes downward instead of to the sides. Also, a well-placed bust dart or gusset can fix a lot of problems. A gape between multiple buttons can may also indicate that you need to go up a size larger, but if the sleeves are too long or the shoulders are too boxy, you may need to look for a different style or invest in tailoring. Ill-fitting bras are another reason for gaping. If your breasts are naturally side set, avoid underwire bras and too-large cups that can bubble out in a bad spot. Finally, if the clothing you are wearing allows it, a full coverage t-shirt bra can help tame those tatas.
Side Boob
A side set bust may gravitate east and west, but side boob is something anyone with a fuller cup size may have to combat. Those who have had breast reduction surgery are also more likely to deal with this kind of problem.
What Works Best: To avoid side boob, look for tops with smaller armscye (armholes). Choose wide banded, side supported bras with molded cups that gather your breasts back toward the center of your chest. Also remember to scoop your breasts into the bra to ensure they are in the right place.
Conclusion
A made-to-measure garment is the ideal way to combat the difficulties of being a person with boobs. Because it’s tailored to your body, you can flaunt your features or subdue them to suit your style. Balodana has a selection of clothing to suit all body shapes and sizes. When ordering custom, your own waist, hip, and bust measurements are factored into the creation of the garment, something that beneficial no matter what kind of breasts you have. And you can always message our designers to ask for their expert opinions on what customizations you could make to a style to showcase your breasts best!
A few recommendations from the Balodana style consultants: The Hag White Linen Gauze Top by Shantima is great for small breasts, or for anyone hoping to avoid the dreaded side boob. The Touch Me Not Blouse and the Fashion Goddess Crop Top, both by Samshek are great looks for any woman with a flat chest. Those with bigger breasts can never go wrong with a perfectly structured Classic Tank Top by Delia Von Hahn, while the Flounce by the Ounce Tunic from EUG Fashion is a fun way to keep modest and works for any breast havers.
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