The 16 Best Shirts for Big Boobs (and 3 Styles You’ll Want to Avoid)

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Published Mar 15, 2021

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The saying ‘if you’ve got ‘em, flaunt ‘em’ is cute and all. But sometimes you just want to wear something that flatters ‘em. Yes, we’re talking about your boobs, and—if you’re anything like me, a G-cup—you know that not all shirts are created equal. Some show off way too much cleavage, others are simply not built to be worn with a bra (looking at you, adorable backless pieces I could never wear) and others do not-so-nice things to your bust. So, to avoid any smushing, over-revealing or tent-like silhouettes, we’ve whittled down 16 of the best shirts for big boobs, zeroing in on four trendy styles that you’ll want to wear right now.

But before we get into it, let’s just go over a few shapes you might want to avoid. Note: We’re not saying you can’t wear these pieces; you just might find that they’re not quite as flattering or easy to wear as the fuller bust-friendly pieces on our list.

Styles to Avoid:

1. Anything with a true empire waist. Shirts that severely nip in at the waist—especially those with seams just centimeters below your boobs—can often appear to be a maternity style on your frame. Instead, look for silhouettes that skim your curves or that have a drop waist, which will provide the added benefit of elongating your torso.

2. Tops with bra details. You don’t rock shirts with shelf bras for a reason; they just don’t work. So a shirt with an external bra that’s fit for a B-cup isn’t going to magically work with your gals. It’s going to work against them and probably cut them off awkwardly.

3. Button downs—with a caveat! We can all agree that there’s nothing worse than dressing for work and getting to your desk, only to realize the buttons on your shirt are mere moments from busting open. Most button-downs are not made for us busty gals and even oversized versions can be wildly unflattering...but there are a few brands who have started developing these work-friendly shirts for our bodies. (We love Perfectedd for just that.)

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Wrap Detail

Just like a wrap dress, these shirts offer plenty of breathing room for your bust. But in order to find your correct size, focus on finding a top that’s fitted to your breasts—which might be a bit bigger than your actual shirt size. Since these tops can usually be adjusted with a string tie, you’ll find this larger size actually suits you rather well.

Verishop

1. Billie The Label Cyd Wrap Top

If ties aren’t your thing, this button option from Billie the Label is a welcome alternative.

BUY IT ($138; $52)

_{Available in sizes XS to XL.}

free people sophie denim wrap crop top cat

Verishop

2. Free People Sophie Denim Wrap Crop Top

When chambray button downs let you down, a wrap version is the way to go. This one is cropped and ready to be paired with all sorts of high-waisted skirts, shorts, jeans—you name it.

BUY IT ($98)

_{Available in sizes XS to XL.}

11 Honoré

3. Baacal Wrap Top

This crisp poplin number has all the flattering details to make it an all-time fave: a shirred front, a waist-cinching tie and a sweet row of buttons down the side.

BUY IT ($288)

_{Available in sizes 10 to 22.}

shrimps cordelia floral fil coupe 769 organza wrap top cat

MatchesFashion

4. Shrimps Cordelia Floral Fil-coupé Organza Wrap Top

No one said your wrap top had to be boring! This gorgeous embroidered number is flirty, fun and cut rather high on the chest, so you don’t have to show too much off.

BUY IT ($450)

_{Available in sizes 6 to 14 UK.}

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

V-neck

While your go-to T-shirt style isn’t relegated to just the V-neck, we don’t blame you for gravitating toward this clavicle-baring cut time and time again. The secret here is that the subtle plunge creates a long line that shifts the focus away from your ample assets. (FYI, a scoop neck might also provide you with the same flattering benefits.)

Perfectedd

5. Perfectedd Logan V-neck Sweatshirt

Perfectedd is a brand that only makes tops for the DD+ crowd, so this V-neck sweatshirt has just the right proportions for your frame.

BUY IT ($125)

_{Available in sizes XS to L.}

H&M

6. H&m+ Lace-trimmed Camisole Top

Trimmed with lace that extends all the way down the front of this mossy camisole, this is a cute and flattering top. That yes, will require a strapless bra, but some pieces are just worth that inconvenience.

BUY IT ($25)

_{Available in sizes L to 4XL.}

Verishop

7. Alc Iris Deep-v Neck Bodysuit

Yup, you can rock bodysuits, if you want to. Especially if you have a smaller frame, these tops won’t overwhelm and will look polished when tucked into jeans or a skirt.

BUY IT ($295; $177)

_{Available in sizes XS to L.}

Amazon

8. Alp N Rock Veronica Polo Sweater

You can also try out this neckline as a polo—though we’d recommend going for a thicker fabric, like this sweater. That way, it drapes over your frame, rather than clings to your gals, if you know what we mean.

$238 at Amazon

_{Available in sizes XS to XL.}

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Anything Smocked

We love smocking because it provides just the right amount of stretch. In simple terms, it’s a design technique that adds some elastic give to an otherwise rigid cotton or linen fabric. And there are plenty of ways to test out this trend, whether you go for a fully smocked tank with a flattering drop waist peplum (that’s what’s pictured above) or a floral blouse with a smocked panel in the back.

Eloquii

9. Eloquii Smocked Top With Puff Sleeves

The beauty of a smocked top is that the curve-hugging fabric will nicely balance out any voluminous sleeves (and that combo will take plenty of attention away from your bust).

BUY IT ($70)

_{Available in sizes 14 to 28.}

reformation pinto smocked floral print top cat

FarFetch

10. Reformation Pinto Smocked Floral-print Top

There’s no way your bust will feel smothered under this stretchy, chic number.

BUY IT ($223)

_{Available in sizes XS to XL.}

Net-a-Porter

11. Evarae Lora Shirred Top

Here’s another example of a drop waist that will do wonders for your torso. And, BTW, the sleeves can be worn two ways (either off or on the shoulders). Trust us when we say you’ll reach for this top quite a lot.

BUY IT ($390)

_{Available in sizes XS to L.}

Free People

12. East To West Smocked Top

Sure, you’ll need to deal with a strapless for this number. But it’s such a fun spring-to-summer piece that looks great with jeans—and the X-shape of the smocking will make your waist look tiny.

BUY IT ($108)

_{Available in sizes XS to XL.}

@cocobassey/Instagram

Sweetheart Neckline

Not just for wedding dresses, the sweetheart neckline is actually a tasteful way to show some cleavage without going too low. Just be sure when shopping this style to stay away from tops that have built-in bras (see number one on our no-no list above!). For Spring 2021 the coolest way to wear this is as part of a long sleeve ribbed sweater and come summer, you can simply lose the sleeves and slip into a tank version of this look.

ASOS

13. Asos Design Rib Fitted Corset Top

From the scoop neck detail to the cut-out hem, there’s no way this shirt won’t be flattering. And you can’t beat that under-$30 price tag.

BUY IT ($30)

_{Available in sizes 0 to 14.}

Aritzia

14. Wilfred Tuscany Sweater

This one comes in every color you could imagine—from sage green to pure white and even saffron orange—so you’re sure to find one that suits your spring aesthetic.

BUY IT ($98)

_{Available in sizes XXS to XL.}