Body Image...

missninaRN · Sep 15, 2005

Buying clothes to fit a larger bustline is very difficult. I too often end up with clothes that are too big at the shoulder just to accomodate my chest.

Since you need interview clothes, I reccommend a pant suit. But buy seperates. (I always need one size larger in my slacks than I do in my jackets). I have learned through trial and error and far too much time reading fashion magazines that it is possible to find clothes that flatter. It does take a lot of trying on, though.

Refuse to buy something that you do not feel good in. If it does not flatter, you will not wear it, no matter how good of a bargain. It is worth it to pay a little more for one good suit, and then wear it with different tops and as seperates, than to buy two cheap ones that do not flatter you. One good suit will last you for years as well.

Buy the jacket to fit your shoulders. Trust me on this one. You can wear a jacket unbuttoned to accomodate your bust, but a too big jacket that hangs off of the shoulders will just look sloppy. Choose a jacket in a good neutral color like black, navy, charcoal or chocolate, just make sure it's a color that flatters your skintone. Avoid a trendy color, you want this investment to last. You might consider a very fine pin-stripe in the jacket to lengthen your torso, but avoid large or wide stripes and all plaids. Avoid stiff fabrics-look for a lightweight wool or high quality synthetic fiber (or wool blend) in crepe, lightweight twill or gabardine. (Good salespeople will know these fabrics) The jacket should nip in at the waist. Look for seaming details on the front and back like darts or princess seams that will help create a narrow waist. Do not buy a boxy jacket, and avoid double breasted styles or ones with any kind of applique, emboridery, or big flashy buttons. Think Jacki O, not Crystal from Dynasty (am I showing my age?). Do not buy a jacket that is too long on your body. It should cover your bottom when you look at it from the back, but should not hang much longer than that. The sleeves should hit just below your wrist, but not down onto your hands. Get it hemmed if it's too long. Your bust should match up with the bust area of the jacket. Wear it unbuttoned if necessary to accommodate your bust-sometimes I wear a three button jacket with only the middle button done, it still nips in my waist but gives my bust and hips the room they need.

Wear your jacket over over a colored shirt or blouse. Avoid button front shirts and blouses, they will gape at the bust. A nice solid v-neck is the most flattering and will elongate your look and draw attention to your face, just make sure that it is not too low-cut to maintain your professional appearance. Avoid fussy details and stiff fabrics which will accentuate your bust. Make sure the blouse or shirt is fitted and has seaming details like darts too. It will lay under the jacket better, reduce bulk, and fit you better when worn alone. Another option is a nice top (v-neck of course), in a fine guage (not bulky!) knit. Select a color that you love to wear for your interview top. There are just certain colors that make your look your best, and this will boost your confidence. Avoid tucking in the top if you can help it. If the hemline falls to an inch or so below the waist but does not extend past the hem of the jacket, you can wear it untucked. (Tucking the top into the waistband and/or adding a belt is okay while you are wearing the jacket, though I avoid the belt to decrease bulk at my waist. If you take off the jacket, however, that tucked in shirt makes a horizontal line right at the waistline that will cut you in half).

For the pants, do not buy narrow or tapered legs. These will emphasize the fuller places on your body. Look for a pant with a straight or slightly flared leg. (very hip). They are much more flattering, and create a nice line that visually lengthens your leg. Choose a solid color pant to match the jacket, again avoid stiff and bulky fabrics. Avoid pleated pants. They will make your stomach more prominent. Choose a pant with a flat front for a clean, less bulky look. I would avoid a skirt, since the hemline placement can be tricky, and it adds another horizontal line. However, if you do buy one, make sure it is a solid, dark color to match the jacket, with an A-line, made of fabric that is not bulky or stiff, and that the hemline is right below your kneecap.

A heel will add height, but avoid a super high heel. Try for something around 1 1/2" to 2" max for a professional setting. Choose a dark shoe that has a pointed toe, it will add more visual length and look classier than a chunky or rounded toe with your suit. The hem of the pants should come down to the bottom of your heel in back (not the shoe's heel, but the heel of your foot) and should break over the front of your foot. The pants should not be so long that the front of your shoes do not show, nor should they be so short that all of the top of your foot is exposed.

Your handbag does not have to match your shoes, but should be complimentary, dark in color, and simple.

Choose simple accessories. Less is best.

Hope you find a suit that makes you feel like a million bucks and that you will feel confident and sure of yourself when you interview!

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2005

Buying clothes to fit a larger bustline is very difficult. I too often end up with clothes that are too big at the shoulder just to accomodate my chest.
Since you need interview clothes, I reccommend a pant suit. But buy seperates. (I always need one size larger in my slacks than I do in my jackets). I have learned through trial and error and far too much time reading fashion magazines that it is possible to find clothes that flatter. It does take a lot of trying on, though.
Refuse to buy something that you do not feel good in. If it does not flatter, you will not wear it, no matter how good of a bargain. It is worth it to pay a little more for one good suit, and then wear it with different tops and as seperates, than to buy two cheap ones that do not flatter you. One good suit will last you for years as well.
Buy the jacket to fit your shoulders. Trust me on this one. You can wear a jacket unbuttoned to accomodate your bust, but a too big jacket that hangs off of the shoulders will just look sloppy. Choose a jacket in a good neutral color like black, navy, charcoal or chocolate, just make sure it's a color that flatters your skintone. Avoid a trendy color, you want this investment to last. You might consider a very fine pin-stripe in the jacket to lengthen your torso, but avoid large or wide stripes and all plaids. Avoid stiff fabrics-look for a lightweight wool or high quality synthetic fiber (or wool blend) in crepe, lightweight twill or gabardine. (Good salespeople will know these fabrics) The jacket should nip in at the waist. Look for seaming details on the front and back like darts or princess seams that will help create a narrow waist. Do not buy a boxy jacket, and avoid double breasted styles or ones with any kind of applique, emboridery, or big flashy buttons. Think Jacki O, not Crystal from Dynasty (am I showing my age?). Do not buy a jacket that is too long on your body. It should cover your bottom when you look at it from the back, but should not hang much longer than that. The sleeves should hit just below your wrist, but not down onto your hands. Get it hemmed if it's too long. Your bust should match up with the bust area of the jacket. Wear it unbuttoned if necessary to accommodate your bust-sometimes I wear a three button jacket with only the middle button done, it still nips in my waist but gives my bust and hips the room they need.
Wear your jacket over over a colored shirt or blouse. Avoid button front shirts and blouses, they will gape at the bust. A nice solid v-neck is the most flattering and will elongate your look and draw attention to your face, just make sure that it is not too low-cut to maintain your professional appearance. Avoid fussy details and stiff fabrics which will accentuate your bust. Make sure the blouse or shirt is fitted and has seaming details like darts too. It will lay under the jacket better, reduce bulk, and fit you better when worn alone. Another option is a nice top (v-neck of course), in a fine guage (not bulky!) knit. Select a color that you love to wear for your interview top. There are just certain colors that make your look your best, and this will boost your confidence. Avoid tucking in the top if you can help it. If the hemline falls to an inch or so below the waist but does not extend past the hem of the jacket, you can wear it untucked. (Tucking the top into the waistband and/or adding a belt is okay while you are wearing the jacket, though I avoid the belt to decrease bulk at my waist. If you take off the jacket, however, that tucked in shirt makes a horizontal line right at the waistline that will cut you in half).
For the pants, do not buy narrow or tapered legs. These will emphasize the fuller places on your body. Look for a pant with a straight or slightly flared leg. (very hip). They are much more flattering, and create a nice line that visually lengthens your leg. Choose a solid color pant to match the jacket, again avoid stiff and bulky fabrics. Avoid pleated pants. They will make your stomach more prominent. Choose a pant with a flat front for a clean, less bulky look. I would avoid a skirt, since the hemline placement can be tricky, and it adds another horizontal line. However, if you do buy one, make sure it is a solid, dark color to match the jacket, with an A-line, made of fabric that is not bulky or stiff, and that the hemline is right below your kneecap.
A heel will add height, but avoid a super high heel. Try for something around 1 1/2" to 2" max for a professional setting. Choose a dark shoe that has a pointed toe, it will add more visual length and look classier than a chunky or rounded toe with your suit. The hem of the pants should come down to the bottom of your heel in back (not the shoe's heel, but the heel of your foot) and should break over the front of your foot. The pants should not be so long that the front of your shoes do not show, nor should they be so short that all of the top of your foot is exposed.
Your handbag does not have to match your shoes, but should be complimentary, dark in color, and simple.
Choose simple accessories. Less is best.
Hope you find a suit that makes you feel like a million bucks and that you will feel confident and sure of yourself when you interview!

Thank you so much for such a detailed response. It really helps! You should have majored in fashion!:)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 15, 2005

The cu of clothing is different now. I swear, when i try on jeans, they look like they were cut to fit a square. And plenty of room up front, yet no butt room in the back.

The jeans that fit best now are the Gap Curvy ones. BUT, they all look like they've been worn to death, brand new. Can't win either way.

Sarah Bellum · Sep 15, 2005

Sounds like you need a seamstress to either a) make something custom fit to your body or b) to alter something off-the-rack to fit your body.

I'm a former professional seamstress and I'd suggest the first option. It's much easier to make somethng from scratch that to take something and try to make it fit. I altered a beautiful evening gown that was made for a 6 foot tall model and made it fit on a 5-foot-nothing middle aged lady. Hardest thing I've ever done in sewing was that job. The most fun was a lavender wedding gown. Styled just like a regular wedding dress but the lady wanted lavender instead of white. That was tons of fun and so much easier.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw out the idea of getting somethng custom sewn for you for interviews. You can check with fabric stores in your area and see if they have any names of people who do sewing work.

Good luck!

lunakat · Sep 16, 2005

I hate shopping for jeans! I am short and thick too with a large rear. When I put on low rise jeasn I have plumbers butt. Too much of a gap at the top since my butt sticks out a bit, not a pretty site. Sometimes because my body is not built like the fashion industry thinks it should be I get things altered or do them my self (heat bond). I also always look for pants with stretch. Good luck and know that your not alone in your fashion dilema!

psalm, RN · Sep 16, 2005

...it is very important to invest in a good bra!! I wear a minimizer for a sleak look. And sometimes I will find one with the tags still on at a rummage or thrift shoppe! Very important to dress in a color you like, in a comfortable outfit. If you are comfortable you will spend less time remembering to suck your tummy in, etc.

...my mainstay for church and interviews is an calf-length dress with coordinating jacket, looks professional, I can dress it up with a necklace or wear plain.

...most of all, wear a smile! And remember, people look on the outside but God looks to your heart. Attitude will really help you carry yourself even on a less than perfect fashion day.

Love & hugs.

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2005

I am with a previous poster. The Rag publications tell me what not to wear. I buy what I like, not what is in style. I am way past the in style thing.

Good luck,

renerian

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Sep 16, 2005

Well, I can recommend NOT shopping at Target-their clothes are designed for size zero people. I freak out every time I go there. I am so vocal about why those darn sippers are 1inch long! I hate going there!!! I feel so fat and ugly when I go there. But darn it, they do have a lot of other things I need. My DH will not let me go near it anymore. For goodness sakes I am not a large girl but that's what they make me feel like.
Try Old navy out. They have a lot of mannaquins that are fully dressed (I do the same thing-look at them and think, OK, that works). Kohls is another good place.
Did you say you lived in a tent? Aren't you in AZ?

Not disagreeing with you as I don't know which Target store you shop, but the funny thing is that when I was 290+ lbs, Target was the ONLY place I found clothes I liked and fit properly. They have a nice plus size section and usually whatever you see in the "skinny" section you find in the plus size section. They even have a maternity section and suit section. This was back in Arizona too, and here in New England the stores are just exactly the same. Best brands of plus size that Target carries was Cherokee and Merona brand. Are you sure that your target only carries small clothes? I wore a size 22 women and I know there was up to a size 28.

If not then you can even shop for great clothes on target.com. They have up to 3XL size and very fashionable, and reasonable in price.

http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=nav_t_spc_1_8/602-4237568-1575800?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=13804061

P.S For the larger bustline, I found that wearing a minimizng bra allowed me to efficently "fit into my buttoned shirt" and looked nice too. You can get very comfortable minimizing bra's at Sears (They will do the fitting too) :)

NeoNurseTX, RN · Sep 16, 2005

Can't help you because I'm in the same position. It's an awful feeling.