Fashion Advice: Dresses for Those Big on Top and Small on Bottom

| May 16, 2007 10:19 AM | Posted in dresses, fashion advice, inverted triangle body

Dear Budget Fashionista,
I need advice! I love dresses and my look is feminine classic (I’m an attorney, so have to be a tad conservative), with - i like to think - a touch of fashionista. My shoulders are broader than my narrow hips, i have a pretty large bust and not much of a waist. i usually wear a 10-12 on top to accommodate the bust and a 6 on the bottom. What dresses can I wear without highlighting my flaws?

Answer: You have what is called an inverted triangle body shape- meaning you are bigger on your top than you are on your bottom. Look for dresses with minimum detail in the shoulder bust area and dresses with a square necklines which help minimize your neckline. You can also wear knit dresses with a bit more fabric (and give) in the bust line (thus allowing you to purchase a smaller size), but slimmer at the bottom- like the Doleman sleeve dress shown above from Banana republic. And, in some cases, you can wear wrap dresses, because you can go one size up for the bust, but wrap the dress tighter around the waist.

Avoid epaulets and puff sleeves on dresses.

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| Posted by The Budget Fashionista

Member Comments

May 16, 2007 Heather wrote:

If you were a size large at Banana Republic then you are in luck. I went to check out the dress in the picture and it’s on sale for $69.99 but only in size large.

May 16, 2007 TBF wrote:

$68.00 is a lot better than $128.00 thanks heather for the tip.. BR always has a great sales

May 16, 2007 j wrote:

I’m built similarly. but my shoulders are narrow. streachy knits with a sash in the larger size is the only way to go. also investingin camisols and safety pins is a good idea

May 16, 2007 jb wrote:

I have the exact same body type except I’m 8-10 on top and 4 on the bottom! It’s refreshing to know I’m not the only one. Today at work I happened to be in one of your recommendations—sized up in a wrap dress, tied more tightly. I find it easier to wear separates to the office because then you can size properly. Although suits tend to look awkward with a size 10 jacket and 4 skirt or pants, that’s for sure…

May 17, 2007 bonnie wrote:

B.Republic has great dresses for the top heavy and Plus sized!

July 8, 2007 JUDY wrote:

I ALWAYS STEERED CLEAR OF THE WRAP DRESSES IN THE STORES BECAUSE I DID’T WANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO MY WIDE WAIST. BUT YOUR ADVISE MAKES ALOT OF SENSE BECAUSE MY SHOULDERS ARE BROADER THAN MY WAIST AND WITH MY HIGHER POWER SPANX I BELIEVE I WILL LOOK SEXY!!!

THANKS JUDY B. 7-7-07

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