Welcome to the second Corporate Curves Report. I’m writing this in our project office next to my all-male colleagues. This week the theme is about bust acceptance and how I personally handle it at work. Lets face it –people will notice a bigger than average bust. That is not always a bad thing; as long as you are appropriately dressed you can quite easily make it less awkward or possibly utilize it if you wish.

First, if you wish to look feminine, you can, regardless of your shape! And even in male-dominated corporate environments you can be a woman who looks like a woman. But it all starts from the head–if you believe in yourself and your style, others will, too. Recruiters hire brains and personalities–not their looks. Think how much more interesting the workplace would be if people expressed themselves with their style! (This obviously doesn’t apply fully if you work somewhere where suits are mandatory.)

I used to hide my figure in tunics and jackets that were a size too big, not really because I felt that I needed to but because good work clothes did not fit my bust. However, after discovering my real bra size and purchasing well-fitting bras that actually hoisted my bust to where it doesn’t look droopy and drag my appearance down and buying my first Pepperberry dresses, I decided that never again will I wear a tunic to work! My boyfriend actually said that I looked like I had lost ten kilograms and that was all thanks to a form fitting dress that fit like a glove. I was over the moon, and my body confidence soared. So here I am today, four years later, at the office in a figure-hugging LBD accessorized with a scarf and a shrug for modesty and appropriateness. It is summer still so jackets are too hot to wear, and I am not wearing the shrug in the picture. The dress is from Pepperberry in size 14R/SC.

As for a large bust at work, I’m always first to make a joke if a situation gets awkward. I have a very relaxed take on my bosom: it’s there and it’ll stay there, so why fight? 🙂 For instance, if we’re discussing shoulder aches, I’ll make a comment about my front weight not helping. Here are two actual bust-related work incidents and how I handled them.

This led to the whole team looking at my bust and laughing. The boss didn’t mean to say it like that, and he blushed. If I hadn’t been the only female member, it wouldn’t have even sounded like it did. I laughed as well and just replied “Even though it’s Friday, I’m NOT going to show anything THAT interesting to you!” and so the situation was resolved and I could start my presentation.

The video conference room was quite big, and there were only two of us in it, so the other participants asked us to zoom our camera so they wouldn’t see the whole room. My colleague took the remote and zooooooooooooooomed–yes, directly at my bust and the screen showed a full close-up of it. It caused awkward giggles, and I broke the tension by saying, “Yes, I have a big bust, but I don’t think it was on the agenda today.”

Anyone else have funny work and bust-related stories? Or do you have your own tactic for how to deal with awkward situations at work?