Hello, hello again to all (*with a big smile and wave*)! I wrote today’s post after being inspired by the work wardrobe challenge. This came after voicing my comments on the topic and the discussion I had with Darlene while we shopped at TJMaxx. I realize my point of view might be a bit different from what many style gurus say about dressing big busts. I just don’t care. I don’t mind my bust size showing without minimizing effects, but I’m very uneasy with cleavage on show. I know at least one person who feels the same and is about my age and works as a teacher.
So I put these ensembles together from the Dorothy Perkins collection and Pepperberry shirts (although I can vouch that Campbell & Kate shirts are a much nicer quality!). There are countless more options with these items, but here are some I threw together from this list that suits all seasons:
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4 dresses
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 shirts
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 tops
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 skirts
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jeans
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jeggings
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ponte trousers
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 coats
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 jackets
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 3 scarves
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 bracelets
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2 rings
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bag
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Gloves
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4 pairs of shoes
The basic jersey top is very versatile, not to mention comfortable and affordable. It’s very easy to splash colour into an outfit with it and can be dressed up or down. It all depends if you wear it with jeans or more dressy trousers, flats or heels.
To get more use out of your tops, skirts are essential. They multiply the outfit options more than just wearing trousers with the tops.
Dresses, the easiest option I know! Warm knitted ones for winter, again casual or very smart casual depending on the accessories!
More classy and dressy dresses can be worn with boots and basic accessories if it’s very work appropriate. I often go with this dressy-but-not-too-dressy combo.
Patterns. I have been raving about those lately. In fact, I have been wearing patterned dresses on most days during the past week or so. There’s no need to use accessories. Pick any pattern you’re into–floral, ditsy, animal, paisley, or geometric, in bright, light, neutral, or dark, depending on your skin tone. Express yourself with bold patterns no matter if you are a girly or edgier woman or anything in between!
 A shirt, especially a white shirt, is always a staple. It can be worn nearly with anything. With a jacket thrown over it, it is always stylish whether the bottom is, jeans, trousers or skirt.
For bags, you really only need one to go with your whole wardrobe as seen on these pictures. But if you are anything like me, you just want options for different use.
Scarves are the most amazing transformer I know. They can change the style of any outfit. Shoes can, too: ballerinas–edgy or girly ones, chunky boots, nice heels, or ankle boots. Bracelets and big rings are my favorite jewellery. They’re inexpensive, too, so I am able to change my outfits with them in a gazillion way, even when traveling.
If you live in the cold, gloves and hats are also a style question, and I like to play with those. Either go with classy beret and sleek leather gloves, or have fun with mittens and beanies with a classy coat. Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak!
P.S. There is no weather that should prevent looking stylish . . . or so I keep telling myself at the moment while looking out the window at a snowstorm with a work Christmas party scheduled for this evening.
Do you by any chance own the teal peplum top from DP? I have been tempted to order, but DP tops always seem a little short on me and/or have bust issues!
I also get your point about the cleavage. A few weeks ago I showed a Pepperberry sweater on our blog and while most people thought it was fine, my main complaint was how much cleavage it showed, for something I wanted to wear to work.
No, I don’t actually own that DP peplum to and usually need to size up with their clothes due to bust issues but chose to do this with mainly DP clothes anyway since the original work wardrobe challenge Darlene posted on here was for someone a tad less busty than me so then many of DP clothes would fit ok I think.
And YES, my biggest grievance with Pepperberry is the amount of cleavage on show on so many clothes. Luckily lately they’ve produced more modest options 🙂
I love the style and the colour combinations – what I great work wardrobe! Personally, I’m on the other side of the fence when it comes to necklines but I totally see your point and of course we’re all different. It annoys me the idea that there are rules like “all busty girls should wear V necks”, it’s silly, we all have different styles and ideas. I think a lot of it depends on the kind of job you do (for example if I were a teacher I’d definitely go for more modest clothes). I wish Pepperberry would carry a variety when it comes to cleavage – they seem to have raised all their necklines, which is good for workwear but even their party dresses and casual clothes have higher necklines now, which is disappointing for me. I haven’t been to Dorothy Perkins for ages but you’ve inspired me to give them another go!
thanks Clare! x True, we’re all different – also the bust shape makes the cleavage thing different, close set, higher up versus wider set lower on the torso. First ones usually are bound to have cleavage showing and the latter can work slightly lower cut v necks differently. And it definately depends on what field you work in, some industries definately tolerate different kind of dressing than others. DP is a hit and miss but hope you find something from there, theiy’ve such amazing clothes 🙂
Lovely, bright and completely work appropriate! wonderful!
Can I ask about winter clothes for really cold weather? This topic usually avoided in all style guides and I know that it can be -30C and even colder in winter where you live. Where I live it could be anything from +5C to -35C in winter (crazy jumps, hate them). So for me it would be really interesting to read about how you meet freezingly cold weather challenge.
thanks Malica! And what a brilliant idea. That is so true that winter wear is not very well covered in any bosom blogs. I will definately post on that asap as the winter is here – literally, we’ve snow and below minus 20 morning temperatures. Also to write some recap and advise for anyone who only sometimes faces the cold and doesn’t live somewhere quite as equipped to it could be a good thing as all the basic rules aren’t familiar to all like they are for people who are born and raised in a cold climate.
I definitely look forward for this post!
It’s a really hard to put together a nice looking outfit for such weather if you have a bosom and it’s even harder if your lower layers should be work appropriate. I have some experience there, but new perspective will be great!
You know I was just thinking about this the other day! It was a steep learning curve but I’m finally really happy with dressing my figure except for one thing……staying warm! In winter I put together lovely, flattering outfits and then I ruin them with ill-fitting jumpers and cardigans. I’m frustrated that Pepperberry are the only busty clothing company who do knitwear (please tell me I’m wrong and there are others?). Please do a post on warm clothing!