This Gucci gown is not a look that large busts can adopt straight off the runway, but that doesn’t mean all bold ruffles are off limits to us.
Ignoring the obvious no-go neckline in the Ralph Lauren gown below, these ruffly shoulders would look great on us, especially with a deep neckline that could cover a supportive bra. In theory, the ruffles would draw the eye up from the bust and balance it, but without entirely distracting from the gorgeous natural accessory that is our cleavage.
I’m also a fan of ruffles on the lower half, such as the black Balenciaga dress below. If a large bust brand created a similar dress with a more bra-friendly version of the fabulous neckline, they wouldn’t be able to keep it in stock!
The other three dresses in the above picture, however, demonstrate what we need to avoid with this trend: high necklines with ruffles clustered directly above or right beside our bust lines.
We can adopt the ruffle trend without looking fussy if we use ruffles as a strategic accent piece to an otherwise sleek and understated look. It’s simply a matter of finding garments with ruffle placement in flattering spots on our bodies. Is that easier said than done? I sure hope not!
The shoulder ruffles probably wouldn’t work for me. As is, I have broad enough shoulders so I when I emphasize them I prefer to do so through sleeveless shirts, rather than making them look bigger (I never got the shoulder pad craze for that matter…).
But I do love the idea of a ruffle on the hips. Especially as someone with slimmer hips, it would even out my proportions a bit. That being said, I could skip it around back!
I may be deluded, but sometimes I think ruffles disguise what we already have . . . it looks like the ruffles are what’s making something look large instead of our actual body. There was an amazing gown I saw in the newspaper but couldn’t for the life of me find online–it was like the Gucci ruffle but stiff and going out from the chest. Imagine wearing something like that: “Is it her bust or the dress?” Two size 2 women, one an A cup and the other a G cup, could be side by side in the same dress, and no one would know the difference!
Definitely, I’m trying to find the links to my engagement pictures where I wore a ruffle-front dress from Bass. My mom had a giggle fit when she saw one of that was a silhouette of DH and I since the ruffles blew up and I gained a couple cup sizes. I really like the dress in general but I lost weight in the last 2+ years and haven’t gotten around to taking it in.
Found it!
http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/72108/tunnel_profile.jpg
You can see a slight highlight where my actual bust is, several inches in from the abnormal ruffle. I can’t seem to find a good forward facing shot to show that it is actually flattering, I know they exist but oh well.
Love this. Thanks for finding and sharing it, Katie!