Since Katy Perry’s go-to designer is Roland Mouret, I had to go to to Banana Republic to see how curve-friendly his dresses would be on me. I immediately gravitated to the “strappy sheath” in chroma pink. On the hanger, the boob room looked promising, and I knew the wide straps would conceal bra straps.
I’ve been able to fit size 8 and 10 in some brands recently, but not in this line. Good thing I’d also taken a size 12 to the dressing room. It was super fitted and hard to zip up past the narrowest point in back, but once on, I loved how the thick, stretchy woven fabric held me in.
I was also impressed that the darts hit exactly where they’re supposed to, and there was minimal boob-smashing. For reference, I’m wearing my Fantasie 4520 in 32G here. On the other hand, while the bodice may be curve-friendly, this view shows that the neckline isn’t necessarily work friendly.
Here I tried pulling the bodice up a bit, so you can see how much extra fabric would need to be trimmed from the straps. The bust dart placement is still fine. It could work.
Here’s what the back looks like. I like the black grosgrain ribbon detail behind the zipper, although it sometimes got caught inside the zipper.
Next, I gravitated to the leather-like lace sleeve sheath because it’s something I can imagine on Tina. Unfortunately, the highest size available was a 10, and a lot of other women have liked this dress because there’s nothing larger than an 8 in regular sizes online.
While a size 12 would probably have been less boob-smashing, something tells me there would still be an issue with too much cleavage for 9-5.
Even the model shows plenty of cleavage in this dress. I adore the way the designer treated the bust dart on this dress. Since I doubt Roland Mouret will ever make this dress with enough coverage for the DD+ woman, I’d love to see dart-smart DD Atelier do something like this for us in the future!
Finally, I also gave the Sloan sheath a try while I was there. It’s the same fabric as in the Roland Mouret dresses above, and if I were in the market for a simple LBD, this would make my list. Sweetheart necklines are made for big bosoms, and the neckline depth is more demur.
You should try other Banana Republic dresses. I have a few. The sloan fit dresses run small bc of the type of fabric. The wrap styles are flattering and fit well. Their tops fit well too
Okay, Donna. You’ve convinced me. Although I do feel like I can get wrap styles anywhere.
I tried the pink RM dress on today and found it to be boob squishing in one size up from my usual (6) and I would’ve needed to size up to a 10 at least to fit them. I’m also short and found that both the RM dresses I tried on (the blue v-neck too) were too tall in the shoulders and would need taking in. Too expensive to alter! But I also liked the way the fabric held me in.
Other than a few of their dresses (as Donna said, this one is definitely based on the very boob un-friendly Sloan), the majority of BR’s have been fairly bust friendly. I usually only need to size up one size in anything non stretchy, and don’t need to often in stretchy (I’m a 30GG).
How perfect to get your immediate feedback, Caitlin! It sounds like it’s pretty consistent that the pink dress requires sizing up by 2. I’m going to try your and Donna’s advice to try BR’s other dresses.
I know, it was too funny seeing your review as soon as I got home from the mall! Yes, definitely try other things. They made an adorable ivory colored Sloan with black polka dots that I loved, so I tried it on. I sized up from my usual 6 to a 12 (out of curiosity how much it’d take for my boobs to fit) and I was STILL quadboobing out of the top of it. There was no 14, and I’m not convinced it would have had enough boob space in it either-and obviously I’d be swimming in the rest of it. I don’t know what they did with that dress.
Their faux wrap tops are really surprisingly good (not so much cleavage flashing), and I really like their timeless elbow-sleeve tee. Enough stretch to acommodate the boobs.