When I was in Orlando last week, I got to meet with Ashlyn Cole just ahead of her official launch of the Bustite website!

She was wearing three of the building blocks of her collection:

  1. Her Active Blazer is a combination cardigan-blazer that’s meant to be worn open. True to her love of neutrals, it comes in black and tan. She plans to offer a more structured blazer next year.
  2. The Fuller Bust Cross Cami has multiple thoughtful details, from the adjustable gold sliders, to the hidden hook-and-eye closure just inside the neckline, to the wrap tie detail at the waist. The cross straps in back not only look elegant, they’re designed to give a woman with a petite frame a full range of motion without ever having to worry about her straps sliding off her shoulders.
  3. You can wear the cross cami by itself for going out, or you can wear it to work under the Active Blazer and over the Snake Bandeau*as Ashlyn is styling it with here.

In case you can’t tell by now, the Bustite line is guided by three principles: simple, sexy, versatile. Before meeting her, I wasn’t excited about “sexy” because that’s so easy for someone with big boobs to achieve, but after seeing her pieces in person, I was impressed that she accomplished it through her use of satin and optional plunging necklines. Ashlyn is targeting 25-35 year olds with her affordable pieces, but I feel like her clothing will look elegant on women of any age.

Of course the very best inclusive feature of Bustite is its size chart. I was thrilled when Ashlyn told me that my 33″ waist and 41″ chest should have no problem fitting a size L, and Camille’s 28.5″ waist and 35″ chest should easily fit a size S. She explained that her size chart is larger in general to allow for enough ease in her no-stretch fabrics. This means an XL is between an XL and 1X, and an L is between an L and an XL. Bravo to Bustite for not assuming all petites stop at size 12.

Petite and busty readers, what piece are YOU most excited about?

*Unlike the “Bustite Exclusive” pieces that Ashlyn has designed herself, the snake bandeau, lace bandeau, ruffled peplum top and lace top are pieces that Ashlyn has sourced from other vendors.