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While there is nothing wrong with having a small chest, many flat-chested women often feel self-conscious about their distinct lack of upper curves. A small bust can be both beautiful and sexy, however, even by societal standards. Start by selecting undergarments and tops that fit your body right. Then, play with shape, color, and pattern to enhance the appearance of your chest it in favor of other features you feel more confident about.
Steps
Before you start worrying about how to make your chest look fuller, consider all the ways you can use your flatness to your benefit. There are many styles that do not suit women with larger busts. These styles often work wonderfully for women with flatter chests, though.
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Wear more strapless tops and sheer shoulders. These tops are notoriously difficult to wear bras with, since the strap of a traditional bra will show through. Women with flat chests can don these tops while going braless. They can opt for a strapless bra. Some women with larger busts may not feel very supported in a strapless bra, but the support often proves plenty for women with smaller busts.
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Try a dress with open sides. These dresses do not look good with bras since you can see the wearer's side. For the same reason, these dresses do not often suit women with larger busts, since so much of the chest is exposed while wearing the dress. Women with flatter chests, however, can get away with exposing a little of what they have without needing to worry about looking inappropriate doing so.
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Wear a scarf or bandana as a top. This works especially well with Hermes scarves and other large square styles. Women with smaller busts can pull this look off easily since tops made out of scarves are often delicately tied together, whereas women with larger busts may worry about "falling out" of such tops. Many of these tops often require the wearer to go braless, which is another reason why it is more suitable for women with flat chests.
- Wear a scarf as a fitted halter. Fold the scarf in half so that it looks like a triangle. Tie the two tail ends around your waist and tie the two layers of the top point around your neck.
- Alternatively, wear it as a sleeveless top. Fold two opposite corners of the scarf to the scarf's center. Tie the scarf around yourself, keeping the folded edges at the top and bottom.
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Try a bandeau top. A bandeau top is a strip of cloth that ties around the breasts, exposing the stomach. The bandeau is not appropriate for all settings, but you can wear it for a stroll on a beach boardwalk or while on an island vacation. You can also wear it beneath an open sweater or jacket for a slightly more appropriate option that works in more settings.
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Look at backless gowns. As another notoriously difficult top to wear a bra with, strapless gowns are perfect for women with flatter chests.
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Try clothing tailored to look masculine. Instead of fighting against your lack of curves, roll with it. Think “men's style” jackets, fitted graphic t-shirts with traditionally tough, masculine images, and “boyfriend” jeans. Pull the look together by accessorizing with gunmetal jewelry and thick-banded watches. This is a highly chic type of style that flat-chested women are in the perfect position to take advantage of.
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Search out cropped jackets and boleros. Many of these garments end just below the bust line, accentuating the bosom. These jackets do not suit women with larger chests well, since the style often makes the chest look fuller.
Method 2
Method 2 of 8:
Create an Illusion of Fullness with Bold Colors and Patterns
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Color and pattern can go a long way in creating extra volume up top. Look for light colors and patterns that draw the attention to your bust.
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Play with color. Opt for pastels and other light colors, especially across the bust. Dark colors have a slimming effect, which could make your chest look smaller.
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Try wearing horizontal stripes across your chest. Horizontal stripes have a widening effect, which often helps small chests look fuller.
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Look for blouses with horizontal stripes across the chest, but a solid color beneath the bust, covering the rest of the torso. This further intensifies the effect of the stripes. The same principle can be applied to other patterns, as well. Match a pattern over your bust with a solid color covering your stomach.
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Consider polka dots, geometric shapes, and floral prints. Try a few different patterns on and determine what suits your body and your personality best.
Your clothing should fit snug and look neat. You should also consider tops that accentuate your waist, since these tend to make the bust look fuller.
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Avoid baggy, loose clothes that look sloppy. This does nothing but conceal the curves you do have.
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Look for tops and dresses with an empire waist. Empire waists help the bust look larger while masking the midsection, making this an especially good option for women with petite busts and wider midsections. Consider an empire waist if you have a petite stomach, as well.
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Try on tops and dresses with nipped waists, since these help create the appearance of an hourglass figure.
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Also try on snug wrap blouses and dresses to help create the appearance of a curvy hourglass figure.
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Consider tight tops. Women with flatter chests can get away with wearing snug tops without looking inappropriate.
Some necklines mask the flatness of your chest, while others take advantage of your small bust to show extra skin.
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Look at cowl necklines. The extra drapes and folds up top help the chest look fuller.
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Consider high collars, interesting asymmetrical necks, and crew necks to help your bust look bigger.
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Go for a halter top. Halter tops expose your shoulders and create an illusion of larger breasts by drawing the eye directly to the bosom.
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Try daring necklines like low v-necks and dramatic scoops. Even though these necklines do not necessarily make your bust look bigger, you can wear them and look classy doing so. Women with larger busts risk looking inappropriate in a low neckline, but women with smaller busts can get away with showing more skin and still look appropriate doing so.
Embellishments and other detailing can add volume to your bust.
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Try a blouse or dress with ruffles or pleats, especially those that trim the neckline. This adds volume to your chest without overwhelming your figure.
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Look for tops with details at the bust. Empire waist shirts with a bit of embellishment right along the waistline work especially well.
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Consider tops with embellishments around the collar. A splash of color or a glimmer of gold or silver sequins will elongate your neck, drawing the focus away from the flatness of your chest.
If there are other features of your body that you do love, downplay your chest and emphasize your strong points.
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Match a billowy blouse or tunic with tight jeans to show off great legs. Wear the outfit with your favorite high heels to further elongate your leg.
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Pair a fitted blouse with a knee-length pencil skirt to show off a flat stomach and curvy hips.
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Wear sleeveless tanks and spaghetti-strap dresses to show off slender, delicate arms.
Accessories can also help you enhance your chest or draw the focus away from it.
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Consider necklaces with thin chains and small pendants to make your bust look bigger by comparison.
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Draw the attention away from your chest with chunky bracelets, rings, and bold earrings.
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Also try out a bold necklace with a shorter chain. A loud, noticeable piece of jewelry at your neck may also steer the eye away from the chest.
Make-up can enhance more than just your face.
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Use blush to enhance the appearance of your breasts.
- Choose a blush one shade darker than your natural skin tone.
- Apply a light coating of this blush to the skin in between your breasts. This creates false shadows that give off the illusion of a larger chest.
- Avoid using a blush that is lighter than your skin tone or too many shades darker.
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Apply glitter body dust to enhance your breasts' appearance.
- Apply a light, subtle dusting of this glitter to the top of each breast. This highlights the rounded top, ultimately creating a fuller look.
- Avoid applying glitter gels or other types of heavy body glimmer.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat are some outfit ideas for girls trying to impress a guy?Spencer Shimada is an Image Consultant and the Founder of White Shoe Consulting based in the Denver metro area. He specializes in helping others build confidence through wardrobe consulting and personal styling. Spencer has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Weber State University and an MBA from The University of Birmingham.Girls should wear outfits that make them feel confident! Confidence radiates through your body language and if you walk with your head held high and your shoulder back, a boy is sure to notice. Try styling yourself utilizing contrasting colors. If you wear light colors on your top half, wear dark colors on your bottom half. If you’d like to infuse some color, start off with an accessory such as a colorful bracelet, earring, or interesting necklace. Dress true to yourself.
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QuestionI've had a double mastectomy, no reconstruction, so I am totally flat. What more could I do to enhance my chest?Community AnswerYou could use padded bras and blouses/tops with lots of fabric at the front -- pleats, frills, gathers.
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QuestionCan I wear a sleeveless dress with polka dots if I have an AA cup size?Community AnswerYes, it would be totally fine. You can wear whatever you would like.
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Tips
- Consider having your bra size measured professionally. Many department store lingerie departments or chain lingerie stores offer this as a complimentary service.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Clothing
- Accessories
- Cosmetics
About This Article
Article Summary
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To make your flat chest beautiful, try taking advantage of a strapless top with a strapless bra or no bra at all, which is flattering on a smaller chest. You can also opt for an open-sided dress, which looks great on girls with smaller chests. Alternatively, wear a high-collar or crew neck top to make your bust look bigger. In general, choose pastels and light colors over dark colors, which can make your chest look smaller. If you want to accessorize your outfit, try wearing things like a thin chain around your neck, which will make your bust look bigger in comparison. For more tips, including how to use makeup to enhance your bust, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I am completely flat chested (well almost) and I have trouble finding clothes that look good on me, This article has helped me find my style and make the most of my small breasts!" ..." more
"I am completely flat chested (well almost) and I have trouble finding clothes that look good on me, This article has helped me find my style and make the most of my small breasts!"
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