Take a second to commemorate all the button-down shirts that bit the dust far too soon, then plunge straight into the brave new world that embraces button-downs and bulging chests. Particularly blessed women can carry off that button-down without reminding everyone of a puffed-up pigeon.
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Hope Springs Eternal if You Go up a Size
Push-up bras will only add to your discomfort when wearing a button-down shirt. You can either treat the world to a tiny glimpse of your pyramids and lush Nile valley or simply buy shirts one size larger than necessary. Stretching your shirt to the utmost limit will only invite unwanted stares and you'll run the risk of popping those buttons.
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Have a Simple Boob Job – No Surgery Required
A quality women's outfitter will advise you on the correct type of undergarment that will help you to reduce the size of your boobs without making you feel uncomfortable. Look out for Spandex tank tops and sports bras, which help a lot or, if you're very "blessed" in the boob department, try chest binders to keep those shirt buttons firmly in check.
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Gender-bending Outfitters Come to the Rescue
Instead of struggling with women's shirts, why not wear men's dress shirts from Ralph Lauren or Express which complement female lines rather splendidly? Great quality and design will help you carry it off, even if your shapely hips protest a bit at such gender-bending clothing.
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Take a Leaf (or Button) out of the Survival Handbook
If chest binds and restrictive bras are not your thing, tackle those double panels that hold your buttons just like MacGyver would in your situation. There are two layers of fabric supporting the button panel and with a needle and a bit of thread you can tack on a smaller button on the inside of your shirt and create a small hole for it on the other. The secret button will be completely hidden, but lends extra support to the other buttons. If you don't like cutting into a new shirt, use a snap; if needle and thread terrify you, use double-stick tape. A well-placed safety pin can work wonders, too.
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Let a Concealed Zipper Take the Strain
Ever since the Teddy Stratford shirt company started using concealed zippers for their menswear collection, females have clamoured for their own shirt version. Kickstarter shirts avoid the gapping issue between buttons and are so well fitted for broad manly chests and slender waists that they fit busty females like a second skin.
The boob gap is a common problem for busty women who want to wear button-down shirts. The gap is created when buttons don't fit properly over the bust, leading to an unflattering and uncomfortable look. The Teddy Stratford shirt company has come up with a solution to this problem: concealed zippers.
Concealed zippers are a great way to get the look of a classic button-down without the boob gap. The zippers are hidden, so the shirt looks like a traditional button-down from the outside. However, the zipper is strong enough to take the strain of the buttons, making the shirt fit snugly without any gap.
The Kickstarter shirts from Teddy Stratford are designed to fit a broad range of body types, including busty women. The fabric is stretchy and hugs the body, while the zipper is strong enough to take the strain of the buttons and keep the gap away. The shirts are also designed to be comfortable and breathable, so you can look good and feel comfortable all day long.
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Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.
Choose Brands Designed for Women with Curves
You could shop for clothing lines that were designed for androgynous or curvaceous types - it seems hard to believe, but there are brands out there that design for different body shapes! Ready-to-wear brands such as The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, Saint Harridan and Androgyny address the gapping and button-down issues caused by larger chests. The Shirt, for example, sports patented "No Gape Button Technology," which in everyday English means you won't have to worry about flashing your chest at your colleagues when you're wearing The Shirt products.
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Suck up to Your Tailor
Garments tailored to your particular body shape may be more expensive than buying ready-to-wear, but you'll get a shirt that will fit like a glove and never gap. Make a local tailor your new best friend and have all your clothes made for you; the process is faster and cheaper than hunting for stuff that actually fits you in regular shops.
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Ignore the Gapping Issue and Rejoice in Nature's Gifts
If you don’t want to try any of the above and unless you want to wear waistcoats or sweaters over all your shirts, accepting that your curves will sometimes pop up for extra air is the only option.
Do you suffer from this problem? How do you deal with it? Do tell us of any funny stories of popping out!
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