Things that go through my head every time I shop as a big-busted girlie

There are few things more exciting than finding a cute outfit online, adding it to your cart, and imagining all the places you could wear it. That is, until you remember you have a bigger bust. Suddenly, you're zooming into product pictures, checking fabric compositions, reading every review, and wondering if the top will actually fit. Will the neckline sit right? Will the buttons stay closed, or will they have a mind of their own? Is there enough fabric to cover your chest properly? And, most importantly, what bra are you going to have to wear with it? Shopping comes with a rather long list of questions when you have a bigger bust, and honestly, it's exhausting.

Fashion brands seem to have a fairly specific idea of how clothes should fit, and those of us with bigger busts are often left figuring out the compromises. You either size up and lose the shape of the outfit, buy your usual size and find that it barely fits around your chest, or give up and close the tab altogether. Even shopping for basic wardrobe staples can turn into a whole exercise. And while I love a good shopping spree as much as the next girl, I do wish fashion brands would rethink a few things. Here are some thoughts that cross my mind almost every time I shop.

Why is everything cropped?

I get it, cropped tops are cute, they're trendy, and they're probably not going anywhere. But could we also have some options that actually reach our waistlines? Not every top needs to end just below the bust. Sometimes, I simply want to wear a regular T-shirt without having to pair it with the highest-waisted bottoms I own. Finding a cute top that's neither a crop top nor an oversized tunic shouldn't feel like a treasure hunt. All I want is a regular-length top with enough room around the chest that doesn't look three sizes too big everywhere else. Is that really too much to ask?

Scroll through any shopping website, and it feels like every cute top is either a tiny camisole or a skin-tight number made with barely-there fabric. I have nothing against a fitted outfit, but sometimes I just want to wear something cute without feeling like every inch of fabric is fighting for its life. Not every occasion calls for a second-skin silhouette, and having a bigger bust shouldn't mean that every top automatically looks more revealing than intended. Can we have a few more options that are actually comfortable to wear?

If it's skimpy, can it at least come with a built-in bra?

If a brand is going to sell me a tiny strappy top with barely enough fabric to cover my chest, the least it can do is offer some built-in support. So many of these designs are clearly meant to be worn without a regular bra, yet come with absolutely no alternative. Am I expected to figure out the engineering behind keeping everything in place myself? A little padding, removable cups, or even some thoughtful construction would make these tops infinitely more wearable.

Why can't I wear strapless tops in peace?

Strapless and tube tops look adorable, until you actually wear one. Suddenly, you're spending the entire evening pulling it up, checking whether it's slipped, and wondering if you can raise your arms without causing a wardrobe malfunction. Finding one that offers enough support and coverage without squeezing the life out of you is a challenge in itself. I just want to wear a cute bandeau top without having to babysit it all evening. Is that really too much to ask?

Halter necks are having their moment, and I would love to participate without having to worry about the front barely covering my chest. Some designs have the tiniest triangular pieces of fabric, with the straps doing most of the heavy lifting. A little more coverage around the bust would make such a difference. I promise a halter top can still look cute without leaving me wondering if one wrong movement will cause a wardrobe malfunction.

I can appreciate a gorgeous backless dress as much as anyone, but the moment I see one, my first thought is about the bra. Regular bras are obviously out of the question, adhesive bras can be hit or miss, and going completely braless is not an option. It feels like a lot of these designs assume everyone can simply skip the support and get on with their day. Can we just have more backless options that actually account for bigger busts?

Why is everything so expensive?

Shopping is frustrating enough without having to factor in the cost of alterations. When a top doesn't fit quite right, I often have to size up to accommodate my bust, which usually means spending extra to get the waist taken in. Add the cost of a supportive bra to the mix, and an otherwise affordable outfit suddenly becomes a much bigger expense. Sometimes, I just want to pick something off the rack and wear it as is, without having to budget for a tailor or an entirely separate bra to make it work.

Why do I always have to size up for my bust and compromise on the waist?

This has to be one of my biggest shopping grievances. I'll find a top that fits perfectly around my waist, only to realise that I can't comfortably button it up over my chest. So I size up, and suddenly there's far too much fabric around my waist. Finding something that fits both areas shouldn't feel like such a complicated exercise. Bodies come in different proportions, and clothing sizes should account for that. Surely, there's room for a little more thought in the way clothes are designed?

Co-ord sets are meant to make getting dressed easier, so why does finding one that fits feel like such a task? I often need a larger size for the top to accommodate my bust and a smaller one for the bottoms to fit my waist and hips. Buying both pieces in the same size rarely works, and I'm certainly not going to pay for two sets just to put together one outfit that fits. Brands, please consider selling co-ords as separates or giving shoppers the option to mix and match sizes. It really shouldn't be this complicated.

I am tired of wearing oversized everything

For the longest time, oversized shirts, boxy T-shirts, and loose-fitting dresses have been my safest shopping bets. They're comfortable, offer plenty of room, and save me the trouble of second-guessing how something will fit around my chest. But sometimes, I want to wear something fitted, structured, or tailored without having to size up several times to make it work. Having a bigger bust shouldn't mean my only options are clothes that completely hide my shape. I want to experiment with different silhouettes, have fun with fashion, and wear that cute little top I've had saved on Instagram for weeks. Is that really too much to ask?

Lead image: IMDb

Also read: The big-boob tax is real: Why girls with bigger busts often pay more

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