This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

One of Corporette’s most enduring posts started with a suggestion from a friend back in the early days of the blog: how to dress for work if you’re busty. It’s still one of our most-read posts, but a lot has changed since we first published it, so I thought it was time for an update.

Let’s be clear from the outset: there’s nothing inherently unprofessional about having a larger bust. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and this isn’t about minimizing your body or pretending to be a different size.

The challenge is that many clothes are designed around different proportions, and workwear — especially more conservative office attire — often borrows heavily from menswear. If you’ve ever struggled with gaping buttons, jackets that pull across the chest, or tops that fit your bust but drown your waist, you know exactly what I mean.

Over the years I’ve been everything from a 30F to a 38G, so I’ve spent plenty of time figuring out what works (and what doesn’t). Whether you’ve always had a fuller bust or your shape has changed over time, here are my best tips for building a work wardrobe that fits beautifully.

One thing that’s changed since we first published this guide is the conversation around “flattering” clothes. Fashion has largely moved away from the idea that every outfit has to create an hourglass silhouette or visually minimize certain body parts. That’s a welcome shift. Still, if your goal is building a work wardrobe that feels polished and fits well, certain cuts, fabrics, and styling choices may simply work better for your proportions. Think of these as options –not rules.

Readers, what are your thoughts? We’d love to hear your best tips.

Editor’s Note: This guide was originally published in 2016 (building on an even earlier Corporette post from 2008) and was comprehensively updated in 2026 by Kat Griffin with new brands, current workwear advice, and refreshed shopping recommendations while preserving readers’ favorite tips and discussion.

The Best Bras for Busty Women

Hunting for great bras for larger chest sizes? (Speaking personally!) My favorites include Fantasie, Chantelle, Freya, Prima Donna, and Natori. I have a lot of random styles from Elomi that I like a lot, but I don’t think I’ve tried their best-sellers, the Matilda and Cate.

Reader Favorite Bras for Work

Style Principles for Dressing a Fuller Bust at Work

1. Finding the Right Bra is Half the Battle

Invest in a great bra that fits you. The right bra will lift you up and support you. It will not give you quadboob. It may have an odd size that you’ve never even heard of before (28FF, for example). The right bra will not make you worry about falling out of it when you bend over. It will not cut into your shoulders (that’s a sign your band size is too big) or fall off your shoulders.

(Note that your straps can be shortened at the tailor.)

A good bra will take work to find and may cost you some money, but it will be worth it in spades. I highly recommend going to a bra shop and getting fitted — think Nordstrom, Dillards, or a specialty shop like The Town Shop (most major cities have something similar!). If the bra section only has bras that come in sizes A-DDD, you’re in the wrong place.

Ladies who have a favorite shop in your city, please shout it out in the comments. Once you know your size you can watch for sales; I tend to get new bras at Nordstrom’s sales, Bare Necessities sales, or even sometimes Amazon.

If you can’t find a specialty bra shop, the subreddit A Bra That Fits has super helpful advice for sizing yourself (and now they have their own calculator!)

{related: how to buy a bra}

Allow yourself to splurge often on bras. Bras can be expensive, but as a foundational piece, particularly if you’re busty, it’s absolutely essential that your bras fit properly — over time bras can stretch out, to say nothing of weight fluctuations that may affect your bra size.

We’ve talked before about bra care, including when/how often/how to wash them.

{related: how to save money on bras}

Keep bedroom bras in the bedroom or for wearing beneath going out clothes. I used to have these amazing bras from Aubade — beautiful ones covered with lace and embroidery on the cups and the straps. The demi cups lifted me up so I was perky but bouncy. They were amazing… but totally inappropriate for work.

I wore them anyway, and immediately regretted it if I was hurrying down the hallway without a folder to slap to my chest — and I’ve experienced that awful moment at work where you bend over to get something, and stand up and realize your bra did not make that trip as well as you’d have liked. If you can see the lace or design of your bra through your clothes (even opaque ones), if bounce is a factor you like in the bra — reconsider wearing that bra to work.

Personally I’m a fan of the simple T-shirt bras from Fantasie like the underwire smoothing bra; they are admittedly super boring bras.

If you prefer wireless bras, I really like Evelyn & Bobbie (now available at Nordstrom).

2. Choose Clothes That Fit Your Bust

Avoid tops that pull or gape. This goes for button-front blouses, cardigans, and more — if it’s pulling across the bust that’s a fit issue. You can skip blouses altogether (I’ve always worn sweaters beneath my suits), but if you specifically want blouses in your working wardrobe, check out our roundup of blouse brands for the busty.

Build a collection you love of V-necks, scoop necks, jewel necks, boatnecks, cowlnecks, asymmetrical necklines, and personality necklines — they all serve to elongate your neck and draw the eye upward. Of course you can wear crewnecks, mocknecks, and more, but at least for me I find they do me no favors — boxy, unfitted shapes also tend to be unflattering. (Turtlenecks are something that are frequently on the “no” list for busty women — but I think they can be fine if you wear a brooch on your clavicle/shoulder.)

(We’ve also talked about busty blazer brands and suiting alterations you can make.)

Note that with some tops (T-shirts and sweaters alike), a good yank on the fabric will help it stretch to fit your bosom (an old trick Susannah used to love on the (now ancient) BBC version of What Not to Wear that I sadly cannot find a .gif for). If you already own tops that gape, check out guest poster Kathryn Rubino’s DIY tips to stop gaping blouses.

Some of the top products to help you fix a gaping blouse include:

Get a great collection of camisoles or demi camisoles. Cleavage has no place in an office for all women, of course, but for busty women this may mean you need to invest in some camisoles like these; a full slip like this one can also work.

Look for plain styles in solid, non-nude colors to “raise the neckline,” and avoid lacy or boudoir-inspired styles. I’ll mention this below also, but I’m not a huge fan of shaping camisoles — they all ride up on me! I vastly prefer an underbust bodysuit or a high-waisted style of shaper.

Avoid tops and dresses that cut across your bust instead of under it. In the picture below, see how the dress has a panel of fabric that is meant to cover your bust entirely — the fabric panel ends beneath the model’s bust.

On bustier girls (myself included), sometimes a dress “fits” in that I can zip it up, but the fabric lays wrong, cutting across my bust. (In the picture it fits the model properly — if the line were up 2 inches higher I would say the dress did not fit her bust.)  

I’ve avoided empire tops (the empire waist should start under your bust, not on top of it) and other paneled tops and dresses.

3. Use Accessories Strategically

Accessories can be a great way to raise your necklace — personally I like necklaces that are around 18″ long. Too much shorter and it feels like a choker and just emphasizes the distance between your head and your neckline. On the flip side, if it’s too long it won’t clear your neckline, which also isn’t good.

Another accessory idea that isn’t necessarily trendy, but does work well with larger busts: brooches! A brooch placed high-ish on your clavicle can be great with a turtleneck, as well as some sheath dresses. I got most of my collection from DC flea markets, and you can find a ton of great ones on eBay.

Psst: stay tuned for some of our recent favorite brooches!

4. Choose Your Third Piece Wisely

I’m obviously a huge fan of the blazer for adding authority and structure, but these days there are a lot of other “third pieces” that work across a huge range of offices including business casual, such as sweater blazers and lady jackets.

If you have a fuller bust, look for styles with a little shape or drape rather than very boxy cuts. A single-button blazer, an open-front sweater blazer, or a softly tailored jacket will often feel more comfortable and create cleaner lines than a rigid, cropped style.

Double-breasted blazers, cropped lady jackets, and very high-necked jackets can be trickier — not because they’re “wrong,” but because they’re cut for a specific silhouette. (And remember: workwear doesn’t have to be conventionally flattering to look polished.) If you love the trend, wear it; otherwise, don’t be afraid to keep shopping until you find a jacket that works with your proportions. Tailoring can also make a huge difference.

5. Wear What Makes You Feel Polished

Fashion has become much more accepting of different silhouettes than when this post first appeared. You don’t have to minimize your bust or chase an hourglass shape to look polished. The goal is simply to find clothes that fit your body, your office, and your personal style.

More Resources for Busty Women

While not all workwear-related, here are a few other tips that may be helpful to busty women…

Bust-Friendly Blouses

Other Bust-Friendly Clothing

While thrifting, keep an eye out for former brands like Pepperberry, Saint Bustier, Front Room, and DD Atelier… even Bravissimo used to have a much more extensive clothing section.

Shapewear

If you’re looking for shapewear, I find it’s best to separate your bra from the equation, because ones that have built-in bras often have minimizing effects, as do “shaping camisoles” (which also annoy me by rolling up). My favorites are an openbust bodysuit (great because they also smooth out your back) or a high-rise style.

The Best Athletic Bras for Busty Women

Psst: looking for a great sports bra for larger bust sizes? As of 2025, readers love Freya, Panache, Shock Absorber, Title Nine, Athleta, and Enell for higher impact. Looking for something wire-free and comfier for lower impact workouts? Check out Glamorise or Syrokan (and consider wearing a breast support band to make any bra better for higher impact workouts.)

Swimsuits for Busty Women

For swim, Lands’ End has great DD+ swimsuits; Bare Necessities also has a great selection of bra-sized swimsuits.

Nursing Bras for Busty Women

If you’re nursing I adored this Elomi underwire or this Bravado for sleep/early days (to be honest I still wear it for sleep now even though we’re past the nursing point).

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I’ve always been a fan of Loewe’s puzzle totes, but I haven’t been too impressed with tote versions I”ve seen in the past. This ‘Horizontal’ edition looks fabulous, though — I love the extra space. At 5.9″ x 13″ x 14.6″ you can fit most laptops, too.

I do wish it closed on top, but alas…

The bag is $2900 at NET-A-PORTER.

Sales of note for 7/29:

• 7/29/26: Happy National Lipstick Day! Nordstrom, Ulta, Sephora, and more are all having great deals today on lipsticks! (Even Target has a “buy one get one 25% off” sale!) Here are all of our favorite lipsticks right now.
• Nordstrom – The Anniversary Sale continues! Here’s our big roundup of the best workwear, as well as everything we’ve selected thus far. Don’t forget to check to see if their daily beauty deal is a good one for you – e.g., 7/29 up to 40% off select lip products; 7/31 Bobbi Brown; 8/1 Jo Malone
• Ann Taylor – 50% off summer styles + 60% off clearance — readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it’s a great separate)
• Banana Republic – 30% off your purchase (ends 7/31)
• The Fold – Up to 50% off, further markdowns + extra 10% off
• J.Crew – Up to 30% off
• J.Crew Factory – 50% off sitewide
• Me & Em – Sale! Up to 60% off (new lines just added, exclusively online)
• M.M.LaFleur – End of season sale! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
• Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new markdowns up to 75% off! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work dresses from Calvin Klein, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
• Talbots – 25% off your entire purchase
• Theory – End of season sale is on!

A room can be perfectly fine and still feel unfinished. The bed is there. The sofa is there. Maybe even a lamp and a rug. But the walls are blank, and somehow everything still looks temporary.

That is where tropical wallpaper helps. One wall with palms, banana leaves, soft flowers, or a shaded jungle scene can make a plain room feel more considered. It is a good move for renters, first apartments, small bedrooms, and anyone trying to decorate without spending the whole budget on furniture.

Tropical does not have to mean loud resort decor. The best prints can be calm, vintage, leafy, bold, or almost neutral.

Why Tropical Wallpaper Is A Smart Budget Choice

Tropical wallpaper gives a lot of change without replacing much. Paint can freshen a wall, but leaves and palms add shape. A simple bed suddenly looks more intentional when there is a soft palm print behind it. A small dining corner feels less forgotten with a leafy mural behind the bench.

It also works well as a one-wall update. That matters when every roll counts. Behind a bed, sofa, desk, or console, one printed wall can do enough.

Peel-and-stick is useful for renters if the wall is smooth. Traditional wallpaper can look more polished, but it takes more work. Either way, samples are worth it. Greens are tricky. They often look calm online and much brighter in real daylight.

What To Look For In Affordable Tropical Wallpaper

A low price is fine. A cheap-looking wall is not. Before buying, check the details that will actually show once the wallpaper is up.

• material that fits your situation: peel-and-stick, traditional, or pre-pasted
• matte or lightly textured finish instead of shiny paper
• clean print detail on leaves, flowers, and mural scenes
• pattern scale that suits the wall size
• sample availability, especially for green, yellow, or dark prints
• return rules, since custom wallpaper may be harder to send back
• wall condition, because rough paint or damp corners can ruin the result

The sample should be checked in the actual room. Morning light, evening lamps, and shadows can change the color more than expected.

Top 10 Affordable Tropical Wallpapers

These are the tropical styles that usually give the most impact without needing a full room redesign.

1. Soft Palm Leaf Wallpaper

Tropical Green Palm Leaves Wallpaper Mural – Wallmur

Soft palm leaves are the easiest starting point. Sage, olive, beige, or pale green can freshen a bedroom or small living room without making the room loud. It looks best behind a bed, sofa, or desk.

2. Oversized Banana Leaf Wallpaper

Tropical Leaf Wallpaper – ONDECOR.COM

Banana leaves are bold, so they need space. One wall is enough in most rooms. Keep the bedding, curtains, or sofa plain, and the print will look stronger.

3. Vintage Tropical Botanical Print

Vintage Tropical Palm Wallpaper – EazyWalls

A vintage botanical print feels softer than a glossy jungle pattern. Aged greens, cream backgrounds, faded stems, and illustrated leaves work well in hallways, guest rooms, desk corners, and bedrooms with wood furniture.

4. Soft Tropical Mural Wallpaper

Soft Tropical River Landscape Illustration Peel & Stick Wall Mural – Muralium

A tropical mural wallpaper can make a wall feel deeper. Misty palms, layered leaves, or a shaded garden scene work well behind a bed or dining bench. The mural brings the mood, so the rest can stay simple.

5. Dark Green Jungle Wallpaper

Dark Green Tropical Forest Wall Mural – Chic&Kiddo

Dark green jungle wallpaper feels cozy rather than beachy. It suits a bedroom, powder room, or reading corner with cream fabric, cane, brass, or warm wood. In a small room, stop at one wall.

6. Tropical Floral Wallpaper

Meadow Blooms: Lush Floral Paradise Wallpaper – The Mural Story

Tropical flowers add color quickly. Hibiscus, orchids, and loose painterly blooms can wake up a plain vanity wall or bedroom corner. If the flowers are strong, quiet fabrics nearby will help.

7. Neutral Tropical Leaf Wallpaper

Wall Mural Tropical Leaves in Soft Neutral Tones – Tapeko

Neutral tropical leaf wallpaper is useful when green feels like too much. Beige, ivory, taupe, sand, or grey-green leaves still add pattern, but they are easier to match with basic furniture.

8. Watercolor Palm Wallpaper

Watercolor Palm Leaves – Photowall

Watercolor palms feel relaxed because the edges are soft. Nothing looks too perfect. This style works in bedrooms, bathrooms, nurseries, and studios with mixed furniture.

9. Bold Color Tropical Wallpaper

Bold Leaves by Metropolitan Stories Wallpaper – Wallpaper Direct

A bold tropical print can save a dull corner. Coral, teal, yellow, emerald, or deep blue works in a powder room, entry nook, closet office, or behind open shelves. Let the wall be the loud part.

10. Minimal Line Tropical Wallpaper

Botanical Sketch Mural Wallpaper – Vivawalls Store

Minimal leaf outlines give the hint of palms without filling the room with color. It is good for renters, small bedrooms, or anyone who likes pattern but gets tired of busy walls.

Styling Tips For Tropical Wallpaper On A Budget

The room does not need to become fully tropical. In fact, it usually looks better when it does not.

1. Use the wallpaper on one main wall, not everywhere.
2. Keep large pieces simple: plain bedding, a neutral sofa, simple curtains.
3. Add one natural texture, such as rattan, jute, linen, cane, bamboo, or light wood.
4. Repeat one color from the print in a pillow, lamp, frame, or small rug.
5. Add a real plant only if the room has enough light.

A tropical wall should make the room feel fresher, not like a vacation rental lobby.

Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing Budget Tropical Wallpaper

• Buying Only By Price: Cheap can be fine. Shiny, blurry, or thin paper usually is not.
• Skipping Samples: Greens, yellows, and dark jungle prints can change a lot in real rooms.
• Covering Too Much Wall: Four walls of large leaves can make a small room feel smaller.
• Ignoring Furniture: A bold print needs calmer pieces around it.
• Choosing The Wrong Scale: Big leaves need room. Tiny repeats can become visual noise.
• Forgetting Extra Rolls: A later batch may not match the first one exactly.

Conclusion

Tropical wallpaper is an easy, affordable way to wake up a plain room. Palm prints, jungle greens, soft murals, florals, and neutral leaf patterns can all work if the scale, light, and material feel right.

The best choice is not simply the cheapest print. It is the one that makes the room feel finished without making everything else look like it needs replacing.

We started the month of July still in Spain and ended up extending the trip because leaving felt impossible. Our days settled into a rhythm I could get used to: breakfast in the sun first thing, a boat or beach day, dinner in town at night. Printed sundresses and sandals carried me through the daytime, and evenings called for vibrant dresses, party pants, and layered jewelry for an extra dose of sparkle.

Once we got home, I turned right back around for a shoot in the Hamptons, then spent a few days getting reorganized and prepped for our final leg of travel this summer. Those days called for comfortable, casual pieces that could keep up with a long to-do list. Looking back through my Daily Looks, July was summer style at its absolute height, right up until those last few days of getting back to real life.

Zimmermann Top, Francoise Pants, Valentino Belt, Chanel Bag, Dior Heels, Jenna Blake Elephant Pendant | Missoni Dress, Loro Piana Bag (coming soon, similar here), Sherman Field Necklace, Irene Neuwirth Earrings, Ferragamo Heels

Cristiano Marcheli Dress, Chanel Bag & Sandals (sold out, similar here), Missoni Headband (old, similar here and here), Jacque Marie Mage Sunglasses | Valentino Shirt, Gwen Bra Top, Alemais Pants (more sizes here, matching top here), Dries Van Noten Wedges, Savette Bag (more colors), Jenna Blake Elephant Pendant

Rubirosa Shirt (similar here), Eterne Tank, Libertine Shorts, Chanel Bag, Odissi Flats | Rosewater House Vest (sold out, similar here), Sea NY Pants (sold out, similar here), Manolo Blahnik Heels, Chanel Bag, Irene Neuwrith Necklace (similar, less expensive here), Hermes Scarf (similar here)

Montce Bikini, Libertine Pants, Prada Headband, Miu Miu Flats (similar here and here), Saint Laurent Sunglasses | Liberowe Top, Julia Amory Pareo (more colors, similar here), Miu Miu Flats (similar here and here), Valentino Bag, Bottega Veneta Sunglasses

Sanoe Blazer, Comme Si Shirt, Johanna Ortiz Skirt (last seen here), Miu Miu Flats (similar here and here) | Eterne Halter, Doen Skirt, Gabriela Hearst Sandals, Zimmermann Scarf, Retrosuperfuture Sunglasses

Balakata Dress, Prada Headband, Celine Tote (similar here, less expensive here), Gabriela Hearst Sandals |Eterne Bodysuit, Johanna Ortiz Skirt, K.Jacques x Ciao Lucia Sandals, Chanel Bag & Necklace (similar here, less expensive here), Irene Neuwirth Earrings (similar, less expensive here)

TWP Tank, Anthropologie Pants, Alaia Flats, Chanel Bag | Sezane Top, Merlette Skirt, Call It By Your Name Flats, Jacque Marie Mage Sunglasses

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

It’s hard to get excited about blazers and jackets when you’re enjoying the summer sun, but this one from Banana Republic really piqued my interest. I’m often in situations where a suit feels too formal, but I do feel a little more put-together with a topper of some kind. This zippered, cropped jacket is the perfect solution.

I would wear this with high-waisted pants or a midi skirt for the days when you want to be on the more business side of business casual. 

The jacket is $70 at Banana Republic Factory — with 20% off at checkout — and comes in sizes XXS-XXL and XXSP-XLP. It also comes in pewter gray. 

Sales of note for 7/29:

• Nordstrom – The Anniversary Sale continues! Here’s our big roundup of the best workwear, as well as everything we’ve selected thus far. Don’t forget to check to see if their daily beauty deal is a good one for you –- e.g., 7/29 up to 40% off select lip products; 7/31 Bobbi Brown; 8/1 Jo Malone
• Ann Taylor – 50% off summer styles + 60% off clearance — readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it’s a great separate)
• Banana Republic – 30% off your purchase (ends 7/31)
• The Fold – Up to 50% off, further markdowns + extra 10% off
• J.Crew – Up to 30% off
• J.Crew Factory – 50% off sitewide
• Me & Em – Sale! Up to 60% off (new lines just added, exclusively online)
• M.M.LaFleur – End of season sale! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
• Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new markdowns up to 75% off! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work dresses from Calvin Klein, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
• Talbots – 25% off your entire purchase
• Theory – End of season sale is on!

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. Also: we just updated our big roundup for the best women’s suits of 2026!

This suit from Ann Taylor is such a pretty color.

The suit has a LOT of matching pieces, including a short-sleeved jacket (cap-sleeved and double-breasted!), a midi dress, and a shell, as well as the various cuts of pants (ankle, flare, curvy) and the fitted long blazer pictured here.

The suiting pieces are $119-$198.

Sales of note for 7/29:

• 7/29/26: Happy National Lipstick Day! Nordstrom, Ulta, Sephora, and more are all having great deals today on lipsticks! (Even Target has a “buy one get one 25% off” sale!) Here are all of our favorite lipsticks right now.
• Nordstrom – The Anniversary Sale continues! Here’s our big roundup of the best workwear, as well as everything we’ve selected thus far. Don’t forget to check to see if their daily beauty deal is a good one for you – e.g., 7/29 up to 40% off select lip products; 7/31 Bobbi Brown; 8/1 Jo Malone
• Ann Taylor – 50% off summer styles + 60% off clearance — readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it’s a great separate)
• Banana Republic – 30% off your purchase (ends 7/31)
• The Fold – Up to 50% off, further markdowns + extra 10% off
• J.Crew – Up to 30% off
• J.Crew Factory – 50% off sitewide
• Me & Em – Sale! Up to 60% off (new lines just added, exclusively online)
• M.M.LaFleur – End of season sale! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
• Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new markdowns up to 75% off! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work dresses from Calvin Klein, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
• Talbots – 25% off your entire purchase
• Theory – End of season sale is on!