What Items Should I Include In a Spring Summer Capsule Wardrobe for Work?

by Abbie
(Ireland)

I have huge boobs – I’m a size 32HH bra (UK size). It’s impossible to get tops, blouses, or dresses off the rail to fit me properly. A size 14 fits my shoulders, but I need at least an 18 for the bust.

Last weekend I called by a designer outlet and tried on about 20 blouses and sweaters – not one of them fitted me. I left in tears, feeling like a total freak.

Going through my existing wardrobe that night I realised that even my best-fitting outfits are less than 100% satisfactory, if I’m honest – e.g. I look good in a gray suit with pencil skirt and tailored jacket, but can only wear it with the jacket open, it won’t tie on me.

So I've decided to engage a dressmaker to make some outfits for me that I can really be happy in. I’ve met her for a measuring session, and she’s making up a ‘dress block’ to act as a template for future outfits.

I need to get a capsule wardrobe for work wear (office) for spring/summer. Given a finite budget, I need to choose carefully what to get made. I’m thinking maybe two lightweight suits (or mix-and-match jackets and skirts?), two dresses, and a couple of blouses. Does this sound right? (I’m not including pants because usually I can buy those in the stores without problem.)

Also, what colours would be good? I’m a winter and look best in strong colours, especially black, white, red. Pastels make me look washed out. But I’d like to include some summery colours.

I’m so looking forward to wearing clothes that fit me, jackets that I can tie, blouses that are not either straining across the bust or falling off my shoulders, garments that I’m not ashamed of.

Thanks for your great site!


Although my boobs are small and I can't fully understand your situation I do know how frustrating it can be. My sister has very big boobs and almost every 'normal-sized' (size 38) top or blouse she tries on feels tight around the bust -- she can't buy a size bigger either without looking like she's swimming in it (she's slim around the waist and shoulders).

You should focus on pieces that you know you look best in. Your spring/summer wardrobe capsule for work sounds good. With two lightweight suits you can mix and match with other blouses and pants. How do you feel about A-line skirts? An A-line skirt is perfect for balancing out your bust. V-necks and wrap-necks also look good on large busts.

Your winter color palette for spring/summer would be lots of white, icy yellow, clear red, icy grey, icy pink, emerald turquoise and different shades of blue. Also it depends on what group of winter you are. If you have bright blue eyes, fair skin and dark hair, you'll pull of clearer colors like nright golden yellow. Just check out the winter color analysis section and see what colors you think would be appropriate with your complexion for spring. You can also wear summery colors that don't compliment with your season as long as you wear them away from your face. Ex. a pair of nude colored sandals.

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes!