EARLIER this year, – by finding them clothes that flatter larger chests.
In a landmark survey, 64 per cent of our readers opened up about their struggles to find clothes that fit them.
This is despite the average UK bra size now being a 36DD.
So we decided enough was enough.
It was time for to ditch the safety pins holding their clothes in place and wear outfits that actually fit their boobs perfectly.
Setting to work, we created a community of more than just for them.
From finding out what kinds of problems they have when it comes to dressing their busts — such as tops gaping, never being able to wear anything backless and bras constantly being on show — we worked with a team of expert designers, determined to come up with pieces that are perfect for fuller-chested women.
After sharing a series of shapes, prints and patterns with our team of readers, we took the most popular ones and created our seven-piece .
These amazing women were with us every step of the way, sending invaluable feedback via Facebook, WhatsApp and email. We couldn’t have done it without them.
The next step was to make sure we got the fit right — the all-important factor when it came to solving our problem.
Inviting members of our community to test early design samples, we enlisted the help of a specialist fuller bust garment technician, who decided exactly which changes were needed to ensure our clothes were a perfect fit for everyone.
The — ranging from £30 to £55 — and is perfect for women with DD+ busts. All items include key design elements to ensure they work for ALL women with a bigger bust.
This is the first time in my life I have fit into my true size and honestly I feel quite emotional about it
Angelica
From a that allows you to still wear your bra, to and additional lining so the buttons don’t gape open, we really have thought of everything.
We’ve also included hidden poppers so there’s no need for safety pins, extra fabric to banish “shelf boob”, as well as ruching and elasticated backs to support movement.
Once we had the fits just as we wanted, we invited more community members to London for a glam photoshoot, where they tried on the collection and gave us their verdicts.
Some lucky Fabulous readers got an exclusive sneak peak at the collection. Here's what they thought...
";Finally there is a clothing collection that is stylish, comfy and made with quality fabrics, perfect for women with DD+ boobs."
“I haven’t had to compromise on either style or fit, which is what I always wanted.”
“It looks so expensive on and feels such good quality for what you’re paying. I’d live in this dress all summer long!”
“I feel like the collection enhances what I have, rather than covering my boobs up.”
“I’m a size 16 and it’s so lovely to find clothes that are true to size. This is figure-skimming, but not clingy.”
And we’re thrilled to report that they loved the .
Not only is the range there to solve the problems of those with a fuller bust, but we wanted to make sure it is sustainable, too.
With a , we decided to eliminate waste by only making our clothes to order.
This does mean that the range takes a little longer to arrive, but we think you will agree it’s well worth the wait.
We are also working with charity Pratham UK, which funds education programs for underprivileged children in India. Buying a piece from the collection can support a child’s education for two months. We also make sure that factory workers are paid bonuses from the collection and that all fabrics are 100 per cent sustainably sourced.
Back in February, we met three ladies who told us about their struggles dressing their big boobs.
Sarah Lee, who is a 34JJ, Paij Hamilton, who has 28G-cup boobs — but is a petite size eight — and Angelica Fenney, who has a 38GG chest.
Sarah, 52, who lives in Worthing, West Sussex, used to feel so frustrated about the lack of options for her she would become tearful.
“As I got older, in my 20s and 30s, I really hated my boobs,” the support worker, told us. “They were so huge I even considered a reduction. It wasn’t that I didn’t love my body as I have always been quite confident, but it was hard to be fashionable.
“I wanted to wear what was trendy, with thin straps and backless dresses, but I couldn’t.”
Being petite, while also having big boobs, has made life hard for 31-year-old Paij.
At only 5ft 3in and a size eight, Paij, from Hackney, East London, says it’s a battle to find anything to fit her G-cup boobs.
“All my life, I have struggled to find clothes to fit,” Paij, the housing association worker told us.
“I have trouble buying outfits as I am so petite, but I don’t want anything too tight around my chest as that just pushes them out more and draws even more attention.
“Sometimes I have to pay to have things tailored so they fit me better. Bikinis are particularly hard to buy.” Angelica Fenney, from Liverpool, told us she avoids relationships because boyfriends get jealous of other men ogling her chest.
"When I’ve had partners in the past, they don’t like the attention I get because of my boobs,” said Angelica, 45, a plus-size model.
“They get jealous and it causes rows. That is one of the biggest reasons I’m still single. It’s not worth the hassle. Men have even walked into walls as they look at my chest. My nieces will laugh and say people are staring at me.
I don’t feel squashed or squeezed in and they’ve given me a really nice silhouette
Sarah Lee
“I don’t always like the attention, so I try to cover them up. I’m a size 16 but often I have to buy an 18 or 20 and pay to have it taken in. If something does fit my breasts, then it is baggy everywhere else.”
Now the collection has been created, we decided to invite the ladies back to try on the range.
Seeing all three ladies wearing the items with such confidence was quite a moment — all that hard work had been worth it.
Abby McHale, Fabulous’ Deputy Fashion Editor, commented: “From the outset, sustainability was important to us.
“Considering that 30 percent of products globally are destined for landfill before they’ve even left a warehouse, we’ve decided to only start making our clothes once orders have been placed.
“This means your order will take a little longer than what you’re used to (four to six weeks), but we’re hoping you think, like we do, it’s worth the wait.
“We also ensure factory workers are paid bonuses from the collection, plus we work with the charity, Pratham, in India to fund education centres for kids in migrant areas.
“Buying a dress can support a child’s education for two months.”
The items include a classic zebra print, green smudge leopard print and wear-with-anything black backless dress, meaning they are not one-season wonders.
Sarah says: “I often have to opt for stretchy material so that I get a bit of shape, otherwise everything hangs from the boobs and you end up looking like a tub.
“But I haven’t had that issue with the clothes today at all.
“The zips did up perfectly and the clothes fitted my shape, rather than me having to size-up to fit them.
“They are also incredibly comfortable. I don’t feel squashed or squeezed in and they’ve given me a really nice silhouette. The price point is also really reasonable. I have spent a lot more on dresses that haven’t fit as well.”
This collection is what has been missing from the high street
Paij
Paij wanted to be able to wear tops with more plunging necklines, without attracting negative attention, and it seems Fabulous may have solved that issue.
She says: “It’s so nice to have something that cinches in at the waist, because we all want a bit of shape. The top is also so comfortable. I have space for my arms and my boobs, which can be really hard to find on the high street.
“Better still, there’s no gaping! I love that Fabulous has added this extra fabric behind the buttons – no companies do that.
“I was wearing a balconette bra which came up quite high, but you just couldn’t see it at all. I would absolutely shop with Fabulous again. This collection is what has been missing from the high street.”
Angelica, in particular, was bowled over by the range, even welling up after finding out she’s able to fit into a smaller dress size that also perfectly fits her bust.
“I am only a size 16, but I am having to buy up to a size 22 to allow for my breasts,” she told us, tears in her eyes.
“I have been so pleasantly surprised today. I initially asked for a size 18 to allow space for my boobs, but I had to size down to a 16.
“This is the first time in my life I have fit into my true size and honestly I feel quite emotional about it. Having felt so excluded by the fashion industry for years, having clothes that fit me today is just amazing.
“Today I feel sexy, glamorous and confident. I feel like I could walk outside with my head held high and say: ‘This is me.’
“For once I feel like people aren’t just talking to my boobs. I also look a lot slimmer — and I’ve not lost a penny!
“I think the price point is phenomenal for what you are getting. These clothes are such good quality and the fact I can just wear them with no adjustments is amazing.
“Being in the right dress size after all this time? I can’t put a price on that.”
