9 best summer dresses for big busts that don’t compromise on style

Best: Overall

Kitri is a brand renowned for their vibrant prints and sell-out collaborations, but we’ve recently learnt how great many of their styles are for dressing big boobs. This particular style, the Fonteyn gingham dress, is the superstar. There are so many carefully considered components to this dress that make it flattering on the bigger bust. The first, and most important, is the subtle shirred panel at the waist. Sitting just underneath the chest, it cinches and highlights the waist while contrasting with the a-line shape of the skirt, working that illusionary magic to make the waist look even smaller.

The second is the area that stretches across the chest itself. Usually a tricky area to get right on off-the-shoulder dresses, the Fontayne challenges what we thought to be true. With loose fabric over the chest area and a tight elasticised ruffle above, everything works in perfect harmony to flatter the chest. Add to this all the other details, like the adorable puff sleeves and the mix of ginghams, and you have a winner of a dress that will make you feel fabulous with every wear.

Best: V-neck

If you have big boobs, you know you can always rely on M&S to deliver. So many of their dresses work wonderfully for big busts, but we had to draw attention to this understated style. V-necks can be intimidating if you are conscious of cleavage, but this dress has you covered, with a discreet hook-and-eye allowing you to control the depth of the neckline. The soft belt and statement buckle draw eyes to the waist, and the fit makes it suitable for so many occasions. Dress it up with strappy heeled sandals, or down with trainers.

Best: Occasion dress

Ghost are the MVPs of occasionwear, with their ultra-feminine silhouettes in gorgeous floaty fabrics. Occasions of every variety are finally back in the calendar for summer 2021, so whether it’s a wedding, a baby shower or a celebratory dinner somewhere fancy, Ghost offer a fabulous assortment of styles that will have you looking the part. This dress in particular stood out. The crepe fabric skims curves beautifully, while the high neckline and pleated bodice elongates the chest, creating a sleek and streamlined silhouette. And who can resist a ditsy floral print? We know we can’t.

Best: For vintage lovers

If you like your wardrobe to take you back in time, Meadows is the brand for you. Heavily inspired by Victoriana, with touches of prairie and folk, each piece is romantic and feminine. This piece specifically is one to treasure. We’ve touched on square necklines already, but this one features a higher neckline which gives it a vintage bodice feel, which is not only incredibly flattering on bigger busts, but feels very supportive and controlled. Plus, it’s 100 per cent cotton!

Best: For earth lovers

Sustainability is a huge factor when it comes to adding some new items to your wardrobe, and OMNES is the new kid on the block, offering beautiful pieces in bold, vibrant fabrics that are produced with our planet in mind. This gorgeous dress is made from 100 per cent BCI cotton (BCI supports farmers with every aspect of growing the cotton to protect and restore the environment) and features an eye-catching, digitally printed pattern; a process that saves on resources. The combo of angel sleeves, square neck and tiered skirt are heaven for anyone looking to dress their breasts this summer, and the lightweight, breezy fabric will bring you comfort on balmy days.

Best: Plus-size style

While many high street brands have yet to stock collections for women above a size 16, online brands are delivering. Neverfullydressed.co.uk has a curve range that caters to sizes 18-26, and it’s a favourite among the plus-size community. The collection is on-trend, colourful and has a range of silhouettes. This Seville print dress screams of summer days and fruity cocktails, and we love the 90s-style spaghetti straps.

Best: Mini dress

Sun’s out, legs out. Mini dresses in this weather are great for keeping cool and getting your pins out and they don’t have to be tight club-style numbers. This one from River Island is made from gorgeous cotton broderie anglaise which is not only beautiful and full of detail, but breathable too. It’s a loose fit with room up-top no matter your cup size, and the tie-waist allows you to cinch that waist. The additional touch of ruffled hem and puff sleeves give it an adorable folksy vibe. Add all the straw accessories to round off the look.

Best: For beach

Designer Melissa Odabash knows her way around beachwear, and this dress is a prime example. It’s effortless in style, and made of 100 per cent lightweight cotton – the only fabric you want to be wearing in holiday sunshine. This dress has earned its spot on our list because of the panelled high apex neckline. A high apex is key for big busts on anything from bras and swimwear to tops and dresses. It means less pressure is put on the straps, and that the neckline is in proportion with your chest area. A strappy dress that works on big busts is hard to find, so when you see one, snap it up. This one is a worthy investment that will be a long-term holiday companion.

Best: Value

Supermarket clothing lines are killing it at the moment! Not only are their prices budget-friendly, but their collections are increasingly on-trend whilst catering to a variety of shapes and sizes, without sacrificing quality. Just look at this Tu at Sainsbury's dress. This is perfect for casual summer dressing. It’s a flowy fabric with a gorgeous ruffle hem, and the high neck and sleeveless arms add a touch of elegance while elongating the torso and creating a streamlined silhouette. And it’s £20!