The high-street doesn’t cater for my G-size chest – now I need YOUR help to create a Fabulous-approved DD+ clothing line

STARING into the changing-room mirror, I felt deflated. After spending 10 minutes desperately trying to wrestle a stretchy dress over my 34G chest, I had to admit defeat.

Sadly, this feeling is one I, and every woman with a bust bigger than a DD, will be familiar with.

Abby McHale opens up about her struggle to dress her G-sized chestDavid Cummings

Abby chooses clothes that are covered-up but still flattering

Struggling to do up zips on dresses, shirts gaping open, T-shirts suffocating my boobs, and not being able to wear anything backless are just some of the day-to-day dressing issues I have to contend with. 

The average UK bra size is 36DD, according to Bra For Me, but in my personal – and professional – experience, finding well-made, purse-friendly items that look stylish and flatter big boobs is near-impossible. 

I remember developing breasts aged 14. As girls around me were stuffing their lacy bralets with “chicken fillets” and Googling the price of boob jobs, I was already sorted in that department. 

Coming from a family of full-busted women, my mum often joked that there was no getting away from the fact that I’d have bigger boobs when I was older.

When I was growing up in the early Noughties, the cultural ideal when it came to boobs was: the bigger, the better.

Just cast your mind back to Victoria Beckham’s pneumatic chest bandaged in Hervé Léger or Jodie Marsh’s infamous belt top.

Fast-forward a decade and fashion had moved on to oversized T-shirts, wrap dresses and vests that had thick enough straps we could wear a bra underneath.

Still, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) recorded that the number of women having boob jobs jumped by 10% in 2010, with it becoming the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure.

Up until my early 20s, I was very confident in my skin – I figured, if you’ve got it, flaunt it. But then I started being sexualised for my larger chest. 

One night, when I was 21, I headed out to a night club in Watford wearing a black top with a plunging neckline that I’d bought from Miss Selfridge.

My friends and I gathered for a group photo, but a few days later one of the boys from the group had cropped the picture so it was just the lads – and my cleavage. 

Cue much hilarity – and melon emojis – from my mates when it was posted on Instagram.

And that’s what my chest seemed to become from then on – a bit of a joke. I still loved my boobs and carried on wearing low-cut tops, but it did stick with me.

Then, a few years later, I borrowed a friend’s low-cut strappy bodycon dress for a night out. She wore a similar design, but her A-cup boobs didn’t attract the same stares.

Bring confidence back

I couldn’t help comparing our experiences and feeling that I looked way more sexual than she did.

I began to be a little uncomfortable with my ample chest. Since then, I’ve become a lot more aware of how I dress my boobs. 

As I’ve got older, my style has also changed. Don’t get me wrong, a V-neck is one of the most flattering styles for me, but now it’s less revealing.

Safety pins are my best friend to pin in low tops when I think too much cleavage is on show. 

These days, I shop at Marks & Spencer, ASOS and supermarket brands for tops and dresses, as they seem to cater for bigger busts better than many of the other high-street shops. 

While brands are starting to embrace boobs of all shapes and sizes in the lingerie department, when it comes to actual clothes, bigger-busted women still seem to have been largely forgotten about.

I can only conclude that big boobs also aren’t as “trendy” as they were two decades ago.

Interestingly, according to BAAPS, the number of breast reductions actually increased 40% between 2018 and 2020, so smaller boobs is a trend that is steadily rising.

And it’s not just me who has the problem of finding clothes that both fit and flatter.

Celebrities with larger chests have also said it can be tough when it comes to red-carpet moments.

Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney recently spoke out about struggling to fit into designer samples because of her 34D bust, with clothes often having to be tailored to fit. 

I can see why big boobs are a big issue in fashion. I can never go braless, so the high street’s obsession with strappy tops, cut-outs in unflattering places and backless dresses make dressing a nightmare.

Plus, exercise can be a pain – someone please find me a sports bra that makes me feel supported!

So many styles I see on the high street are geared towards smaller busts and, if anything, it’s made me lose my confidence in what to wear.

I’m constantly telling myself something won’t fit before I’ve tried it on. What’s more, I often have to get a larger dress size, even when it won’t fit the rest of my body. 

I’m on a mission to bring some confidence back into dressing for a bigger bust

That’s why I’m on a mission to bring some confidence back into dressing for a bigger bust. It shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of or hide.

But I need your help – read the box (below) to find out how you can join Fabulous’ exciting new project. 

Do you have DD+ boobs and struggle to find clothes that fit? 

At Fabulous, we’ve decided enough is enough – we’re going to create our own gorgeous range of clothes just for women with big busts.

But we need your help designing the pieces, from what style is best to the colours, patterns and materials used. You’ll be there every step of the way.

Once it’s designed, a group of Fabulous readers will get the chance to model the collection – the first we’ve ever launched – and help with the fitting, to make 100% sure you really do love it!

Then when it’s all ready to go, you’ll get the chance to pre-order your designs, and even have items named after you. 

Clothes for women with big boobs, designed by women with big boobs – sounds great, right?

Just scan the QR code to get involved. 

How it works

We’re going to ask for your input on a range of styles and products through a couple of rounds of testing.

The ones you select as your favourites will be the ones we create. You’ll get a chance to order them, then we’ll start production – to ensure no waste is created.

By taking this approach, we can make pieces you’ll fall in love with, offer sustainable clothes at affordable prices, plus have a lot of fun in the process.

Some of the savings created will be used to fund children’s education programmes in India, where the factories we’re going to use are based.

DO YOU HAVE DD+ BOOBS AND STRUGGLE TO FIND CLOTHES THAT FIT?
At Fabulous, we’ve decided enough is enough – we’re going to create our own gorgeous range of clothes just for women with big busts.
But we need your help designing the pieces, from what style is best to the colours, patterns and materials used. You’ll be there every step of the way.
Once it’s designed, a group of Fabulous readers will get the chance to model the collection – the first we’ve ever launched – and help with the fitting, to make 100% sure you really do love it!
Then when it’s all ready to go, you’ll get the chance to pre-order your designs, and even have items named after you.
Clothes for women with big boobs, designed by women with big boobs – sounds great, right? Just scan the QR code to get involved.
HOW IT WORKS
We’re going to ask for your input on a range of styles and products through a couple of rounds of testing. The ones you select as your favourites will be the ones we create.
You’ll get a chance to order them, then we’ll start production – to ensure no waste is created.
By taking this approach, we can make pieces you’ll fall in love with, offer sustainable clothes at affordable prices, plus have a lot of fun in the process.
Some of the savings created will be used to fund children’s education programmes in India, where the factories we’re going to use are based.

Abby, above aged 21, wore a black top with a plunging neckline from Miss Selfridge