Large busts and button-down tops have been enemies for a long time. When you have a bigger chest, but yearn for a more business casual look, you need to carefully select a bra that will make sure your buttons don’t bust wide open. Fortunately, there are a number of button-down tops that make gaping buttons a thing of the past.
Universal Standard
Universal Standard’s Elbe Stretch Poplin Shirt Classic Fit was designed to prevent any gaps between the buttons. Beneath the hidden button placket, there’s a combination of buttons and strategically placed snaps. The snaps are in between select buttons around the chest to prevent any bra from peaking out.
From the front, you’d never know that there’s a whole bust security system as this is a stretchy comfortable clean button-down shirt. This top comes in seven colors in sizes 4XS to 4XL (sizes 00 to 40). Plus, there’s a Half Placket option in the same colors and sizes.
Old Navy
Old Navy’s Oversized Flannel Boyfriend Shirt is a year-round essential. The oversized button-down features extra room in the bust and perfectly placed buttons that prevent gaps. Plus, the 100 percent cotton fabric drapes over the back beneath the yoke. That way, your wings are covered, too.
While this top has a relaxed feel, there’s enough structure to prevent an unflattering boxy look. And, there are pockets on the chest so that you can stop using your bra as a pocket. Shop regular sizes XS to 4X, as well as petite and tall in sizes XS to XXL.
Rebdolls
This Essential Satin Button Up Top from Rebdolls delivers a luxurious look with an oversized feel. The extra room in this top prevents your bra from showing. It’s important to note that while this top is oversized, it doesn’t have a ton of stretch, so if your chest is extra large, you might size up.
More importantly, you won’t look like you’re drowning in fabric as the satin lightly skims the body. That said, this top is also longer than your average button-down shirt. It runs from the shoulder down to the upper thigh. Feel free to tuck it in or wear it with the hem out.
At the time of this post, this top is available in black and beige in sizes S to 5X (2 to 32).
Maeve
The Bennet Buttondown Shirt by Maeve is a more traditional take on the classic top. This all-cotton button-down shirt features pearly-white buttons down the placket and on the cuffs. Those buttons also prevent your shirt from gaping. Towards the top the buttons are placed slightly closer together which gives some extra protection.
Speaking of coverage, this shirt is already long enough to reach the upper-thigh from the front. But, at the back, it dips below the rear. So, wear one of the 16 color choices tucked in or leave it out and pair it with come cozy leggings.
Sizes available include the standard range in XXS to XL, petite in XXS petite to XL petite, and plus in 1X to 3X.
Attitudes by Renee Como
This Attitudes by Renee Como Jersey Mesh Shoulder Printed Shirt shows just enough skin – that isn’t around the bust. This button-down top is made of a stretchy jersey material that drapes over your curves. The material allows for your bust to sit comfortably in the top without pulling the placket apart.
As for the skin that’s showing, there’s a mesh panel that runs across the upper back – from shoulder to shoulder. It sits over the upper shoulder blades. Shop three patterns in sizes XXS to 3X.
Good American
Good American’s The Good Shirt lives up to its name. The button-down cotton-rich shirt has a hidden placket that offers extra coverage over the buttons. Which reduces the chances for any gaping. It also dips lower in the back to cover your behind. Plus, there’s a box pleat beneath the rear yoke that lends to this oversized top’s draped feel. Best of all there are two functional pockets over the bust that you can use or leave empty.
Choose the black or white top in sizes XS to 5XL.
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