How to Visually Reduce Large Breasts

Co-authored by Sarah McDonald

Last Updated: November 7, 2024 References

There are many ways to visually reduce your large chest. You can use clever fashion tricks but you may be surprised at the number of non-surgical methods that can physically reign your chest in. No matter what route you want to take, you will find the steps below to be very helpful. Just get started with Step 1 below!

Part 1

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Clothing Tips

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You should start by always wearing clothes that fit. Don't wear clothes that are too tight, since these will just make your breasts look bigger and draw attention to them.^{[1]
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Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} You also don't want to wear clothes that are too big or loose, because these will make your breasts look bigger but will also make you look bigger over all. Instead, just wear clothes that fit you, neither too loose nor too tight. Not only will this be more comfortable, but it will reduce the visual appearance of your chest.
Wear shirts that are long, with a hem line down around the widest part of your hips. This will draw the eye downward and away from the chest, while also emphasizing your hips. Together, this will do a lot to reduce the appearance of your hips.

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Wear shirts that flare out below the natural waist. This will help draw the eye downward and away from the chest. This style of shirt is very trendy and in fashion right now as well.
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Wear dark shirts and pair with bright colored bottoms for extra effect. Wearing a dark shirt in general, using colors like black, navy, and forest green, will reduce the appearance of your chest.^{[2]
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Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} This works by reducing the appearance of highlights and shadows, which makes it harder for the eye to perceive depth and shape.
- If you want to make the effect even stronger, pair the dark top with a skirt or pants that are brightly colored. Wearing turquoise, pink, yellow, red, or other bright colors will draw the eye down from your chest to your hips and legs.
In general, wearing clothes that emphasize your hips will draw attention away from your chest and make it look smaller by comparison. Wear horizontally striped pants or skirts and when you wear skirts, try to wear full, circle skirts. These will add volume to your lower half and make your body look more even.

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Things to Avoid

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Turtlenecks and especially bulky turtle neck sweaters will only make your chest look bigger. Tight turtlenecks will only make your breasts look bigger and thicker turtlenecks will just add bulk, achieving the same effect.
Natural waist tops, which draw the waistline upwards, and empire waist tops which create the cinch of the waist just below the breast line both serve to make the bust look bigger. Avoid both of these styles as they will only emphasize your chest by making it look bigger in comparison to your waist.
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Don't wear shirts that emphasize cleavage.^{[3]
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Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} Of course, you'll want to skip tops that emphasize your cleavage. Anything that is very low cut is only going to make your breasts look bigger. So much bigger, in fact, that they'll probably accurately look like they're on the verge of falling out! Instead, wear items that are slightly higher cut.
- For some people, V-neck and sweetheart necklines will make the cleavage and bust look bigger and more noticeable. Some people, however, find that they prefer the appearance they get with this neck style.^{[4]
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  Research source} Experiment to see what works for you.
You'll want to pass on clothes that add bulk around your breasts, making them look even bigger. Cowl-neck sweaters and tops, ruffle-front blouses, longer scarves, shirts with puckers or gathers around the breasts, and many other items will add a lot of fabric at the bust line, making your breasts appear even bigger.
^{[5]
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Expert Source

Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} Horizontal stripes will make your chest appear wider and according make your breasts look bigger. Instead, wear narrow vertical stripes, as these will draw the eye upward and make your chest look smaller. This is because it tricks the eye into thinking the two sides of your body are closer together.

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Physically Reducing Your Bust

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1
Stand up straight. When you have bad posture, you breasts will sag and hang, which just makes them look bigger. Standing up straight with your shoulders pulled back will lift the breast and cause the tissue to be more taut and stretched, physically reducing it's outward shape.
- If you have trouble standing straight, there are many back braces and posture correctors available online or from your doctor.
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Use special bras.^{[6]
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Sarah McDonald
Certified Stylist & Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.} There are a number of bras which can help. Minimizers are designed for this purpose and simply work by adding no extra bulk. You can achieve the same effect by using an unlined bra, which is often cheaper. However, most women with large breasts find that they prefer the support of a more structured bra. Because of this, you may find that a maximum support, high quality sports bra works better for you. A sports bra will squish your breasts down and make them appear physically smaller.^{[7]
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- It's also really important to wear a bra that fits.
Shapers are vests or shirts which are made out of tight elastic. A normal shirt is then worn over the top. You can find shapers for the chest from many department stores as well as from online stores.
Chest binders are shapers on steroids: they'll significantly reduce your bust by maximizing how much they compact your breasts. Their effect may be to strong and constricting for some people, however, so only use this option if you're looking for serious reduction.^{[8]
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Use chest binding. A temporary solution for desperate situations is to do traditional chest binding. This is where you use a tighter material to bind down your breasts - preferably a chest binder, but a tighter sports bra will also suffice. This is useful if you just need to temporarily reduce your bust in order to fit into particular clothes for a special event.
- Do not use ace bandages or duct tape for chest binding - these materials aren't made for binding, and using these can result in shortness of breath, damaged or collapsed lungs, bruised or cracked ribs, torn skin, back pain, spinal damage, dizziness, and permanent damage to the breast tissue.^{[9]
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  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
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- Do not be tempted to use an elastic bandage, as this becomes very uncomfortable and dangerously constrictive if it is pulled tight enough to have an effect.

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What is a good bra for size 42 DDD?

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Check Wacoal bras. They make a lot of bras in harder-to-find sizes.

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Where can I buy a good bra for large breasts?

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To buy a good bra, go for a professional fitting. This way you will know the exact band and cup size you need. There are plus size stores as well as specialty shops that make larger bras.

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Are there any options for FTM trans if I can't get surgery?

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There are multiple 'DIY' binders that are relatively easy to make that I've found have worked for me at least (just don't use bandages or gauze, they're really bad for you rib cage and breathing) and they work comfortably for around eight hours.

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Balance your figure with wide-legged pants. Or try an A-line dress that hangs full from the waist.

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A lot of women are afraid to seek help when it comes to fitting their bra. This is perfectly all right if you are too afraid to try things out and determine the right size of undergarment for you. Many women are not wearing the right size of brassiere and, as a result, their breasts look saggy. If you want to make your breasts look and feel better, then you need to know the perfect cup size for you. The people who work at these stores are trained to fit bras properly. Don't be too embarrassed to ask.

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Warnings

Using Ace bandages to bind your chest may cause physical harm! They can seriously restrict breathing, cause fluid build-up in your lungs and other serious injuries, such as broken ribs. They are not meant for binding.

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Don't squeeze into bra sizes too small. It's uncomfortable and bad for your breasts!

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If you are binding your chest, don't do it for more than 8-12 hours. Even high quality binders can cause bruising if worn for too long!^{[10]
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