When Alex goes shopping for formal wear, there are usually three B’s to be concerned with: button-ups, breasts, and budget. The button-ups which fit over the breasts (and still define the waist) are not always within the budget. Thankfully, there’s Hawes & Curtis.
Now, that may sound like a plug–well, it is. But I didn’t get paid, and sometimes a girl’s just gotta speak the truth. I mean, c’mon, how cute does she look in a button-up?
But in all seriousness, while that white short-sleeve shirt Alex wore to our engagement photo may be from New York & Co., my jaw hit the floor when she first put on a shirt from Hawes & Curtis. At 38-DD (she’s cringing right now), finding a shirt which doesn’t pull at the bust is a tricky venture. And finding one that actually has a personality, well, that’s even harder!
Her experiences shopping with them have been pleasant as well. As they carry a women’s line, they haven’t baulked at her request for formal wear. And, just look at all the pretty choices they have:
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- Shirt by Hawes & Curtis
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- Photo by Wyatt Olson Photography
I also haven’t been able to see which one she’s chosen to go under her three-piece brown wool suit. Although, I have money that the first one is in the Hawes & Curtis bag in the bedroom to be tried on at the suit fitting…
Nice! I’ve been looking forward to this post, cuz we’ve been looking for some decent women’s button ups too – recently for the wedding and always in general. SO hard to find, right? The thing that bugs me is that so many of the better quality nicely fitted ones don’t button all the way up to the collar. Wish this company was in Canada… how true do you find their sizing to be? Are they worth trying out ordering and shipping?
As someone who also is a DD, I had no idea there was a shirt that would button up over them. I just opened the website and am super excited!
Which of H&C’s many styles does Alex like? Because, yes, I too struggle to find button down shirts to fit over The Girls. So much so that I am willing to pay to have one shipped to California to see if it will fit me….
Yeah! Glad you’re excited about the shirts–we were too!
@Mandy – Alex says their sizing is true AND it depends on the style you choose, i.e. Alex is a UK 16/EU 44 in the Marie style (looser) and a UK 18/EU 46 in the Hipster style (fitted).
@Raven – Alex likes the Marie Slim-fitted (shorter) and Hipster (longer) styles best. She also said the Rachel is the same as the Marie, but longer so you can tuck it in.
I just asked Alex if she’d ship them to California from the UK if we lived there and there was no hesitation: Yes. She also said you can call them up at the store and they can help you over the phone!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks for the tips, Erica! I just went ahead and ordered one. They have a generous return policy, and I figured it would be so worth the hassle if I could find a shirt that I love and can then order in several colors.
xoxo to you and Alex,
Raven
That’s awesome Raven–let me know how it goes! And thanks for all the love…
I’m a petite woman with a B cup and have the issue of pulling and gaps! I can only imagine what it is like for larger bra sizes.