The Daily Monitor Leader

Troublesome Busts Can Be Camouflaged By Right Clothing

By JACQUELINE HUNT

WELL rounded breasts and wide shoulders are ideal from a fashion viewpoint these days, but a bust that is disproportionately large, while upper arms are fleshy, are real beauty handicaps.

The top-heavy look suggests maturity quicker than graying hair or even lines in the face. If this is your problem, you might as well face it, because there is little you can do to change your actual figure. Of course, you can exercise to improve your posture, you can massage and exercise to firm flabby arms and bust, you can get the proper kinds of bras and girdles and you can work until chin and throatline are flawless. All of these measures are desirable, but nothing less drastic than expensive and dangerous surgery will reduce that troublesome bustline.

Your solution lies in camouflage. The first rule is to try to balance the silhouette. Skirts that flare out from the waistline and are full at the hem will help gracefully. Wear rather light-colored hose or leg make-up and shoes that are interestingly cut, but sturdy enough to give you a firm foundation. Avoid anything that might make the feet look tiny and pointed, even though you are proud of small feet and slim legs!

Get Away From V's

Avoid anything that is cut close: low through the bust, as tight-fitting clothes merely call attention to your size. Have shoulders of suits and dresses padded, if necessary, to give a square look and have fullness from the shoulder to waistline to conceal too ample curves. Try to get away from the deep V's and diagonal necklines that so many older women wear. Instead, try deep square or rectangular necklines that show off a pretty neck and that graceful curve just below your collar bone.

Take full advantage of the low neckline to sweep your hair high. If your face is full, the hair may be kept quite flat at the sides and swept to interesting height on top of your head. If the face is thin or other features are such that you need fullness behind the ears and on the neckline in the back, keep the hair as simple and neat as possible and see that height is added in the form of a pompadour or graceful roll over the forehead.

Wear interesting hats with swept-up brims. Something medium in size is best. A tiny hat would emphasize the bust, a huge one would make the neck seem thicker and shorter. Avoid necklaces of any kind. A pretty clip or pin on your dress or a lovely ornament in the hair will add sufficient glitter.

If the upper arms are fleshy, conceal them with little puff sleeves for evening, with sleeves that are full at the armholes and gracefully tapered toward the wrist for daytime. Show a lovely back, if you have one and can find a dinner dress cut accordingly.

Dark Dresses Best

Dark dresses and suits will be nicest for you. If you wear fur coats, select one from the lightweight, flat furs and see that the coat flares at the hemline. Follow the same rule in picking out any coat-no fluffy fur collars or details of trimming that would add bunchiness around the neck or shoulders. You can carry large bags and wear important-looking pieces of costume jewelry, unless you are short in stature. Then something medium would be better.

You must get expertly fitted bras and girdles. The large bust needs careful support to prevent undue strain on delicate muscles and tissues. Hips need molding to a smoother, more flowing line, while waistlines can sometimes stand more nipping in.

See that your foundation gets the very best of care. Girdles haven't been rationed to the consumer as yet, but with the scarcity of rubber, you should do your best to prolong the life of what you have.