Shirts That Fit Like They’re Made for You: The Curvy Woman’s Expert Buying Guide

Introduction

Let’s face it—most shirts weren’t designed with curves in mind. You know the drill: they gape at the bust, drown your waist, and pull uncomfortably at the buttons. And if you’re shopping online, you can forget about size charts actually helping.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in. As the UK’s leading free sizing tool, Tellar matches your exact body measurements to the sizing data of 1,500+ high street and designer brands—in real time. No more guesswork. No more returns. Just perfectly fitting shirts for every part of you.

This guide breaks down:

The best shirt cuts for curvy frames
What to look for and avoid in tailoring and fabrics
Our top brand picks—split clearly by high street and designer
🔗 Plus: key Tellar blog links for deeper reading

Why Most Shirts Fail Curvy Women

Most ready-to-wear shirts are designed using a standard industry pattern block based on a B-cup bust and minimal waist-to-hip ratio. The result? Shirts that fit somewhere, but rarely everywhere.

If you have a:

Full bust (D cup or higher)
Defined waist
Wider hips or upper arms

…you’ll likely experience:

Gaping at the buttons
Pulling seams at the shoulders
Excess fabric at the back or waist
Drooping collars or collapsing chest panels

🔗 Learn more: Understanding Brand Sizing Variations

Best Shirt Styles for a Flattering Fit

Here are the most technically flattering shirt styles to suit curvier proportions:

1. Darted Stretch Button-Ups

2–6% elastane
Bust darts or princess seams
Reinforced placket for button stability

2. True Wrap and Faux-Wrap Blouses

V-neckline elongates the torso
Ties or gathers at natural waist
Inner fastenings prevent gape

3. Peplum and Tie-Waist Styles

Accentuate waist
Flare below bust or hip for balance
Avoid empire cuts which shorten the torso

4. Draped Modal or Tencel Shirts

Best for layering
Ideal for casual or hybrid office looks
Soft seams and bias-cut panels = flexibility

5. Longline Shirt Dresses (Worn Open or Belted)

Elongate the body
Great for bust and hip room
Choose cuts with belt at true waist

🔗 Related post: Shirts by Body Shape – Curve Edition

Fabric and Fit Facts That Matter

Fabric Type	Fit Benefit
Cotton-elastane blends	Crisp structure with bust-friendly stretch
Modal or Tencel	Drapes smoothly without clinging
Ponte Jersey	Moves with the body while retaining shape
Silk-cotton blends	Luxurious finish + natural movement

🔗 Want help measuring? Use Tellar’s Free Printable Tape Guide

Brand Recommendations for Curvy Shirt Perfection

Here’s a clear breakdown of high street vs designer brands that cater best to curvier frames—based on real Tellar sizing data.

🔹 High Street Brands (Affordable & Accessible)

Brand	Why It Works for Curves
Marks & Spencer Autograph	Stretch poplins with bust darts, wide size range
Next Curve	Workwear shirts with curve-specific tailoring
New Look Curves	Trend-led shapes with waist and bust shaping
River Island Plus	Stylish, belted options and v-neck blouses
Tu at Sainsbury’s	Excellent for value-based stretch cotton fits
Primark Curve	In-store gems for jersey or modal drapes
ASOS Design Curve	Reliable shape with extended sizing
H&M+	Generous hip allowance, solid for casual styling
In The Style Curve	On-trend silhouettes for fuller figures
Dorothy Perkins Curve	Budget-friendly peplums and tie-waist styles
F&F at Tesco	Great modal and cotton blends at affordable prices

🔗 Check all sizing via Tellar’s Store Lookup Tool

🔸 Designer & Premium Brands (Elevated Cuts & Fabrics)

Brand	Why It Works
Baukjen	Eco-certified tailoring with sculpted bust shaping
Hobbs	Structured shirts with stretch and darting
Me+Em	Precision fit and longline shirt designs
Lauren Ralph Lauren	Excellent ease across bust and shoulders
Marina Rinaldi (Max Mara)	Italian tailoring for plus and hourglass
L.K. Bennett	Tailored shirting with refined fabric structure
Sézane	Parisian detailing, great for semi-wrap blouses
Reiss	Luxe fabrics with bust-friendly wrap styles
Jigsaw	Clean, contoured cuts with high-end finishes
Massimo Dutti	Best for smart cotton and silk blends with structure
Whistles	Understated shaping, great faux-wraps and peplums
Phase Eight	Feminine tailoring with built-in bust shaping
Boden	Printed shirts and stretch poplins with real curve fit

🔗 Related reading: Do Designer Sizes Run Small?

What to Avoid

Avoid This	Reason
No darts or shaping seams	Creates pulling at bust and ballooning at waist
Boxy oversized shirts	Hides shape, adds bulk to hips and chest
Cropped or high-waisted shirts	Shorten the torso and disrupt vertical balance
Stiff polyester with no give	Restricts bust and shows strain lines
High buttoned necklines	Crowds the chest and visually shortens frame

🔗 More: Brands That Run Large vs Small

Pro Fit Tip from Tellar: Bust First, Then Waist

Always fit for your bust—then tailor or belt the waist. According to Tellar sizing data, 68% of curvy users are one size bigger at the bust than waist. That’s why button-pulling happens.

📏 Don’t guess—measure and match using Tellar.co.uk

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