Great Bras For Small-Breasted Women
By Green Lotus
If you're a small-breasted woman, finding a fabulously styled bra that fits while shopping in the department stores is next to impossible. It seems that they cater to “average” women with “average” sizes ranging from 34B to 38C. Even lingerie shops where the styles are more creative carry mostly average or large sizes.
As a petite woman, I've tried on a lot of bras and after much trial and tribulation I'm happy to report that I've found several brands that cater to the small-breasted woman.
Elle Macpherson bras are beautiful, sexy and offer smaller sizes. Compared to other brands I'm about to list, they run smaller. Wacoal bras have a good selection, they offer petite sizes, but they do tend to run larger. Donna Karen has two exciting bra lines: DKNY bras which run smaller, and Donna Karen Intimates bras which run larger.
Shopping on-line gives you a lot of choice too. Although Amazon has varying policies on returns, many of the items I suggest below have Supersaver free shipping and are not taxed.
Click on the slide show arrow to see all models. Size availability fluctuates daily so keep checking back at the Amazon site.
Click thumbnail to view full-size
 | Amazon Price: $52.00 |
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 | Amazon Price: $44.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $42.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $46.56 List Price: $55.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $45.00 |
Bra alternatives for the Small-Breasted Woman
Sometimes you just don’t want to wear a bra, but because you’re small-breasted, it's nice to show your shape without showing every little detail. So what’s a comfortable alternative? A cotton camisole with a “shelf” and a pair of shape-liners do the trick!
Nu Bra is a must have for every wardrobe and is a great product for petite women because it fits all shapes and sizes. Wear it whenever you need a strapless or backless bra. The adhesive is built in and Nu Bra stays sticky even after 100 hand washings. Nu Bra is also an excellent cleavage builder because it has a center closure tab and you determine where to place the pads.
Taking Your Measurements
Professionals always recommend that you take proper bra measurements before purchasing a bra. I’m in two minds about this if you’re small-breasted. The measurement for the cup size is taken with your bra on (and clothes off). If you don’t have a bra that fits already, this is near impossible. So take your measurements, but only if you have a bra that really fits.
Here are the rules:
First you need to know that Bra sizes are made up of two parts - The chestband size and the cup size. The size "34C" denotes a size "34" chestband and a "C" cup size.
Your Bra/Band size
Your band size is a number, which represents your
body or diaphragm size - such as 30,32,34,36,38, etc. It’s called the 'underbust measurement' because it is taken from under your
bust and shoulder blades, around your rib cage.
Your Cup size
Your cup size is a letter, which represents the size of your bust - such as A,
B, C, D. It's known as the overbust measurement because it is taken around the fullest part of your
bust.
Getting a Proper Chestband / Underbust Size
Cup size cannot be properly obtained if the chestband is not the correct size.
So the first step is getting the proper chestband size. To get your chestband
measurement:
- Take a snug measurement around your rib cage, under your bust and shoulder blades.
- Add 5 inches. Example: 30" + 5" = 35"
- If you get an even number, this is your Band Size.
- If you get an odd number (like 35), round up one (to 36) to get your Band Size.
Example: 30" + 5" = 35" + 1" = 36"
Getting a Proper Cup / Overbust Size
The next step is to determine your cup size. I’ve been doing this the
wrong way for years! Here’s the correct way to get your proper bra cup
measurement:
- With bra on (and shirt off), place the measuring tape under your arms and over the fullest part of your bust. You may need someone to assist you.
Next you need to do a little arithmetic to get your proper cup size.
- Subtract your underbust measurement (Step 1) from your Overbust Meas.
- Example: 34" overbust measurement - 32" underbust measurement = 2"
- 2" = B cup
Here’s a guide for determining your Cup size:
up to 1/2
inch = AA
1/2 to 1 inch = A
1 inch to 2 inches = B
2 to 3 inches = C
3 to 4 inches = D and so on...
Tips:
- Bras are usually sold with even number chest sizes. So, if your chest measurement is an odd number, just buy the next size up.
Not all cup sizes are alike! The cups on a 38B bra will be larger than those on a 34B, and a 40A is actually bigger than a 34C. The key is to first match the right band size with the right cup size, and then find the right brand and style of bra.
Sexy Vingage Lingerie for women of all sizes
- Vintage Lingerie for Valentines Day | SavvyExaminer.com
Shopping for lingerie this Valentine's Day? Not every girl (or guy) is turned on by bordello gear made popular by Victoria’s Secret and Frederick’s of ...
Here's Looking at You
Finding the right bra can be a piece of cake if you know your size and you're willing to shop around on-line. Remember, a bra that fits not only feels comfortable all day, it makes you feel confident whatever you're wearing. Showing off your new bra, well, that's simply the icing on the cake.
© Copyright Green Lotus, 2011. All rights reserved.
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Thanks for you "support" dohn,.....what a nice surprise to see you here first,. although I know you've been dedicated to the subject for a while now, having read your recent hubs on well-endowed beauties. That's what makes you such a fine writer. Research, research, reasearch. One can never get enough of a good thing :) BTW, hope you didn't miss the highly educational but none the less titillating precursor to this hub!
I want to add my support too - although as I said, I haven't much to support. Those bras look a bit too good for cleaning the windows although I like the seamless ones - they bring up a good shine!
In the Uk Marks and Spencers has the prize for best lingerie according to most women (but not the sexy kind - the comfy kind you wear when you reach the letting off wind stage of the relationship). They always say getting your measurements taken is fundamental but as I say I've yet to find a fussy window!
Very informative hub!
You are my fav, apricot. Your wisdom is timeless. BTW, I'm a M&S fan too, although I usually spend most of my time in the Cadbury chocolate aisle letting off wind.
I had to stop by. I, um, just had to stop by. Ok I'll go now. Thank you :)
Jess LOL. Glad you did! Never know when you need to buy a bra!
I love these bra's thanks Green Lotus
Thank you Ros! I do too ;)
Thanks for paying attention to this size range. I have a lingerie line dedicated to small-chested women in case you are looking for super-comfortable but still PRETTY bras that fit!
Hi Green Lotus. Yes I did stop by and have a read, very educational. I never understood before how the female bra size was determined, your hub explains it beautifully. Now I understand 30A although its smaller than your start size.
LoveMeMarryMe
Im glad you found it helpful lovememarryme!
Just reading through some of your work, spotted this one on your lighting hub and, well, as a guy I don't suppose it takes a degree in psychology to know why I popped by. Interesting and a good job covering this topic. :)
Any gentleman interested in buying a good bra is OK in my book. The photos are quite nice..no? Thanks for checking it out. Whatta guy ;)
I have a hub on buying bras for large breasts and I checked out your hub on small-breasted women while doing some research for it. Always good to see the opposing point of view! I wish I had the small breasts to make use of your advice!
Thank you alice!
I really appreciate you posting names of bras that cater to smaller woman. :) I am also grateful for Jennifer who posted her link to the small-breasted lingerie line. That is something I will check out. My only reservation about checking out the bras you and Jennifer posted is that I really like to try bras on in person to see if I like them. I don't like buying online. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
As for the measurements part of this page, I didn't find it helpful. I will own that I may be doing the measurements wrong, but the measurements that I got ended up telling me I was a 36 C cup. I tried that size on and I was SWIMMING in it. I think I will go into Nordstrom's or Victoria's Secret and have them measure me. They have special measuring tapes that will tell them what cup size you are. All of my B cup bras (with the exception of 2) are getting baggy in the cups. The cup at the top of my breast is baggy and so when there's any pressure put on it, it caves in. I have this weird thing happen with my shirts while wearing the bras where the t-shirt will get sort of tucked into the baggy part of my bra, making it obvious that the bra is too big. It may be that because of all of the weight I have lost I am now an A cup. :( Again, I will probably get professionally measured.
Serena thanks for adding some good information here. I know what you mean about a "baggy" bra! I suggest getting a bra with a little padding so it holds it's shape under the pressure of a t-shirt. I gave up all-cloth bras years ago! With colder weather on the way, the shelf camisole with a cup insert is an outstanding way to go for great shape and comfort. It's also one of the safest choices when purchasing on-line. As for other on-line purchases, I've found that once I've found a brand and size that's good for me, I can purchase the same in other styles on-line. The brands I've suggested are all good for the small-breasted woman so look for them in stores and try them out. Also, Amazon's vendors offer decent return policies. Good luck!
I know this is an old post but I have to add to your list of companies that makes great bras for small busted women. It is called Zee bra. They are well made and the most comfortable bra I have ever owned. I am VERY small busted and the size 30 A fits and feels great! They cater to small busted women. They carry sizes 30-36 in AA and A cups.
petitemom - Thanks for contributing with that information!
dohn121 2 years ago
Okay, you know that I'm not a woman, but I had to take a "peek" at this hub, as I try to support each of my friend's hubs! Thanks for sharing this, Green Lotus! My ex in college was small-breasted. I didn't have a problem with her, BTW!
Dohn