All bras are not created equal—and sometimes it can feel like finding the best bras for small busts is an endless saga of ill-fitted pieces that feel more straitjacket than sexy. If you’re working with a “small” chest (think A to B cups), here’s what lingerie experts say you should keep in mind.
First of all, if you’re rocking an A cup or you wear a plus-size bra, you need lift and support for one simple reason: gravity. According to Emily Lau, founder of The Little Bra Company, even the tiniest amount of breast tissue will eventually stretch and sag (and we’re not just talking about older women), and a well-fitting bra can help prevent that. This doesn’t necessarily have to translate to an underwire, so don’t worry about relegating your wire-free or strapless favorite to the bottom of your undergarments drawer. Elma Valerio, founder of Elma Shop, notes that support should depend on how your breast tissue sits. People whose breasts are fuller on the bottom, for instance, could get ample support from a longline bra or a wider band, while those who are fuller at the sides might find that a bra with a wider back and three sets of hooks provides the optimal fit.
Also, pay attention to the spacing of the cups. If your breasts are set wider apart, for example (which is often the case for people with smaller boobs, per Valerio and Rachel Klein, owner of Lula Lu Petites), a bra with touching cups isn’t great; instead, seek out a style that has a one-inch gap between the cups, to ensure that they’re sitting right over the breast instead of toward the center.
And remember, bralettes are the perfect bra for people with small boobs—not only because they’re seriously comfortable and don’t have the dreaded underwire but also because the silhouette frames the natural shape of the breast. “The triangle cup tends to be the most flattering for a smaller chest just because it’s the smallest cup type,” Valerio explains. Plus, bralettes just so happen to be in vogue.
Now, onto the best bras for small breasts. Whether you’re looking for a padded push-up bra to enhance your cleavage and, well, make your gals looks bigger, a strapless bra to wear with a summer wedding dress, a sports bra, or something seamless to wear under T-shirts, ahead are the best options from our favorite lingerie brands that reviewers and bra fitting experts adore.
