Shopping for the best swimsuits for small boobs can be a challenge. When it comes to swim bottoms, you can usually just size up or size down to find the right fit for your body type. The same isn’t always true for tops. With so many different cuts—triangle, bandeau, halter, underwire, tankini—achieving the perfect fit requires more than just ordering two different sizes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with styles from different swimsuit brands (it’s all about trial and error), and read up on the features experts say are worth considering when shopping for small breasts.
Best Swimsuits for Small Busts 2023:
Find the right fit.
So what’s the best style of swimsuit for small boobs? Like bra shopping for small busts, the answer is a mixed bag. “The truth is, any bra size can wear any style,” says Cora Harrington, bra fit expert and founder of The Lingerie Addict. “There’s nothing about a halter, bralette, one-piece, or anything else that excludes smaller busts. It all comes down to the particular fit of that particular suit.”
Over the years people have embraced a variety of styles: the backless one-piece that’s the ideal balance of skin and coverage; the ruched tankini that looks more like a shirt than a piece of swimwear; the teeniest unlined scoop-neck bikini top that looks as though it was plucked straight from Hailey Bieber’s closet.
They’re all worth trying, because, as Harrington points out, the most important feature of the best swimsuits for small busts is fit. “A common mistake is getting hung up on the size one thinks they should wear, rather than the size that fits them,” says Harrington. “Every brand has its own fit permutations, and it’s perfectly normal to wear one size in one brand and a completely different size in another, or different sizes if you’re buying a two-piece!”
Consider adjustable straps.
Classic necklines like the halter top and the triangle are also your friend because they can be a quick fix to fabric gaping and bunching. “Tie-fronts allow someone to adjust the closeness of the breasts, and halters, especially tie-back halters, can do similar,” says Harrington. “For triangle [suits], less fabric, as well as adjustable ties, can give the look of a larger bust.”
Play around with different styles.
Having smaller boobs can be an asset. Instead of focusing on the cups you don’t fill, consider all of the plunging necklines and more revealing bathing suits you can wear without feeling overexposed. Experiment with new styles by first thinking about how you want to look and feel. “[Think about the] silhouette you’re trying to achieve,” says Harrington. “Do you want more forward projection under a one-piece? Do you want that deep-V cleavage at the midline of the body? Or the ‘cakes on a plate’ shelf cleavage?” The appropriate style hinges on the effect you want.
While there may be challenges to having a small chest, there are just as many bonuses. “One of the advantages of a petite bust is usually needing less support to keep your bust lifted and protected,” says Kimmay Caldwell, undergarment educator and founder of online lingerie resource Hurray! Kimmay. “This means you can wear many more swim top options.”
So whether you want to go with a classic one-piece swimsuit or are vibing a cross-body floss moment, we lined up 26 of the best swimsuits for small boobs ahead.
(PS: Looking for the best swimsuits for large busts or the best plus-size swimsuits? We’ve rounded up our top picks.)
