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IBTC, rejoice! Because it’s an inarguable truth that the widest array of bra designs and styles are found amongst bras for small busts. Whereas bigger busts are unwillingly more dependent on anatomical benefits and steadfast support, petite sizes have a lot more ease with teeny bikinis, backless bras, and barely-there bralettes. And that’s to say if you’re even wearing a bra at all—the optionality of which is just another definitive benefit of having small boobs.
But then there’s the “cons” list, often triggered in the name of cleavage or during the search for a bra that actually fits. There’s gaping, slipping, and pinching, topped off by all of those empty-promise push-up bras that do nothing more than make your boobs appear forcibly smothered against their will under all of your stylish summer tops. So, to find the best bras for small busts, we poured over real customer reviews from women clocking in below a C-cup and tapped an industry expert with a brand that’s designing exclusively for smaller chests. Jaclyn Fu, co-founder and CEO of Pepper, let us in on why it can feel so hard to shop for smaller bras from standard brands. “Most bra companies design for the average ‘36C’ size...when women with small busts can find bras in their sizes, they’re often ill-fitting.”
If you’re a self-proclaimed member of the IBTC (Fu mentions that AA, A, and B cups typically fall into the category of small busts), relief is on the way. Ahead, we’ve pulled together the 20 best bras for smaller boobs—strapless, seamless, push-up—if you can name it, you can shop it, below.
Pros
- Smooth look under clothes
- Relaxed fit
- Comfy underwire
Cons
- Some reviewers hoped for sturdier straps
Pepper is a brand designed to cater to and exclusively fit small-chested women, touting body empowerment as a byproduct of the perfect fit. Aside from thousands of raving reviews (among fans is senior commerce fashion editor Dale Arden Chong, who wears a 32A), this buttery-soft plunge bra has the suitability to become the equivalent of what a plain white tee is to your wardrobe—a comfortable staple that you can pair with almost anything. This style is also the sister style of Pepper’s Mesh All You Bra, which Fu dubs the brand’s “first baby.”
Band Sizes: 30-40
Cup Sizes: AA-B
Colors: 6 options
Material: Polyamide, elastane
Customer review: “Love it! It fits me really well, good quality, nice fabrics, and is comfy to wear. The game changer for me is that if I lean forwards, it doesn’t gape! Yay!”
Pros
- AAA cup sizes
- Tagless
- Microfiber cups
Cons
- Limited color selection
- Not available above a B cup
Lulalu is another top contender when it comes to designs for small boobs and the only brand offering AAA cup sizes. This perfected version of a T-shirt bra promises no awkward gaping and anti-slip straps.
Band Sizes: 30-42
Cup Sizes: AAA-A
Colors: Beige, Black
Material: Nylon, elastane
Customer review: “I absolutely love this bra! I normally wear a size 34B, but Lulalu suggested I try a 36AA. It turns out the fit is incredible around my waist, and the cup size is perfect. It took a few days to break in the bra...I took a nap in it the other day and when I woke up I couldn’t believe I was able to sleep wearing a frickin bra!!!!”
Little Bra Company Lucia Signature Lace Bra
Little Bra Company Lucia Signature Lace Bra
Pros
- Good for close-set breasts
- Convertible straps
Cons
- Band may run tight
We all need a little lace number. While it’s especially fitting for closely set breasts, this plunge push-up style helps to create natural-looking cleavage and universally flatter all smaller figures. And unlike all your other lace bras, this one will lay flat and inconspicuous underneath your clothes.
Band Sizes: 28-36
Cup Sizes: A-C
Colors: Red, Nude, Black
Material: Polyamide, elastane, cotton
Customer review: “This bra can give a AA girl cleavage...it’s amazing! I have never found a bra that fits this well and actually found a way to give me cleavage without a ridiculous amount of padding.”
For Love & Lemons Butterfly Lace Ruffle Triangle Bra
For Love & Lemons Butterfly Lace Ruffle Triangle Bra
Pros
- Pretty, feminine style
- Wireless
- Front tie
Cons
- Will show under clothes
- Little to no support/lining
You never need an excuse to dress up your bras and lingerie. Indulge yourself with the dreamy details of this romantic, baby blue triangle bra, and make it a matching set with the Butterfly Lace Ruffle Panty.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Blue
Material: Polyester, elastane, polyamide
Customer review: “This pale blue in the frilly design is sooo pretty. It’s definitely worth the money!”
Pros
- Detachable straps
- Padded and lined
- Unique design
Cons
- Expensive
- More fashion than function
Hot on the trails of The Little Mermaid and the resurgence of mermaidcore, this seashell bustier from Ukranian-based brand Bevza evokes an imagining of oceanic bliss that you can show off under an unbuttoned boyfriend shirt.
Sizes: XS-L
Colors: Emerald
Material: Viscose
Customer review: “I feel like Ariel in this...this bra makes me actually grateful for small boobs because I can get away with fun styles like this. Not to mention it’s SO well made and the padding gives me a little lift.”
Pros
- Lightweight underwire
- Made with soft and breathable power mesh
- Great for rounder breast shapes
Cons
- May run small
Nobody ever said that functional bras have to be frumpy, which is proven in this sheer mesh CUUP style that flaunts “the freedom of a bralette, with the stability of an underwire bra.”
Band Sizes: 30-44
Cup Sizes: A-H
Colors: 11 options
Material: Nylon, Spandex
Customer review: “I will never wear another bra again! Very comfortable. With each wear it conforms more and more to my body, enhancing my natural shape and still keeping things perky. Not to mention, it’s a very flattering and subtly sexy bra.”
ThirdLove Classic Uplift Plunge Bra
ThirdLove Classic Uplift Plunge Bra
Pros
- Available in half sizes
- Top-rated
- Smoothing for sides and back
- Removable pads
Cons
- Some reviewers complained about the underwire poking
I love ThirdLove. The brand’s Classic T-Shirt Bra has become one of my tried-and-truest staples—the bra I wear when I don’t want to wear a bra at all, but I can’t (appropriately) go au naturale. This soft, rounded push-up style allows you to customize and balance asymmetrical cleavage while adding additional boost to your bust.
Band Sizes: 32-44
Cup Sizes: AA-H
Colors: 12 options
Material: Nylon, Spandex
Customer review: “This bra is so comfortable and flattering! I am small chested and I like this bra because it doesn’t gape, and it’s the perfect amount of padding.”
Free People Intimately Barely There Triangle Bralette
Free People Intimately Barely There Triangle Bralette
Pros
- Minimalistic design
- Lightweight
- Ultra-thin
Cons
- Limited coverage and support
- Limited sizing options
Yet another personal endorsement, this skimpy bikini-style bralette is great for when I don’t want to deal with wires or bulky bands (especially underneath the summer’s sheer dress trend).
Sizes: XS/S-L/XL
Colors: Woodrose, Sweet Nothings, Italian Ice, White, Black
Material: Nylon, Spandex
Customer review: “While this bra doesn’t do much in the way of lift or support, it’s so perfect and dainty for minimal coverage under thin or transparent tops and dresses.”
Pros
- Vintage-inspired style
- Affordable
Cons
- May run small
Balconette bras help to create fullness toward the top of the breast, along with bottom-to-top lift thanks to the help of a little underwire. Therefore, they make a good style selection for those who may be less-endowed in the chest area. This retro pastel style grants weightless comfort (at a 60 percent discount).
Band Sizes: 32-46
Cup Sizes: A-G
Colors: Fairy Dust
Material: Recycled nylon, elastane
Customer review: “I usually am very hesitant on buying bras because the majority are uncomfortable, but this one is an exception! I absolutely love how this bra gives your chest the lift you want and it’s super comfortable. Not to mention the design is so cute!”
Little Bra Company Fay Bra
Little Bra Company Fay Bra
Pros
- Contoured cups
- Great for scoop necks and v-neck tops
Cons
- Seasonal item only
Maybe it’s 2023’s Barbie-mania talking, but there’s a particular allure to this pretty pink contoured demi-cup. It features a higher rise near the underarms to help support wider set breasts, and contoured padding to assist in a “subtle yet perky” push-up effect. Side note: this is a seasonal style that won’t be restocked, so you may wanna jump on this one.
Band Sizes: 28-38
Cup Sizes: A-C
Colors: Stone, Rosette, Peach
Material: Polyamide, elastane, cotton
Customer review: “The fit is so different from any other bra I’ve tried...I’m used to underwire hitting in my armpit, but these are set closer together and actually hold my boobs in the right spot. I am ridiculously petite in frame and this bra is so clearly made for a small framed woman.”
Pros
- Buttery soft
- 4-way stretch
- Resistant to pilling
Cons
- Expensive compared to similar styles
The next best thing to going commando? This Commando bralette that’s so sleek and buttery-soft, you’ll forget you even have it on.
Sizes: XS-XL
Colors: Toffee, White, Cinnamon, Black, Beige
Material: Modal, elastane
Customer review: “I love these bralettes. They are incredibly comfortable and supportive if you have small breasts.”
Skims Fits Everybody Crossover Bralette
Skims Fits Everybody Crossover Bralette
Pros
- Great range of skin tones and shades
- Adds fuller coverage
Cons
- Quick to sell out
It wouldn’t be a comprehensive undergarment roundup if SKIMS didn’t make the cut. This silky-smooth, everyday bralette is also a favorite of our senior fashion commerce editor’s, because the crossover design gives just the right amount of support without hindering on comfort (at all). Hello, work-from-home days.
Sizes: XXS-4X
Colors: 22 options
Material: Polyamide, elastane
Customer review: “Being small chested I usually don’t like bralettes. I prefer push up styles, but this looked amazing on me and even gave me cleavage! Not to mention it’s really comfortable.”
Pros
- Great for yoga and barre
- Good amount of coverage
- Bonded chestband lies flat
Cons
- Straps are not adjustable
For all the girlies on the move, this low-impact sports bra provides a worry-free fit during every yoga and pilates sesh. The last thing you need is to have your bra agape during downward dog (been there), so this product’s bonded chest band allows the material to lie flat while avoiding any uncomfortable pinching.
Sizes: XXS-XL (A-C)
Colors: 7 options
Material: Nylon, Spandex
Customer review: “Comfortable for all types of low-impact activities such as yoga, walking, and biking! I also wear it for pickleball!! Love the crisscrossing back straps.”
Pepper MVP Multiway Strapless Bra
Pepper MVP Multiway Strapless Bra
Pros
- 4.9-star rating from over 1,800 reviews
- Convertible straps
- Lies smooth under tops
- Ultra-lifting
Cons
- Gel irritated some reviewers
- Not available above a B cup
I don’t care if you’re a 32AA or a 38DD—you know the pain of finding a good strapless bra. Fu reveals that “most strapless bras will create cup gaps or constantly fall down for small-chested women.” So Pepper has come to the rescue with a strapless, gravity-defying, balconette-cup bra that you can actually count on to stay in place.
Band Sizes: 30-40
Cup Sizes: AA-B
Colors: 6 options
Material: Polyester, elastane
Customer review: “I recently purchased the multiway strapless bra in 34A and my view on bras was changed forever! Imagine...a bra that actually fits! The fitting chart online was easy to follow...it’s very comfortable and breathable. Most of the time I didn’t even notice it there.”
Neiwai Barely Zero Spaghetti Strap Bra
Neiwai Barely Zero Spaghetti Strap Bra
Pros
- Adaptive fit
- Pullover style
- Moisture-wicking
- Odor reduction
Cons
- One size only
- Not much lift
If you need your bra to all but disappear underneath your clothes, this is the one. The single-size fit coupled with ultra-elastic fabric means that Neiwai’s Barely Zero style will accommodate changing or asymmetrical breasts, as well as fluctuating sizes.
Sizes: One size
Colors: Peach, Cinnamon, Almond, Black
Material: Nylon blend, Spandex
Customer review: “I literally stopped wearing everything else because of how comfortable and flattering these bras are. I’ve had them for a year and a half now, and they’ve kept their shape and quality nicely considering the daily wear and how long I’ve had them. I love the shape these give me and how there’s no visible lines underneath clothing.”
Pros
- Wide straps for more support
- Smoothing panels for side and back
- Wireless
Cons
- No contour
- Some reviewers hoped for more support
If the 28,500 5-star Amazon reviews aren’t enough to sell you on this side-smoothing bra, take note of the fact that it’s also seamless and under $50.
Sizes: XS-3XL
Colors: 16 options
Material: Nylon, elastane
Customer review: “This bra is AMAZING! I am small and narrow chested (32B). The XS fits like a glove. This bra is tag-less, has easily adjustable straps, the material is buttery soft, and the color selection is nice...no side boob bulge!”
Lively The All-Day Plunge No-Wire Bra
Lively The All-Day Plunge No-Wire Bra
Pros
- Front-adjusting straps
- Versatile and convertible back straps
- Lightly padded
Cons
- No AA or AAA cup sizes
- Limited colorways
While a few of the bras on this list are wire-free, this plunge V-neck style is the only one with convenient front-adjusting straps and a back j-hook for racerback conversions.
Band Sizes: 32-38
Cup Sizes: A-DDD
Colors: Black, Burnt Orange, Shell Pink, Almond
Material: Rayon, Spandex
Customer review: “This bra is amazing. The design of putting the adjuster for the straps on the front is genius. The wireless is soft and comfy, but still supportive.”
Pros
- Cult favorite
- Romantic lace signature
- Contoured plunge cups
Cons
- May not work for all breast shapes
Everywhere I looked, this bra presented itself as a customer favorite with a plethora of glowing reviews. In fact, it has 4.5 stars from 3,500 reviews on Nordstrom’s site alone, in which most reviewers cited the figure-hugging contour and mesh wings as the all-important features. It should be noted that this bra runs small in the cup, so you may want to size up.
Band Sizes: 30-38
Cup Sizes: A-G
Colors: Antique, Coal, Hibiscus, Cosmetic, Coast Blue
Material: Nylon, Lycra, polyester
Customer review: “The Feathers is my absolute favorite bra Nordstrom will ever sell...I’m very shallow at the top of my breasts, so most bras gape at the top and look horrible under clothes...this one NEVER gaps, so if you’re shallow like me, you NEED this bra!”
Victoria’s Secret Lightly-Lined Wireless Bra
Victoria’s Secret Lightly-Lined Wireless Bra
Pros
- Subtle wireless push-up effect
- Invisible under clothes
- Wide variety of colors and fabric styles
Cons
- Reviewers suggest sizing up in the band
This option comes highly recommended by a former Victoria’s Secret sales associate, who also happens to double as my very own sister. An easy, everyday style, this bestselling bra has just enough lining and padding to lightly lift and shape without any hardcore wires or itchy adornments.
Band Sizes: 32-44
Cup Sizes: A-G
Colors: 23 options
Material: Recycled polyamide, recycled polyester, elastane
Customer review: “This is my absolute favorite bra. It is the only bra i wore for 4 years...I love that it doesn’t have a wire and it’s just a super comfy material. It does not show through clothing and doesn’t make your boobs look like they are trying to be anything they’re not, haha. It works really well for my 32 A bod :)”
Pros
- Super stretchy
- Removable pads for adjustable support
- Smoothing wing
Cons
- No shaping or rounding effect for smaller chests
Finally, a fully functional bandeau! Complete with removable padding and super stretch, you can utilize this style under sheer and plunging tops, or even display it with a high-rise pair of jeans. But if you come too late to the party, you might miss out: Aerie’s SMOOTHEZ collection always sells out pretty fast.
Sizes: XXS-XL
Colors: True Black, Sands
Material: Nylon, Lycra
Customer review: “The material and texture of the back of this makes it stay up! It doesn’t give me a muffin top and I’m not worried about it sliding down! I highly recommend!!”
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