Finding bras for small boobs can be a nightmare - but thankfully, we've spoken to the experts to bring you the information you need to know about finding a better fit. These are the bra hacks for girls with small boobs...
1. GET FITTED!
We
cannot stress enough how important this is. You might think you're a
34A, but you could discover you're more like a 30C, for example. "We
recommend you have a bra fitting at least every 6 months just to ensure
you haven't changed size," says Suzanne Pentland from b.tempt'd. "Diet,
stress and exercise and hormones all effect our breast size so ensure
you get fitted regularly."
2. So what should you look for?
"A
correctly fitting bra should sit firmly but comfortably around the
body," explains Suzanne. "The underwires should lie flat against the rib
cage, and contain the whole breast. The breast should be contained
within the cup with no puckering or bulging in the cup fabric." Mimi Holidays Sarah Jenkins adds: "Buy a bra on the loosest hook and eye to
account for stretch; throughout its (long!) life you may want to take
it in to the tightest setting."
3. Don't be restricted by what's in the shops.
Seriously.
If you're quite petite on top (take note if you're usually a size 8 or
below in tight tops), chances are you might be a 30 or 28 band, which
you won't find stocked in most underwear shops. But there are a whole
host of brands that will cater to your size and trust us, you'll be
grateful you're in a comfy bra, even if it means you can't just buy a
standard high street set.
4. Material can make all the difference.
Certain
materials like lace can fit tighter than stretchy synthetic fabrics, so
if you find a brand you LOVE but it's just a tad too big, try a style
in a different fabric. "Rigid lace and embroidered bras can fit firmer,
but some bra styles also feature stretch lace fabrics," so lace isn't always
tighter, explains Suzanne. Sarah agrees: "A heavier lace will tend to
fit a little more tightly and provide more support than a thinner lace
with more stretch."
5. Make a padded bra work for you.
"With
padding, make sure you're scooping your boobs into place on top of the
padding. You don't want the bra just sitting on top like a pillow," says
Boux Avenue buyer Lisa Annand. "Some bras will have the boost at the
bottom, so you will need to lift your boob upwards and sit it on top of
the pad. This is common in balconette style padded bras, which create a
'shelf effect' cleavage, where your boobs are pushed upwards. Whereas,
padded plunge bras often have padding at the side and so you will need
to scoop your boobs in towards the center of your chest and sit them in
place. This will create a nice central cleavage."
6. You might even need to go up a cup.
Sarah
says: "Check the fit closely - is it sitting smoothly and snugly around
the body and no over-spill on the cup? (Yes, over-spill can happen on a
small bust too!) Buying a padded bra can mean going up a cup size -
never think your size is concrete."
7. Getting gapes? Try another style.
From
our humble experience, if you're getting that annoying gap between the
top of your cup and boob, it could mean a few things. But most likely,
either your cup is too small or the band is too big. "If a bra is
heavily padded, you will need to ensure it is a firm fit at sides and
back to prevent the padded cup standing away from breast," explains
Suzanne.
8. But all breasts were not created equal.
"Small
boobs still have variation in shape, so try try try until you find a
bra that's perfectly you!" says Sarah. "Certain styles will just suit
more than others, so experiment with shapes."
For
example, in our experience, if your boobs are further apart, plunges
and push-ups will be ideal to create cleavage. But if you have a fuller,
rounder shape and find straps dig in around your armpit, try a multiway
or triangle style, where the straps sit further in and can be adjusted
more easily. Or if you're getting a lot of gaping, it may be that your
boobs just don't suit a standard plunge or T-shirt bra, especially if
there's more volume at the bottom of your boob than the top. Try a half
cup or balconette design instead.
9. When it comes to strapless and bandeau styles, make sure it grips properly.
"Silicone
strips around the band help to provide extra grip, so your bra sticks
to the skin slightly and it won't be as likely to slip," says Suzanne.
"Silicone is the best," agrees Sarah, "but it can be uncomfortable. If
you can get away with just elastic (on smaller cups) I'd recommend
this."
10. Bras with boning in the side can add structure and shape.
"It
pushes the breast to the center of the chest for great shape, and can
help maintain the longevity and structure of the bra, too," says Sarah.
Suzanne adds: "Side boning anchors the bra to the frame, preventing the
sides from collapsing helping you to feel supported."
11. Tired of push-ups but want some cleavage? Try contouring.
Start
off by using a slightly darker powder or bronzer, a couple of shades
darker than your natural skin tone. Brush this from between your boobs
out and around the top in an outward C-shape (basically outlining the
shape of your boobs). Then, apply a shimmer or illuminator to the rounds
of your boobs and on your décolletage to catch the light and create a
3D effect.
12. Puckering at the nips? Try a few in the same size.
"The
majority of bra-lets are single layer fabrics, which are very
unforgiving when trying to fit," says Lisa. "This makes it very hard to
get something to fit skin tight and can result in creases and puckering
in the fabric. This could either mean there is too much space (or not
enough, depending on the cut), or that the seam is slightly too long.
Try a couple of different bras on if this happens as each garment could
alter very slightly."
13. Straps keep slipping off? There's a few reasons why.
"Always
look out for bras with fully adjustable straps," says Suzanne. "Your
bra straps should be tight enough that you can put only 2 fingers
underneath the straps. If you can pull your straps away any more then
they are too loose." Lisa agrees that the first port of call is to try
tightening them or to position them closer to the neck to reduce the
strap slipping off the shoulder.
14. But a racer back may be your best bet.
"Some
people with narrower shoulders may experience slipping straps,
especially in smoother fabrics," says Boux Avenue's Lisa. "This is
because the strap can't anchor itself on the shoulder. In this case you
could try a T-back bra, which are also good for reducing strap
slippage." Suzanne agrees: "Racerback and T-strap styles are really
versatile for wardrobe and help to give increased support."
15. In fact, you can turn any bra into a racerback.
"You can invest in a racer back converter,"
adds Lisa "These pull the straps in at the center back and stop the
slipping." Feeling thrifty? A simple paperclip (softer plastic ones are
safer) can do the same job:
16. If your straps are digging in, your band might be too big.
Yep,
another sign you may be in the wrong bra size. "If the straps are
digging in then they will need to be loosened," says Lisa. "The straps
are there to keep the bra from flopping down, they are not the main
support. The main support comes from the under-band and the cups."
17. Even small boobs need support.
"Research
has shown that even the smallest amount of movement (we're talking millimeters) can cause the elasticity in the breast tissue to decrease,
leading to sagging," explains Lisa. So, while going bra less is a massive
small-boob perk, just don't do too many star jumps while you're at it,
okay?
18. And you still need a sports bra.
"Regardless
of breast size, a well-fitted sports bra can make the world of
difference to your workout, as well as your general health and
well-being," says Professor Joanna Scurr.
Dr Nicola Brown, a senior lecturer at St Mary's University, adds: "A
good sports bra for A cup-sized women will reduce breast movement by 53%
when compared to not wearing a bra."
19. Speaking of sagging, try a cream for some added oomph.
If you just want to give your boobs a bit of something extra, try using a lotion that'll help tone, lift, plump and tighten. Mio Skincare are great for this and while it can't promise an extra cup size, it can help firm and brighten your cleavage.
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