Lingerie for Smaller Busts: New and Improved

One of my most popular posts of all time is the Lingerie for Smaller Busts post I wrote way back in 2012, and it’s a great example of how quickly things change in the lingerie industry, because several of the brands I recommended then don’t even exist anymore! I thought it was high time to publish a new round-up, as there are some excellent, high-quality brands that have emerged very recently (or have at least come across my radar recently) that produce absolutely gorgeous lingerie in a wide range of styles to fit those who wear smaller cup sizes. Those with smaller busts are especially well served by the independent design community, with a vibrant and creative range of offerings popping up all over the place, especially Etsy! This list is by no means exhaustive; rather, it’s a roundup of some of the brands I like and admire to get you started on your journey.

Just a quick reminder: I’m not super interested in rigidly defining and policing size categories, or in determining which sizes “count” as core, small-bust, full-bust, plus size, etc. Different bodies can wear the same size but have very different shapes and appearances, so your mileage will vary with some of these brands. The lingerie industry generally defines petite or small-bust lingerie as any cup sizes in the AAA-C range; I’ve also included brands that also carry other cup sizes, because depending on your band size and how you view your body, a D, DD, or E cup can be petite too. It’s also important to remember that just because the model in the images below might have a fuller bust than you do, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the brand doesn’t offer smaller sizes.

Another reminder: the offerings available for those plus size customers who wear small cup sizes are still woefully slim. I’m always on the lookout for brands with products in this size range, but as of right now they’re still few and far between!

Timpa

Timpa specializes in A-C cup sizes, offering their signature Duet collection in a huge range of colors. It’s a low-cut, minimalist bra crafted from stretch lace, designed to hug your natural shape for soft, gentle support.

Toru and Naoko

This independent brand is hand-made in Chile, offering a range of versatile, modern shapes that perfectly suit those who aren’t looking for aggressive shaping or support. Their signature wrap bras and fantastic textile and color choices make them a particular favorite of mine.

Sacha Kimmes

Sacha Kimmes makes playful, lightly-structured pieces that revel in details and texture. Using beautiful materials like lace and velvet, this is lingerie that looks both dramatic and comfortable.

Fortnight

Fortnight’s signature longline wire-free bra is fast becoming a classic and an editorial favorite, reworked each season in a lovely array of shades and textures. The brand focuses on strong, emphatic shapes with minimal frills or fuss for a chic, modern sophistication.

Queen of Suburbia

Looking for whimsy, comfy shapes, and unexpected or playful materials? Check out Etsy seller Queen of Suburbia. I chose two sets that show off fun textiles, but if you’re into prints, be sure to check out her store for stripes and flowers and flamingos and constellations and more!

Hopeless

Another editorial favorite, indie brand Hopeless’ designs have popped up everywhere from blogs to magazines to Britney Spears’ video for ‘Work Bitch’. Taking inspiration from a range of media from film noir to horror to pulp, Hopeless creates lingerie and loungewear that ranges from the simple and “practical” to the bold and dramatic.

Bluebella

While Bluebella offers some lovely traditional bras, they’ve really cornered the market on offering exciting boudoir wear at a more affordable price point. I particularly like their daring signature Nova bra, an underwire bra with an entirely open cup, strapping details, and the barest touch of guipure embroidery.

B.tempt’d

When I’ve done bra fittings at department stores for friends with smaller busts, it’s been impossible to avoid b.tempt’d. B.tempt’d and its parent company Wacoal dominate American department stores, and b.tempt’d is particularly great for those with shallower breasts, offering cute, affordable basics and bralettes in a variety of colors.

Evgenia

Evgenia ranks in the top five of “brands I wish I could wear more of”. Designer Stephanie uses incredible silk and French laces to create true vintage-inspired “lingerie for the modern heartbreaker”, using only careful cutting and construction techniques, rather than stretch or elastic, to create curves and shape. Her signature bralettes are inspired by the Kestos silhouette of the 1920s and 1930s.

Yellowberry

Yellowberry stands out in the industry for making a product designed exclusively for girls. Styles are focused on providing comfort and coverage in a range of colors and styles that eschew any hint of adult suggestion.

Kris Soonik

Kris Soonik’s sleek, minimalist, cool-girl styles go from simple to sophisticated, with shapes both classic and modern, signature details like flat tuxedo bows, and wide, bold elastic anchoring light, delicate fabrics.

la fille d’O

If lace, pink, padding, and pushup styles make you cringe, check out la fille d’O. One of the most directional and fashion-forward brands on this list, la fille d’O pieces feature a signature monowire design in their underwired styles, and the different ranges play with texture and transparency to highlight and frame the body.

Bradelis

When my friends who wear smaller cup sizes ask me how they can achieve a romance cover model’s heaving bosom, I send them to Bradelis. There are some larger cup sizes on this site, but don’t be fooled: these styles are designed to give petite busts a luscious, major push-up effect (although there are non-padded bralettes available as well). Bradelis claims that their bras can permanently enlarge breasts over time, which is absolute nonsense and anatomically impossible, but if you’ve ever wanted to take some cleavage out for a spin but didn’t think you could, Bradelis bras will make it happen. I strongly recommend getting fitted in person if at all possible, as their sizes come up smaller and their fitting methods are very different from what you might be used to.

Sugar Lace Lingerie

This indie designer’s pastel pieces are a cotton candy confectionery delight. From bodysuits to bralettes to babydolls, you’ll be sure to find a sweet treat here.

Mimi Holliday and Damaris

Luxury label Damaris came first, then diffusion line Mimi Holliday, but both brands marry color, gorgeous laces and silks, and creative, whimsical embroidery to a wide range of shapes and sizes. Recent seasons have seen Mimi Holliday excel at just-slightly-kitschy prints and embroideries, including my two favorite recent collections, Swan Lake and the sold-out cat-embroidered Narcissus.

Angela Friedman and Fairytales by Angela Friedman

Angela Friedman is a one-woman lingerie powerhouse, and whether you’re in the market for a silk-and-lace trousseau or a sheer, ruffled nylon lingerie set, you will find enough gorgeous, occasionally ballet-inspired corsets, lingerie, and loungewear to satisfy your wildest dreams.

Lula Lu Petite Lingerie

Lula Lu specializes in bras for the smallest of busts– A, AA, and AAA sizes. There’s a nice range of everyday wired and wireless styles, plus a few fashion colorways and lacier styles for special occasions.

Lonely

Lonely is another increasingly popular brand, thanks to on-trend color stories and of-the-moment shapes that play with strapping, lace, illusion tulle, and transparency. I get major cool-girl vibes from this brand; they’re definitely on my list of brands-I-wish-made-my-size.

Fleur of England

Oh goodness, I love Fleur of England, it is silk and embroidery heaven. I have two robes and two pairs of knickers I love, but in general Fleur of England lingerie is sadly cut for busts and figures much smaller than mine. The incredibly beautiful colors, gleaming silk, and bespoke embroidery make this some of the most elegant luxury lingerie around.

Goddess

Finally, Goddess is best known for making plus size and full-bust lingerie, but they recently launched a new style, Michelle, available in sizes 38-46 B-DDD sizes. Small bust bras are especially hard to come by in larger band sizes, making this pretty stretch lace set a great choice.

I hope this post gives you lots of lovely new brands to explore! What are your favorite brands and styles for smaller busts?

June 19, 2017 by Sweets | 6 Comments