Bras for small chest

Tanya

I've read some great discussions here on bras, but most of the info was for the you lucky gals larger on top.
I'm pretty small, 32 barely B, and usually wear padded bras to try to balance my hips.

I'm trying to find a nice padded every day smooth bra that is not a push up, but a full coverage. I own quite a few push ups, but found that they do not look good under turtlenecks, crew necks and similar tops since they tend to push the 'girls' up and towards each other which kind of looks weird. So I'd prefer one that leaves them where they are ( mine are kind of wide-spaced ) and just enhances them a bit. Hmm, nor that I think about it, I'm basically looking for a modern version of the 'sweater bra' as my mom used to call it , but without the cone shape. All the full coverage bras I'm finding are in bigger sizes and lightly or not padded at all.

Any recommendations? Thanks!

16 years ago

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from perfectly-petitelingerie

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Have you ever tried inserting "chicken fillets" ?

16 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Alot of websites offer a search engine that allows you to enter in size and style and then it shows you what fit's the bill. I went to BareNecessities.Com and entered 34 Nearly B Padded and this is what I found.

http://www.barenecessities.com.....38;vendor=

16 years ago

christie

Active Member

Hi Tanya,

I'm normally a 32C (although it does vary with the bra), and I really like Chantelle. I've worn both of these bras with much success:

http://www.barenecessities.com.....ch,32C.htm

They both come in 32B. If I were you, I would go to a Nordstrom or similar store and try on Chantelle and other bras. The size varies with the bra and the style.

16 years ago

christie

Active Member

I should add that, though I know you are "supposed" to change your bras every year, Chantelle bras are pretty expensive, and I can't afford to buy them very often. I've been wearing mine for a few years. If you take care of them, they do last (though they also do wear out).

16 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you all for your replies!

Angie, I have not tried the cutlets, tough I do have an original Nu bra (which is basically two cutlets joined in the middle) that lost its stickiness, so I could try putting in the bra. Would I need to go a size up for them or not?

Nicole, thank you very much, but unfortunately I'm 32, not 34. I did go back and searched , but only one of those came in 32 nearly B which I did not like a lot.

Christie, thank you for the suggestions! Most of my bras are from VS, and I'm liking them less and less, so I'll give Chantelle a try, tough they are pricey.
I live in Boston, so there are two Nordstroms that opened relatively recently, but they are in suburbs, so you need a car which I don't have. Once I convince someone with a car to accompany me, I'll see if they work.

I have one bra that I really like that fits all of my needs, but I can not find it again. I got it at Figleaves clearance, the brand is called After Eden ( it's from some North European country) and the model maximizer.
http://www.figleaves.com/uk/pr.....5988-front

It ads a full cup to the size and makes me feel good! The one I bought is black and I'd really like a few nude ones as well. But it's completely sold out in USA and UK site does not have my size left ( although I do not know if they would ship here in a first place.)

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Tanya, have you done a search? You are wise to give VS a miss. They make terrible bras. I wear Chantelle too and this is the only brand I wear. I also wear a 32C and their cuts are small. They will last you 18 months if you look after them. Are you local?

16 years ago

christie

Active Member

Tanya, Chantelle is sold in other places besides Nordstrom. I just suggested that one because it is a nationwide chain. I've found this brand in small lingerie boutiques and other large department stores. You might want to look in both, though I venture to say that you might get more help in a small boutique.

16 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Angie, I live in Boston.

I am not sure what do you mean by search, but if you mean an online one for After Eden bra yes I have with no luck. I have not looked for Chantelle online yet, I guess I'd prefer to try it in a store first, and if it works, I would not mind ordering online afterwards.

16 years ago

AntjeH

Active Member

Tanya, I also recommend DKNY t-shirt bras (e.g. on Bare Neccessities). Comfortable and very affordable (much more so than Chantelle, which I also like). I recently bought several DKNY t-shirt bras for under $30.

16 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Christie, thanks for the info. I'll look around.
I've heard of the new "Intimacy" store that opened recently downtown that's supposed to be good. I don't believe I've seen it in the local Macys but maybe i just haven't looked enough.

16 years ago

lori

Active Member

so, this is exactly my dilemma, too. UNTIL i was fitted at Nordies and now have 2 fab bras that i wear excusively! One in Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit and one is On Gossamer. They are both very comfortable and offer padding and a little push up. I almost always wear some type of crew neck and it looks natural and, i have to say, really great! Thank goodness that the flat chested designers of the world FINALLY made bras for us!

16 years ago

lori

Active Member

oh, btw, i NEVER go to VS to buy bras. They are cheap, they fall apart and they are not made for girls like us! Just say no and go to Nordies and get yoruself a few good bras. in the end, you will be thanking me!

16 years ago

Sarah

Active Member

Wow, it's like this thread was made for me. I have the exact same dilemma as Tanya. I swim in a 34A or 34B, a 32A is too small, and so far 32B is the only size I've found that fits me, and only in some styles and companies. Padded bras are a must for me and my pointy little boobs. They are all but impossible to find. That said, I still need to get fitted. I think I'll try Nordies too. I've never been there, but we have one at a mall about 45 minutes from home.

16 years ago

Becky

Veteran

I think I'll hold out for a Nordies fitting too. Though June is the next time I'll be near one!

16 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Sarah, I think I'm in the exactly same boat.

I've estimated myself as 32-small-B, but in reality I'm between 32 and 34, and between A and B! 32A's are to small, 34Bs to big, so that leaves me with 32B's and 34A's. I have both, and on some 34A's that initially fit relatively well the band stretched out a lot. Some 32B's are too tight in the band so I'm planning to get those extenders, I have Le Mystere Dream Tisha in 32B that I got online for a bargain that's killing me every time I put it on (and leaves nasty red marks) , but I do like it.
Another 32B from Felina I can not even close!

Yep, definetely need to go to Nordies the first chance I get.

Btw, anybody ever tried/heard about this bra?
http://www.bitasaviss.com/bita.....action_Bra
It's obviously not an every day bra, more like a special occassion thing, but I need all the help I can get in this area.

16 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Tanya, Bras should not be leaving painful red marks. Please don't do that to yourself. Keep shopping, have a bra altered if need be. I know it's frustrating trying to find the right bra..but persevere! You will find the right bra!

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Back when I had a small chest (years and years ago...), I rather liked Wacaoal's line of petite bras. I don't know if they're still around or where to buy them, but they were nice because everything was adjusted for a smaller figure. I don't know what the rest of your body is like, but they might be worth a shot. I think they're a step below Chantelle pricewise, but the quality has been just as good for me.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Regarding your last post, I'm also smack in between a 32 and 34 but I don't have this problem. This might sound dumb/obvious but have you been hooking your bras on the last hook? Painful red marks should not be happening. That sounds awful. If your bras don't have at least 2 levels of hooks, I would find one that does. I usually get a 32DD and start out wearing it on the last hook. As it loosens and stretches, I just go to the next hook. As someone who is exactly 33", I can testify that Chantelle's 32" band size on the last row of hooks is perfect.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome Bostonian Tanya! I was going to put you in touch with a Chantelle fit specialist at Nordstrom if you lived in Seattle.

I have plenty of clients in excellent Wacoal, DKNY, On Gossamer and Calvin Klein Bras. It’s a question of finding a competent fitter at a specialist lingerie shop, or at Nordstrom. It shall take about an hour of your time. Bra fitting is an absolute science. Women can wear the same size but carry their breast tissue in different places. This is where an expert comes in because bras are not created equally (thank goodness). Once you know what works, you can start to shop on-line.

I am beginning to take the fact that I have superb bras for granted. I am always comfortable and have great bust shape in my Chantelle bras that I do not give it a second thought. When they wear out, I buy the same styles over and over again, and occasionally branch out to newer styling. So I was lucky that I found a brand, style and size that is perfect. I realize that finding the perfect bra is not easy. BUT! There is always hope. It’s a question of persevering as Nicole points out. So I lucked out when it comes to bras , but I certainly get the my fair share of issues when it comes to shoes. Natures wonderful law of compensation!

16 years ago

Sarah

Active Member

I had to post on this thread, because I went to Nordstrom last night and got fitted. I mentioned that I wanted too and my wonderful husband took me! : ) The bra specialist was great; she made something I thought would be terrifying into a fantastic experience. I had always been scared to get fitted, afraid I would find out that I’m really an A or AA and not a B. Instead, I found out something I would never have guessed. She measured me just under my bra and said I should try a 30” band instead of 32”. Every bra I’ve ever tried stands away from the wide space between my breasts. They would fit perfectly if I could push in on the middle part all the time. She told me that this is because I have a concave sternum; it curves in, so my chest looks smaller than it really is. That’s why I always thought I was tiny. Really I’m a C cup and 30” band. But not even all of those fit. After trying on several bras we found one that wouldn’t stand out on me. It’s a soft Chantelle. I wish it added some padding, but the padded bras stand out on me. I’m thrilled to have one that fits though. It’s amazing how good I feel in a bra that fits me. I will have to accumulate them one at a time though, because the price is about 4 times what I played for bras at Wal-Mart, but the fit is so much better. Definitely get fitted Tanya and Becky. You won’t regret it.

16 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

Sarah, thanks for posting your experience. I am glad it went so well for you and hope I'll have a similar experience once I get there. I also have a fear of being fitted to be AA.
Thanks everyone for being so sweet about those red marks. Most of my bras don't leave them, but a few that do give me the best shape, otherwise I would have thrown them away ages ago.
Maya, I actually do the same thing with the hooks, but sometimes even the third one does not work.
Angie, I also am tough to fit for shoes as well. Actually, I am tough to fit for bras, shoes, pants/jeans and non-stretchy dresses. The only thing that's truly easy and I enjoy shopping for are knit tops. As a result I have tons of cute tops in my wardrobe and too little of everything else.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wonderful Sarah! This is a common mistake that women make. Going to wide on the band and too small in the cup. I had suspected that this might be the case. Glad that you got sorted. Now it’s your turn Becky and Tanya.

16 years ago

Leslie

Member

I LOVE the distraction bras. I'm small chested and small framed so definitely petite. I've been looking for a great petite bra for years now and I recently found these and they're the best I've tried so far. I can wear them with every outfit I have whether it's a low cut top or a sweater and they make me look really good. They have so many petite bra sizes. I've never seen any other bra come in soooo many sizes.

I've tried the seamless and the regular one. They're convertible, but I want to try the strapless one too.

http://www.bitasaviss.com/bitasaviss/opener.php

They have a fitting expert and she helped me choose the right size. The bra fits me perfectly.

15 years ago

iwearsauconys

Member

same problem. I'm a 32 B but lately the b cups seem too big and most the a cups are too small. Ordered 2 Smooth Perfection Anna Bras from Soma in 32 A (one tshirt and one lace) and they fit perfect. They are on sale right now for 19.99 and I found a free shipping code on retailmenot.com. Hope this helps!
http://www.soma.com/store/brow.....#038;size=

15 years ago

anne

Veteran

Re those Soma bras - in the picture of the model the bra seemed to be squashing into her breasts. Does that happen to you?

15 years ago

Carolyn2771

Member

Tanya... I have tried those distraction bras you're asking about. they are amazing! I'm not sure why you think they're not everyday bras. I wear them everyday actually and they're very comfortable. once you get used to the 2 cup size increase, it's kind of hard wearing other bras, at least for me. I'm so used to the full look these bras create for me, that I think I just believe I'm really that huge.

I also have their swimwear and it's the same great look. I actually even wore the swimwear in a jacuzzi the other night and it came out perfectly fine. they have really high quality bras and swimwear. the link for their swim is below.

http://www.bitasaviss.com/bita.....ction_Swim

15 years ago

perfectly-petitelingerie

(website)

Active Member

Have a look at http://www.perfectly-petitelingerie.co.uk
They are trying to build up a collection of petite size lingerie. They are the only UK suppliers of Itty Bitty Bras which are fabulous and made for AA, A and B only.

14 years ago

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