Sponsored by The Little Bra Company

If you have a petite bust, bra shopping can be both exciting and a drag. As a bra fitter and educator since 2005, I have fit folks of all different sizes. And petite busted folks are often misunderstood and underserved. So if you’ve come looking for essential bra styles for small busts, you’re in the right place. 

There is a big myth that small busts “don’t need support”, or I often hear the phrase “I have nothing” or “I should just shop in the kids’ department.” Yikes. This kind of talk really bums me out. The truth is, petite busted bras come in various styles, colors, and levels of support and shape. And folks with a smaller bust, like everyone, deserve to choose how they want to support, adorn, and shape their breasts each day. After all, having the power to decide what bra you wear each day can be an act of self-care! They’re worn right over the heart, and a great place to start. 

Below you’ll find my essential bra shopping list for petite busts from AA-D cups (because yes, a D cup can be petite!), with some of the best examples around from The Little Bra Company®. Use it as a guide for your own smaller chested shopping, and get to know this one of a kind company along the way. Hurray! 

This post is sponsored by The Little Bra Company® . I’m so grateful to share them with you. According to the company, it was founded in 2007, because Emily Lau couldn’t find any attractive bras that fit her smaller frame and chest. The bras that fit better looked like training bras, and the ones that were more fashionable did not fit quite right. She found that many of her petite friends shared her same lament, and so she created a collection of bras that fit and flattered petite and smaller body types better.

The bra styles are named after Emily’s close friends and family. Isn’t that adorable? As a bra fitter and educator, they’ve been one of my petite bust go-to brands for years because they are devoted to serving this customer and know their needs and wants well. As always, I only share items that I truly love and can help you say hurray, and The Little Bra Company® is absolutely on that list. 

✅Use code HURRAYXTLBC at checkout on thelittlebracompany.com for 10% off your total purchase of petite bras and panties. See details at the bottom of this post. Hurray!

Everyday T-Shirt Bras for Petite Busts

When designing your bra wardrobe, I always suggest buying 2-3 basic bras that work with about 70% of your clothing wardrobe. Keep in mind that your wardrobe might not look like someone else’s. So, if you wear mostly dark or patterned clothing, stock up on basics in darker colors. If you wear a lot of white or light clothes, find a neutral color closer to your skin tone. The same goes for a smooth or textured cup, and underwire or wire-free. You get to choose!  When in doubt, start with two smooth bras in a color close to your skin tone and one in black, and build from there. You’re off to a great start! 

Push Up Note: Not every petite busted person wants push-up, or you might want some for a certain outfit or occasion, and less on other days. Thanks to The Little Bra Company®, you can decide on the level of padding or push up you’d like to wear each day. Their product shopping pages show you what level each bra has, from 0 (unlined and no padding at all) to 5 (maximum push up!). 

You might find a level that feels the most comfortable and gives you the silhouette you like to wear daily, or you can mix it up and vary your push up look with each outfit. Below are a few options to buy and try yourself as you build your petite bust bra wardrobe.

Strapless or Convertible Bra for Petite Busts

After you stock up on basic bras, it’s time to add in a great strapless or convertible bra to go with the rest of your wardrobe. There are plenty of convertible bra styles sprinkled throughout this article (enjoy!) but petite strapless bras are hard to come by. I really love recommending the Sascha from The Little Bra Company because of its removable “cookie” padding, among other things. That customizable feature is excellent for fluctuating breasts (perhaps during a menstrual cycle, or during weight changes), or for a slightly uneven bust. Also, it gives you the choice of how much cleavage you want to create!

Keep in mind that every bra needs to fit well to feel good and provide your desired shape, and that’s especially true for a strapless bra! Those with a small chest might try to make do with a strapless that wasn’t truly designed for their frame. This can cause underwires to dig in, bands to slip and slide, and cups to gap. Instead, go for something truly designed with your body in mind! 

Sports Bra for Petite Busts

Sports bras are essential for any bra wardrobe, but especially if you are active or have a regular exercise routine. And while a fuller bust might need extra levels of support for jumping or running, a petite bust still needs a dedicated sports bra or two. First, every level of bust requires more support during physical activity. Breasts are delicate! Second, some people with a smaller bust might like some shape or padding in their workout attire. 

Third, and most importantly, wearing a bra dedicated to sports and exercise will keep your everyday bras from getting sweaty, dingey, or ruined. Sweat is filled with salt, and when it dries on the elastic of a bra, it can make the band brittle and stretch it out. They require more washing, and go through more wear and tear. So protect your bust and your basic bras by investing in a few sports bras made for your bust size! 

Wire-free Bra for Petite Busts

Wire-free bras are so essential for the petite busted person! And while you can go with something more carefree, like a bralette or little lace number, it’s also possible to get some shape and a little support from your wire-free bra. Stock up on a style that feels great for lounging, running errands, travel days, or even everyday. This one below is super cozy and offers a contour silhouette. What do you think?

“Hurray” Bra for Petite Busts

Now it’s time for my favorite kind of bra: the Hurray bra! This is that bra that makes you feel like a million bucks. Sure, you want every bra you wear to feel amazing and look great. But this bra has that special something. For some folks, that means a bold color or a gorgeous detail. For others, it’s stunning lace! Lace bras make me say hurray, for sure. And there’s nothing quite like a classic, black lace bra. Add in some maximum level push-up and it’s a hurray all day. 

By the way, no one says you can only have one Hurray bra or can’t wear a stunning bra as your everyday style. But this is your chance to broaden beyond the basics and must haves and live a little. Get creative, be bold, and wear what you love, as long as it fits well and feels great. 

Remember: your bra size does not define your worth, your beauty, or value, or your character. Who you are is so much more than a size on the tag. Wear what fits well and feels great on this body that you have today. Wear what makes you say hurray!

Free Bra Class

Want to wear a bra without ripping it off at the end of the day? Watch How to Find a Comfortable Bra Fit For Your Body WITHOUT Wasting Your Money on Bras You Dread Wearing! Plus, you'll also get Kimmay's Bra Fit Guide, and a taste of Bra Confidence & Comfort™. Watch now and don't spend another minute feeling uncomfortable in your bra.

Your turn: How has your search for petite busted bras gone so far? Which of these styles do you want to try first? What is missing from your essential bra wardrobe? Share with me over at @hurraykimmay on Instagram or TikTok! 

Credits: Big thanks to our partner, The Little Bra Company for making this article possible, and use of their lovely images. 

Don’t forget to use code HURRAYXTLBC at checkout on thelittlebracompany.com for 10% off your total purchase of petite bras and panties. 

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