The Itty Bitty Bra Guide
Ranked #63 in Fashion & Beauty, #919 overall
Petite bras to fit and flatter small-busted size AA, A and B cup women.
My bra size is 32AA or A, depending on weight fluctuations. When I'm a 32A, it's easy enough to fit into the smallest bras from mainstream underwear and lingerie brands. Any smaller than that, and it becomes quite a challenge! I'm not anorexic and my hormone levels are perfectly normal, thank you very much. This is just the way I'm built, and I'm fine with it. I've never considered breast enhancement surgery, as I am committed to loving my body the way it is.
I don't want foreign, false-feeling lumps in my chest, and my boyfriend is no fan of fake boobs either. Both of us are perfectly happy with my perky little rack... so why can't stores regularly carry AA and nearly A cup bra sizes for adult women? We want flattering, comfortable, sexy bras in a variety of colors and styles. Is that really so much to ask? If you're saying "amen, sister!" right now, then the Itty Bitty Bra Guide is for you. Do me a favor and try a couple of my selections before you have any kind of painful, unnecessary surgical procedure, all right? You're gorgeous the way you are.
How to Find Your Bra Size
A guide to small bra sizes.
The first step in finding the best-fitting bra is to make sure you know your correct bra size. Grab a tape measure and follow along with this guide to determine your band and cup size. If you already know your size, you can skip straight to the bras.Band Size
Position the tape measure right above your breasts in front, wrap it around under your arms in back and measure all the way around your rib cage. The tape measure should lie flat against your body all the way around, so it is snug but not stretched.
Round this measurement up or down to the nearest inch. If the result is an even number, this is your band size. If it's an odd number, add 1 to get your band size.
Cup Size
Position the tape measure over the fullest part of your breasts, at or just above the nipples. Measure across your breasts and all the way around your body at this point. The tape measure should just touch your breasts in front and lie flat against your sides and back.
Round this measurement up or down to the nearest inch. This number is your fullest bust. Subtract your band measurement (the even or odd number you first came up with) from your fullest bust measurement. Look up your result in the key below to find out your cup size.
Here is the formula:
fullest bust - band measurement = bra cup size in inches.
0" = AA
1" = A
2" = B
3" = C
Itty Bitty Bras for Petites
What's a petite bra?
Except where noted, I have bought or tried on each of these bras myself. I can tell you from personal experience that they are comfortable, made from quality materials, and fit well.
Great brassieres can be expensive, but if you take care of them, they will last much longer than cheap ones.
Your Favorite Bra
A teeny weeny poll on bra preferences.
I'm not much into push-up bras with tons of padding, but I still like an under-wired style like the one shown here. Wires provide structure, lift and shape. If you prefer something wire-free, side boning (vertical stays) can help keep the bra band anchored in place when you move.
Small is Sexy: The Blog
News and reviews for little boobs.
I'm pleased to present 32AA Bra, my blog of AA - B bras. It's written by and for small-breasted women like me. We post reviews, special offers, discount codes, and the latest news from the world of petite lingerie. But it's not just for petites! If you found this page helpful, please come on over and check it out... you'll be glad you did.
Flat-Chested Facebook
Join our friendly curve-challenged community!
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My Favorite AA Bra
A padded bra for cup size AA or above.
It has some padding (great for helping you fill out tailored jackets properly), and you can remove the pads if your bra size varies based on weight fluctuations or time of the month. The lift and shaping you get from the bra cups is subtle and natural-looking. Best of all, it's comfortable!
Check out the other styles from Wacoal Petites too -- they aren't cheap, but they last forever, and almost every review I've ever seen of these bras is positive. If you prefer no padding, they have a lightly lined contour bra that fits just as well as the one I have featured here.
Wacoal Womens T-Back Convertible Bra
Wacoal Petite bras are a great fit for small-busted women with short torsos who are built narrow and slim through the shoulders, bust, arms and rib cage. When it comes to bra sizing, it doesn't matter how tall you are or how you're built below the waist. Cup size is less important than your bone structure and height, but a bra designed for petites is usually scaled down in both the band and the cups.
Small Bra Size & Fit FAQ
Common concerns of the itty bitty bra committee.
What's your biggest bra fitting problem? You might find it in this list of complaints I often hear from small-busted women. Thanks to all who have shared what exactly went wrong with those bras that live in the back of the drawer reserved for things you never wear!
1
I look sexy in a push-up bra, but the underwires hurt my sensitive skin.
Check out a wire-free style that still offers some more...2 points
2
Bra straps won't stay up.
Try a convertible style with straps you can wear c more...1 point
3
Bra cups have gaps at the tops.
You may need a smaller bra size, and/or a differen more...1 point
4
Cups on "training bras" are too close together!
Try a bra that comes in standard sizes (not junior more...1 point
5
What's a good strapless bra for us smaller gals?
If you want comfort and minimal structure, go for more...1 point
Find a Bra that Really Fits
Whenever you shop for small bras online, make sure the merchant accepts returns; that way you can return any style or fit that isn't right for you. Once you find a petite bra you love, order one or two more in different colors. Usually I'm all about bargain shopping, but when it comes to bras, quality and fit matter more to me than price.
Trust me, it's worth the money for two or three colors of a bra that fits perfectly and flatters your figure. You'll look and feel better in your clothes. Best of all, you won't have to worry anymore about slipping bra straps, wrinkled cups, bands that ride up halfway to your neck, and all the other annoyances of ill-fitting bras.
Band and Cup Sizing
Watch and compare bra cup sizes by band measurement.
Look Ma, No Bra!
Nipple Covers and Breast Petals
Dimrs Silicone Nipple Covers - Nude
DIMRs are slim, sleek, hypoallergenic silicone nipple covers that use your own body heat to adhere to the skin. Small-busted women can usually wear them without a bra.
Bookmark the Itty Bitty Bra Guide
Share a bit of bra wisdom with your friends.
Bras to Fit Half Sizes
Look for a bra that runs small (shallow) in the cup.
Barely There bras are from the same manufacturer as Playtex. The ones featured here are popular among women with small cup sizes.
Most of the other bras on this page are made for petite frames, which means their sizing runs a bit smaller than average. If your cup size is NA (nearly A) in Playtex and you want to order the Itty Bitty Signature Bra or any bra from Wacoal's petite line, go with your usual band size and an A cup for the best fit. The AA cup size in petite bras may be too small.
The small bra seekers have spoken.
Here's your page on padded push-up bras.
Breast Enhancer Inserts
What kind of bra should I wear over my breast pads?
For full-cup inserts that cover the entire breast and substantially increase bust size, you will need a full-coverage bra. If you wear mostly wire-free soft bras and bralettes, the Sassybax inserts are your best choice because they are lightweight enough to stay in place without the support of an underwire.
Got any itty bitty bra questions or comments?
Post an itty bitty piece of bra feedback here.
There are more A and AA cup bras farther down the page, so make sure you don't miss them. Thanks for visiting the Itty Bitty Bra Guide.
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Eve
Apr 30, 2012 @ 12:16 pm | delete
- im 14 and get a lot of stick at school for having small boobs and never really know what bra is right and which look good on me, i looked on the website for the little bra company but its american and i live in the uk so i'd love to find a uk based company!!
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cjsysreform
May 22, 2012 @ 2:14 am | delete
- Hi Eve. I don't know what size you are, but check out Panache Atlantis and After Eden. I believe both of these are UK brands, and they come in AA cups. Look for them on figleaves.com.
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Nancy
Apr 24, 2012 @ 9:17 am | delete
- I still can't find a normal everyday wire-free bra in 36AA! I sympathize with Sarah, who is looking for a 38 AA(I'd love to try one...might even fit better than 36AA, but I've never seen one!).
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cjsysreform
Apr 25, 2012 @ 10:23 pm | delete
- Hi Nancy, please email me at info@32aabra.com and I can offer you some recommendations. Let me know how much padding you like, as there are some nice options in unlined/unpadded bras as well as contour molded-cup styles.
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Sarah
Mar 30, 2012 @ 9:57 pm | delete
- I appreciate your healthy attitude towards small breasts. In this world of artificially inflated breasts, it's refreshing. I know your focus is on petites but it would be great if you could give a nod (and some advice) to your small breasted sisters who aren't petite. You can't imagine how hard it is to be 56 years old and STILL looking for a well-fitting 38AA bra.
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cjsysreform
Mar 31, 2012 @ 12:38 am | delete
- Hey Sarah,
I actually do understand what you're going through... at least, as much as I can, having not experienced it personally. I've heard from lots of other small-breasted but not petite women like yourself who are seeking bras in size 38-42 AA, A and B. It's not right that all of you have such a hard time finding a good fit -- I absolutely believe that every woman, no matter what her size, has a right to a well-fitting bra that flatters her figure. We are all beautiful and we all deserve a proper fit in a bra! I have a size 40AA in Flatter Me, by Jane Hogdon, and I've been looking for someone to try on this bra and review it for my blog. If you think you might be able to wear a 40AA, please let me know! If not, I can certainly give you some recommendations for what to try in a 38AA. Please contact me at info@32aabra.com for personalized suggestions. Thanks and best regards, Amanda Sage
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John in Hollywood
Feb 19, 2012 @ 5:08 pm | delete
- Thanks Jen, you handled a touchy subject with grace and charm, while proving a wealth of useful information. I've been trying to shopping for my asian (petite) fiancee and I decided to send her a link to your video. I think she has been wearing bras too big for her be cause she thinks bigger is better. She knows I think she is great as she is . Maybe your video will help lend some unbiest perspective.
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cjsysreform
Feb 22, 2012 @ 8:11 am | delete
- Great to hear you liked Jen's video... so do I. :) Please feel free to contact me at info@32aabra.com, or have your fiancee do so if she'd like some help with finding a great push-up bra that doesn't swallow up her petite frame.
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writefromhome
Jan 30, 2012 @ 1:08 am | delete
- I really appreciate all the comments on this thread. I thought I would share my experience with bra fitting in case it is of value to anyone else.Thanks Amanda for sending me some bras to try on.
I love the Zee Bra - it is so comfortable I don't even know I am wearing it. I would wear a 32 in any other bra, but this is a 30A which fits great around the ribcage. The Itty Bitty bra in 34A was too big in the band and too close set in front. The 32B was snug around, but not right with the wires and would have needed added pads anyway. But the bras themselves looked great - I wish one had fit me. I will try the Timpa Duet in a 32B which Amanda recommended. (FYI - my measurements are 32 bust and 28.5 under).
And by the way, I love the Itty Bitty bra thing - I definitely feel my boobs have gone from small to itty bitty and there's no point saying it any other way.
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cjsysreform
Jan 31, 2012 @ 8:35 am | delete
- Thanks so much for sharing your feedback on the Zee Bra and Itty Bitty Bras! I'm sure other visitors here will find it quite helpful. You've been a lovely client to work with, and please do email me or leave a comment here when you get the Timpa; I'd love to know how that ends up fitting. If it is too large in the cups and you like the style, I'd recommend trying a size 32A next (The cups in Timpa bras are set somewhat wider apart than average, so you may have better luck with their 32A than you've had in other brands).
Warm regards, Amanda
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Itty Bitty Twitty Committee
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High-Fashion Bralettes
The designer bralette is a lightweight, comfortable and sexy option for small breasts.
One great thing about having itty bitty breasts is that you can wear the tiniest designer bralettes, stretch bra tops and camis. Bralettes ( sometimes called "soft bras") are usually wire-free, and comfortable as well as fashionable. The best bralette styles offer a great fit and subtle shaping for a flattering, natural look. They're a perfect option for small cup sizes in warm weather, as they allow your skin to breathe while still providing a bit of lift and contouring.
Pictured here: the Never Say Never Sweetie Soft Bra
Sexy designer bralettes are made to look beautiful on high-fashion runway models. When's the last time you saw a runway model with a giant rack? Right... never. I'm not saying women should starve themselves in order to fit into designer lingerie, but if you're already small enough then for heaven's sake please flaunt it!
The B-Smooth Seamless Bralette
A lightweight, wireless stretch bra. Fits cup sizes AA through B.
I have this in a 32 and it accommodates my curves whether I am currently an AA, nearly A, or A cup. This is the bra I usually wear when I don't need padding or structure but still want a bit of coverage. The band runs true to size.
Wacoal B-Smooth Bralette, 34, Naturally Nude
The straps are very thin, so you can wear this bra under sleeveless tops and dresses -- even spaghetti-strap tanks. It's lightweight and feels like you aren't wearing anything, which makes it the ideal choice when comfort is your top priority... but with the sleek, flattering lines of the B-Smooth bralette, you won't have to sacrifice style.
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Sensual Silk for Small Breasts
Elegant luxury petite lingerie by Mimi Holliday.
I discovered the exquisite Mimi Holliday Mon Belle bra at A Little Something Fit, LLC -- a specialty online lingerie boutique for AA and A cup sizes. Owners Wesley and his wife Nicole (a size 34AA herself) deserve a shout-out for their sincere appreciation of the naturally sleek, small-busted figure.
by cjsysreform
Amanda offers bra fitting help at no charge for women of all sizes. Contact her now!. more »
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#1 Push-Up for Half SIzes
Blush bras run small and shallow in the cups.
Blush Dreamgirl Push Bra Ice Blue
Amazon Price: $36.00 (as of 05/23/2012)
If you're looking for a push-up bra and you are between cup sizes (for example: if size A is too small but you can't quite fill out a B), you must try this brand. I have the Blush Dreamgirl in a 32A and it is almost too shallow in the cups -- but the underwires fit me perfectly. It doesn't smash my boobs together... just gives a nice natural-looking lift. I would especially recommend Blush bras for small-busted women with wide-set breasts.
Best Sexy Bra for Small Sizes
Bra size A in the Timpa Duet lace demi also fits AA cups.
Timpa Duet Lace Underwire Demi Bra (16449)
Amazon Price: (as of 05/23/2012)
Forget the mega-padded Bombshell. The real secret of sexy: lingerie that works with your true size and shape.
The Timpa Duet mesh lace underwire does this brilliantly for petites. In my opinion, it is the most seductive bra on the market for smaller sizes.
I love the electric blue! But it is also available in more traditional colors: black, white, and nude.
The A cup will also fit size AA. It runs small in the band, so I recommend ordering up one size (example: if you're usually a 34A, order the 36A).
