Well, I'm never saying it isn't sexy, but I must say this bra is not my favorite from Cosabella. It's a front-closure style with removable pads-- so far so good, as I tend to like both of these features very much. And it's quite beautiful, with black lace contour cups and an elegant silver clasp. However, the band runs very very tight. I got a size 34B and had to really pull on it to get the clasp to fasten, and once I had it closed it dug into my breastbone in front. I could barely fit two fingers between me and the band, which is a definite sign that it's too small. That, and the fact that I could hardly breathe. The cups do run true to size, so this seems more like a 32C to me, or even a 30D. This is not something I usually experience with 34 bands at all. In fact I can't think of a single time that a 34 was this tight on me, not even other front-closure bras with bands that can't be adjusted. I had seen reviews on Amazon indicating that Cosabella seems to be having sizing issues. Their smallest bras start at a 28 band, which this quite honestly felt like to me (or close to it, anyway). I can't imagine what must have happened for this to be labeled as a 34, but it simply isn't. I got it from Rue La La (join with link https://www.ruelala.com/invite/amandasage to get $10 in store credit), and it was on final sale so I can't return it. My advice if you order a Cosabella bra from anywhere, is before you check out message the seller and ask the following: do you know if this bra runs true to size? Have you tried it on, or do you know someone who has? If it doesn't fit and I have to return it, do I still need to pay for return shipping? Do I have the option to exchange it for a different item? This goes for Poshmark too, as I have listed this bra there with the caveat that the band does not seem to run true to size. I recommended it for a 32C. https://poshmark.com/listing/Cosabella-Never-Say-Never-Sexie-PushUp-Bra-34B-32C-61b64a34941f179c8f224a61 It's a shame, because I do like the bra otherwise, and Cosabella lingerie is always well-made. What sort of luck have you had with this brand? Please feel free to share your experience in a comment. I think perhaps next time I will stick with their bralettes and other non-cup-sized items.

I tried another bra insert which I had read a good recommendation of. These are Double Scoops, and they come in a pair for $19.99. They are available for purchase on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3y7Smt5. You should purchase these in the cup size of the bra that you want to wear them in, rather than the size that you are looking to achieve. All sizes have a similar thickness, but they vary in the total amount of coverage, and this is to make sure they will fit well inside the corresponding cup size of your bra. Too small and they might not stay in place inside the bra; too big, and your bra cups will be too small to contain them horizontally and/or vertically. Double Scoops are similar to the Femagique inserts: foam, and graduated with most of the volume at the bottom. However, these add significantly more size, probably at least one cup and on me it looks more like 1.5. I'm impressed, as usually inserts that promise to add a cup size don't really deliver and their purpose is more to help you fill out bras you already have that are a little too big or have gaps at the top. Another thing I like about them is that the tops of the Double Scoops close entirely over my breasts, so there isn't a problem with what I call "whoops sudden nipple reveal," or with the inserts sliding up to an awkward place inside the bra. They stay put just fine in my lightly lined 34C bra, which I had been looking for something to help me fill out. In fact I think I could even go up a cup to a D with them in, but my 34C has enough stretch in it that they work fine. Keep in mind I am really not a C cup and I only own this bra for using with inserts in the first place, so I'm not sure you could use these with your usual bra size unless all of your bras are already way too big in the cup for you. It's worth trying them with a bra in a cup size larger than you normally wear. The 34C bra I put them in (shown at left) is a plunge style with flexible fabric cups that have an overlaid layer of mesh lace. I recommend this type for inserts, rather than trying them with a rigid contour-cup bra or with anything else that already has foam inside. The foam will not adjust to the inserts as well and you may end up with gaps, or with the insert moving around a lot inside the bra cups. With these inserts in this particular bra, I don't have either of these issues. It's all about getting the right match between your inserts and the bra you wear them in, which I realize sounds very complicated, and it really sort of is. I've had to try many combinations to find something that works this well. If you are looking for a full-cup enhancement solution and do not have much natural breast tissue, it's possible you could get away with these; however, they are not full breast forms and it's best if you have at least a little to help fill the tops of them. Many trans women may have enough volume to pull this off, but I am not sure that they would work if you are a breast cancer survivor and have had a non-augmented double mastectomy. So to be on the safe side, I am recommending them only for assigned females at birth who are looking to add more size to what they already have, and to trans women who have some amount of natural breast tissue that they can work with. If you have had a double mastectomy and want to try these, make sure you use them inside a non-padded bra that is relatively full-coverage so that it closes completely over the top of your chest. I would not advise trying to wear them inside a balconette or push-up style.

All bras on the Maidenform website are $14.99 today, including packs of two. You can get an additional 20% off your order by subscribing to their email list. Check it out at https://yazing.com/deals/maidenform/AmandaSageBarnum. That's some pretty decent savings, and Maidenform bras are already quite affordable. Aesthetically they are perhaps a bit basic, and the patterns they offer are nothing special. But you can usually find something you like enough to wear, as long as you are in their size range. I purchased a two-pack of bras, and it's hard not to feel good about that, especially since I do like these colors. One thing to look out for with Maidenform push-up bras (pictured at left) is that they can feel overly packed full of foam. Even those which are described as "lightly lined" tend to have significant padding, whereas in other brands the same term means simply two-ply fabric or a very thin contour layer. The push-up options in Maidenform range from light graduated padding (which focuses mainly on lifting the breasts) to major couch stuffing that adds more than one cup size in appearance. If you like the type of bra that does this, Maidenform's are cheaper than Victoria Secret's Miraculous or Bombshell bras. But they are not available in AA cups, which is a little odd because you would think they would recognize -- as VS clearly has -- that women with AA-cup breasts are an ideal market for bras that add size. Perhaps there simply aren't enough adult women who truly measure at a size AA to make it worthwhile for them to offer it, even in mega-push-up bras. So then we're back to AA being relegated to specialty brands that cater specifically to the small-busted. How is Maidenform doing with larger cup sizes? They do offer a decent selection of plus-size bras up to cup size M, but not much in the way of small-band/large-cup options. They don't carry any 30 band bras, and even size 32 is excluded from their overall bra fitting chart which starts at a 34. If you need a 30 band with a large cup size, Panache and Freya are two brands that offer them.

So you hate underwires. Who doesn't? But if you're going to give up on underwires entirely, you need to know a few things about how to find a good fit in a wire-free bra, because it's a little different than when you're dealing with a wire. First, underwires function to give bras shape and structure. Without the underwire, a bra needs to have these things coming from something else. Usually a good wire-free bra will have the following: A wide band that doesn't roll up or shift around. When trying on a wire-free bra, make sure you are in the tightest band size that you can tolerate and that the band doesn't move when you raise your arms, bend over, or twist sideways. Side support in the form of stays, inner slings, or strips of fabric that surround the cups to keep them in place. Stays (also called side boning) are two vertical pieces on each side of the band that secure the bra to your ribcage. Inner slings are flexible fabric inside the cups that push your breasts forward. Wire-free bras without contour cups will usually not have inner slings, but the fabric surrounding the cups will be sturdier and less stretchy. An overall material composite that has a good balance of stretch and rigidity. Stretchy materials like nylon or Spandex are often combined with a less flexible fabric like cotton or polyester. A wire-free bra that is entirely made of nylon or silk, as some bralettes are, will have less support than one which has a combination of materials. Silk is wonderful and, in fact, quite strong, but it doesn't stretch. You'll find it used in luxury lingerie, usually along with an underwire in bras. Here are two examples of supportive wire-free bras: This bra from Fruit of the Loom is an example of how cotton can be used as a stabilizing material. The band is kept in place by a hook in back. It also has built-up straps which help to maintain the position of the cups. It may not be glamorous, but it's inexpensive and reliable. https://amzn.to/318uHwc The Amoena Lara bra has several supportive features: a sturdy two-hook band, side stays, and nylon-spandex fabric stretched over formed contour cups. It has mesh pockets inside the cups which are designed to hold breast forms of significant weight. https://amzn.to/3o2OVAv

No worries, I did too. But I don't usually buy my bras at retail prices anyway. If you know what size you are and how a certain bra fits on you and you are looking to get a good deal on that particular bra, here are my shopping secrets to saving money. Sign up for sample sale sites like Rue La La, ideeli, etc. I've gotten so many great deals this way and you can also get credit for referring other people to sign up for them. Rue La La is my favorite for bras and other intimates as they often do feature lingerie brands. Cosabella is one I've seen there often, and it's very good for smaller band sizes and bralettes. You can get $10 in store credit if you sign up through me, using this link: https://www.ruelala.com/invite/amandasage . Try Poshmark, obviously. I sell more than I buy there, but on occasion I can find awesome deals on brand-new bras and other clothing. I currently have new bras listed in sizes that are difficult to find elsewhere. I feature a lot of petite brands like Wacoal Petites, Itty Bitty Bra, and The Little Bra Company and often have sizes 32AA, 32A, 34AA, 34A, and 36A. Here is my closet link, and please note you can also click on my seller icon to see all of my listings (some of which are under Boutique and do not show up in the closet): https://poshmark.com/closet/amanda_sage1979 I'll sometimes get in touch with a rep for a lingerie brand and offer to review the bra I want if they give me a discount. Yes, this sometimes works. Other times they say no or don't get back to me at all, but it's worth a try. I recommend doing this through Etsy if you want to get in touch with individual sellers offering handmade bras. Some of them will even do a custom-made bra for you if you ask nicely (by which I mean, if that happens to be a service that they offer). Sign up for email notifications. Some websites have sales at odd times when they are trying to move inventory to make room for new stock, and that's when you swoop in and grab whatever you want fast, often at very good prices. Sign up for sites like Yazing, where you can earn cash back for shopping at sites like HerRoom (one of my favorite places to shop online for bras). It has site listings for "shop to earn" or "promote to earn," and you can also earn for promoting a lingerie or intimates website by posting or sharing a link like this: https://yazing.com/deals/herroom/AmandaSageBarnum If you're looking for bras on Amazon, use Try Before You Buy as a way to make sure you never waste any money on a bra that doesn't fit and that you can't return. You can try up to six bras at once and pay nothing until the seven-day trial window is up. If you hate everything you try on, return all of the bras and go for another round. A credit card number is required to sign up. This is my affiliate link to the program: https://amzn.to/3G89p18 Best of luck with your bra shopping! Feel free to comment and share your own shopping strategies, or if you have any questions about my suggestions.

Amazon's Try Before You Buy program gave me the opportunity to have six bras sent to me to try on before having to pay for any of them. It's like going to a department store and trying on one after another, but in the privacy of your own home. I chose a variety of different brands , sizes, and styles. Join to host your own at-home bra try-on party: https://amzn.to/2ZzwlGQ They did arrive on time and for the most part I got what I expected, with one exception: the Wacoal bra was not the Petite Embrace Lace, but the regular version which I already know doesn't fit me well. Sigh. I ordered the Petite even though I know how it fits and have owned several over the years, because I needed a new size. This one, I figured, would be a keeper even if I hated the rest... but it's not even the bra I ordered. Other women who are familiar with the Petite Embrace Lace will understand how different it is from any of Wacoal's standard-size bras, and even non-petite customers love it. So I stand by my recommendation of the Petite version over the standard one. It also comes in AA cups, which of course the standard Embrace Lace does not. So with that minor disappointment out of the way, I moved on to Amazon's brand Mae. This is a padded lace bralette for A-C cups, which I chose in a gorgeous indigo color. I got two sizes for the purpose of comparison, because I thought it would be interesting to see the difference in fit. As I expected, the medium was much better on me than the large. It is an appropriate cup size for how they label it, and could in fact even fit an AA cup. So far so good. It's always difficult to know whether something sized "medium" or "large" will actually fit very small breasts, but I can assure you that this one does. I was very satisfied with both the fit and the color, and I considered keeping it, but the lace is not particularly soft. In a bralette, I expect maximum comfort and I want something that feels extra silky on my skin. I still think this one is worth a try for anyone who isn't a special snowflake like me about fabrics, and it might well be more comfortable after a wash with fabric softener. Shop for the Mae bralette here (all products on this page are Amazon affiliate links): https://amzn.to/3ld66O8 Next was the Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit bra, one which I was familiar with in a different size. I wanted to see if it had changed at all since I last tried it on, and reassuringly, it is still the same reliable bra. The fabric is whisper-soft and incredibly comfortable, even more so than I remembered. However, I continue to have sizing issues with this brand. Calvin Klein runs true to size but tends to have cups that are both tall and set fairly close together. This time I went for the 36 band even though I should be in a 34, thinking the cups might be wide enough for me in the larger band size. It fits okay, but not as well as it should; there are gaps in the cups at the top, and the underwire feels too wide and oppressive. These problems might be solved if I went with the 34B, but I think in general I am not tall and narrow enough for Calvin Klein. Rave review on the fabric though, and I can certainly understand why CK is a go-to for lots of small-busted women. Shop here: https://amzn.to/3FPiQlC I then tried the Amoena Mara, a wire-free bra made for breast cancer survivors. I love what Amoena does for the women who wear their bras, and even I -- someone who has never had cancer or breast surgery -- appreciate the quality and fit that this brand offers. The Mara is similar to the Lara style which I have worn before and liked very much. It has excellent support for a wire-free style, and is adequately structured to support a mastectomy breast form (or two). But I don't like it as much as the Lara. It's much taller in the cups and center gore, so that I'm almost wearing it as a longline bra, except that it wasn't designed that way so the band sits too low on me. Definitely not a top choice for petites, but I think it could work really well for someone tall enough to have it fit properly. I thought of trans women with this one. Like all Amoena bras, it includes pockets for breast forms, but also this bra in particular is built for a taller frame which trans women more often have. If you're trans feminine and looking for something to wear with forms, you might find this one works for you. https://amzn.to/3o8toXn Last but not least, I tried on Bali's "One Smooth U" bralette. It immediately struck me as more of a sports bra than a bralette, with considerable heft to the fabric and lots of support. It fits snug in a way that might be great if you're going for a run, but in a bralette that's not what I'm looking for. I was reminded of shapewear in the way that it sucked in my curves and, yes, probably did smooth them down. But, seriously? Look at me, I hardly need a minimizer bra with this figure. It flattened me out to the point that I might even recommend it as a binder for trans men, although it probably would not have quite the same effect on larger breasts. On me, it reduces what I have to pretty much zero. I think this bra is fine for what it is meant to do, and I am simply not its target customer. The term "bralette" is misleading, at least to me, but if you have large breasts and are disappointed in how many bralettes fit (inadequate support, boobs spilling out the top, etc.), then this one might be a pleasant surprise for you. It is also very affordable. https://amzn.to/3rgHNlX

I bought this beautiful Wacoal lace plunge bra in a 34B. It's a decent fit without inserts, but the structure of it (underwire, plunge, lightly lined, no push-up padding) makes it a good candidate for inserts. I could use them if I wanted a boost to help fill out a tailored blouse, or if I found that the top of the cups were wrinkled or gapping. So I gave them a try. I chose Femagique inserts which have the right measurements to fit in this particular bra. They add a modest amount of size, probably about half a cup. Here is the result. With the inserts, it's a more snug fit. I don't appear to be spilling out of it, but this is as close to cleavage as my body gets. There is some redness on my skin where the edges of the cups dig in a bit. But the underwire still tacks correctly to my chest, and it doesn't feel as if I'm being squeezed in a vise. I like the curvier look, and certain types of clothing have a more flattering fit with that bit of extra. I would probably be more comfortable using the inserts in a cup size larger, so I plan to try a 34C next in the same bra. The plunge structure of this bra lends itself well to inserts, because there is an unbroken line from the top of the cup to the center gore. This allows the cups to stretch over inserts while maintaining their edges from the shoulder straps in front down to the center base of the V. When using inserts, an underwire bra is usually best for keeping them in place. You should be able to fit the insert into the base of your bra, as close to the underwire as possible. Lean over and lift your breasts into the cups above the inserts, re-adjusting the underwires as necessary. It's all right if the inserts cover your nipples, but they should not come up so high that they are slipping out of the edges of the cups. Except for the cups being a little too tight with them in, the inserts are a good fit for me in this bra. In conclusion, if you're wearing a bra that already fits well and you want to try inserts, consider sizing up one cup. You'll be more comfortable and won't have to worry about the inserts squeezing their way up and making a break for it. Another option is to try your sister size: one band size smaller, and the same cup. This would make sense if the smaller band is not uncomfortable for you, and if you still have some room in the cups of your current bra. I do not recommend using inserts with a bra that already has push-up padding. The inserts will cause the tops of the bra cups to stretch away from your body in order to accommodate the extra volume at the bottom of the cups, so you could end up with bigger gaps at the top even if the cups are the right size for you. The Femagique inserts are cloth rather than silicone, which makes them lightweight and flexible. Silicone inserts, while they feel and look more like real breast tissue, are also heavier and less breathable than cotton or foam. I find it difficult to tolerate silicone inserts for any significant length of time. https://amzn.to/3Drudjb I bought these on Amazon. They are still available for purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I receive compensation for providing relevant links. Have you tried using enhancement inserts? If so, what kind did you try? Feel free to share your experience with them in the comments. And check out the Wacoal Embrace Lace Plunge bra for sale here, in lots of different beautiful colors (anyone want to buy me a 34C?): https://amzn.to/3oEqh8r #wacoal #lacebra #brareview #brainserts #femagique #34B #34C

I mentioned these previously in my post on how to wear inserts. This is a more complete review of the Femagique foam pad style of insert, along with some alternative suggestions if they're not what you're looking for. https://amzn.to/3CRV5Yv What these are: oval-shaped cloth pads with foam filling. Like most push-up inserts, they are thicker at the bottom and taper up to a thin edge at the top. At their thickest point, the Femagique foam inserts are about one inch, which depending on your size will add as much as one cup size in volume. Advantages: These are small enough to fit inside almost any bra. They're lightweight and won't irritate your skin. The tops of them are thin enough to be undetectable in a lightly lined bra cup. Because they don't have much weight, they can be used in wire-free bras as well as those with an underwire, as long as the wire-free bra has enough shaping in the cups to hold them. If you're going to wear them with something wire-free, I recommend a supportive and securely fitting bralette with removable pads. You can either position the inserts inside the pocket lining behind the existing pads, or replace the bralette pads with the inserts. The pocket lining will help hold them in place. Disadvantages: the Femagique inserts don't add as much size as some women would like. Because they don't cover the entire breast but rather are placed at the bottom of your bra, the amount of volume they can give you is limited. They are best for helping you fill out a bra that is a little too big in the cups, or for adding a push-up effect to a bra that does not have any enhancement padding built in. For a significant size increase, look into full breast forms. These come in various materials including foam, cotton and silicone. The silicone forms are often favored for their resemblance to real breast tissue. They are worn on top of the chest, usually inside a pocketed bra, rather than inserted underneath your existing breasts. Since they have a similar weight and consistency to real breasts, this type of silicone form is a good choice for women who have had mastectomies without reconstruction, and also for trans women who want the realistic feeling as well as the look. You have the option of choosing from a variety of sizes and shapes, and to buy either one or two forms at a time. Cotton and foam breast forms are less expensive and lighter, but they won't feel like real breasts when touched, or move with your body the same way. The Femagique foam inserts also don't feel or move like real breast tissue. There is a silicone option in these if you are looking for a push-up insert and prefer something more realistic: https://amzn.to/3cOTRTf If you choose the silicone inserts, it's even more important to make sure you have a supportive base for them. An underwire bra is your best bet, or a snug-fitting bikini top with a substantial band and formed contour cups if you're going to be wearing them swimming. Femagique is of course not the only brand that makes push-up inserts, but their foam pads are my favorite so far among the options that I've tried. Affiliate disclosure: I receive a commission from links to Amazon that result in a sale.

I had a petite friend who wore a size 30B bra. She was truly a pleasure to look at. Perfectly proportioned. And tiny. Being around her made me feel vaguely like a linebacker. And I was attracted to her, but I didn't know if that was really okay or not. Did I want to look like her, or date her? Always a confusing question when it comes to same-sex attraction (also, she is straight. I am ASFAB -- assigned female at birth, with female sex organs -- and gender fluid at times but not always.... that's a whole other complicated story which you are welcome to ask me about but I won't get into it here). So maybe this bra size envy, if others share it, is something we should talk about more. Reach out to your friends of every size and shape. Ask if they feel jealous of other women with bigger breasts (or smaller ones), or of very thin women whose figures, even when clearly unhealthy, are celebrated by the mainstream fashion industry. And you can answer this question for yourself too in the comments here if you'd like. If I were to survey most of my female friends and family members about this, my guess is that they might have a passing thought like that but that it doesn't take up a lot of their brains. I am bisexual and somewhat gender-fluid, which in itself makes me awkwardly freak out a lot, especially around women who I find attractive. It's a feeling of being too different from them, and wary of getting hurt. So that's what it's about for me. Being so uncertain of my gender identity and of my sexual orientation made me frequently irritable. I tended to set myself away from female friends. I ultimately realized that my sexual orientation is bisexual and there's nothing wrong with that. Gender identity is something that, as I said above, is complicated for me but over time I have gotten more comfortable with the various aspects of myself, and with sometimes being someone different. I'd love to hear from all of you about that: do you experience any feelings of insecurity or envy of other women because of their size? And if so, where do think those feelings might be coming from for you? If we look carefully enough at ourselves, we can identify the source of toxic beliefs like this. Please feel free to share some of your own relevant life experiences. Note: the cover photo for this post is from promotional copy for Amoena, a lovely company that makes pocketed bras for wearing with mastectomy forms or other inserts. They are a good option for trans women who have not had augmentation surgery, as well as for cis women who have had mastectomies. Shop for Amoena bras and breast forms here (associate link): https://amzn.to/3oZZkMD

My absolute favorite racerback bra was the Wacoal Petite T-Back Front Close, and it is nowhere to be found anymore. Lulalu makes a similar racerback style, the Mia Convertible Front Close, which I tried per their recommendation several years ago in a 34AA. It had all the same benefits as the Wacoal, but I have since outgrown it and would like something less expensive. Also, the straps on it are quite short and I would find myself wishing I could pull them out further. Is it just me or does Lula Lu's AAA cup run basically the same as an AA in other brands? More and more, I'm starting to think that the difference between AAA, AA and A is just not enough to be very significant. I've tried AA bras that had larger cups than my 32Bs, and this should not be the case since the sister size of 32B is 34A. The way Lulalu's bra fitting quiz works is that they simply ask how your current bra fits, and based on your answer, they size you up or down one cup and/or one band size. To me this is not an ideal way to measure correct fit, but it's a good start and at least gives people an idea of what to try next if their current bra size is wrong. If your measurements give you an AA cup size, what this means in most brands is that you have less than one inch difference between your fullest bust and your band size. Band size is calculated by taking the underbust (ribcage) measurement, rounding up to the nearest even number, and adding between two and four inches. Adding four inches, for AA cup breasts, can give a negative number for the cup size! So that's obviously not an option. My best fit when I was wearing AA bras was the +2 method. But it could be argued that adding two inches means I should have been in a B cup all along. How confusing is that? There certainly are women who legitimately need the AA cup, but perhaps some could also wear an A or even a B cup and simply haven't found the right one yet. Since I liked the 34AA Wacoal front-close so much, I decided to explore alternative options in front-close bras. Dobreva makes bras in sizes 32AA, 34AA, and 36AA. I at first elected to try the 36AA since I heard that their bands run small. The Dobreva smooth-cup front-close racerback has push-up padding which cannot be removed, which is unfortunate but not a total deal-breaker. If a push-up bra fits me well and is comfortable, I'm entirely willing to wear it. Shop for this bra at my Amazon associate link: https://amzn.to/3Fw2E8K. At the time that I tried the 36AA, I was probably about a 34A. I wanted to make sure the band didn't fit too tight, and that the cup would be the same. So I thought 36AA was a reasonable guess. It was not a terrible fit in the band, when worn on the tightest hook, and the fabric was soft and comfortable. But what I didn't expect was that the cups wouldn't fit. You'd think, since they are AA cups they must have been too small for me.... nope. Too big, as in too wide for my frame. It didn't have much push-up effect because it kind of swallowed me up and there was nothing to lift. I regretted not getting the 34A, and now I think I would need the 34B since my cup size has gone up. I returned it and did not exchange for a larger size, since I was not really looking for a push-up bra anyway. If you do like push-up and you find, like me, that a front-close style helps prevent slipping straps and gives you a more secure fit in the band, this Dobreva bra may be perfect for you. It has many good reviews and in fact, most of these say that it runs true to size. That's consistent with what I found when I tried on a larger band size than I usually wear. Dobreva also makes a version of this bra in lace, which based on the reviews does seem to run small. Lace is often not as stretchy as microfiber, which is probably the reason that some women needed to size up in the band and/or cup in the lace style. If you love lace and you aren't concerned about it being too small, go ahead and give it a shot. These bras are about $20 each, so it's less of a stressful process to buy one not knowing for sure if it will fit. They do take free returns. Here is the lace version: https://amzn.to/3nvOxtX Both the microfiber and lace bras have a very nice aesthetic and come in a variety of pretty colors. This company certainly knows how to make attractive, flattering bras that you want to show off. If they can get their fit issues sorted out, I think these bras would be great. I would consider buying one again, perhaps in one of their lightly lined styles next time.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has made this mistake: you're shopping for bras in a small band and/or small cup size, and what the store has available is mostly designed for teenage girls. You need a bra, for god sake, and you notice that these are quite inexpensive. You try one on and it doesn't fit horribly, so you buy it because after all it's not hurting your wallet much. Then you take it home... and never wear it. Now, I'm not saying teen bras are always awful. If you need a petite bra and you find a brand and style for teens that happens to fit you well, there's nothing wrong with buying them. But there are several things to watch out for. First, they almost always run shallow in the cup. Measuring as an A cup does not actually mean you have shallow breasts; you may be small but full, or have most of your volume at the bottom of your breasts. Either way, finding a good fit in a teen bra can be challenging. They often won't adequately surround and contain all of your breast tissue, leaving the outsides or tops of your breasts spilling out. The cups may also be too close together for your frame, leading to the bra fitting tight and uncomfortable even if you are in the correct cup size. And finally, bras for teens have shorter straps which may not even be adjustable. Make a list of what you need in a bra. If it includes close-set shallow cups, short straps, and minimal support, then you might be just fine with the teen styles. One that I have seen many adult women give good reviews for is the Maidenform Girl soft cup. You'll see that it is available in sizes 30A through 38A in basic colors. And that's it. Not much color variety, and no cup sizes above A. But the price is right at $14 retail, and it's often on sale for much less ($9.80 at the moment). It also has quite good reviews. Maidenform is generally a reliable brand with styles that have remained popular for years, and of course they also make bras for adult women, so you can assume that they have a good understanding of how to design a decent bra. So if you want a serviceable style at a good price and it is within your size range, I think it's safe to give this one a try. It has adjustable straps, no underwire, and just enough padding for nipple coverage. Customers rate it as having adequate support for small breasts. Go to https://amzn.to/3FldP46 to find out more. (As an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission from your purchase). Update: I discovered that one of the Maidenform Girl styles does come in more solid color options. You can view these choices here: https://amzn.to/3DzY4pC Calvin Klein, whose bras in small cup sizes often work well for petite women, also makes bras for girls. Their A cup in this model fits like an AA in adult bras, so it may be a good choice for AA-cup adults. https://amzn.to/3FD1AAi You should of course feel no shame for wearing a teen bra. But I also think that adult women of every size should have more options than this, in both color and style. Cutesy patterns on teen bras exist... and I hate every single one of them. I'd much rather go with a very basic style like the Maidenform or Calvin Klein, knowing that it is not for special occasions but for everyday wear and hardly anyone is going to see it anyway. I am now mostly out of their size range, but could probably fit into the 36A if necessary. Have you, as an adult, tried these and/or or other bras designed for girls? Please share your experience in the comments. #teens #AA #petite #30A #32A #34A #36A #38A

So, what's a Pepper bra? Wear Pepper is the latest business to focus on the needs of those of us who wear cup sizes AA, A, and B. Pepper does not offer heavily padded "enhancement" options; instead, all of their bras are tailored to work with the small-busted figure without adding anything extra. This has made them quite popular among women who, like me, would prefer to opt out of that extra-special "I'm wearing a mattress" experience. The fact is, unless you go for breast augmentation surgery, what you've got is pretty much what you've got. There's not a lot that a bra can do to make your figure look drastically different, and even the styles that do succeed in adding the appearance of an extra cup size or two will often sacrifice comfort and fit accuracy in order to achieve this. Anyone who has worn a heavily padded bra will know what I'm talking about. Underneath those couch pillows calling themselves a bra, our real breasts are squeezed, shoved up and in, flattened, and overheated. Wires that don't conform to our chest shape try to force our breasts into an ill-fitting mold. It's kind of ridiculous, so I'm all about Pepper's choice to boycott the suffocation. I also love their involvement with the LGBTQ community and unquestioning embrace of trans and non-binary people. So I'm perfectly willing to spend the money for one of these bras... one. Unlike some women who cannot wear anything larger than an AAA or AA cup, I am now comfortably in the A-B cup range. Sure, some of these bras aren't going to fit as well as the ones made by Pepper and similar companies like Lula Lu, The Little Bra Company, and Itty Bitty Bra. But others actually work just fine for me, in spite of not advertising any of the special features that the small-bust specialty brands offer (such as less gapping, shorter underwire and straps, and a more shallow cup shape). And that's what usually attracts shoppers to the small-bust oasis brands: the AA cup option presents an opportunity to finally get a fit that is not just acceptable, but comfortable and flattering. Below I'm wearing a 34B in The Little Bra Company's Eva style. It seems unfortunate that all of the companies mentioned above are pricing their bras much higher than mainstream brands. What we need is a way to distinguish which among the mainstream just happen to be good fit choices for smaller breasts. What this means is that although a designer or company might not carry AA cups, a woman who measures as a 34AA could conceivably wear her sister size 32A. 36AA may be able to fit in a 34A or even a 32B. And so on. Recently I have noticed online giants like HerRoom, ThirdLove, and Aerie making more of an effort to describe the way their various styles fit and which are the best choices for various shapes and sizes. Well-established and reliable brands that are often recognized for a good fit in the A and B cup sizes include Natori, Timpa, Calvin Klein, Simone Pereille, Cosabella, and OnGossamer. The recent bralette trend also works in favor of the flat-chested, with tons of new variety in bralette styles, materials, and aesthetics. And of course, bralettes are much more affordable because they use less fabric and don't usually have underwire, side boning, contour cups, or anything else that can help to make a bra more structured and supportive. When choosing a bralette, keep in mind that they are more fragile and easily stretched out than bras. Look for one that is likely to keep its shape through multiple washings and has a band that will stay put. Longline bralettes, in addition to being very fashionable at the moment, will often give you a more secure fit because the band is more substantial than it is on other types of bralettes. Your fit in bralettes may be different too; what feels comfortable when you try it on may stretch as you wear it, so make sure you don't go too large. I recommend going for the tightest fit that you can tolerate, with the expectation that it will break in a bit over time. The Free People style above has a ribbed band can fit quite snug without feeling uncomfortable, because unlike underwire, even a very tight fit in the bralette won't be torture for your ribcage. What bralettes have you tried? Are you a fan of this trend? Feel free to share your suggestions here. Links: http://WearPepper.com/ http://lulalu.com/ http://ittybittybra.com/ http://thelittlebracompany.com/ Check out my bras listed for sale on Poshmark too. I may have some of your discontinued favorites available. If you are signing up there for the first time, use referral code AMANDA_SAGE1979 to get $10 in store credit. http://Poshmark.com/ #lingerie #news #updates #bralettes #freepeople #longline #brafit #AA #AAA