The 15 Very Best Bras for Small Breasts

Sizes

Underwire

Cup style and coverage

Sizes:32A–44H with half-cups (like A½) |Underwire:Yes |Cup style and coverage:T-shirt style with memory-foam cups for a lighter lining

What makes ThirdLove’s T-shirt bra a standout is the number of sizes it comes in — including half-cup sizes for in-betweeners. It checks off the boxes I’m looking for as the Strategist’s resident underwear expert: It’s shaping, supportive, and super-comfortable. Although it’s a T-shirt-style bra, which is designed to create asmooth silhouetteeven under — you guessed it —T-shirts, the cups are cut a little lower than is traditional. Still, I wasn’t spilling out of the bra. Strategist senior writerLiza Corsillo, who’s a 36B, likes ThirdLove’s bra enough to forgo her usual “no underwire” rule. “It makes my boobs look equal and perky without overly drawing attention to them,” she says.

The biggest point of contention with this bra is the straps. Former Strategist writerKaren Iorio Adelsonappreciated the “stay-put” pleating, though Strategist writerLauren Rodoesn’t think the pleats make much difference in keeping the bra in place. I’ve been wearing this bra for almost a year and haven’t had any trouble with slippage — though I do suggest tightening them with each wear.

Sizes:30AA–40B |Underwire:Yes |Cup style and coverage:Plunge with contoured and lightly lined cups

Pepper caters specifically to small chests — in this case, by offering exclusively AA, A, and B cups. The All You bra is a best seller for the brand, featuring a plunging cut with demilike cups. Ro likes that the bra keeps the natural shape of her breasts: “There’s nothing worse than when your boobs just look like the cups of the bra.” There’s no gapping between bra and breasts, either. It’s going to be less lifting than our best overall recommendation, because the cups are less molded. Dale also notes that Pepper’s designs have “really pretty details” — you’ll seescalloped edgesandmesh insertsthroughout the company’s catalogue.

Sizes:0–5+ (equivalent to cup sizes A–G) |Underwire:No |Cup style and coverage:V-neck, high-cut cups, unlined with sheer micro-mesh

Those who want a barely there bralette should get Negative’s Sieve Non-Wire Bra. It’s anarchetypal wireless bra— unstructured and padless (plus, it’s made from a super-smoothing Belgian micromesh). It might be pricier, but it’s well worth it, according to bloggerFrances Kwon, creative directorEmily Eisen, and former Strategist newsletter editorMia Leimkuhler. It satisfies the all-important trifecta when it comes to underwear: It’s comfortable, supportive, and looks nice. And while slightly see-through, the bra still feels substantial, according to Kwon. Eisen likes that it’s lightweight and “a little sexy,” too.

What convinced me to name it thebestwireless bra was the fact that it was the only bra Leimkuhler needed on a two-week trip to Europe, where it was “comfy enough to sleep in on the red-eye over, supportive enough to get me through long days of walking all over Lyon and Porto, and pretty enough to feel like something I wanted to be wearing on my honeymoon,” she says. No easy feat for a bra.

Another bra of note from the same line: Negative’sSieve Racerback Bra, which Ro included in an installment of ourStrategist Haulseries. She told me that she prefers the fit over Negative’s Sieve Non-Wire Bra, which was a little too loose in the cups. The racerback style has also made the bra her go-to when wearing halters.

Sizes:XXS–XL (equivalent to cup sizes 30A and 32AA–40B) |Underwire:No |Cup style and coverage:Scoop style withremovable cups

For a few bucks less, there’s Pepper’s Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra, which offers a bit more coverage than the Negative bra, thanks to its lining and removable cups. It’s another recent addition to Ro’s underwear drawer, and one that she calls a standout. Ro went with thematernity versionfirst and found the support to be so great that she bought two more of the original. It holds her in and keeps her secure with no gapping at the top of the cups, and the band never digs into her ribcage. Plus, she gets a little lift from it. “I could wear it all day,” she says.

Originally, I hadGap’s BreatheandAerie’s Sunniein a tie for this title. But the stock of those two can be unreliable, which I’ve noticed after keeping tabs on them for months now. I thought it best to include them here as an honorable mention instead, especially as they’re cheaper (and often go on sale). The Breathe is one of the bras illustratorWhitney Hallwears most, while Strategist junior writerBella Druckmanhas been known to sleep in the Sunnie.

Sizes:30A–38DD |Underwire:Yes |Cup style and coverage:Contoured plunge cups with a light lining and molded mesh

Natori’s Feathers bra is the reigning best bra in our guide to thebest bras, where it’s described as the “the unicorn ofundergarments” by writerMolly Lamoureux. It’s designed to be plunging and shows off the décolletage to its best advantage.Even as someone with a larger bust, I never feel like I’m popping out of theFeathers. Its structure — from the placement of the cups to the lifting underwire — reins me in. Dale, Harrington, andJournelle’s Sapna Palep all agree it’s excellent for those with smaller busts as well. It createsa “lovely round shape,” embracing your natural size (especially as other brands seem to “profit off insecurity,” says Palep). And the Feathers is a customer favorite at New York City’sBra Tenders, says store founderLori Kaplan, who repeatedly recommends it to those who wear an A cup.

Sizes:32A-44H with half-cups (like A½) |Underwire:Yes |Cup style and coverage:Plunge style with memory foam cups and a light lining

Natori’s Feathers Bra used to hold the “best plunge bra for small breasts” title on its own, but I had to name ThirdLove’s Organic Cloud Cotton Perfect Coverage Bra as a tie after repeatedly hearing about the brand’s well-earned reputation among small-chested women (it already made an appearance as the “best overall” on this list).

Years after trying ThirdLove’s 24/7 Classic T-shirt Bra, Corsillo tested out the Organic Cloud Cotton Perfect Coverage Bra and has been impressed. Made from a cotton-spandex blend, the Organic Cloud Cotton Perfect Coverage Bra is every bit as comfortable as the 24/7 Classic T-shirt Bra but more breathable. The lining over the lightly padded cups makes for a smooth look without any lines showing through, and the cups are shaped in a way that doesn’t gap. “It has an underwire, but it doesn’t poke or pinch, and I pretty quickly forget that it is even there,” Corsillo tells me. Admittedly, she adds, her “boobs have been through a lot with pregnancy and breastfeeding,” but “this bra feels like a well-deserved hug.”

Sizes:30A–44H |Underwire:Yes |Cup style and coverage:Cups cut with deep V, unlined with sheer or printed mesh

Another great plunge that goes for a bit less than Natori’s Feathers is Cuup’s Plunge. It countspastandpresentStrategist staffers as devotees, including former writerLatifah Miles, who says she has “never felt sleeker” than when she is wearing it.Nightmovesgeneral managerAmanda McMillanis another fan — even though she often goes braless, she went for the “the idea of the sexy, French-girl-lingerie-under-structured-boxy-menswear look” that Cuup sells. She says the Plunge has a hint of lift and “subtle cleavage,” but is comfortable to wear and doesn’t contort her breasts. There’s also abalconet versionof the bra thatBeverly Nyugen, owner of the homewares shopBeverly’s, praises for having a “perfect half-corset fit” that she finds pleasing.I have the balconet, as well, and can attest that the mesh Cuup makes its bras in feels nice on the skin (and gives boobs some breathing room, too).

Sizes:30A–36D |Underwire:Yes |Cup style and coverage:Molded cups with push-up padding

For times when a little lift isn’t enough, the On Gossamer Bump-It-Up bra features padded underwire cups and a twist in the front for more of a push-up effect. Caldwell says her clients fall for this bra whenever she puts them in it, especially for its plunging neckline to show more cleavage and less cup. Or, if you’re in search of a racier look, Harrington mentionedGossard’s Superboost brato up the décolletage.

Sizes:28A–34C |Underwire:Yes |Cup style and coverage:Deep plunge with lace overlaid on contoured, push-up padding

The Little Bra Company makes petite-specific undergarments, including bras starting at a 32AA. (Note: The band numbers 32, 34, and 36 sell out fast.) It rates its bras on a “padding scale,” from “no padding” to “maximum push-up.” To account for smaller frames, the brand uses narrower underwire and sets the cups closer together in styles like the signature Lucia. The cups have contoured, push-up padding, which can give the appearance of a fuller shape and more cleavage, says Caldwell. And although it’s a plunge meant for those times when you do want to show off, the lace edging — similar to that on the Natori Feathers — lays reasonably flat.

A demi is different from a plunge, as you’ll get a bit of lift but without any padding. (Dale describes it as “kind of like a pretty muffin top.”) Strategist senior editorHilary Reidis a fan of this unlined one from Fleur du Mal: “A lot of bras for smaller chests come lined or even padded, which (with the exception of Natori’s Feathers) I usually hate,” she says. “But the Le Stretch line comes unlined, and even though it looks like lingerie (and definitely is), it’s really comfortable for everyday wear thanks to the lace, which is stretchy and easily molds to your body.” While she finds the underwire of unlined bras sometimes digs in, this one hits slightly lower on her sternum so the wire doesn’t poke. It’s also available in all sorts of colors (apricot, lilac, hot pink, neon yellow). The top of the cups could be pretty peeking out if you’re so inclined, or you could do a visible bra strap in homage toCarrie Bradshaw, Reid points out.

(Another good demi isTimpa’s Duet Lace Underwire Demi Bra. Dale mentions that it’s made to hoist your breasts from the bottom and push them up, but “doesn’t try to squish them together to create cleavage.” Keep in mind that the Duet is designed to have deep cups and a snug band — it’s suggested you stay with your true cup size for more cleavage or go up for a more subtle look. Just note: It sometimes goes in and out of stock, so shop accordingly.)

Sizes:28A–32D with some AA-cup options |Underwire:Yes |Cup style and coverage:Lined, contoured demi with optional push-up pads and straps

I’ve named another of the Little Bra Company’s offerings, the Sascha, the best strapless bra for small breasts, because it comes in smaller band sizes to go with its smaller cups. Since a band’s doing much of the supporting work in a strapless style, getting the right fit is really important. But you’re also getting a lot of versatility with the Sascha, as you can wear it with or without straps and with or without push-up pads. Professional bra fitter Karima Renee (a.k.a.the Philly Bra Lady) also compliments the wide range of “nude” colors, which features shades of nutmeg, chocolate, dulce, and latte. (Unfortunately, this can still be rather rare when shopping for undergarments.) People who come into her shop to try out the bra often say it’s “what they have been searching for all their bra lives.”

Sizes:XS–XL |Underwire:No |Cup style and coverage:Triangle cut with slimmer straps

No underwear guide would be complete without Calvin Klein. Corsillo has been wearing this triangle-style bra for over three years, and it’s one of her favorite weekend bralettes. Despite its lack of an underwire, she says it holds her breasts up and in place. “And it looks good enough (or sporty enough) to wear by itself around the house,” she notes. It has adjustable shoulder straps and a back clasp that crosses.

Sizes:2–4 (equivalent to 32A–32D) |Underwire:No |Cup style and coverage:Triangle cut with a front-hook closure

Hello Beautiful’s line features 100 percent cotton designs with scalloped edging and ruffled trimmings that make its pieces resemble heirlooms. Reid owns its made-in-France Classic bra, alingerie-esque triangle bra. The cups are sewn with a picot edge and zigzag stitching, and the straps are topped with bows. Reid splurged on it as a treat, then came to realize that “it’s actually just very comfortable and practical for daily wear.”She adds that while the back of the bra is a thin, ruched strap, it stays in place. Even without an underwire, it’s supportive, which Reid chalks up to the well-placed darting on the cups. It’s the only bra on this list with a front closure, instead of a traditional hook and eye in the back. “It’s neither here nor there for me,” Reid says of the front closure. “I think it’s meant to be sexy, which maybe it is — but it’s also just convenient for putting the bra on and taking it off.” Four years after buying it, it’s still in tip-top shape, which she credits to hand-washing and air-drying.