The 13 Very Best Bras for Small Breasts

Sizes 30AA–40B | Underwire | Contoured and lightly lined cups

Pepper caters specifically to small chests — in this case, by offering exclusively AA, A, and B cups. Dale appreciates how the brand’s bras have “really pretty details to them.” The All You style is one of Pepper’s best sellers; it features “specially molded demi-bra cups” that, according to the brand, are “shallower in depth to eliminate annoying bra gaps.” The cups are also lightweight and thinly lined. Ro was sent the bra to try out and says it keeps its promise of no gapping. It also keeps the natural shape of her breasts, which she says is of the highest importance to her: “There’s nothing worse than when your boobs just look like the cups of the bra.”

32B–36D | Underwire | Unlined, contoured cups

Let’s get the caveat of this bra out of the way first: It isn’t offered in an A cup. But if you’re in the B range, consider trying it out. Sapna Palep, CEO of luxury lingerie retailer Journelle, has heard rave reviews about the bra from customers, who usually describe it as sexy and comfortable in the same sentence. That comes down to its design, which, as Palep explains, features thin, barely there straps; molded cups that create some cleavage; and Cosabella’s seamless Soire Confidence sheer mesh. It isn’t “too much bra” for smaller chests, if dreaded gaping is a top concern, Palep says, also noting that it doesn’t overpower the wearer. The bra comes in more than a dozen colors, including a range of skin tones as well as brighter shades like red, neon yellow, and purple.

30A–36D | Underwire | Molded cups with push-up padding

Sometimes a little lift isn’t enough — enter the Bump-It-Up push-up bra, which 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 something more like lingerie — such as lace peeking through — Harrington mentions Gossard’s Superboost bra to enhance décolletage.

30A–38DD | Underwire | T-shirt style cups, lightly lined and molded with mesh overlay

It would be wrong to call the Feathers bra a cult favorite of the underwear underground. It’s just popular, period. If you’re an eagle-eyed Strategist reader, you might have noticed the Feathers topping our overall list of the best bras. It was the most mentioned bra for that story and happens to be the most mentioned here, too. Writer Molly Lamoureux previously told us the Feathers is “the unicorn of undergarments.” Lori Kaplan, owner of Bra Tenders, says, “It’s a very lightweight, deep-plunge bra with a little lace trim, so it’s good for T-shirts but it still has some feminine effects.” Parsons fashion-marketing student Tammy Lee seconds the plunge point, describing how “its low cut is flattering for A cups because you can see cleavage,” but “your boobs also look natural in them while being held up, even though it’s not a push-up.” Dale, Harrington, and Palep name-checked this Natori style as well. Palep likes the “lovely round shape” the Feathers makes, which is meant to embrace your natural size (especially as other brands seem to “profit off insecurity,” she adds).

Sizes 32A–36D | Underwire | Demi-cut cups with unlined lace

If cleavage is the goal, plunge bras like the Feathers will push your breasts in from the sides for a more extreme effect, Dale explains. A demi is different. You’ll get a bit of lift (without any padding) that Dale says is “kind of like a pretty muffin top.” Her demi recommendation comes from the Dutch company Timpa, and it’s low-cut enough to be worn with a dramatic neckline. (Though the scalloped lace trim at the top of the cups could be pretty peeking out if you’re so inclined.) Demis like this one are made to hoist your breasts from the bottom and push them up, Dale says. “It 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.

32B–38D | Underwire | T-shirt style with lightly lined spacer cups

Think of spacer bras as alternatives to padded bras (the term has to do with how the fabric is woven, not with how it spaces out your breasts). They have more lightness and breathability — and Skarlett Blue’s Spellbound bra features mesh for an even more barely there feel, according to Laura F. Burke, founder of the private bra-fitting studio Fit by Burke. The Spellbound bra is a rising favorite at her studio. The New York City–based Skarlett Blue is known for being more fashion forward, she explains — but this bra combines a classic balconette cut with a full-coverage bra to create a versatile design. You can wear the Spellbound underneath a snug-fitting top without worrying too much about unseemly lines. But the open neckline hits that sweet spot between being too low or too high. As a bonus, this bra is convertible and can crisscross in the back.

30A–44H | Underwire | Unlined cups designed with a deep V

Sheer is what Cuup is known for. Amanda McMillan, general manager of Nightmoves, first encountered the company through Instagram. Even though she is usually braless or wearing a softer bra, she likes “the idea of the sexy, French-girl-lingerie-under-structured-boxy-menswear look.” As an underwire skeptic, McMillan argues that “the structural mission of underwire construction that works for larger breasts just is really often odd-looking for smaller breasts” and can “make your boobs too close together or kind of cross-eyed, which I hate, or push them up too much.” This bra, however, does the job of supporting and offering a hint of lift and “subtle cleavage” in a way that doesn’t contort her breasts. For another option from Cuup, Beverly Nyugen, fashion stylist and owner of the homewares shop Beverly’s, recently told us all about the balconette version of this bra (she modeled for the brand’s latest campaign), praising the “perfect half-corset fit” that she always finds flattering. 

30A–38DD (with some AA cups on band sizes 32, 24, and 36 ) | Wireless | Molded, lightly lined cups with V-neck

The Breathe bra kicks off our wireless recommendations. Gap bras are a favorite among small-busted Strategist staffers, but the Breathe beat out other styles mentioned, as it looks just like a wired bra without the actual wiring. When illustrator and ceramicist Whitney Hall isn’t wearing her Patagonia bra (more on that below), you can find her in this one that she describes as soft and flattering. It has flexible, molded cups with adjustable straps that can also be converted to a cross-back option. Hall also likes that it still feels feminine, especially compared to sportier wireless options. Those looking for a sports-style wireless option can turn to the Patagonia Barely Everyday Bra. “It’s hard to find cups that don’t have a space or gap in them — like the bra wished you had bigger boobs,” Hall says. Patagonia’s isn’t like that at all; Hall describes it as convenient enough for everyday, just like its name implies.

XS–2X (or the equivalent of a 24-to 42-inch rib measurement and cup sizes A-F) | Wireless | Scoop design

Wireless bras are all about the straps — and this pullover-style bra has wider ones for more support. It was recommended to us by both Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens and Stella Blackmon, a filmmaker and former New York photo editor. “They feel like nothing on,” Kitchens says. “They’re so comfy but still supportive enough that you don’t look dowdy.” Blackmon agrees, adding that despite the seemingly thick cotton they’re made from, the bras are breathable. “Truly, every time I reach for it, compared to my other bra with the same shape, it’s a relief,” Blackmon explains. And it comes in a range of “such good colors,” like cadmium, toffee, and periwinkle, according to Kitchens, who says the bra is “actually cute if it shows.” She likes to wear it with a button-down around the house and mixes and matches it with Arq’s coordinating tanks and undies. Just remember to size up, per the brand’s suggestion. (For a wider underband, Wacoal’s B-Smooth bralette is seamless and Kaplan-approved, with “just the right amount of coverage and support.” Sizing on the Wacoal bralette goes by your band size.)

XS–XL | Wireless | Triangle cut

No underwear guide would be complete without Calvin Klein. Corsillo first spotted this triangle-style bra at Marshalls, and it has since become one of her favorite weekend bras. 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, too, unlike the Arq option above.

Sizes 0–5+ (equivalent to sizes 30A to 42D) | Wireless | V-shaped neckline

Someone who wants an even more barely-there bralette should consider the padless and wireless Negative Sieve. Style blogger Frances Kwon is a fan of the mesh construction to wear on its own, while Strategist newsletter editor Mia Leimkuhler says it hits a trifecta of comfort, support, and looks. It’s the only bra she needed on a two-week honeymoon in 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.”