Small boobs are great. Braless days unmarred by back pain. Squeezing into tight-fitting tops for club nights out. Hitting the gym without the risk of being knocked out by your own breast. Bust-free bliss.
Don’t get us wrong, having a cleavage would be swell - and we’d be lying if we said we hadn’t resorted to using bronzer to shape some form of boobage as teens. Yet, there are many perks to having a small bust - and buying cute bras is one of them.
This endeavour isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Certain silhouettes such as push up and balconette tend to gape. In fact, ill-fitting cups are a recurring issue when browsing collections housed at M&S et al. And, more often than not, there’s not much selection apart from training bras. Considering it’s been a while since puberty struck, we’re looking for something a touch more refined.
Cue the brands paving the way for the small busted community. Labels such as Cou Cou Intimates, Fruity Booty and Stripe & Stare champion well-crafted pieces for flat-chested shoppers. Dainty cups, lace-trimmed bralettes and non-wired structures accommodate bijou bosoms.
Small boobs are making a comeback. Affectionately referred to as ‘fashion boobs’ by Gen-Z, petite busts are coveted by luxury fashion houses. Designer Glenn Martens incorporated trompe l’oeil on the Y/Project’s Fall 2022 runway, sending graphic tops featuring bare(ly-there) breasts down the runway. Jean Paul Gaultier is also famed for its naked bust tops that showcase a trompe l’oeil image of a flat-chested nude torso.
Embrace your small yet chic assets and discover some new sweetheart designs that are primed to perfect your lingerie drawer.
Shop now
Cou Cou Intimates The Balconette
Cou Cou Intimates is an underwear brand to have firmly on your lingerie radar. Feminine pointelle designs are married with classic neutral colourways to create durable intimates to stand the test of time, like the brand’s ditsy print balconette which is etched into our brains.
Each adorable piece is finely crafted from 100 per cent certified organic cotton, which is kinder to your skin and the planet.
Buy now £58.00, Cou Cou Intimates
Fruity Booty Gretel Balconette Bra
Designed for summertime frolicking in the fields of the South of France, Fruity Booty’s Gretel balconette bra is a sweet take on a sexy design. Strawberries and cream-coloured pinstripes adorn a poplin construction, providing comfort and support for stylish wearers.
Buy now £54.00, Fruity Booty
M&S Emilia Embroidered Wired Balcony Bra
Bras are typically pretty pricey, so we’re eternally grateful to M&S for offering up affordable options. The brand’s Emilia Embroidered Wired Balcony Bra comes in three colourways, but this nude-pink rendition caught our eye.
Delicate floral embroidery and scalloped trims inject this non-wired balconette with sartorial charm. Complete your new favourite set with the matching thong or knickers available here.
Buy now £16.00, M&S
Stripe & Stare Lace Bralette
A favourite among Gen Z influencers who focus on sustainable fashion, Stripe and Stare offers comfort-forward pieces to liven up your undies drawer. The London-based, female-founded company incorporates the use of TENCEL Micro Modal, a sustainably made material sourced from Beechwood Trees in Austria. According to the brand, the fabric is scientifically proven to be three times softer than cotton and is hyper-breathable.
The brand’s lace bralette comes in a myriad of prints and colours, offering consumers ample choice when searching for their new favourite bra. From classic neutrals to cherry prints, the collection will suit any underwear drawer in need of a revamp.
Buy now £35.00, Stripe & Stare
Calvin Klein Modern Cotton Triangle Bra
The Modern Cotton Triangle Bra from Calvin Klein is the zenith of confidence-boosting comfort. The supportive, extra-wide elastic underband – which features the brand’s signature repeat logo – paired with adjustable spaghetti straps ensures a perfect fit every time.
Buy now £35.00, John Lewis
Wacoal Embrace Lace Soft-Cup Bra
Who said that fancy, lacy and oh-so-Parisian lingerie couldn’t be comfortable? This gorgeous soft-cup, wireless bra from Wacoal embodies a beautiful combination of delicate structural support and traditional feminine charm.
Buy now £40.00, Selfridges
Intimissimi Sweet Talking Emma Triangle Bra
Intimissimi’s Emma triangle bra is a flirtatious yet elegant choice. Crafted from recycled materials, the ethereal bra features a stretchy lace construction, a romantic floral design and a serene shade of pale blue. No padding or underwire features here, making it the most comfortable of purchases.
Buy now £49.00, Intimissimi
This Belongs To Ruby Femme Fatale Silk Ruffle Bralette Set
This Belongs To makes each of its silky separates in its London studio. Handmade to perfection, there’s a reason why it’s already a celeb favourite with the likes of Iris Law, Rita Ora and Lila Moss flashing its signature ruffle bralettes.
The Femme Fatale, alongside the rest of the collection, is crafted entirely from silk so feels like a true indulgence on the skin. The brand uses elasticated hems to achieve the edging, mirrored on the bottom half too.
Buy now £64.00, This Belongs To
Pico Crop Top Ecru
Pico’s underwear consists of super-soft pieces to gently caress the body. Enjoy a guilt-free browse knowing the brand works directly with a small, living-wage paying factory in Southern India that uses organic cotton sourced from farmer’s cooperatives, in turn employing the local community.
The silky-soft touch of the undergarments won't upset sensitive skin, thanks to the natural Oeko-Tex & GOTS certified dyes which hail from zero waste units. The crop top in easy-wear ecru will lightly grip the chest, offering support and sophistication in equal measure.
Buy now £34.00, Pico
Pepper Lift Up Bra
Available in twelve wearable tones, Pepper’s push-up bra will effortlessly shape your petite bust. The brand designs for small-chested women and promises no more gaps on the cup or unnatural push-up padding. Band sizes range from 30-40 and cup sizes from AA-B cups.
Buy now £70.00, Pepper
