Small bust, big heart

Even small cups can floweth-over on National Cleavage Day in this Itty Bitty Bra

Today is National Cleavage Day in the UK.

Cue a “story” from The Sun, somewhat inappropriately illustrated by a picture of Kelly Brook’s baps (Brook is pregnant right now).  The feature includes a slideshow of impressive chests like that of Christina Hendricks, whose name is barely mentioned these days without the prefix “busty”.  Because that is after all the only thing of note about her (notwithstanding her facial beauty, stunning red hair and acting talent).

The un-enlightened could be forgiven for assuming that National Cleavage Day is one celebration that we small-busted ladies are forced to sit out.  But, that’s definitely not the case.  A raft of fantastic bras from superb small-bust specialists mean that even the gentlest of curves can be given the required oomph to create a very nice cleavage, thank you very much.  We’re not talking in-your-face busoms, but we can achieve an eye-catching bit of contour and uplift.

So, here they are, some of the finest cleavage-enhancing bras for little-chested ladies:

Gracya Carmel bra, $39.99 (Sale Price), Lovestruck Lingerie:  This underwire push-up bra combines femininity, versatility, great fit and comfort. In a light pink color with brown, grey and pink embroidery, it has adjustable straps that convert to criss-cross and halter-style.  With removable pad inserts, this medium padded bra offers an enhanced push-up effect.

Removable pad bra in gold paisley, $60, Itty Bitty Bra:  This stunning bra features a hidden underwire.  It’s built to fit and flatter small-busted figures and the removable padded inserts offer great shaping and uplift.

Petite Embrace Lace Flamingo Push-Up Underwire Bra, $50/£31.06, Wacoal Petite at Freshpair:  This bra, in a stunning flamingo pink colour, features beautiful sheer stretch-lace wings with contrast floral embroidery.  Graduated foam contour push-up pads lift the bust and enhance the cleavage, while a plunging centre makes it ideal for wear with low-cut tops.

After Eden double gel plunge gel bra, £27, Max Cleavage:   This lightweight gel bra has double the gel to give bustlines a boost, creating the best possible cleavage. The smooth moulded cups and lace wings makes this versatile bra simple but sexy.

Panache Atlantis Jerry balconett bra, £24, Perfectly Petite Lingerie:  This gel bra in a pretty new floral/check design for Spring 2011 provides excellent lift and increases bust size by up to one cup size.

Bijou bra, $58, The Little Bra Company:  This demi-cup, push-up smooth-cup bra is a great every day bra, beautifully made to enhance little curves.  The straps are convertible and can be worn also like a traditional bra, racerback or halter.

Layla push-up bra, $60, Lula Lu Petites:  This elegant two tone lace bra with double spaghetti straps is lightly padded and underwired, with removable push-up pads. The cups are proportioned to flatter AA and A cups beautifully.

2 Cup Sizes Bigger jacquard zebra push-up bra, £25, Marks & Spencer:  Flattering and comfortable, this lightweight push-up bra is cleverly padded to create the appearance of a cleavage 2 cup sizes larger. For an extra boost, straps can be worn crossed at the back.

Tags: 2 sizes bigger bra, A-cup bra, AA-cup bra, cleavage enhancing bra, gel bra, National Cleavage Day, padded bra, push-up bra

Times change, lingerie evolves, the ideal body is reinvented

I’ve just been reading an excellent post on Knickers: Why we can all wear lingerie — and feel fabulous.  The gist is that all women can wear, and be beautiful in, gorgeous lingerie — and it’s barmy to think that lingerie’s-made-for-skinny-people.

As Knickers says, the assumption that there is a certain body shape that looks good in lingerie may be the result of brainwashing about the physical ideal. 

The media re-writes the rule-book constantly:  one minute the aspirational look is waif-like, the next it’s hour-glass.  There’s no point in denying yourself body confidence if your shape doesn’t match.  And, as Knickers says, there’s no reason to believe that, whatever your body type, looking and feeling good in lingerie is not for you.

SBBH agrees with Knickers’ mantra:  “We consider ourselves lucky that we’re different shapes and sizes… it reinforces our individuality. That’s not to say we’re never envious of those petite frames who look amazing in skimpy scants, or of enviably curvy ladies.  But with the knowledge that the grass is always greener, we embrace what we have.”

This will chime with many SBBH readers too — people who take a cup half-full view to being small-busted, women who love and celebrate their tiny curves.  Ladies who make the effort to seek out small-bust lingerie specialists to answer their need for lingerie that’s sophisticated, stylish, fashionable and flirtatious. 

Knickers asks the question:  “Who is telling us what size we should be in order to look good and why are we listening to them?  Is it the media, the designers, the government, or our peers?”

From a personal — and small-busted — perspective, I’d say it is the high-street lingerie retailers who are sending a message to little-breasted women that gorgeous lingerie is “not for you”.  I’ve long-ago come to love my shape — and the media and my peers are not my problem.  My issue is the lack of lingerie choice in most shops that denies small-busted women the chance to lap up the Wow Factor of standing in front of a fitting-room mirror and loving what they see. 

Who can gasp in awe at the way a T-shirt bra makes them look and feel?  Or feel anything but deflated at the sight of themselves in a teenage bra.  It’s about time lingerie retailers and departments on every high street gave small-busted women all the lace, frills, silk and satin they can handle — so they can wear lingerie and feel fabulous too.  What do you reckon?

If you agree with me, check out my Every Body Loves Lingerie campaign.

Tags: every body loves lingerie, Feel good lingerie, ideal body shape, small-cup lingerie