Small bust, big heart

Fish-lips and a flat-chest… this is the cross that the young, beautiful Denise Richards had to bear as a teen.  Denise reveals in a recent feature how peer pressure and bullying as she grew up in Illinois, rather than the demands of Hollywood, was the reason she chose to buy herself a pair of new boobs, aged just 19.

I find it staggering and sad that a gorgeous young woman would feel so desperate about being flat-chested that she would go under the knife.  When your body is healthy, pert and youthful — and in pretty good nick, if you’re Denise Richards — what have you got to complain about?

Teens don't always recognise the benefits of being a Pancake Princess

I’m not insensitive to the hurt caused by cruel taunts.  I don’t remember being on the receiving end of any, despite my very tiny chest, but I had body insecurities just like any young girl.

I solved them with a Wonderbra (back in the days when I could find one that fit).

I get that it can be painful being dealt a body by nature that doesn’t match up to the ideal you’re bombarded with in magazines and movies.  And I know it can be soul-destroying never graduating from your training bra, when all the other girls go cup, cup and away!!!

I just wish that young women could find a better retort to body issues than surgery.  And I wish that surgeons had more moral gumption that to be granting the wishes of women that haven’t had a chance to grow into their bodies and learn to be confident about them.

What do you think?  Have you been the victim of peer pressure?  How did you deal with it?

Tags: body confidence, body image, boob jobs, breast implants, small bust

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