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

Chest spectacular: Kelly Brook models for Giles Deacon

Loving clothes as I do, you’d think I’d love London Fashion Week.  But I don’t — in fact, I hate the silliness of the fashion world, a planet so far removed from reality and so drenched in ego.  Who’s on the front row, which bitch fest is kicking off among celebrities and fashion editors, who’s got fat, who’s got thin, what was that she was wearing???  And now… did you see her boobs, they were so dated?

You see, the fashion pack has declared that big breasts are à la mode.  Incidentally, this comes about three weeks after the New York Times said exactly the opposite.  Confusing isn’t it, figuring out whether your lady lumps are the height of fashion?

The curvy revolution began when Christina Hendricks captivated the world with her ample bosom and pin-up body.  The star of Mad Men has become a paparazzi favourite and the poster girl of ”real women” (ah-hem, what do you mean? I’m real and my “curves” have a barely-there vibe about them). 

Marching onward, the trend for big boobs got a boost when, back in the Spring, Prada’s catwalk show in Milan saw plenty of boing action.  Voluptuous models revived the comely, sixties-style look that Hendricks has popularised. 

In the last few days, London Fashion Week, which was showcasing collections for Spring/Summer 2011, has also flown the flag for the abundantly-chested, with bouncy Kelly Brook and Abbey Clancy modelling at Giles Deacon’s show.

Dammit, I’d best sit this season out then.

While I find it laughable that body shapes can be “in” or “out”, I am reassured that even if my breasts are not de rigueur, at least I will never be so dim as to believe all this claptrap, or worse, select implants on a seasonal basis depending on what’s hot. 

I also take heart that fashion law-makers and their most devout followers don’t represent most people.  Those of us with half a grain of common sense don’t really believe that breast shape is something that should be decreed in vogue, or worse, a fashion faux pas. 

Let’s bring this right down to earth with a simple acid test: what do fellas think?  Edward Keenan at Eyeweekly rubbishes the idea with great wit and refreshing honesty:

“Speaking on behalf of my gender, allow me to compile a partial list of the types of breasts we think are this season’s — and every season’s — big thing: large breasts, really large breasts, small breasts, very small breasts, medium-sized breasts, pert breasts, saggy breasts, breasts with small areolas and big nipples, with large areolas and small nipples, with bumpy areolas and inverted nipples… in the interests of space, we can sum up the general category of breasts men like with a word: breasts.”  

Note: This is a taste of the sort of story I cover in my “Boobs in the News” bulletins. An exclusive bulletin will be sent to my newsletter subscribers shortly, along with a chance to win something rather nice.  Subscribe to my newsletter now to get this special delivery in your inbox.

Tags: big breasts, breast shape, small breasts