More than a Handful's a waste: The Handful Inc sports bra, $44.95, available at Sugarchilli
Small-busted women may not experience the same boing factor during sport as bigger breasted females (8.5cm movement is the average), but their gentle curves still need support to prevent breast pain, upper back and shoulder problems — and the dreaded droop.
Breasts are made up of fatty tissue, supported by skin and fragile ligaments. During repetitive or high impact sport, they bounce up and down, pulling on the ligaments and stretching them irrevocably. The result: boobs head south. Or, in the case of very small breasts, their pert, “upturned nose” contour flattens out.
So what should A-cup and AA-cup women be looking for in a sports bra to keep their breasts in prime condition while they work out? I asked my friends at Sugarchilli to advise:
At Sugarchilli, we now stock only one style of sports bra, as it ticks all the boxes we feel are necessary. A small-busted sports bra must:
- Be supportive for most types of physical exercise
- Flatter a small bust — NOT flatten
- Combat “fripple” (frozen nipples)
- Avoid mono-boob syndrome
- Be durable and easy to wash
We used to stock a variety of sports bras, but we have pared this back to one style now: The Handful Inc padded sports bra, designed by fitness expert Jennifer Ferguson, which really covers off everything. Most importantly, it was designed specifically for small busted women, as explained by Jennifer in this video. Rather than squashing gentle curves, it has removable foam pads that provide shape, as well as enhancing support and concealing nipples.
Suitable for all types of sports from kick-boxing to yoga and dance, this bra is made from breathable fabric. Design features such as ruching and centre stitching accentuate curves and prevent mono-boob syndrome. It has thin cross over straps for a more feminine look than lots of sports bras that have very chunky straps — so you can wear it with spaghetti strap tops too, which our customers love.
