Love summer, hate bikinis? Or, more to the point, you hate swimwear that doesn’t fit your tiny curves. Especially styles that have the audacity to flatten the gradient of your bustline, leaving you looking like an ironing board wrapped in Lycra.
Yep, I’ve been there too. But here’s to stepping out of the shade and into the sunlight, showing off your pert chest in swimwear that does more than just fit, it shows that less really can be more. Here are the styles I think are sure to make beach-fear a thing of the past for little-chested ladies:
Baku Splendour in the Grass Bikini
BEST FOR VERSATILE FIT: Baku Splendour in the Grass moulded triangle bikini top in digital orchid print, £37.67, Zodee: This tie-front bikini top features inbuilt booster padding for shaping and bust-enhancement.
The halterneck style is highly adjustable thanks to tie-fastening at the neck and back. The top has matching tie-side pants, £32.29. Both are available in sizes 8-14.
Sugarchilli Blue Swirls Tankini
BEST FOR TUMMY TUCKING: Blue swirls tankini top, from $79.95 AUD, Sugarchilli: This halterneck tankini has moulded, underwired cups with inbuilt booster pads to create an uplifted, rounded shape.
The clever design has an elasticated back with added ties, which tighten the underbust fit to ensure a push-up effect. The swirling pattern in marine blue colours, is great for disguising bumps, as is the flirty, frilled swim skirt (worth $34.95) that is free when you buy the tankini top. Wear with matching briefs, $29.95 AUD, or string-tie bottoms, $29.95 AUD. The tankini is available in S,M and L, while the bottoms are available in size 6-12 (see fitting guide).
2 Chillies Havana Balconette Bikini
BEST FOR 50S STYLING: 2 Chillies Havana frilled balconette bra, £31.24, Aussie Swim Store: This beautiful floral print style, with polka dot contrast, is a vibrant take on the 50s balconette bra top. The design features removable booster padding and adjustable straps, which make it an option for even barely-there A-cups. It’s available in sizes 6-14 and looks unbelievably cute teamed with the matching skirted pants, £28.11, sold in sizes 8-14.
Panache Atlantis Fleur Bikini
BEST FOR AA-CUP FIT: Panache Atlantis Fleur bandeau bikini, with matching briefs, £36, Perfectly Petite Lingerie: Cup-size bikini that is actually available in AA-cup: I kid you not. And it’s very pretty too, featuring a geometric pattern with a bright sixties feel.
The top, with a removable halterneck strap, provides dramatic uplift (claiming to increase your bust by one size). The briefs, trimmed with a sweet hip frill, complete the cheeky look. Sizes available for the top are 30A, 32AA, 34AA and 36AA to 36B, and for the briefs are 8-14.
Sunseeker Tropics Halterneck Bikini
BEST FOR BUST ENHANCEMENT: Sunseeker Tropics halter top, £37.50, Simply Beach: This halterneck bikini top has removable cups which give flattering bust-enhancement and the tie-fastenings at the neck and back create the ideal fit. The pattern combines a charcoal stripe with a pretty flower print in orange and yellows. Matching hipster bikini pants, £27.50, complete the look. Top and bottoms are available in sizes 8-16.
Seafolly Matte Separates Bandeau Swimsuit
BEST FOR CLEVER DESIGN: Seafolly Matt Separates bandeau maillot with frill, £79, Simply Beach: A bikini from the back, a stunning belly-concealing one-piece from the front: genius. This beautiful bandeau swimsuit is amazing in crisp white and its bandeau-style top — with soft cups, boning, gripper tape, clipback and halterneck — provides clever, uplifting support. A feminine, curve-enhancing frill sits on the top of the bust and at the small of the back where the fabric is cut away.
For more swimwear advice for small-busts, see another post I’ve written.
, £24.48, Amazon: Designed to fit A-C cup sizes, this bra is available in S, M and L. Small-busted testers have been impressed by the fit: “ There seems to be an assumption that, for a small-busted runner, any crop top will do, but this bra is a good example of how to get it right. Like most crop tops, it’s very comfortable. However, unlike some, it’s easy to pull on and off, rigid enough to hold the bust still over a run, wicks well and dries quickly.” (Runners World)
, £13.95, Amazon: Suitable for AA-B cup wearers, this sports bra comes in sizes small and medium. The pull on style offers protection and support, adjusting easily to the movement of the body during sports activities.
