Small bust, big heart

With thanks to my good friends at small-bust lingerie & swimwear specialist Sugarchilli for sharing their small-bust swimwear “golden rules” in this fabulous guest post:

Deep blue bikini top with moulded cups, $29.95, Sugarchilli

Top tips…
AVOID BUST FLATTENERS: like unpadded triangle bikinis and bandeau tops
GET MOULDED CUPS: shaped cups will give you curves in all the right places
GO FOR UNDERWIRE: underwired cups help prevent ride-up or gaping
WIDE BANDS ARE BEST: if you don’t like underwires, a wider band sits flatter
TRY FOAM OR GEL: tops with in-built or removable padding give you a boost
DO DIY PADDING: you can get sew-on bra pockets and inserts to add yourself
TWEAK: adjustable straps can help you create the lift and cleavage you desire
TRAIN THE EYE: emphasise the bust area with bright colour, pattern and detail like fringing and ruching
HALTERS ADD OOMPH: Halterneck straps draw your breasts in for a little bit of cleavage

Seafolly fringed bikini top, £62, and brief, £37, Figleaves

The bottom line…
DARK COLOURS SLIM: to scale down a bigger bottom, avoid prints and wear a darker colour
LENGTHEN LEGS: string-ties and high-cut legs can make legs appear longer and bottom smaller
HIDE IN STYLE: boyshorts or smooth, skimming bikini skirts keep your bottom neatly under wraps

Light yellow bikini skirt $19.95, Sugarchilli

Fab ab ideas…
UNDER CONTROL: Tankini tops or one pieces with tummy control panels give you an instant tummy tuck
SUBTLETY IS KEY: Darker colours and small prints have a slimming effect

Balance broad shoulders…
GO FOR WIDE STRAPS: avoid halterneck straps, horizontal stripes, plunging necklines and skimpy bottoms
EMPHASISE LOWER HALF: choose lighter colours and details like ruching, ruffles, ties, belts and bikini skirts

Lengthen legs…
DRAW THE EYE UPWARDS: a halterneck or v-line top should do the trick
CREATE A LEGGY ILLUSION: choose low-waisted, high-cut or tie-side briefs

Ruched detail tankini top, £22, and boy shorts, £15, Marks & Spencer

Bond eye Chelsea moulded tri top, £26, Simply Beach

Sugarchilli recommends…
STRING-TIES & HIGH-CUT LEGS: Baku Australia
EYE-CATCHING PATTERNS: Seafolly also at Figleaves and Simply Beach
TANKINIS: Figleaves and Marks & Spencer
PADDED TRIANGLE BIKINIS: La Senza
DIVERSE SHAPES & STYLES: Simply Beach
SMALL BUST SPECIALISM: Sugarchilli

Tags: bandeau bikini, bikini skirt, foam insert, gel insert, halterneck bikini, moulded cup, padded bikini, small bust swimwear, tankini, tie-side bikini bottom, triangle bikini, tummy control swimwear, underwire cup

I’m British: therefore, I moan about the weather. It’s part of the wiring of people that hail from this inclement isle. That said, when the sun does shine, there’s nothing better than a British Summer’s day… blue skies, sun twinkling through the trees, birdsong and the smell of meths & burnt sausages that so often accompanies a British barbecue.

There’s one garment that smacks of carefree summer days — the camisole. So, as I start to get excited about the annual heatwave that’s sure to be upon me soon (please!), here are my top three camisole tops for small-busted women:

Blue jungle print cami top, £19, Dorothy Perkins

Blue jungle print cami top, £19, Dorothy Perkins. This cool cotton cami top has thin shoulder straps and a tie at back. The feminine style is cranked up a notch by the all-over multi-coloured floral jungle print. Small-busted women can take this bold print, so go for it.

Limited Collection pure cotton embroidered lace camisole top, £19.50, Marks and Spencer

Limited Collection Embroidered lace camisole top, £19.50, Marks and Spencer. Lace, embroidery, stud detail, cool white cotton… Uh, how many trends can a camisole embody and yet still look totally effortless? The petite-up-top look great with a little detail around the bustline.

Pink lace insert camisole, £22, Miss Selfridge

Pink lace insert camisole, £22, Miss Selfridge. Wondered how to wear this season’s nude trend? Here it is: a beautiful strappy cotton camisole with a lace insert to the neckline and a tiered layer to the front. Bang on trend, but also timeless: a win win situation.

Tags: cami, camisole top, small-busted style