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

Let it show, let it show, let it show! The Panache Atlantis Yasmin bra wants to be seen

Fashion writer Mimi Spencer declares the hot accessory of the season to be a dynamite cleavage.

I snorted when I read the opener to her feature, as I have a better chance of teasing a cleavage of the derrière than the décolletage. And my quest for party frocks is often hampered by the fact that many styles cry out for eye-popping plumpies.

Reading on, I discovered that the point of the feature was to give heart to women like me that don’t naturally have breasts that can snuggle up together. It suggested that even the little-busted among us can create a tantalising frontage if we scoop ourselves into a well-designed bra that lifts, plumps, cossets and coddles our assets.

Another snort.

If only it were that easy. My experience has been that the most canny bra designs are often only available in B-cup and up.  Making the richly endowed even richer.

That said, I have come across some great bra designs that, while they can’t deliver the impossible, do work wonders boosting my AA-cup bustline — even creating a mini-cleavage. And there are others that give a degree of uplift, as well as being so pretty that they deserve to play peek-a-boo in a party dress.

Here’s the pick of the bunch for anyone searching for a brilliant small cup bra to complement their party attire:

1. Atlantis by Panache Christy Strapless Bra, £22/$36.30, Figleaves: designed with moulded, lightly padded underwired cups for comfortable support, this strapless plunge bra has a sophisticated linear mesh overlay.
2. Wacoal Petite Lace Contour Underwire Bra, $40, Lula Lu: lightly lined, underwired cups provide support and lift, but this bra is also quite stunning with beautiful embroidered lace on the cups and band.
3. Two sizes bigger push-up bra, £22, Marks and Spencer: flattering and comfortable, this push-up bra is designed for maximum impact. Clever padding gives the appearance of a cleavage two cup sizes larger.
4. After Eden double gel strapless gel bra, £24, Max Cleavage: this is a fantastic lightweight bra with smooth moulded cups and double the gel for a noticeably enhanced cleavage.
5. Panache Atlantis Yasmin padded bra, £24, Perfectly Petite: this sumptuous padded bra in silky midnight blue satin is trimmed with magenta ribbon — and it’s too gorgeous to keep under wraps.

Tags: A-cup bra, AA-cup bra, bust boosting bra, cleavage enhancing bra, double gel bra, gel bra, padded bra