Small bust, big heart

I'm loving this pretty lilac bra at Perfectly Petite

Perfectly Petite Lingerie is a relative newbie to the petite-size lingerie community, just like SBBH. If you haven’t already checked it out, this exclusive offer for SBBH readers should give you a reason:

Perfectly Petite Lingerie is offering a 10% discount for SBBH readers until April 21st 2010 (Midnight GMT). Simply use the promotion code SBBH10 at the checkout to take advantage of this perfectly super deal.*

Set up by Nicola Scarrott last year, the idea for Perfectly Petite Lingerie came after a frustrating shopping trip that hammered home the limited choice of lingerie sold on the high street in AA-cup and A-cup sizes. Driving to the shops on a futile hunt for pretty styles was a waste of petrol money, Scarrott thought. Mulling this over, she came up with the idea of setting up an online store offering AA-cup, A-cup and B-cup lingerie — of the ‘luxury’ ilk, a far cry from the unsexy ‘training bra’ styles more commonly available.

Scarrott says, “Lingerie should make you feel good about yourself and buying it should be a pleasure, not hard work and disappointing.”

Research revealed that some small-busted women want cleavage enhancement, with gel bras and the like, while others are simply looking for comfortable, well-fitting designs. Scarrott explains, “Firstly, AA-cup women want something that fits well. Smaller busts are not the same shape as larger ones, so bras need to be manufactured differently. There is no top cup to speak of, so far less material is needed. AA bras don’t need to be rounded, as an AA bust does not have a lot of flesh to fill a cup. The underwire, if any, does not need to scoop so much. And the straps, generally, need to be fairly short as the petite bust sits quite still and perky.”

Armed with first-hand knowledge and research that backs it up, Scarrott seems well-placed to make a success of Perfectly Petite Lingerie. I wish her all the best.

*If you live outside the UK and would like to place an order at Perfectly Petite Lingerie using the SBBH promotion code, please contact Perfectly Petite directly for a bespoke postage price.

Tags: A-cup, AA-cup, B-cup, gel bra, offer, petite lingerie

Wacoal Petites bra: Proof that a nude-coloured bra doesn't equal "Granny chic"

The sun’s out, the sky’s blue and Lambing Live was on the box last night. It’s still brass monkeys out there, but Spring is on its way.

Which means it’s time for a seasonal wardrobe review. As you start stalking the new trends in the shops, don’t forget to update your lingerie. Woe betide the freshly-bared shoulder adorned with a grey bra strap. Or the Winter white cleavage sporting a visible “cosy” cotton bra.

If there’s one way to ruin your new Spring look, it’s by teaming your clothes with the wrong lingerie… and giving a public viewing to what should be under wraps.

The right bra provides uplift and hidden support under skimpy Spring and Summer tops and dresses. It should be seen only if it plays a role in the ensemble, adding a sexy glimpse of lace or satin, or a complementary touch of colour.

To help you get it right, I’ve picked the best AA-cup bras on sale in the UK for Spring looks:

• HALTERNECK BRA: Show off strap-free shoulders in halterneck tops with the incredibly versatile multiway bra at Little Women.  With smooth, seam-free cups, this underwired, balcony-style bra can be worn with straps, strapless, or as a halterneck. Available in AA-cup and A-cup sizes.
• RACERBACK BRA: Give impressive lift to small busts in racerback tops with the Atlantis strapless gel bra by Panache at Know Knockers.  Gel-filled, ultra-padded cups and multiway straps give revealing tops and dresses a bit more “filling”. Available in AA-cup, A-cup and B-cup sizes.
• BRA-TO-BARE: The Wacoal Petites push-up bra is too pretty to keep under wraps.  Team it with a sheer top to reveal its decorative lace and ribbon detailing. The underwired cups and removable padding give the bust-line a gentle boost. Available in AA-cup, A-cup and B-cup sizes at Freshpair.com.
• NEARLY NUDE BRA: Loving the nude & pastel shades for Spring? You need a skin tone bra to blend in with light-coloured tops. The lightly padded Wacoal Petite lace-up contour bra at Figleaves is just the ticket. And stylish too, with corset style detail and seamless, underwired cups. Available in AA-cup, A-cup and B-cup sizes.
• COLOUR FLASH: The Limited Collection padded plunge bra from Marks and Spencer is begging to play peekaboo. A glimpse of coral pink strap, a flash of colour beneath a denim shirt… this bra will add a totally tropical twist to a Spring outfit. Available in sizes AA-cup to DD-cup.

Tags: 30AA, 32A, 32AA, 36A, 36AA, AA-cup, gel bra, halterneck bra, multiway bra, padded bra, push-up bra, racerback bra, strapless bra, underwired bra