Angela bra, $52, The Little Bra Company

A parcel made its way to me from The Little Bra Company containing the company’s best selling T-shirt bra, Angela.

As I tore open the box, my excitement mounted: Angela was presented in a neat package of pink tissue paper, surrounded by extras like pin badges (with jaunty messages like “Make Mountains out of Molehills”) and a pretty, branded notepad.

Details, little details. They make all the difference — and I felt sure that the bra would be brilliant if it were equally attentive to the minutiae. What I saw looked like it fit the bill. A quality bra with a no-fuss design and clever moulded cups.

I tried it on immediately — and this is what I found…

Angela bra, $52, The Little Bra Company
Seller's blurb: This is The Little Bra Company's bestselling T-shirt bra. It has a deep plunge shape, smooth cups and convertible straps, so that it can be worn with T-shirts and also racerback or halter tank tops.
LooksThe bra looks great. The sweet-heart neckline, nicely shaped cups and the high quality of the fabric are notable. The design, manufacture and even packaging all smack of care and attention.5/5
FitTLBC advises customers to round up one band size. For example, if you usually wear a 32A, a 34A should be right. It also says that its bras are made specifically for smaller proportions, so the cups are slightly smaller. For these reasons, though I am usually a 32AA, I tried the bra in 34A. I think this would have worked if my breast tissue were just fractionally fuller. However, I found that the cup gaped ever so slightly. The 34A, I imagine, would be ideal for 32A women (and some 32AA).3/5
ComfortApart from a very slight rub where the strap joins the cup, this bra is very comfortable to wear. The company provides clear instructions on how to get a comfortable fit on its website, by doing the "scoop", and the technique is spot on.4/5
UpliftUplift is very impressive with this bra, thanks to the moulded contour of the cups.5/5
VERDICTThis is a lovely bra, no doubt about it. A great design, well-crafted to deliver a curvier shape and a bit of "oomph". However, the fit was not perfect for me. TLBC says a lot of 32AA customers find that the bra fits them in 34A. So I'd say it's definitely worth trying it out if you are 32AA or 32A.17/20

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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

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