Small bust, big heart

When you need a little boost: this strapless gel bra adds an extra cup size to your bust

Are you in the Know?  If you’re AA-cup to B-cup bust size, you really should be.

Meet Know Knockers, a lingerie company devoted to dressing women blessed with smaller assets. Co-founder Sheila says, “I know from experience how difficult it can be to find small bra sizes.  So we set up Know Knockers to provide a well thought-out range of quality lingerie, with bras starting at AA-cup.”

Refreshingly, for those of us familiar with the dowdy “training bra” selection usually offered to small-busted women, Sheila adds, “We’re always looking for small bras that don’t look like something your mum would buy.”

Actually, my mum can be quite open minded about glam undies — but still, the concept of sophisticated, sexy bras in small cup sizes is music to my ears.

As a special treat for SBBH readers, Know Knockers is offering a 25% discount on the Atlantis strapless gel bra from Panache. This great gel-filled bra comes with detachable straps and multi-way fastening options. Available in AA, A and B cup sizes, it promises an enhanced cleavage and a boost of one cup size.

Just use the discount code SBBH at the Know Knockers checkout before September 14th 2010 to take advantage of this superb exclusive offer.

Tags: AA-cup bra, gel bra, multiway bra, small bra discount offer, small cup bra, strapless bra, strapless gel bra

A wedding dress lifesaver: Marie Jo Avero strapless bra, £56.95

Bridal lingerie is not the easiest of purchases to make if you’re an AA-cup or A-cup bra size. Looking for something “special” is a hurdle in itself. Then there are the demands of the dress to consider.

Bridal gowns can be strapless, backless, plunging or halterneck: you need a bra that performs a supporting act without being on show. Time to call in the experts…

Nicky Clayton, creative director of Rigby & Peller, gives her advice on small-busted bridal lingerie:

At Rigby & Peller, there are a number of bra styles we recommend to brides, which are available from an A-cup. For smaller busted brides, if the perfect lingerie is not available, we have the tools to create it — whether by tweaking the fit of a garment, or having it made to personal specifications.

Top wedding dress shapes for small-busted brides are sweetheart necklines, halternecks, plunging necklines and low backs. Here are my lingerie tips for each of these styles:

SWEETHEART, STRAPLESS DRESS
A plunge-front strapless bra with a rounded cup shape enhances natural curves. Look for one with removable pads so you can play around to achieve the look you require. If you want extra volume, look for a silicone cookie or airbag. If you’d prefer more of a natural shape, try a foam pad or no padding at all.  We recommend: the Dominique bra, priced £37.95 available in sizes 32-38 A-D.

SWEETHEART DRESS
A padded plunge is the perfect choice. The straps allow the centre front of the bra to be daringly low and the pads enhance the cleavage.  Again, there are different padding options to achieve the silhouette you want. Airbags give the most lift and additional volume, whereas moulded cups give a more natural look. We recommend: the Huit Just a Kiss adjustable moulded bra with removable airbags, priced £55.95, available in sizes 32-36 A-D.

HALTERNECK
Depending on the width and placement of the halterneck, a strapless bra might be necessary. However, a multiway bra is probably the best choice, as these can be worn with straps, or strapless, depending on your needs.  Mutliway bras tend to be slightly deeper on the bridge of the bra, ensuring good support however it’s worn.  Multiway styles at Rigby & Peller aren’t available with removable pads, but pads can be sewn in if required.

We recommend either the Marie Jo Avero strapless bra, priced £56.95, available in 30C-DD, 32-38 A-DD; or the Marie Jo Avero multiway plunge bra, priced £51.95, available in sizes 30C-DD, 32-38A-DD.

PLUNGING
I always opt for the padded plunge under a plunging neckline. However, if your dress is ultra-plunging, my top choice is sticky cups. Unfortunately, they aren’t particularly attractive, but they do the most incredible job. Two separate adhesive cups stick underneath and around the breast giving uplift and an enhanced shape. We recommend the Braza Magicups adhesive bra, priced £24.95, available in sizes A-D.

LOW BACK
Low-backed bridal dresses are gorgeous, but they can be a challenge lingerie wise, especially if the dress also has a plunging neckline. We recommend the new Adorelle strapless, backless bra, priced £22.95, available in A–E cup, coming soon to Rigby & Peller. It features a ‘W wire’ construction, giving optimum uplift and moulded cups to give an enhanced cleavage. It has clear adhesive sides, ensuring it is totally invisible when worn with a low-backed dress.

For the ultimate lingerie indulgence, Rigby & Peller also specialises in made to measure lingerie. Garments can be hand-made for the individual — perfectly matching their measurements, taste and requirements. Prices are given upon request.

About Rigby & Peller: These guys know their stuff, they’ve been in the lingerie business for 40 years. The family-run business has an impressive, star-studded client list including Royalty and big name celebrities. Rigby & Peller has held the Royal Warrant of Appointment as Corsetieres to H.M. Queen Elizabeth since 1960. Talk about a stamp of approval: if ‘One’ hearts Rigby & Peller, that’s good enough for me.

Tags: A-cup, AA-cup, adhesive bra, backless bra, bridal lingerie, halterneck bra, made to measure lingerie, multiway bra, padded plunge bra, plunge bra, small cup bridal lingerie, small-busted bride, strapless bra