Small bust, big heart

The classic Valentine’s Day gift is lingerie. Not everyday stuff that ticks the “practical” and “comfy” boxes, but lingerie that inspires romance and stimulates under-the-covers assignations. But finding titillating lingerie when you’re an AAA-cup or AA-cup bra size isn’t easy — which makes it all the more difficult for your other half to come up trumps when searching for a Valentine’s gift.

To make it easier, I’ve tracked down some of the AAA-cup and AA-cup lingerie that I love — the pieces that surpass the “everyday” and could add a frisson to your Valentine’s Day celebrations. Send your lover the link now, with the subject line: Valentine’s Day Hint… Subtlety is never a virtue when it comes to getting the gifts you really want.

The AAA-cup thrillers:

Sheer Lace: Like a delicious hot chocolate topped with pink marshmallows

The Sheer Lace padded non-wired bra, £28.95, at Little Women, is a lacy little number in scrumptious pale pink and chocolate. Soft ruching to the cups and double rouleaux straps enhance its luxurious appeal, while the soft cotton cup lining maxes out comfort. Sizes start at 34AAA. Team with Sheer Lace shorts, £15.95, for a truly sophisticated look.

Upfront sexuality for small-busted women

The Desiree demi-cup bra, $54, at Lula Lu Petites, ramps up the heat. AAA-cups can feel every inch a sensual woman in this eye catching blend of black guipure lace with fuschia mesh. Sizes start in 32AAA. The matching Desiree thong, $28, is the icing on a very tempting cake.

Knockout AA-cups:

This Itty Bitty Bra is purrrfect

Itty Bitty Bra’s Couture Bra in Leopard, $55, is bang on the animal print trend — and sure to add some feline fun to Valentine’s celebrations. With the superior AA-cup fit that’s a feature of Itty Bitty Bras, this style has a hidden underwire, lightly padded cups and rhinestone detail. Sizes start at 32AA. Wear with boy shorts in black, $24.

A picture in lavender lace, Lula Lu's Azaria bralette

Lula Lu Petite’s Azaria Bralette, $48, in periwinkle lace is fresh and sensual without skimping on comfort. The flattering triangle cups feature scalloped edges and intricate lace detail. Available in sizes S,M and L to fit AAA, AA and A cups (see size guide), this bralette looks the business worn with the matching sheer lace thong, $30.

What a Midnight feast, from Irresistible Lingerie

Irresistible Lingerie’s Midnight Garden padded bra, £34, available at Perfectly Petite Lingerie, is something of a rare breed: a piece of sexy, designer lingerie made exclusively for small-busted women. With intricate leaf detailing on the lace, set over teal satin, and finishing touches like the teal satin trim and a drop jewel between the cups, this is a real treat. Sizes start at 30AA. Matching shorts, £20, complete the look.

And if you’re an A-cup…

La Senza's bra knocks spots off plainer styles

You’ll be dotty about this peach and black Spotty Lotty balconette bra, £25, from La Senza. Featuring an all-over spot print, velvet and lace trimmings and a cute velvet bow at the centre front, this bra smacks of girlie glamour. Sizes start at 32A. Team with matching short, £14.

Tags: 34AAA, A-cup bra, AA-cup bra, AAA-cup bra, balconette bra, bralette, demi-cup bra, non-wired bra, padded bra, padded non-wired bra

An SBBH reader asks: “I’ve had a double mastectomy and reconstruction. My consultant told me I could wear a bra, but not one with an underwire. I have a couple of non-wired bras that are okay, but I can usually only find black or white. I would like to know if you could suggest any nice designs in other colours ideally.”

The reader in question is a 34B cup size, which you’d think would mean she had access to a wide range of bra styles (well, more than those of us who are A-cup and less anyway). But, as she’s experienced, many of the more glamorous bra styles on the market are underwired. And she’s totally right to seek out something that makes her feel as special as she deserves.

Luckily, SBBH is well-connected — I’ve asked some of my favourite lingerie experts to suggest the bras they recommend for my reader:

Saxaphone bra, $139, A Little Something Fit

A Little Something Fit: The Wundervoll Keta bra, $125, and Saxaphone bra, $139, are non-traditional designs with formed cups and a very stylish look, which smacks of strong and self-confident femininity. We stock these in A-cup sizes (but B-cups can be found at other Wundervoll retailers).

We also offer a couple of soft cup, non-structured and sexy halter style bras from Wundervoll: the Overtone bra, $109, and the Tambourine bra, $125, which are available in small, medium and large.

Firebird bra, $68, Lailides

Lailides: I recommend our La Sylphide bra, $72, which certainly fits the bill for this reader.  It’s wireless, comes in some beautiful colors and our size 3 (or possibly size 4) should fit a 34B cup.

For a little fun, I also suggest our Firebird bra, $68. It has the same fit and styling as the La Sylphide, but with a gorgeous peacock pattern. Both bras are designed to be very comfortable — like a second skin.

Rosa bra, £29.99, Dainty Lady

Dainty Lady: We are pleased to say that we make a lot of bras without wires. And, like all our customers, your reader is very welcome to try any of our styles with no obligation to buy.

May we suggest our Fleur non-wired bra, £13, which is made in soft stretch lace and comes in a variety of pretty colours including ivory/pale blue, ivory/mint and ivory/peach. Our Rosa non-wired bra, £29.99, is another great option. Made from stretch satin, colours include aqua/cream and peach/cream. We offer AAA-cup, AA-cup, A-cup and B-cup sizes in all our designs.

Biatta bralette, $28, Lula Lu

Lula Lu Petite Lingerie: I suggest the Biatta Molded Cup Bralette , $28, as it has no underwire and has light foam cups, which offer some coverage. Plus, it comes in some fun colour combinations. This is a great T-shirt bra or, because it comes with pretty lace trim, you can also wear it to be seen as it looks like the top of a camisole. Each size — small, medium and large — fits AA, A and B cups as there is a lot of stretch.

Bralette, $42, Itty Bitty Bra

Itty Bitty Bra: We have many customers who are in the same situation as your reader. I recommend our bralette, $42, available in small, medium and large in nude and black. It’s a simple, lace-trimmed style — with no underwire, no padding and no hooks. It looks really great under sheer tops.

Tags: 34B, A-cup, AA-cup, AAA-cup, B-cup, bralette, mastectomy bra, non-wired bra, T-shirt bra