The 14 Very Best Bras for Small Breasts

Sizes: 0–5+ (equivalent to cup sizes A–G) | Underwire: No | Cup style and coverage: V-neck, high-cut cups, unlined with sheer micro-mesh

Those who want a barely there bralette should get Negative’s Sieve Non-Wire Bra. It’s an archetypal wireless bra — unstructured and padless (plus, it’s made from a super-smoothing Belgian micromesh). It might be pricier, but it’s well worth it, according to blogger Frances Kwon, creative director Emily Eisen, and former Strategist newsletter editor Mia Leimkuhler. It satisfies the all-important trifecta when it comes to underwear: It’s comfortable, supportive, and looks nice. And while slightly see-through, the bra still feels substantial, according to Kwon. Eisen likes that it’s lightweight and “a little sexy,” too.

What convinced me to name it the best wireless bra was the fact that it was the only bra Leimkuhler needed on a two-week trip to Europe, where it was “comfy enough to sleep in on the red-eye over, supportive enough to get me through long days of walking all over Lyon and Porto, and pretty enough to feel like something I wanted to be wearing on my honeymoon,” she says. No easy feat for a bra.

Another bra of note from the same line: Negative’s Sieve Racerback Bra, which Ro included in an installment of our Strategist Haul series. She told me that she prefers the fit over Negative’s Sieve Non-Wire Bra, which was a little too loose in the cups. The racerback style has also made the bra her go-to when wearing halters.

Sizes: XXS–XL (equivalent to cup sizes 30A and 32AA–40B) | Underwire: No | Cup style and coverage: Scoop style with removable cups

For a few bucks less, there’s Pepper’s Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra, which offers a bit more coverage than the Negative bra, thanks to its lining and removable cups. It’s another recent addition to Ro’s underwear drawer, and one that she calls a standout. Ro went with the maternity version first and found the support to be so great that she bought two more of the original. It holds her in and keeps her secure with no gapping at the top of the cups, and the band never digs into her ribcage. Plus, she gets a little lift from it. “I could wear it all day,” she says.

Originally, I had Gap’s Breathe and Aerie’s Sunnie in a tie for this title. But the stock of those two can be unreliable, which I’ve noticed after keeping tabs on them for months now. I thought it best to include them here as an honorable mention instead, especially as they’re cheaper (and often go on sale). The Breathe is one of the bras illustrator Whitney Hall wears most, while Strategist junior writer Bella Druckman has been known to sleep in the Sunnie.

Sizes: 30A–38DD | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Contoured plunge cups with a light lining and molded mesh

Natori’s Feathers bra is the reigning best bra in our guide to the best bras, where it’s described as the “the unicorn of undergarments” by writer Molly Lamoureux. It’s designed to be plunging and shows off the décolletage to its best advantage. Even as someone with a larger bust, I never feel like I’m popping out of the Feathers. Its structure — from the placement of the cups to the lifting underwire — reins me in. Dale, Harrington, and Journelle’s Sapna Palep all agree it’s excellent for those with smaller busts as well. It creates a “lovely round shape,” embracing your natural size (especially as other brands seem to “profit off insecurity,” says Palep). And the Feathers is a customer favorite at New York City’s Bra Tenders, says store founder Lori Kaplan, who repeatedly recommends it to those who wear an A cup.

Sizes: 30A–44H | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Cups cut with deep V, unlined with sheer or printed mesh

Another great plunge that goes for a bit less than Natori’s Feathers is Cuup’s Plunge. It counts past and present Strategist staffers as devotees, including former writer Latifah Miles, who says she has “never felt sleeker” than when she is wearing it. Nightmoves general manager Amanda McMillan is another fan — even though she often goes braless, she went for the “the idea of the sexy, French-girl-lingerie-under-structured-boxy-menswear look” that Cuup sells. She says the Plunge has a hint of lift and “subtle cleavage,” but is comfortable to wear and doesn’t contort her breasts. There’s also a balconet version of the bra that Beverly Nyugen, owner of the homewares shop Beverly’s, praises for having a “perfect half-corset fit” that she finds pleasing. I have the balconet, as well, and can attest that the mesh Cuup makes its bras in feels nice on the skin (and gives boobs some breathing room, too).

Sizes: 30A–36D | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Molded cups with push-up padding

For times when a little lift isn’t enough, the On Gossamer Bump-It-Up bra features padded underwire cups and a twist in the front for more of a push-up effect. Caldwell says her clients fall for this bra whenever she puts them in it, especially for its plunging neckline to show more cleavage and less cup. Or, if you’re in search of a racier look, Harrington mentioned Gossard’s Superboost bra to up the décolletage.

Sizes: 28A–34C | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Deep plunge with lace overlaid on contoured, push-up padding

The Little Bra Company makes petite-specific undergarments, including bras starting at a 32AA. (Note: The band numbers 32, 34, and 36 sell out fast.) It rates its bras on a “padding scale,” from “no padding” to “maximum push-up.” To account for smaller frames, the brand uses narrower underwire and sets the cups closer together in styles like the signature Lucia. The cups have contoured, push-up padding, which can give the appearance of a fuller shape and more cleavage, says Caldwell. And although it’s a plunge meant for those times when you do want to show off, the lace edging — similar to that on the Natori Feathers — lays reasonably flat.

Sizes: 32A–36D | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Demi-cut cups with unlined lace

A demi is different from a plunge, as you’ll get a bit of lift but without any padding. Dale describes it as “kind of like a pretty muffin top.” Her demi recommendation comes from the Dutch company Timpa, and it’s low-cut enough to be worn with a dramatic neckline. (Though the scalloped lace trim at the top of the cups could be pretty peeking out if you’re so inclined.) Demis like this one are made to hoist your breasts from the bottom and push them up, Dale says. “It doesn’t try to squish them together to create cleavage.” Keep in mind that the Duet is designed to have deep cups and a snug band — it’s suggested you stay with your true cup size for more cleavage or go up for a more subtle look.

Sizes: 28A–32D with some AA-cup options | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Lined, contoured demi with optional push-up pads and straps

I’ve named another of the Little Bra Company’s offerings, the Sascha, the best strapless bra for small breasts, because it comes in smaller band sizes to go with its smaller cups. Since a band’s doing much of the supporting work in a strapless style, getting the right fit is really important. But you’re also getting a lot of versatility with the Sascha, as you can wear it with or without straps and with or without push-up pads. Professional bra fitter Karima Renee (a.k.a. the Philly Bra Lady) also compliments the wide range of “nude” colors, which features shades of nutmeg, chocolate, dulce, and latte. (Unfortunately, this can still be rather rare when shopping for undergarments.) People who come into her shop to try out the bra often say it’s “what they have been searching for all their bra lives.”

Sizes: XS–XL | Underwire: No | Cup style and coverage: Triangle cut with slimmer straps

No underwear guide would be complete without Calvin Klein. Corsillo has been wearing this triangle-style bra for over three years, and it’s one of her favorite weekend bralettes. Despite its lack of an underwire, she says it holds her breasts up and in place. “And it looks good enough (or sporty enough) to wear by itself around the house,” she notes. It has adjustable shoulder straps and a back clasp that crosses.

Sizes: 2–4 (equivalent to 32A–32D) | Underwire: No | Cup style and coverage: Triangle cut with a front-hook closure

Hello Beautiful’s line features 100 percent cotton designs with scalloped edging and ruffled trimmings that make its pieces resemble heirlooms. Strategist senior editor Hilary Reid owns its made-in-France Classic bra, a lingerie-esque triangle bra. The cups are sewn with a picot edge and zigzag stitching, and the straps are topped with bows. Reid splurged on it as a treat, then came to realize that “it’s actually just very comfortable and practical for daily wear.” She adds that while the back of the bra is a thin, ruched strap, it stays in place. Even without an underwire, it’s supportive, which Reid chalks up to the well-placed darting on the cups. It’s the only bra on this list with a front closure, instead of a traditional hook and eye in the back. “It’s neither here nor there for me,” Reid says of the front closure. “I think it’s meant to be sexy, which maybe it is — but it’s also just convenient for putting the bra on and taking it off.” Four years after buying it, it’s still in tip-top shape, which she credits to hand-washing and air-drying.