You're a petite woman with a large bust. What this means is that you're cursed to a life of ill-fitting bras, potential health problems, and the frequently unwanted leering of unscrupulous men. To add insult to injury, so many people will tell you that you're blessed. Psh! If they only knew...Fortunately, a proper bra will be able to help you in many of these situations. Let's have a look.
The Ill-Fitting Bra Problem
This problem usually stems from two main problems: The first is not knowing your exact size. The second is not being able to find your proper size. It is very important for a petite woman with a large bust to get fitted. Your first impulse will be to hit the mall, and visit the following places:
- A certain well-known lingerie store that is typically found in malls.
- A department store
Overall, there is nothing wrong with either of these places--if you have a more conventional figure, but the truth is, as a petite and busty woman, your needs are different from the average woman. The basic rule you should keep in mind is to not visit stores that don't carry your size. If you get fitted at one of these stores, the sales clerk will often try to get you to buy a bra in a size that they carry, even if it isn't your exact size.
So, where to go? Your best bet is probably a specialty lingerie boutique. Google 'lingerie' and your region, and you'll probably find at least one good shop to visit. You could also try Yelp if Google (gasp!) isn't helpful.
So, what makes lingerie boutiques great to visit? Usually, lingerie boutiques are focused on high-end brands and high-end service. In addition, ff they don't have your size, they are often willing to special order it for you. You'll also get to try on some very luxurious bras. The only downside to lingerie boutiques is that you'll pay the most money. However, if you're large busted, investing in a good bra will not only make you feel better, it could potentially help prevent certain health problems.
Finding a Good Bra
Now that you've figured out your size, it's time to find a good bra for you. As you probably know, your heavier breasts have a tendency to give you bad posture, which could potentially give you health problems. The solution to this is to find a bra that is appropriately supportive.
Here's what to look for:
The band: A bra's main function is to take the weight of your breasts off your shoulders and upper body, and transfer it to your torso, which can better handle the weight. The main part of the bra that does this is the band. The band should fit snugly, but not too tight around you. If it's loose, it will have a tendency to ride up your back, and will not provide enough support. The band should also be wider than the average bra. These wider bands often close with wider 3 or 4 hook closures, which some people perceive as being ugly, but the truth is you cannot get as much support without them. You should also probably avoid front closure bras, as these are less adjustable, and less likely to be comfortable.
The cups: The next issue is the cup of the bra. As you probably know, demi cup bras are great for some situations, but have the problem of not containing the breast very well. As such, demi bras are best avoided for most situations. Instead, look for bras with fuller coverage. The other thing you should be mindful of is the center gore, which is the piece of fabric that joins the two cups. This should always lie flat against your chest. If it is not, then you are probably wearing a bra with too small of a cup. When the breast is properly contained within the cup, you'll be less prone to pinching and other annoying discomfort.
The straps: Lastly, you should examine the straps of the bra that you're interested in. While it's true that straps don't provide the majority of the support, they do provide some, and as a woman with heavier breasts, you should seek out bras with wider straps. Some of these wider straps are also padded, providing additional comfort.
Can't a girl have fun?
So, you've learned your size, carefully examined several bras, and the one you've chosen that will fit well, be supportive and provide the most comfort is probably a bit plain. What if you want to wear something a bit more fun, sexy or stylish? Fortunately, it isn't hard to find these kinds of bras in your size. Some of them may be less supportive and comfortable, but if you're anticipating a time when you want to make an impression with your bra, you probably won't be wearing it for too long. Of course, if you just want to have some fun under your clothes, there are plenty of options for the large-busted and petite woman who needs to wear a bra for the whole day.
Popular Bras for Large Busted Petite Women:
Most bra manufacturers focus on the most common sizes, leaving the large busted petite woman out. It's easy enough to find a 34D, but what if you're a 32G? Fortunately, there are some brands that specialize in bras for the petite, yet large busted woman.
Panache: Panache is an English bra manufacturer that specializes in small band/large cup bras. Many of their styles go at least to G cup, and some go even higher into the J and K sizes. In addition to providing great support, Panache bras a very stylish, and will delight your sense of style while keeping you in total comfort.
Freya: Another popular English lingerie brand, Freya bras are available in a wide variety of large cup sizes. Like Panache, Freya has many small band/large cup size bras that are comfortable and supportive, but never at the expense of style.
Wacoal: Wacoal bras are well-known for their excellent fit, and high quality. Fortunately, for the petite but large breasted woman, they are available up to a G cup. Wacoal bras are also extraordinarily comfortable, and available in many stylish designs.
Le Mystere: A relatively new lingerie brand, Le Mystere has taken the world by storm with their elegant, yet practical designs. Le Mystere bras are also available up to a G cup, and are consistently featured on "best of" lists.
What about the Men?
What is it about men that makes them turn into drooling horndog idiots when a large-busted woman walks into the room? As a large-busted and petite woman you've probably caught a man's eye once or twice in your life. Sometimes this can make you feel uncomfortable, especially if it's in an everyday situation like picking up some fruit at the grocery store.
In these situations, there are two basic options: minimize the impact you have on men, or minimize the impact men have on you. While minimizing the impact men have on you is a very personal, and sometimes difficult thing to do, you can certainly downplay the size of your bust in hopes that the people around you won't gawk at you. The biggest trick is to wear a minimizer bra. These can sometimes feel a bit binding, but they will go a long way towards reducing the amount that your breasts protrude from your chest. These bras can also be great for certain kinds of tops--especially button up blouses. Sports bras are also great because they won't exaggerrate your breasts, and are usually very comfortable. You can also dress down. Wear large and baggy tops, and your breasts will be less likely to attract those rude stares.
As a large-busted petite woman, you certainly have some challenges that other women don't have. Fortunately, these problems can mostly be solved by getting fitted, and being extra selective about the bras you buy. With your unique figure, a properly fitting bra is more essential for you than for many other women. You may have to pay more, but finding a high-quality and supportive bra will be much more comfortable than what you're used to, and make you feel great!
