Forums > Model Colloquy > Swimwear for small boobs

Model

That_Annette_Girl

Posts: 23

Santa Maria, California, US

I have a hard time shopping for swimwear (specifically tops) because  of my small boobs. I'm super frustrated. I have a couple  of photographers who want to shoot me in swimwear but I can't seem to find some that fit me just right. They always seem to gap in some way or don't fit how they're supposed to.

It depends on the bra but I  am a 30 AA but my  "sister size" is a 28 A
I can make a 32 AA work but it's not a perfect fit.

Any suggestions on the types/brands of tops I should try?

I was also wondering about lingerie.

Wacoal is really nice and has some petite sizes but they only have one type of bra in my size..

The little bra company has a few but they don't have much of a selection.

Apr 11 14 11:15 am Link

Photographer

Knight Vision Imaging

Posts: 54

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I certainly have no expertise on this matter, but I will pipe in re lingerie.  A spaghetti strap neglige could work.  I have always found one of the absolute sexiest looks for a woman is a simple white tanktop (or undershirt) and simple underwear.  And that looks great w small boobs as well as large.

IMO.

Apr 11 14 11:27 am Link

Model

Isis22

Posts: 3557

Muncie, Indiana, US

Shop in the children's department?

Apr 11 14 12:21 pm Link

Model

Josie Lee

Posts: 768

San Diego, California, US

Maybe Victoria's Secret in smaller sizes?
Their store has a big selection and the styles are
perfect for photo shoots.

Apr 11 14 12:33 pm Link

Model

JoJo

Posts: 26560

Clearwater, Florida, US

I was once a 30 AAA (aka: mosquito bites) many moons ago wink

Being small breasted is almost an advantage shooting swimwear in the rest of the world but it’s difficult to compete with the D+ California (or Florida) beach-girl concept in California.

Not knowing what type of swimwear (bathing suits vs mini thong bikinis) you want to work with makes it difficult to recommend a suitable brand/website but with the “no nudity” comment in your profile it appears you may want to work with more of a real bathing suit.

Going for something like Victoria’s Secret bathing suit tops will totally overpower your petite breasts.

Although I hate to say this… Walmart has introduced its Bikini Separates for Misses sized girls with varying coverage in both top and bottom in both prints and solids.
But at $5.98 each this just might be what you’re looking for wink

Apr 11 14 12:39 pm Link

Model

wrongsideofthirty

Posts: 543

Boston, Massachusetts, US

unless they are really going to shoot you in a pool could you get away with a bra line for smaller cups?

ive never done swimwear but ive always thought most bras were passable as swimwear and that swimwear is mostly a scam....then again bras are pretty expensive too so lol maybe its the same

Apr 11 14 12:44 pm Link

Photographer

J O H N A L L A N

Posts: 12221

Los Angeles, California, US

So much depends upon the shape of your breasts, as well as the look/genre you're going for.

But one thing I'd contribute is that much of the look of a bikini top is the relative amount of exposed boob to fabric. So, as the boob gets smaller, by reducing the fabric by the same amount, you can come close to a similar look.

Apr 11 14 12:53 pm Link

Model

lynne g

Posts: 674

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US

Maaji

Vix

Love them and can rarely wear either. Too small and I'm not big

Apr 11 14 01:17 pm Link

Model

MatureModelMM

Posts: 2843

Detroit, Michigan, US

I was nearly flat chested when in my teens and 20's, so I know your problem, and am still not very big on top.

The teen/juniors departments usually have separates where you can buy a bikini top and bottom in whatever size you need, and they are big enough to fit smaller framed adults.

As far as a bra, I have never been able to find anything that I really liked. Bali has a few and Penney's did have some nice AA and A cup, but they change styles every couple of years and then what you like isn't made any more. I nearly always choose to just wear a camisole or tank type undershirt since I don't really need a bra.

Apr 11 14 02:52 pm Link

Photographer

- HokusFokus -

Posts: 242

Cincinnati, Ohio, US

Seems weird that I am answering this, but try BerryDog.com.  You want what they call "connected top".  Of course the models have boobs, but don't let that fool you.  Their stuff is pretty high quality too.

Apr 11 14 03:18 pm Link

Photographer

Catwalk Studios

Posts: 141

Ponca City, Oklahoma, US

Apr 11 14 03:27 pm Link

Model

sasweets

Posts: 410

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I shop here for bathing suits:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/SmokyMtnBoutique

https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/venderstore

The second link tweaks their bathing suit designs if you want them shorter or longer. And tighten there designs if you want a closer fit. But the first link bathing suits have more versatility up front.

*Pretty much Asian places sell the best bathing suits for petite frames in general. So if you find a bathing suit from an Asian company there's a big possibility that's all they specialize in for sizes. I've read their sites and their Large is considered a Small/Medium in the States or Canada. And that's the biggest size I've seen them make on different websites. Just read their measurements and not the size they place next to the swimsuit when you shop on Asian websites.

Apr 12 14 06:58 am Link

Model

Koryn

Posts: 39496

Boston, Massachusetts, US

I am exactly the same size as you in my top, which generally should be custom made. I can typically wear a heavily padded 32A bra, but it doesn't fit that well.

With swimwear, it's very difficult, because I generally need a small or x-small top, with a large, or X-large bottom. I buy size large of regular underwear, and x-large in thongs. I generally buy swim  that are sold separately, then mix and match them. It works pretty well with cheapo stuff you can order on the internet.

Apr 12 14 09:35 am Link

Clothing Designer

GRMACK

Posts: 5436

Bakersfield, California, US

There is a lady in LA not far from the OP in Santa Maria, CA who does custom suits for about $130 and up.  Pick your design and colors and give it a go.  Seems to be popular with the celebs too.

Found it:  http://www.yelp.com/biz/palmela-g-swimwear-los-angeles

Might be worth a fun shopping visit.

Apr 12 14 10:07 am Link

Model

Koryn

Posts: 39496

Boston, Massachusetts, US

GRMACK wrote:
There is a lady in LA not far from the OP in Santa Maria, CA who does custom suits for about $130 and up.  Pick your design and colors and give it a go.  Seems to be popular with the celebs too.

Found it:  http://www.yelp.com/biz/palmela-g-swimwear-los-angeles

Might be worth a fun shopping visit.

Better be made of unicorn tears for $130.

Apr 12 14 10:09 am Link

Model

90s sub pop records

Posts: 609

Livermore, California, US

I suppose you could always go for the micro bikini tops, you know... the super small bikini tops that don't cover much.

I think you could get away with it much more so than a girl with bigger boobs.

Apr 12 14 10:39 am Link

Model

L J K

Posts: 267

Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand

I'm a 30AA.
I went to target a day or two ago and found that LO AND BEHOLD THEY STARTED SELLING XS SWIM TOPS this season!!!

They sell so quick because there are so many tweens out and about but check it out! The halters didn't seem to fit as well as the spaghetti strapped tops, but they're significantly smaller than most "small" tops I've seen. (and only $17)

Apr 12 14 06:44 pm Link

Model

Zoellick Reed

Posts: 123

Portland, Oregon, US

Josie Lee wrote:
Maybe Victoria's Secret in smaller sizes?
Their store has a big selection and the styles are
perfect for photo shoots.

Victoria secret is not a good place to go for women with small or big boobs. They really do cater to B size and larger. yes you can find smaller, but they never fit right.

Apr 12 14 07:30 pm Link

Photographer

Eyesso

Posts: 1218

Orlando, Florida, US

You are in good company....

Mila Jovovich
Kate Hudson
Natalie Portman
Emma Watson
Kristen Stewart
Keira Knightly
Rihanna
Kate Moss
Gwen Stefani
Naomi Campbell
Gwyneth Paltrow
Olivia Wilde

Just Google their names and "swimsuit" or "bikini" and you'll get lots of ideas.

Apr 13 14 07:43 pm Link

Photographer

Eyesso

Posts: 1218

Orlando, Florida, US

And....bandeau tops and high cut shoulderless one piece, can't go wrong.

Nobody would argue that icons like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Mila Jovovich are lacking anything, so don't get down on yourself.  The goal should be to embrace what you have and work with all the good and sexy things that come with having smaller breasts.

Apr 13 14 07:54 pm Link

Photographer

Filles de Pin-up

Posts: 3218

Wichita, Kansas, US

This.
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/120402/13/4f7a0991131bc.jpg

Apr 13 14 07:55 pm Link

Photographer

1472

Posts: 1120

Pembroke Pines, Florida, US

Try skinnybitch swimwear or google it ... Hope that helps

Apr 13 14 08:10 pm Link

Photographer

Fotographic Aspirations

Posts: 1966

Long Beach, California, US

" X / X " electrical tape ?

Apr 13 14 08:21 pm Link