Wacoal petite contour push-up bra in nude.So, I felt the need to update my Wacoal Petites bra size and fit tips since I discovered that I and one of my recent small-busted clients can both wear a larger cup in these bras than we usually take.

I came to this realization after my client, Karen, measured at a 32B but felt that this size might fit too large in the cups on her. I sent her two styles from the Wacoal Petites line: one 32A and one 32B. It was a pleasant surprise for me to hear Karen was happy with the fit of both bras.

I couldn’t help noticing that Karen’s measurements and my own are quite similar, give or take half an inch. I had been wearing a 32A in one of my favorite Wacoal Petite bras, but it was feeling a little tight even without the removable push-up pads. I decided to go ahead and plunge into a B cup… and I’m glad I did.

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IBB strapless sequin bra, black.

Haute couture for itty bitties.

For small-busted size AA and A-cup women, a truly glamorous bra is a rare find. There’s nothing wrong with sheer lace bralettes, but when you want to hide the headlights you need something with a bit more substance.

Fortunately, Itty Bitty Bra has come up with an ideal solution for the petite style-obsessed and curve-challenged among us: a stunning sequined strapless number, shown here in black.

This on-trend, high-style piece by Itty Bitty Bra designer Jane Hodgdon is built from the same prototype as her original strapless bra, which has been widely praised for its excellent fit. This innovative design features a U-shaped wire at the center gore. The contour cups are lightly padded for structure, coverage and support.

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Love... petite-style!

I heart you.

Valentine’s Day is almost as big a deal as Christmas when you sell (or market, or write about) bras and lingerie. I feel like it has been February 14, 2012 for the past two months. To be perfectly honest, I’m sick to death of it.

But please don’t think this means I don’t love you guys. Hence the impossibly cute picture of little animals cuddling. If this photo doesn’t make you feel all warm inside, you probably have no soul. (But please don’t think this means I… right. Let’s move on, shall we?)

Whether you celebrate the Hallmark holiday or not, have fun. Don’t forget to get yourself a present! Then, come see us over at 32aa Bra’s Facebook page and tell us what you got.

Can’t think of anything you want? Lame. (No, not really. I’m just jealous because I never have this problem.) Here’s an idea: Aerie bras are on sale for 40 percent off today. Take this opportunity to try the new Maddie, their latest push-up. You’ll find a quick review of the Aerie Maddie bra after the jump.

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"Chloe" bustier by Affinitas Intimates.

Affinitas Intimates "Chloe" bustier.

Hey ladies!

I know that many of you who need a size 30A or 30B bra are frustrated with the lack of lingerie available in band sizes under 32. Although this is not a problem I personally have to deal with, I can certainly sympathize.

That’s one of the reasons why I’m thrilled to be writing a review of the “Chloe” bustier and hipster set by Affinitas Intimates: this petite-friendly brand starts at a 30A.

Reason number two: this set is incredibly hot.

Men: if you’re looking for something to get your petite wife or girlfriend for V-Day (or any other occasion), I really do not think you can possibly go wrong with any piece in the Affinitas Chloe collection. Just make sure you know her size, and you’re all set.

There’s even a choice of colors: blue and black, or pink and black. I went with the blue in a size 32A… but honestly, if I’d gotten the pink I might have suddenly developed a taste for pink! That’s the level of gorgeous we are dealing with here.

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Itty Bitty Bra - Wire-Free ConvertibleOne of the top brands for petite lingerie in the United States, Itty Bitty Bra, has come out with a new convertible model. This is great news for those of us who struggle with slipping straps.

The IBB convertible strap bra is a wire-free style with triangle-shaped contoured cups and a narrow band. It closes in back with a single row of hooks (like the classic Itty Bitty Signature Bra). The straps are detachable and can be worn cross-back, halter-style or classic.

The description of this bra on the IBB website does not mention the fact that it is a wire-free style. I would have preferred an underwire, because with the narrow band and only one row of hooks in back, there isn’t much support.

If you’re between band sizes, definitely order the smaller size — otherwise it will ride up (a common problem with wire-free bras). Sizes come in Extra Small (32), Small (34), Medium (36), and Large (38). Cup sizes are all AA/A; I would not recommend this bra for B cups.

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Affinitas Chemise - Silver Our friend Jennifer at Magnifique has generously offered us this gorgeous Affinitas Jasmin chemise and hipster lingerie set to give away to one lucky reader of 32AA Bra.

To enter:

  1. Follow Magnifique and 32AA Bra on Facebook.
  2. Contact Amanda to let us know you are following us and Magnifique. Please include a link to your Facebook profile so we can confirm this.

That’s it! Entries will be accepted until January 31, 2012. The winner will be chosen at random and notified on February 1, 2012.

Affinitas Intimates Jasmin Lingerie Set Giveaway More about the Jasmin set: Affinitas is a stylish, fun brand that makes bras starting at a size 30A and lingerie from size extra small. The Jasmin lace chemise and hipster set is available in sizes XS (0-2; underbust = 32), S (4-6; underbust = 34), M (8-10; underbust = 36), L (12-14; underbust = 38) and XL (16-18; underbust = 40). If you need one size in the chemise and a different size in the hipster, this is fine; just be sure to let us know which size you want in each if you win. Color: silver only (as shown).

Good luck!

TLBC Mercedes bra, pinkWendy and I each tried on a different size in The Little Bra Company’s Mercedes bra, so we decided to review it together.

Wendy: I really love the overall style and color of the bra, even before I put it on. I got size 30B in the gorgeous dusty pink. It’s a great color! But I’m partial to pink.

Amanda: I got a 32A in the slate gray, and it’s really beautiful. And I feel the same way about the style… elegant, well-made, high-quality fabrics.

Wendy: How did you do size-wise?

Amanda: It seems to run smaller in the cup than I expected. The fit in the band is great. In the cups, it almost works but I notice a slight quad-boob thing going on. Also, I am spilling out the sides a little. Not sure if I’ll find the B cup too large, though. I may be between cup sizes in this brand.

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Adore Me While I am (arguably) adorable, that is not a command. Adore Me is the latest website to toss its hat garter into the ring of private sale sites. It’s not a flash- or sample-sale site, though, where you have to jump on the deal right away or you lose it. Rather, they offer a personalized selection of bra/panty sets, tights and stockings, and an “accessory” section which consists of less-than-practical evening wear. Overall, the site has a lot of potential. There are some great features, but there are also plenty of pitfalls. We’ll nit-pick the hell out the site but first let’s take a look at how it works. Continue reading »

A beautifully designed bra.

Kaori’s Closet is a cute little Japanese lingerie store located in the Soho neighborhood of New York City. Recently, I had a lovely shopping experience at this cozy boutique.

The predominant aesthetic is delicate and very feminine. Kaori’s features bras and lingerie from Japan, but they also carry a few brands that we might be more familar with, including Elle MacPherson and Timpa.

Japanese lingerie tends to run quite small compared to the standard US sizing, which is ideal for those of us who require petite bras.

Petite bra from Japanese lingerie boutique Kaori's Closet.

My favorite bra of the bunch!

Colorful lace and frills are everywhere at Kaori’s Closet. I like this look, but I wasn’t completely sold until I tried on a few of their beautiful bras. The sales associate put on white gloves to measure me, brought several styles for me to try, and helped adjust and fit me into each bra. The service here is fantastic!

My best fit is a Japanese size C65, which is equivalent to our 30C. I ended up taking home four bras from the Japanese brand Narue, all of which make me look and feel amazing.

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Citing major interest and ‘fantastic success’ at the CurveNY and CurveNV trade shows, UK intimate apparel maker Royce Lingerie is exploring the American market. If things pan out and their American presence reflects that of their British market, this will be great news for the stateside petite population. Continue reading »