Wedding Blog
I can rock a low v-neck while maintaining a more than passable level of modesty, because my dip in the gene pool left me rather tiny on top — and normally, I’m totally fine with that. For ladies on the other end of the spectrum, my position could sometimes seem like a mighty fine place to be. But it can definitely be frustrating — more than once, I’ve found a cute top while shopping, only to have to leave it at the store, because the size that’s smallest enough to fit my chest is too tight around my (apparently He-Man-esque) arms. And most bras aren’t readily available in my size, or they lack the necessary padding that makes me feel like I have, in fact, passed puberty. Well-endowed I am not, so you can see why, as my first fitting approached, I was stressing about finding an ideal undergarment.
I frantically — and futilely — combed two malls searching for an undergarment that would fit and flatter. I’d been advised to bring a longline bra to my first alteration appointment, but seriously struggled to find one I felt comfortable enough with to wear on my wedding day. In desperation, I did several things:
In the first 10 minutes of my fitting, I discussed my options with the alterations consultant. She immediately dismissed my idea to sew a bra into the gown — it’s not a heavy garment, but apparently, this idea only works on extremely light sheaths and other similar styles. She also passed over the NuBra (and I have to admit, I inwardly sighed with relief). I told her about my frustrations trying to find a bustier that would fit without making it impossible to breathe. And then, she disappeared into a stock room, and came out with (dun dun DUN) a longline bra by Dominique. (It looked quite similar to this — a bit longer in the torso, though, and a more neutral, nude color, rather than this stark white.)
I was dubious as I tried it on, but pleasantly surprised when, even with it hooked closed, I was still comfortable. The secret? It’s one band size larger than what I normally wear. We added some padding to fill out the cups — the result was a natural, flattering fit. And while I’m normally wary of purchasing accessories from bridal salons, this undergarment was just a shade above the price I’d seen (in all my research) for similar products.
Did you struggle to find the ideal undergarment for your wedding gown? Any other small-chested girls want to share what worked best for you?
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Oh I struggled, S T R U G G L E D and in the end I will not be wearing a bra of any type and am out $75 due to an inflexible return policy…..grrrr.
I’m sort of on the other end of the spectrum, and it is really hard. They just don’t make my size in strapless (because it requires a team of architects and civil engineers, I’m sure). I usually buy bras from England because they make my size in pretty bras, for way cheaper than you’d find here (even with the exchange rate and international shipping, 3 UK bras were cheaper than one US bra from Nordies!)…. but no luck there either. I finally found ONE that was my size, ordered it, and am hoping for the best, as I have my first dress shopping trip in a few weeks.
I’m glad you found something you liked! Amen!
What I wouldn’t give for small lady lumps. In the process of trying on dresses and searching for a suitable bra to try the dresses on with, I discovered that the DD boobs that I had been hoisting up for the past 20 years are actually FF boobs. I’m a size 12.
It’s much easier to add padding to a smaller boob to fill out a dress than it is to remove breast tissue to make your boobs fit in a dress. While I think we have similar frustrations, I will not cry for you argentina! LOL!
I learned about this place called Bratenders in NYC from Weddingbee (of course) and I’m going to make a trip there before my dress comes in. I’m on the larger size but I want a bra that fits perfectly and doesn’t fall down, which is always my issue with strapless bras.
I tried on so many bustiers and finally got a strapless nude wonderbra, and sewing cups into the dress. I didn’t think the wonderbra would work but it did!
i feel your pain! i have cups sewn into my dress but it feels too empty up front, so i’m using a regular strapless. i would’ve liked a longline/bustier but i’m afraid it would be too warm and uncomfortable in the summer heat 
glad you found something that works!
I am similarly endowed, and ended up getting a longline bra that was actually a cup size larger. Then i’m using “takeouts” (http://www.herlook.com/takeouts-better-boob-job.html) to make sure I completely fill it out (and fill out my dress a little better). I haven’t worn it to a fitting yet but it should help… I was a 6 in my waist but only a 2 in the chest.
I have always wished the nipples were like air valves that let you pump up the girls when you wanted some Va Va voom and the deflate them whe you wanted to go for a run. Sigh…
AHAHA CHK i have never thought of that but now, i know i will never think of nipples the same way again!
I have the same problem the opposite way! I’m a fairly normal size up top (34C) but I’m only 5′0 and under 100 lbs. If I want things to fit me up top its way to big in the rib cage and if it fits around the middle my boobs end up pushed up to my chin
OMG, I LOVE the longline bras from Dominique. I don’t own one yet, but it’s what they provide to try on gowns at Priscilla of Boston. As a super small chested gal, this is definitely the right way to go!
Yea, I’m an A cup, too. Why were you wary of the NuBra? That was the direction I was thinking of going…I don’t want the obvious little “my boobs are not big enough to fill out this bra” gap on my wedding day!
@Princetonbride,
I went to bratenders and ended up buying out the entire store. I thought I was a 34DDD but as it turns out, my back is smaller than 34 and the bra wasn’t lifting me up enough, so I went to a 32G and it totally fits. Why do big stores try to stream us into the “main” sizes. It’s rare we actually fit into those sizes!!!
I hope that your experience is as wonderful as mine! I cannot believe how much better I felt when I walked out of there…IF YOU’RE IN NYC, BRATENDERS WORKS VERY WELL!!!
btw Princetonbride, Obviously, I’m not a tiny size and I have had the same problem with strapless bras, the one that Raquel fit on me will definitely NOT leave me fidgeting the entire night. You should definitely be in good hands.
I was looking for something like this when I went to try on dresses and had to settle with a strapless bra that was ok for trying on but not for wearing for hours and hours…ouch! I have a long upper body and wide shoulders and I hate bra shopping as well. I went to so many stores looking for one and just said heck with it and got the not so great strapless! The lady at the bridal salon told me I could get cups put in to the gown…it has some padding but the girls didnt stay up to well without a bra on when I went back to show the dress to my mom! I left the painfull strapless at home and just took off my regular bra when I put the gown on…but I def need something to hold them up! Thanks for this post…its nice to see Im not the only one with bra problems!! HEHE!
@AlmostMrsG: @AlmostMrsG: If that doesn’t work out, maybe try Figleaves.com They have a large variety of sizes for reasonable prices.
@mrspaetz: I definitely thought of this too — trust me, it was SO uncomfortably hot in the shop during my first fitting, it gave me a good taste of late August weather — but (as gross as this sounds), I’d rather, um, sweat into the longline bra than my actual gown.
@CHK: LOL! Wouldn’t that be nice?
@Amanda W: I feared the sizing wouldn’t be exact enough, that it might poke out and show above the top of my gown, that the adhesive would be uncomfortable…or that it wouldn’t stick all day! Yup, I’m a worrier.
Oh this is so funny! I’m 16A. Miss B, you and I are in the EXACT same boat. I have gorilla arms and a narrow flat torso!!! Congrats on finding THE undergarment!
I wear the NuBra a lot onstage when I perform in shows because of the weirdly-shaped costumes you often end up in. It’s always worked wonders for me. The only thing I’ve ever had on that gave me real cleavage.
@Amanda W: I am also an A cup and I just purchased the super padded nubra and I really like it. I went for my first fitting and my seamstress is sewing in cups plus I will wear the nubra so that the material lays properly on my chest. We tried it with just one or the other and it didn’t look right. I ended up purchasing the nubra on ebay and it came really quick with free shipping. The super padded one makes you go up a full cup size but it is not heavy at all and it sticks well. I ended up wearing it all day and had no issues with slipping
i took the recommendation of my bridal consultant and purchased undergarments similar to the last photo you posted. it’s simple and works nicely within the dress.
I have a nubra, and I like it. I still haven’t purchased undergarments (yikes!) but I do need some support!
Like some girls i have the opposite problem. And so often I try on tons of shirts and dresses and walk out with nothing and frustrated. I’m a 34 G and size 6. Dresses in my size are look ridiculous. Buying a bathing suit means I have to spend three times more and often stores don’t carry my size..oh and getting a bra that doesn’t look like you borrowed from your great grandmother means you have to go even higher in the cup size and some don’t make past a DD. So annoying. So be proud and fill them in. I wish i could take some out to fit in to the styles that i love! Oh and the babyboo if you are 100 pounds you should get resized. I guarantee you are not a 34. And the lower in band size you go usually means you will go up in cup size.
I think I am lucky I just showed up to try on dresses and the owner told me to go nude under the dresses. It was an amazing way to try on dresses. I got a great dress that doesn’t require a bra!!! However, it is a corset 
But even the other dresses I tried on wouldn’t require much under it. I just think, it’s my wedding night, I want to be sexy under all that material and not afraid of the kinds of lines certain materials will make. I can’t even imagine my partner removing an adhesive bra.
Oh I feel you pain I must be down £100 on underwear options.
When I chose my dress the shop lady said they could sew cups in , all I needed were invisible nicks.
1st fitting and seamstress points out that dress can’t have cups sewn in.
So I need a low back strapless bra! Much searching and discarding of stick on bras (apparently sweat and stick on don’t go well together and I have a June wedding)
So finally got an ultimo basque similar to your Dominique one, only it only comes in ivory so now need new nicks.
Also shoe change means I now need something on my legs.
I swear the underwear is harder to sort out than the dress.
My seamstress actually sewed in a corset. I came with my undergarments and she told me to take it off. lol Luckily I didn’t purchase anything new. But, I am on the opposite end of the spectrum and I asked for extra padding on the top..
My dress has a halter neck line and a very low back so the only bra that worked well was one of those 3-in-1 bras and I already had one - score! BUT, the strap was digging into my neck and it wasn’t comfortable. So I opted for a NuBra and I was pleased at how well it stayed on, I was very skeptical, it felt a little weird at first but after a while you forget it’s even on!
I know they don’t work for everyone, but I would never be without my Nu Bra (Nubra) type garment during the summer or strapless times. It’s not glue per se, it’s an adhering silicone lining in the bra. I’m not a huge sweat-er, and due to an operation, down to almost A size again, and it works great, even when I was almost a C cup.
Requirements are clean skin, no lotion on the tah-tahs area. I don’t even always hook the clasp in the middle, and it stays on! (In the case the garment is really low cut)
Money savings: Target has a stickier brand of silicone adhering bras (almost a little painful to take off at first! Nucker up, gals :0) and they are HALF the cost of a Nu Bra. For strapless bras, I love, love, love it. To renew it’s stickiness once in a while, just wash with mild soap. They come on the shelf at Target only, can’t find them online. Why not try it for daily wear first, so you know it will stay on. For 21 bucks or so, way, way worth it!
I’ll probably be looking at some “Take-outs” and a longline. I’ve never filled anything out - which is super frustrating when trying on dresses, suits or any other garments where room for the girls are left hanging empty. On the other hand, I’m always fine wearing spaghetti straps with the pathetic little shelf bra because the girls aren’t going anywhere!
UGH. yes. i am an A cup, but with very large ribs (even though im at least semi-petite otherwise), so i wear an 36A and sometimes even that doesn’t fit (aka either it should be a 38A or a AA!). so miserable finding bras.
I used this bra: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=CN-152434&page=1&cgname=OSBRPSTPZZZ&rfnbr=5315&atb=C and it kept my strapless dress in place that I wasn’t pulling it up all night and it helped fill out my dress, since I am really tiny - especially on top! I liked this one better than all the ones I tried on at the bridal stores, especially it was awesome how seamless and smooth it looked under my dress!
I have a similar body as well. Super tiny chest without the super tiny arms…
I’ve been waiting for this post, and incidentally, I ordered the same long line strapless bra and am waiting for it to come in the mail. I just want to give myself a couple options.
Question though–Can you return the adhesive backless bra after trying it on? I ordered one from VA, but was afraid to open the packaging for fear I couldn’t return it ($68!) if it didn’t work for me.
@Miss Dori: Great suggestion! I’m going to look at Target asap!
@LatteLove: As far as I know you can’t return the adhesive bras, that’s why I considered it carefully and was not willing to pay more than 30 bucks for it. I got the A cup and it works really well for me.
I haven’t decided what kind of undergarment I am going to wear for my wedding yet but I seem to be proportioned exactly like you. FOr the past 5 years I have worn a nu-bra to EVER formal event I have gone to. I think they are fantastic!!!
@Miss Dori: Sweet! Thanks for the tip - on to Target!
@Miss Bruschetta: Aw, don’t be such a worrier! Although I guess it doesn’t matter, since you found your dream bra!
i have the completely opposite problem.. my chest is way to large for my ribs, and everytime i find the perfect dress its way too small on the chest, so i know i’m going to end up finding a dress thats too big and altering it down to fit around my waist, and the bra thing… HUGE problem. regular strapless bra’s don’t support me, and longline bra’s never ever fit correctly. AAAAAAGH we’ll figure it out i guess
@aclements: Thanks for the suggestion! I’ve always thought I was sized wrong and have been meaning to go to an “actual” bra shop (i.e. not Vicki’s) to get properly sized.
I don’t know if I tried on the exact brand of NuBra, but it was shown on tv at one point no? Anyways, I tried it on twice and both times I lost a “boob”
Very embarassing.
A 34tiny B girl
I wore a NuBra for my senior prom (right at the beginning of the relationship w/my BF, who will very extremely likely be marrying!), and it wound up sliding down onto my stomach while I was dancing! Really embarrassing, but I hit up the bathroom, dried off a little (gross, I know haha) and restuck ‘em. Made for a good laugh for us
My mom and I call them chicken cutlets… look just about identical 
While I don’t have the same problems you do, I’m still having issues finding the correct underthings for the big day. When I went to try on dresses (and found my dress) I brought a white strapless bra I found at Wal-Mart for like 10 bucks. Yeah wal-mart….but it’s really comfortable! However, I think I’m going to need a long line to flatten out the stupid “pouch” thing I have. 
We’ll see what I end up with.
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Mrs. Bruschetta, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 25, Communication Professional
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapy Graduate Student
Engagement Date: November 30, 2007
Wedding Date: August 2009
Venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Church & the F.U.E.L. House
About Me: I’m a self-proclaimed grammar geek who loves singing (like, really belting it) in the car. My mister and I are planning a vibrant summer soiree celebrating our passions – including food and Philly – and when we make it official, we’ll have been together for eight years! Being super competitive is in my nature, and talking excessively is in my genes. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, but can always easily find my way into Mr. Bruschetta’s arms.
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