Breast sagging, or ptosis, is a natural process influenced by various factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle. While sagging is a normal part of life and not a health concern, many women seek bras that provide support and lift, especially after weight loss. This article explores the causes of breast sagging and highlights some of the best bra options for small, saggy breasts.
Understanding Breast Sagging
Breasts are primarily composed of ligaments and connective tissue rather than muscle. This means that breast sagging is largely determined by the elasticity of these tissues, age, and genetics. However, certain lifestyle choices can also play a role.
Factors Contributing to Breast Sagging
- Genetics: Some women are genetically predisposed to experience more sagging than others.
- Age: As we age, hormonal changes, especially after menopause when estrogen production decreases, can affect breast tissue. Additionally, the longer you’ve been alive, the more time gravity has to weigh down on breasts.
- Weight Fluctuations: Rapid changes in breast size, such as during weight loss or pregnancy, can impact breast ptosis. Breasts may enlarge during pregnancy and then shrink after childbirth or breastfeeding. If a woman does not breastfeed, that size decrease will happen more rapidly, which can have a bigger effect on breast sagging.
- Smoking: Smoking can negatively impact skin elasticity, affecting the tissues and ligaments in the breasts.
- Posture: Bad posture (leaning forward) can contribute to additional weight on the breasts and create more sag over time.
- Breast Involution: Breast involution, one of the most well-known causes of drooping, can happen when the milk-producing part of a woman’s breast is no longer necessary. It can occur whether or not you actually become pregnant or breast feed.
- Excessive Bounce and Stretch: While some sagging is genetic, a portion of ptosis can occur from excessive bounce and stretch. Over time, stretching of the skin can lengthen Cooper’s ligaments (the fibers that anchor breasts to the chest wall). Larger breasts will naturally bounce and stretch more than smaller breasts, which is in part why bigger busts are at increased risk of sagging. And, of course, breasts are at their bounciest during a high intensity workout.
Prevention Measures
While sagging is largely unavoidable, certain measures can help maintain breast support and minimize stretching:
- Quitting Smoking: Improves skin elasticity.
- Strengthening Pectoral Muscles: Supports the breasts from behind.
- Wearing a Supportive Sports Bra: Minimizes bounce and stretch during high-impact activities.
- Maintaining Good Posture: Prevents additional weight on the breasts.
- Supportive Daily Bra: Minimizes stretching over time.
Choosing the Right Bra for Small, Saggy Breasts
The right bra can make a significant difference in the appearance and support of small, saggy breasts. Here are some recommended bra styles and brands:
Bras Designed for Small Busts
Pepper Bras: Pepper only designs bras for small busts, so you know it's not just a scaled-down version of a larger-sized bra.
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- The Classic All You Bra: Features shallow, lightly lined cups for a natural shape and breathable mesh detailing. Testers with AA and A cup sizes have dubbed it "life-changing" because it eliminates awkward gaping.
- Pepper's bras: Offer support and coverage without a stiff underwire. It's made with soft and stretchy material that our testers described as "silk-like" and features adjustable straps with a hook-eye closure for a more secure feel. Plus, the padding for the cups is removable, allowing you to customize the amount of coverage the bra gives.
Bras for Lift and Shape
- ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Uplift Plunge Bra: Loved by B-cup testers, this lightly-lined underwire bra gives a nice shape without too much padding. It features front-adjustable straps, a crossover front gore for a better fit, and a hook that converts it to a racerback style.
- Victoria's Secret Pink Push-Up Bra: Designed with padded cups that add up to one additional cup size of fullness for a super lifted look. It's one of the few push-up styles we've evaluated that's available in AA cup sizes. In addition to the padding, the bra straps are adjustable and can be converted to a cross-back style for even more lift.
Comfortable and Supportive Bras
- Hanes Ultimate T-Shirt Soft Foam Wire Free Bra: Despite being inexpensive, this bra is a top performer, maintaining its shape after being stretched and washing well. It has adjustable, convertible straps and a hook-eye closure like a standard bra, with foam cups for a nice shape and no underwires.
- Aerie Sunnie Lightly Lined Bra: This bra earned top marks for appearance and support, with lightly lined cups and a full-coverage design. It performs well in stretch recovery tests and maintains its shape after washing. A B-cup tester appreciated the four hooks in the back, noting that it feels more supportive.
- Spanx Bra-Llelujah! Lightly Lined Bralette: Uses a smooth hosiery-like material for the straps and back that feels super comfortable and doesn't dig in. It provides a smoothing effect with a thicker band that shapes the underarms and back.
Bras for Specific Breast Shapes
- Full Coverage Bras: Ideal for pendulous breasts, offering lift and support without sacrificing comfort.
- Bras with Elastic Neckline and Close-Set Straps: Suitable for shallow top/full bottom breasts.
Other Recommended Bras
- Everlane The Invisible Bra: The silky soft feel of this Everlane bra sets it apart from other bras we've tested. The plunge cut and triangle cups offer great support for smaller bust sizes (though likely not enough coverage for larger busts). We love the longline design and that the straps are wide for support and don't dig in but they can still be adjusted in the back for the best fit.
- Lulalu T-Shirt Bra: Bras with wide band sizes and small cups are difficult to come by, but Lulalu has you covered. We appreciate the removable inserts, so you can adjust the level of padding, and we love that the foam cups are molded to maintain their shape.
- Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt Bra: Offers eight nude color options and accommodates both those with larger band sizes and smaller cups and those with larger cups and smaller band sizes.
- The Little Bra Company Sascha Bra: Specializes in bras for petite frames and is a good pick for those with a small cup size and small band. It's convertible, which means it can be adjusted to be worn in strapless, standard, racerback, one-shoulder and halter styles.
- Parade Scoop Bralette: With adjustable straps, a breathable mesh band and hook-eye back closure, this bra from Parade may seem like a regular bra, but it doesn't have a stiff underwire or bulky padding. Most importantly, according to users, it's super comfortable.
Tips for Finding the Perfect Fit
- Get Professionally Fitted: The best way to get the most accurate bra measurements is with an expert bra fitting-consult with a Fit Expert in person or online.
- DIY Measurement: If you prefer to measure yourself, ensure you do it correctly and regularly, as bodies change over time.
- Consider Breast Shape: Look for bras specially designed for shallow top and pendulous breast shapes.
- Check Band and Cup Size: Pay attention to band size (the number) and cup size (the letter) to ensure the bra fits snugly around your torso and fully contains your breasts without gaping or spillage.
- Adjust Straps: Adjust the straps so they sit comfortably on your shoulders without digging in or slipping off. The straps should provide support without bearing the entire weight of your breasts.
- Try Different Styles: Experiment with different bra styles, such as balconette, demi, plunge, or full coverage, to see which one provides the best lift, support, and shape for your breasts.
- Consider the Occasion: Choose bras based on the occasion and outfit. For everyday wear, a comfortable and supportive T-shirt bra or bralette may be ideal. For special occasions or low-cut tops, a push-up bra or plunge bra may be more suitable.
- Read Reviews: Before purchasing a bra, read online reviews from other women with similar breast shapes and sizes to get an idea of the bra's fit, comfort, and support.
- Check the Return Policy: Ensure the store or website has a flexible return policy so you can return or exchange the bra if it doesn't fit properly.
- Don't Be Afraid to Size Up or Down: Bra sizes can vary between brands, so don't be afraid to try different sizes to find the perfect fit. If the band feels too tight, try sizing up in the band. If the cups feel too small, try sizing up in the cup.
- Look for Adjustable Features: Choose bras with adjustable straps and hook-and-eye closures so you can customize the fit to your body.
- Consider the Material: Look for bras made from soft, breathable materials like cotton, microfiber, or lace that won't irritate your skin.
- Check the Underwire: If you prefer underwire bras, make sure the underwire sits flat against your chest without poking or digging in.
- Try the Jump Test: When trying on a bra, do a quick jump test to see how well it supports your breasts. If your breasts bounce excessively, the bra may not be providing enough support.
- Take Care of Your Bras: To prolong the life of your bras, hand wash them in cold water with a gentle detergent and lay them flat to dry. Avoid putting them in the dryer, as the heat can damage the elastic and fabric.
- Replace Your Bras Regularly: Over time, bras can lose their shape and support, so it's important to replace them every 6-12 months, depending on how often you wear them.
- Consider a Bra Extender: If you find that the band of your bra is too tight, you can use a bra extender to add extra length and make it more comfortable.
- Consult a Professional: If you're still struggling to find the right bra, consider consulting a professional bra fitter or lingerie stylist for personalized advice and recommendations.
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