By Rebecca Brown and Andrea Navarro
Shopping for the best swimsuits for small boobs can be a challenge. When it comes to swim bottoms, you can usually just size up or size down to find the right fit for your body type. The same isn’t always true for tops. With so many different cuts—triangle, bandeau, halter, underwire, tankini—achieving the perfect fit requires more than just ordering two different sizes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with styles from different swimsuit brands (it’s all about trial and error), and read up on the features experts say are worth considering when shopping for small breasts. Machine Printing On Fabric
So what’s the best style of swimsuit for small boobs? Like bra shopping for small busts, the answer is a mixed bag. “The truth is, any bra size can wear any style,” says Cora Harrington, bra fit expert and founder of The Lingerie Addict. “There’s nothing about a halter, bralette, one-piece, or anything else that excludes smaller busts. It all comes down to the particular fit of that particular suit.”
Over the years people have embraced a variety of styles: the backless one-piece that’s the ideal balance of skin and coverage; the ruched tankini that looks more like a shirt than a piece of swimwear; the teeniest unlined scoop-neck bikini top that looks as though it was plucked straight from Hailey Bieber’s closet.
They’re all worth trying, because, as Harrington points out, the most important feature of the best swimsuits for small busts is fit. “A common mistake is getting hung up on the size one thinks they should wear, rather than the size that fits them,” says Harrington. “Every brand has its own fit permutations, and it’s perfectly normal to wear one size in one brand and a completely different size in another, or different sizes if you’re buying a two-piece!”
Classic necklines like the halter top and the triangle are also your friend because they can be a quick fix to fabric gaping and bunching. “Tie-fronts allow someone to adjust the closeness of the breasts, and halters, especially tie-back halters, can do similar,” says Harrington. “For triangle [suits], less fabric, as well as adjustable ties, can give the look of a larger bust.”
Having smaller boobs can be an asset. Instead of focusing on the cups you don't fill, consider all of the plunging necklines and more revealing bathing suits you can wear without feeling overexposed. Experiment with new styles by first thinking about how you want to look and feel. “[Think about the] silhouette you’re trying to achieve,” says Harrington. “Do you want more forward projection under a one-piece? Do you want that deep-V cleavage at the midline of the body? Or the ‘cakes on a plate’ shelf cleavage?” The appropriate style hinges on the effect you want.
While there may be challenges to having a small chest, there are just as many bonuses. “One of the advantages of a petite bust is usually needing less support to keep your bust lifted and protected,” says Kimmay Caldwell, undergarment educator and founder of online lingerie resource Hurray! Kimmay. “This means you can wear many more swim top options.”
So whether you want to go with a classic one-piece swimsuit or are vibing a cross-body floss moment, we lined up 26 of the best swimsuits for small boobs ahead.
(PS: Looking for the best swimsuits for large busts or the best plus-size swimsuits? We’ve rounded up our top picks.)
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If you want to amp up cleavage, try a lace-up top that lets you control how close together—or far apart—your breasts sit. This one’s reversible, with a black-and-white striped pattern on the inside.
Looking for a top that’ll fit your cup size perfectly? Target’s got your back…err, chest. This top is stretchy yet fits like a padded bra and can be mixed and matched with so many different bottoms.
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If you want to make your bust appear a little larger, Aerie’s balconette top will make it so in the most natural way. It has underwire for a supportive lift, with lightly lined padded cups.
Save when you shop for the best swimsuits for small busts with these Aerie promo codes.
It feels like micro bikinis are everywhere right now, and this Aerie triangle top has joined the bandwagon. These cups are super tiny, so they’re perfect for anyone who’s not worried about spillage.
Save when you shop for the best swimsuits for small busts with these Aerie promo codes.
Lululemon’s swim gets an A+ in our book. This sporty top is perfect for anyone who spends most of their in water (or doing other active things) and will keep your girls secured while doing so.
Save when you shop for the best swimsuits for small busts with these Lululemon promo codes.
This scoop-neck top offers the look and feel of a sports bra, with just enough compression for swimming and other beach actvities. It comes with matching high-cut, high-waisted bottoms.
A lower-cut bikini top shows some skin without sacrificing comfort and ease. Bonus: Cuup offers a large variety of smaller band and cup sizes for the best fit.
A low-cut one-piece is a great way to show some skin without getting too revealing, while the crossover detail highlights the waist.
A triangle top with light padding, as in this eye-catching bikini set, will naturally lift up breasts, and you can tighten the straps to minimize gaping.
Remember when you used to tie your favorite tank or T-shirt as a makeshift cropped top? Well, you can now get the same look with a bathing suit, except there’s no (constant) self-tying involved. If you wore this with some denim shorts, no one would be the wiser that this wasn’t a regular top.
This one-piece swimsuit actually ties as a halter, so it offers lift for small busts. There’s also a fun crisscross detail down along the back for those who appreciate a party-in-the-back kind of moment, with tummy control around the midriff to hold you in.
Ruffles are anything but basic, and this top is just teeny enough to cover small busts. Wear it on or off your shoulders depending on your mood.
“One way to achieve a fuller look is with a push-up or padded bikini top,” says Caldwell. This square-neck bikini top from Everlane has removable pads so you can play around with volume.
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Those who want to go as minimal as possible need to reach for this bandeau top ASAP. It’s made of a soft ribbed-knit fabric and has extra-small cups for those who don’t love a ton of coverage.
Stay snatched and make a statement in this bold strapless swimsuit. It has contrasting prints along the top and bottom and keeps everything smoothed out while you tan or swim.
Want to wear something that covers your midsection a bit more? This top isn’t exactly a tankini, but once paired with its matching high-waist bottoms, you’ll barely show any skin. It makes for a great crop top off the beach as well.
This striped bandeau top has a terry-cloth-like fabric, making it an especially fun pick for summer. It features a tortoiseshell ring in the chest area, plus removable straps for when you want more security.
If you just want a top that’s super comfortable and supports your chest as is, this is the one. It’s made of a super-stretchy knit and can even double as a bra or crop top.
Take a plunge—literally. This one-piece has a deep V-neckline, and those with smaller busts won’t have to worry about a nip slip. While it can be a little revealing up top, it does have a full-coverage bottom.
Enhance your bust with this chic balconette-style top from Madewell. It gives you an added boost on the top, with high-waist bottoms completing the retro look.
Nylon Swimsuit Save when you shop for the best swimsuits for small busts with these Madewell promo codes.