Reader Question: Petite Seeks Bras To Fight Underarm Bulges

A while back Heather wrote to me with this problem:

"I have armpit and back bulges and I'm having a very hard time finding a bra that's high in the armpit while still being a petite size."

She also mentioned that she has tear-shaped breasts (fuller on the bottom, flatter on the top). Quick explanation for non-petites: bras which an average to tall person perceives as high under the armpits usually are too high for petites (poking!). For those of you who have not read all the archives: underwires that go up high under the arm help with reversing the migration of breast tissue. This is what I answered:

"I would advise you to try plunges, they usually go higher up under the armpits. For example the Panache Tango II in the plunge version. However it is really hard to say which models have underwires that are high enough but not too high --- it depends upon your individual proportions. If you are crafty, I know that it is possible to open the end of the underwire tunnel and cut a too long underwire short."

I have a nagging feeling that my answer wasn't earth-shatteringly helpful. So I turn to you for words of bra-wisdom: Do you ladies have any brands or models to recommend to Heather? I'm especially looking at you petite ladies: which bras worked for you? Please help Heather out with your comments.

Comments (6)

Logging you in...

Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout

Logged in as

0 Vote up Vote down

Lillefix · 710 weeks ago

I have problems finding bras that are low enough to wear at all. The height of the wires depends on what cup size you wear too. I have found the bravissimo brand bras generally are the lowest, after that it's the Ewa Michalak plunge bras (the CH bras seem to be a little higher in the same size), then Freya bras, which can sadly be too high in my case. Panache bras are very high, but Curvy Kate bras and Flirtelle are not (but it's not a shape that I can fit, so I'm not sure how they compare to the others, but definitely a lot lower than Panache).
I hope it will change, and that the brands will think of petite women when they make bras, I sometimes have to chose a smaller cup size than what I actually fit to be able to wear the bra, so it's a big problem.

Report

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

0 Vote up Vote down

Juliana · 710 weeks ago

I'm not Heather, but I've been digging around the web for days looking for this kind information. This is exactly what I needed -- at least as a starting point. The more informed, the better, right? :) Thank you!

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

Zoe · 710 weeks ago

I'm only 5'1 (154 cm) so I often am uncomfortable in bras due to the underwires being too high. I have had great success with ewa michalak plunge bras. The wires come up as high as I can wear comfortably, buy not too high. I don't have armpit bulges but it seems to me like the bras would help with that problem.

Report

+1 Vote up Vote down

affinitas parfait · 710 weeks ago

As a matter of fact i do-- I found the perfect bra for this problem. I just discovered parfait affinitas!!!!! Normally I need a 26 but their 30 fits... no joke. I bought the charlotte model in 30 g (it runs really small in the cup and the band, usually I need a 28g-26gg (26 in a perfect world)] and it has all of the advantages of panache-- sides that come up very high and help with migration, but without the shape of the panache underwires that doesn't agree with everybody. It's also very affordable. Can't say I love the colors, or that a luxury bra wouldn't be more, well, luxurious, but i think it's a great interim until you're migrated enough to invest in a new bra wardrobe.

Aslo, the 30g has a 3 hook band <3

Report

+1 Vote up Vote down

eternalvoyageur 69p · 670 weeks ago

Test comment

Report

0 Vote up Vote down

dsg3g32g · 259 weeks ago

r it is really hard to say which models have underwires that are high enough but not too high --- it depends upon your individual proportions. If you are crafty, I know that it is possible to open the end of the underwir

Report