If you’re a petite woman, you’re surely very familiar with the struggle to find clothes that fit correctly and that are designed with you in mind. It’s not just a matter of height, but also of proportion, and lingerie rarely comes in designated petite sizing. Thankfully, there are certain tricks you can employ to find the best-fitting lingerie for your body. Making sure the size is good, that the style is cut right, and that you’re retaining correct proportions can go a long way to ensuring a perfect fit.
Keep Proportions in Mind
With a petite frame, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Too much coverage, cups that are too big, too much pattern or texture, etc. You can still wear anything you want - but you just have to keep in mind to adjust the proportions to suit you properly for a personalized fit.
Think small
It may seem obvious, but when your body is smaller, then everything else needs to be, as well. Smaller cups, sparse patterns, and strategically placed lace are all great options for petite women who need styles that are a bit more subtle.
Adjust necklines and rises
You might also want to consider lower waisted panties that will allow more of your torso to remain visible. That will balance out your proportions. Same deal with lower cut bras - styles that leave more skin visible won’t look overly sexual; they’ll simply balance out the proportions.
Ensure a Perfect Fit
The aspect petites consistently struggle with when it comes to clothing is fit. Pants are too long, dress torsos don’t match, and when it comes to lingerie, the fit issues are only exacerbated. Too often, stores try to convince customers they fit into a narrow range of sizes in order to sell, but every woman deserves to purchase a bra that fits perfectly.
Especially if you have specific or specialized fit needs, a personalized fit becomes essential to your comfort and well-being. That’s why it’s super important to start by finding your ideal fit with an online fit calculator.
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Measure yourself
Taking accurate measurements is paramount to a perfect fit, not just for petite women, but for anybody purchasing lingerie. Perhaps surprisingly, it’s actually more difficult than you think to get accurate measurements on yourself, and you have to be very precise. Ideally, you’d have a measuring tape at your disposal, but if you do not, then a piece of string will do, in a pinch. Just look up an on-screen measuring tape on your laptop or phone and measure a section that you can use as a guide.
Bras:
Measure your high bust (approximately armpit level), your full bust (around where your bust is the fullest) and underbust (right underneath your bust, on your ribcage. Your measuring tape should be snug, but not tight. Make sure the tape is parallel with the ground when measuring, and that it’s not sliding down in the back, or riding up. It should be perfectly level.
Panties:
For panties, you need the waist measurement - measure at the smallest point on your torso, usually a little higher than your bellybutton. If the waist is not apparent, lean on your side - the point where your body hinges is where your waist is. That’s where high-waisted panties should sit. Now, measure your hips at the fullest point (that’s usually going to include buttocks, or thighs, depending on your body type).
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Compare to the size chart
To get a precise fit, you should always compare your measurements to the size chart. If you find that the measurements don’t perfectly align, you should always size up, rather than down. In the case of panties, if your waist and hip measurements align with two different sizes, always buy for your largest measurement. Extra fabric can always be tailored, but if the fit is too snug, that can’t be easily fixed.
What Are The Best Bra Shapes for Petite Women?
Not all bras are created equal. They all come with unique shapes and particularities, and you’ll find some more flattering than others. For petites, there are a few different options:
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Demi bras
Demi bras and balconette bras are similar in shape and use, and both flatter petite busts. Offering less coverage than a traditional bra, a demi bra is cut to reveal more of the bust, with a very becoming curve and wider set straps. This cut suits smaller busts and doesn’t overwhelm with too much fabric or too large cups that are out of proportion with the smaller frame of a petite woman. It can also work great for more generous busts, because it’s less restrictive.
The additional skin on show balances out the look and for sheer or lacy demi bras, the effect is even more harmonious. That isn’t to say that petite women can’t wear traditional, full-coverage bras, but a demi bra can do wonders.
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Push-up bras
For the women who want to play around with volume, a push-up bra provides endless possibilities. You can opt for more or less padding, depending on what you’re comfortable with, and some styles even have removable padding, so that you can customize the size and shape you want, anytime you want.
The push-up effect can come just from the wired structure, no padding necessary. For lace, mesh, or silk, the exquisite material is enough, without any other enhancement or embellishment. It’s possible to have a natural push-up effect with no padding.
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Wireless bras
The wired bra experience isn’t for everybody, but there’s an abundance of soft, wireless bras on the market and they’re perfect for petite frames. Wireless bras tend to be thinner and softer, and they readily conform to the natural shape of the bust, creating a more comfortable fit.
The result is a subtle look that’s supportive and still contributes to a flattering shape, but without any padding or complicated structure. Available in fabrics like cotton, for everyday comfort, silk for special occasions, mesh for modern looks, and lace for sexy outfits, wireless bras are great for all tastes and styles.
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Bandeau bras
A bandeau bra fixes a multitude of fit issues in one go. First of all, they usually don’t have molded cups, which means sizing is much more flexible and it entirely depends on band size and what you find comfortable for your bust shape.
In addition, these are usually strapless styles, which means you don’t need to worry about the straps being too long and requiring adjustment. There’s nothing worse than a bra with fixed straps that’s too long or too short. Plus, the lack of straps leaves the chest, shoulders and collarbone area open, which is excellent for balancing out petite proportions, visually.
Personalized Petite Fit
Every woman is different, and we all deserve a perfectly fitting bra that is flattering, comfortable, and makes us feel incredible. But when your size and proportions aren’t standard, the perfect fit becomes harder to achieve. Thankfully, there are things you can do to make sure that you find the best lingerie for your frame. Ensuring correct proportions goes a long way for petites, so you should be careful about size and coverage, panty rise, etc. and choose the right shapes. Demi bras and wireless bras can be a soft, natural option, while push-up bras can help with volume, if you desire it.