Tales From the BRABAR Studio: How to Find Starter Bras for Tween Girls!

Tweens are at one of the most awkward stages of their lives. Stuck between girlhood and the teen years, tweens need support finding the best starter bras for them and their needs, no matter how fast or slow they develop. Every girl is unique, and she needs to be comfortable in herself - she is so much more than her body. A good, comfortable, fashionable, supportive bra can make a real difference, whether anyone realizes it or not.

How to Find Your Bra Size for Tweens and Moms

For moms unsure of when it's time to get a daughter fitted for her first bra: never fear, BRABAR is here, and bra sizing is made easy. Our Fit Guide and Bra Size Calculator is a great resource to self-measure at home.

Here are two examples from the BRABAR Studio - all you need is the band size and the overbust measurement, and subtracting them gives you the cup size.

Two Real Fittings

The first tween needed to be measured for her very first bra. The first step was measuring her underbust to get her band size - taken snugly, like a hug, to ensure a secure fit around the band. She measured 28 inches, an even number, so no rounding needed - a 28 band.

Next was the overbust measurement, taken over the fullest part of the breast, tape parallel to the floor. She measured 29 inches. Subtracting the 28 band from the 29 overbust gives a 1-inch difference - an A cup. Her bra size was 28A.

The second tween needed to be measured for the first time, despite already wearing bras from another store - her mom wanted a second opinion. She measured 29 inches in her underbust, rounding up to a 30 band. Her overbust measurement was 36 inches. Subtracting the 30 band from the 36 overbust gives a 6-inch difference - a DDD/F cup. Her bra size was 30DDD/F.

Two very different tween girls who need different bras for their specific needs.

The Best Starter Bras From BRABAR

Tweens may be more comfortable with tween bras and bralettes that have no extra padding, just a double lining of fabric for modesty.

• The Soft Cami Bra Top - a fan-favorite among the tween demographic, a simple pull-over cami with adjustable straps, perfect for a girl who doesn't want to fuss with hooks. Great for a 28A just as much as a 32DD or 32E.
• The Soft V Crop Bra - one of the most comfortable bras for tweens, teens, and women alike, with fabric that feels like a t-shirt and thicker straps for comfort. Reversible for a lower V-neck. Can be sized down for light-impact sports use, and works well as a sleeping bra. Fits a range from a 32A to a 34DDD or 40D.
• The Soft Crop Bralette, also known as the Soft Multiway Convertible Bra - a functional crop bralette with straps that unhook into different styles: a halter, a criss-cross racerback, or an off-one-shoulder look. Great for a 28A or a 36DDD.

For a tween ready for padding, BRABAR's Everyday Bras with removable pads give the option to go with or without, depending on the look:

• The Everyday Bra - looks like a regular wire bra, but wireless, with three colors, adjustable straps, and a three-hook back closure. Great for a girl who wants the traditional bra look without the wire, from a 30DDD to a 36D.
• The Soft Day Bra - takes what's great about the Everyday Bra and adds the Soft Collection fabric blend, in nine colors. Works for any size but really shines on a fuller bust, from a 30DDD to a 38DDD.
• The Everyday Convertible Bra with J-Hook and its push-up version - pull-over-the-head styles with a J-hook to crisscross the straps, good for smaller cup sizes like a 28A.
• The Everyday Scoop Neck Bra - thicker straps similar to the Soft V Crop, going up to a 40 band.

Honorable Mentions

• Tween halter bralettes - the Strappy Halter Bralette, Lace Halter Bralette, and HUG Backless Halter Bra are multipurpose - wear as a halter top, a sports bra, or as part of an open-back outfit. Unlined, and great for a 30DDD or 30F and beyond.
• Tween sports bras - the HUG Sports Bra with Lace and the X Sports Bra, both unlined, fantastic for medium-impact activity. The lace version is a nice option for dance recitals or similar events.
• Tween cotton bras - the Cotton Stretch Rib Racerback Bra and Cotton Stretch Rib U-Back Bra, super soft and comfortable, doubling as a sports bra or an everyday bra.

Remember: you can never go wrong with bras and bralettes that work for you, not the other way around. Find all of these in the full BRABAR Collection, or use our Fit Guide and Bra Size Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when it's time for my daughter's first bra?

There's no single milestone - breast buds appearing, discomfort during activity, or simply your daughter asking are all valid reasons. It's really about her comfort, not a specific age.

Can two tweens the same age need such different bra sizes?

Yes, absolutely, as shown by the two examples here - one measured 28A and the other 30DDD/F. Development timing and body proportions vary enormously between individuals of the same age.

Should a tween's first bra have padding?

It's entirely a matter of preference. BRABAR's styles with removable pads let her choose either way in the same bra, so there's no need to decide permanently upfront.

How to Measure

• Measure Underbust: Wrap a soft measuring tape snugly around the ribcage. Round to the nearest even whole number for band size.
• Measure Overbust: Wrap the tape over the fullest part of the bust, parallel to the floor. Round to the nearest whole number.
• Calculate Cup Size: Subtract band size from bust size. Each inch of difference is one cup size, from A up through DDD/F.

Use BRABAR's Fit Guide and Bra Size Calculator to measure yourself or your daughter accurately at home.