Tales From The BRABAR Studio: Petite, Full-Busted Young Adult and Teen Options for Summer

Summer is fast approaching. A new season means new bra and bralette options and colors for a young adult's or teenager's wardrobe. Something lightweight and breathable is always a good bralette option. A halter bralette or strapless bra is also a great choice for all those hard-to-style summer tops and outfits.

A Real Fitting

A young adult came in to look for bras and bralettes for summer weddings and vacation trips. She originally told me she was a 32C, but I offered to measure her anyway. She had a 28-inch rib cage, so a 28 band. Her overbust measurement was 32 inches. Subtracting the 28 band from the 32 overbust gives a 4-inch difference - a D cup. She was actually a 28D, not the 32C she thought.

She was a little surprised, since her bras had never fit quite right.

What I Recommended

These were some suggestions ranging from everyday bras to halter bras to strapless options, in no particular order:

• The Everyday Bra - a versatile, all-day supportive bra with a back closure and removable cups.
• The Soft Strapless Bra - ultra-versatile, ideal for off-shoulder, one-shoulder, halter styles, and tube tops.
• The Everyday Longline Cami Bra - sophisticated, ideal for layering, with a keyhole back closure and adjustable straps.
• The Soft Day Bra - combines the ease of a bralette with surprising support.
• The Soft V Crop Bralette - super soft with thicker straps, doubles as a sports bra or a classy bra top.
• The Soft V Laceback Bralette - reversible, now in nine colors.
• The Soft Cami - a fan-favorite bra top that doubles as a sports bralette and everyday bralette.
• The Strappy Halter Bralette - a seamless design that also doubles as a sports bralette and everyday bralette.
• The Lace Halter Bralette - feminine details with everyday comfort and medium-impact support.
• The Open-Back Backless Halter Bralette - great for backless and open-back outfits.
• The X Sports Bra - performance-oriented, in Small (28-30), Medium (32-34), Large (36-38), and X-Large (40).
• The Cotton Stretch U-Back Bralette - breathable, elegant U-back design with medium-impact support.
• The Cotton Stretch Racerback - seamless and breathable, built for medium-impact activities.
• The Soft Crop Multiway Convertible Bra Top - doubles as a sports bralette and everyday bralette, with endless styling options.

What She Chose

Out of all the options, she liked the Everyday Longline Cami Bra Top and the Open-Back Halter Bralette best. The Open-Back Halter Bralette is perfect for summer tops and bathing suit coverups. The Everyday Longline Cami Bra Top is a great option for every day, but also works as a bra top in its own right.

She was very happy with what she picked out, and glad to finally know her proper size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was she wearing a 32C when her actual size was 28D?

A petite ribcage paired with a fuller bust is one of the most commonly mis-sized combinations, since it doesn't match most stores' standard sizing or what someone might guess based on how they compare to friends.

What makes a good bra for summer weddings and travel?

Versatility matters most - a strapless option for dressier outfits, plus a breathable everyday style that layers well under lightweight summer clothing.

Can one bralette style really work as both a sports bra and an everyday bra?

Yes, several of BRABAR's medium-impact styles are built to handle both, which is especially useful for travel when packing light matters.

The Cheat Sheet

• Measure Underbust: Wrap a soft measuring tape right below your breasts. Round to the nearest even whole number for your band size.
• Measure Overbust: Wrap the tape over the fullest part of your breasts. Round to the nearest whole number for your bust size.
• Calculate Cup Size: Subtract your band size from your 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 accurately at home.