Emily Lau, founder of The Little Bra Company
I recently wrote a post about fashion bras for small-breasted women and wanted to explore the topic more deeply so I turned to an expert whom I really admire: Emily Lau, the founder of The Little Bra Company. Emily is a self-described late bloomer who wore ill-fitting bras for years until she worked with design experts to create the perfect-fitting bra for her petite body. She tested the design on some of her friends and got amazing feedback. In 2007, she launched The Little Bra Company and now it’s a go-to brand for women with small breasts who want bras that not only support them but make them feel feminine and sexy. Emily shared some valuable tips with me for MARGO’S MUST HAVES.
Margo Andros: Emily, tell me what distinguishes your bras for petite women?
Emily Lau: “The Little Bra” refers to both the fit and bust size. We specialize in hard-to-find smaller band and cup sizes including 28-38A, 28-34B, and 28-34C cups, The Little Bra Company’s bras are designed and cut on a petite scale to fit the smaller figure better. Although there are other push-up bras on the market, TLBC bras are designed to fit a smaller body type, giving her a better-fitting and more natural-looking curve.
Margo: Who is your target customer?
Emily: She’s the woman who may be “little” up top, but still wants a bra that gives her lift and makes her feel feminine. When I get to personally fit my customers, it’s always so exciting to see their reactions. I get hugs and high-fives from women who thought they could never have cleavage. They tell me that they have never had a bra that fit the way a TLBC bra fits and they love them because it makes them feel pretty!
Margo: Can a woman with an A-cup get cleavage with your bras?
Emily: I find that smaller-breasted women often resign themselves to wearing camisole bras or nothing at all. They don’t even try wearing a padded bra. They just assume that they have nothing to push up, so why try. Since my bras are fitted for their specific body type, the padding does its job properly, giving them a comfortable fit and a bit of cleavage too.
Margo: Do you serve women with a AA cup?
Emily: Since our bras are designed and cut smaller in the cup and band already, we currently do not have AA cups in our collection. However, we do have a lot of AA customers who fit into our A-cups, especially in style E005-Angela and E004C-Lucia.
Margo: What are the important steps small-breasted women should take when shopping for bras?
Emily: I always give women five tips…
- Do the Scoop. Petite women often feel that because of their slighter frame this step is not necessary, which is not true. Doing the scoop is essential no matter your size. It allows you to find the perfect placement in the cup and gives you the best shape possible.
- Find out whether you have a wide-set or close-set chest. This is important because some cups are set close together and others farther apart. The shape of your frame will help you find your perfect style and size.
- Make sure your straps are adjusted and your band is parallel with the ground across your back, on the first hook. The first hook is very important because a band can stretch up to two inches with wear so you want to give yourself some sizing flexibility from the get-go.
- Look for contour padding, which allows for a natural shape and lift. It will complement a petite figure and allow for the perfect comfort, support and style.
- Find your favorite style. Half the battle in shopping for bras is feeling comfortable and confident in them. Finding a style that you feel good in, as well as flatters your form, is the key to enjoying bra shopping and wearing. Whether it’s a deep-plunge, demi-cup, wireless or one of the many other options, find what suits you and enjoy!
Margo: Thanks for sharing your expertise with us, Emily.
Emily: My pleasure. Thanks for having me, Margo. Congratulations on the blog!
So there you have it, straight from the woman who revolutionized the market with her personal mission to serve the small-chested woman. The Pink Slip is a big fan of The Little Bra Company and we carry a range of styles that satisfy your various fashion and fit needs. Here are some of my favorites.
Mercedes push-up bra
Mercedes Push-Up
The Mercedes bra is a sophisticated petite demi push-up with medium padded contoured smooth cups for subtle lift and support, and hints of feminine lace detail. It has more side coverage to offer an attractive, rounded lift. Perfect for scoop neck and lower cut tops. Although you still get the cleavage and push-up The Little Bra Company is known for, the cups are slightly roomier with more elastic in the band.
Isis convertible bra
Isis Convertible Bra
Isis is an elegant and smooth push-up bra, with heavily padded demi-contoured cups to offer petite figures a boosted bustline. It also features a pretty tear-drop center detail in the front and has a flattering ballet back for ultimate comfort and support. The convertible straps allow you to wear the bra in multiple ways including racerback or halter.
Yvonne t-shirt bra
Yvonne T-Shirt Bra
Named Best T-Shirt Bra for Petites by Real Simple Magazine, Yvonne is sure to please with its amazing seamless look and feminine touch of lace detail along the back and straps. This gorgeous smooth-cup bra has contoured push-up padding for a natural-looking curve for a petite figure. Yvonne has versatile convertible straps and was designed for the petite customer who has slightly wider-set breasts.
Remember Emily’s great tips and find the bras that are perfect for you.
XOXO,
Margo