Best Bras For Small Busts: Pepper Review
As a proud member of the IBTC, I find it fairly difficult to shop sustainable bras online that actually fit me. For this reason I’ve mainly switched to wearing bralettes. They’re comfortable, underwire-free and require much less guess work with sizing. They’re also a style that a lot of sustainable brands offer seeing as they’re essentially one step down from loungewear. But I’ll admit I’m still not 100% comfortable rocking a bralette and t-shirt combo on a particularly windy (and nipple-y) day. Ya girl likes her coverage. So the search for a sustainable padded bra that fits my small bust has been ongoing. Enter Pepper, a female-founded brand, ethically made in Colombia, celebrating body positivity for all womxn. They specifically make bras for sizes 30AA to 38B with shallower cups to eliminate bra gaps, form-fitting underwire and light, natural looking padding.
I recently shared a photo of my new bralette from Pepper over on my Instagram and someone asked for a review of the brand (thanks friend!) so here we are. Disclaimer, these bras were kindly gifted to me but this is not a sponsored post and as always, these are my honest opinions.
Pepper Everyday Lace Bralette
To start this review, I’d like to talk about the Everyday Lace Bralette style. As mentioned previously, I love a bralette and particularly a lacy one! It’s about the closest I get to fancy lingerie and it’s makes my everyday bras feel a bit more special. If I’m wearing a lower cut or slightly sheer top where a little bra might peek through, I prefer it to be a cute lace one. This is also my ideal style for knitwear and heavier tops because they lay smoothly over the textured lace material.
For sizing I ordered a Small based off the size chart recommendation. It fits snuggly and close to the chest, no awkward puckering or extra space in the cups that can often be the issue with darts sewn into bralettes. It’s also triple lined for more nipple coverage but because of the textured material, it doesn’t fit discreetly under a t-shirt. The thick band is comfortable and secure and it has adjustable straps which comes in handy when the bralettes inevitably start to stretch and lose shape over time. I did notice some slight rubbing on the band next to the tag with the first couple of wears so I’m hoping that goes away soon. All in all I would say this is a very comfortable bralette that manages to avoids some of the fit issues I’ve had with other brands.
Pepper Classic All You Bra
Next up is the Classic All You Bra and this is the more exciting of the two for me because it’s a style of bra that I’ve struggled to find anywhere else. It has a very form-fitting, boob-hugging shape so I have absolutely no issue with annoying bra gaps. You know the ones that haunt you no matter how well that new ultra-padded push up bra seemed to fit when you tried it on in the Victoria Secret changing room? Not anymore! This is now my go-to bra when I’m wearing a more form fitting top and want the coverage of a padded underwire bra.
I went with a size 34AA based off my measurements. In all honesty I think I could have sized up to a 34A (equivalent of my usual size 32B) for more give in the band size but I’m often somewhere in between band sizes depending on the brand. The band is made from a soft stretchy material that fits super comfortably with no rubbing. I’m not typically the biggest fan of the mesh material that covers the cups but I can’t actually feel it while wearing it and I love the semi-sheer look it creates. The low cut of the bra gives me a flattering, natural lift without the need for copious amounts of padding and it works with pretty much every neckline in my wardrobe.
They also have a similar Mesh All You Bra that comes in more color options and, you guessed it, a breathable mesh band. Now if only they’d release a balconette, a style that I love the look of but which I find nearly impossible to wear with a small bust.
A Note on Sizing
The size chart can be a bit tricky to decipher when looking for size equivalents; when band size goes up the cup size goes down, for example a 30A has the same cup size as a 32AA. I recommend going by your measurements as there usually tends to be size discrepancies between brands in my experience. Pepper has a helpful Fit Guide (explaining how the center band should sit against your chest, what the bra should feel like on the loosest hooks, etc) as well as free exchanges and returns if you need to try out a few different sizes before you find the right fit.
More Underwear & Bra Reviews
Eco Friendly Underwear: A video roundup of sustainable underwear and a couple of period-proof styles too.
A Capsule Approach to Underwear & Basics: A review of my favorite undergarments from Organic Basics.
The Right Bra For Your Outfit: A review of the bralette style from True & Co. and some tips for choosing the right fit for you.
Your New Favorite Bra: True & Co. Review: A review of my most worn bra styles from True & Co. and some notes on sizing.
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