Review: Petite Friendly Bras – The Little Bra Company – Bra sizes 28C and 30C

TLBC 30C Bra Review
Did you know that over 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra? Myself included! Most women right now are wearing too big of a band size and too small of a cup size. Other women are wearing too small of a band size or too large of cup size. I strongly urge all of you reading this to re-measure yourself at least once a year. If you lose or gain weight, this will affect your bust size so it’s best to re-measure yourself periodically just to make sure.  

I’ve always worn the wrong bra size because I didn’t know any better and just settled for what I thought fit. I once was wearing a 32 and a 34 band thus causing the bra to ride up (adjusting downwards all day) and the straps were constantly falling down. There is nothing more uncomfortable than a strap that is hanging off your shoulder and trying to be sneaky while adjusting it in public or at work. If this sounds familiar, then you are wearing the wrong bra!
TLBC Bra Review Comparison Wacoal 30C

Before we get started on my review of The Little Bra Company, lets briefly talk about how to measure what bra size you are.  After doing a ton of research, I’ve complied three simple steps to determining your bra size. While discovering all the ways and techniques on how to obtain the right bra size, I got really overwhelmed and confused. I read that you add this number and subtract that number and I never got the right size. I’m hoping this will help clear any doubts for ladies who are unsure about how to properly measure your bra size.

Step 1. With a non-padded bra on (no cheating), take a flexible measuring tape and measure firmly around your rib cage (underneath your breasts). Make sure the tape measure is horizontal and not too high or hanging too low in the back.  Round to the nearest whole number. This number is your band (under bust) measurement.

Step 2. With a non-padded bra on, measure the fullest part of your bust (middle nipple area). Make sure the tape measure is completely firm and straight. Round to the nearest whole number. This number is your cup size measurement.

Step 3. Type in those two numbers here or here (best calculators I have found).
I measure 25″ under my bust and 30″ over = 28C (1st calculator) and 28D (2nd calculator).I always thought that cup size determined how large your breasts were. This is a common misconception. The cup size means nothing w/out the band size. For instance, a 28D is the same cup size as a 30C.  As you increase the band size, the cup sizes increase by 1 cup. A 32A is the same cup size as a 30B and a 28C.  Most petite women with a smaller bust automatically think they are an “A” cup because that’s what we were told. When in actuality, some smaller busted women are really B, C and even D cups but with smaller bands sizes. A woman with a 28D bra size compared to a 34D is very different even though the cup size is the same letter. Remember, the cup size (letter) means nothing without the band size (number).
TLBC 30C Bra Review Yvonne Sascha Erin
 Please click below to read my review on three bras from The Little Bra Company. I must warn you, these are a bit revealing so read/view at your own risk. 
I had reservations about doing this post but I figured it shows as much as a bikini top does so hopefully no one’s eyes get offended.  I opted to wear a tank underneath the black lace Erin braTLBC appeared back on my blog a few years ago (see here) and debuted their “C” cups back in early 2011. 
TLBCBraReviewComparison3

TLBC specializes in attractive intimate apparel for hard to find sizes ranging from 28-38A, 28-36B, 28-34C. Their bras are made specifically for smaller, petite proportions. They also have a padding scale of 0-5 *’s for how little or thick the padding on each bra is. {Image Credit}

They sent me both 28 and 30 band sizes to try. Since my true band size is a 28, I thought for sure the 28’s would work out but TLBC bras do run much smaller than most other bra companies. The cups on the 28 are too small but the band fits perfectly. (Note: if you can stretch out your bra in the back more than two fingers, the band is too big)
I’m hoping TLBC comes out with 28D because that would be my perfect size! Remember a 28D is equivalent to a 30C in cup size but the band size is smaller.  
Yvonne Nude Vanilla – size 30C (available in 2 colors)
Padding = ** (2 stars)

TLBC 30C Bra Review Yvonne nude vanilla petite bras

This is my favorite bra from TLBC.  The band runs the largest out of all three that I’m reviewing.  It’s too loose on me when worn on the last hook so I plan on wearing on the tightest one for now (don’t recommend doing this). 
(Note: you should always wear your new bra on the last hook so when it stretches out, you can move to the tighter hooks)

TLBC 30C Bra Review Yvonne nude vanilla petite bras

I think it’s just as important how the bra fits underneath your clothes as it does alone. I wanted to show how it looks under a form fitting tank so you can see the shape.

TLBC 30C Bra Review Yvonne nude vanilla petite bras
TLBC 28C Bra Review Yvonne nude vanilla petite bras

Here is what the 28C looks like – it doesn’t cover all of my breast tissue on the sides – where the arrow is pointed. The band fits me perfectly but the cups are too small. This means I should size up to a 28D for it to fit me properly (will settle for the 30C for now).

Sascha Strapless Nude – size 30C (available in 4 colors)
Padding = **** (4 stars)
TLBC 30C Bra Review Sascha strapless nude bra
TLBC 30C Bra Review Sascha strapless nude bra
It’s so difficult finding a strapless bra that doesn’t slip. This one fits me nicely and doesn’t slide down. You can also wear this bra as a normal bra/convertible (w/straps) but I prefer using it as a strapless. I found that the band runs the smallest (out of the three) and fits snug on the last hook (feels more like a 28 band) so be sure to size up if you plan on ordering this.
Erin Black Nude – size 30C
Padding = ***** (5 stars)
TLBC 30C Bra Review erin black nude bra

TLBC 30C Bra Review erin black nude bra

This bra is great if you are looking to add some major curves. The inserts are removable and the lace is so pretty! I hope they come out with more neutral colors. The band on this bra also runs smaller  but not as small as the Sascha. 
A proper fitting bra can do wonders for a woman’s breasts and figure. I hope you found this review helpful. Stay tuned for a giveaway tomorrow!
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  1. Such great information. I was recently sized because my weight changed and I didn’t realize I had gone down a band size and 2 cup sizes! A properly fitting bra makes such a difference. I’ve found though that because of my petite frame I always have to get the straps made smaller and sometimes the sides taken in but they do it for me at the boutique I go to. I love Wacoal and I’m a pretty average size but when you go to a good bra boutique they almost always have a seamstress who works there in case you need to add darts, shorten the strap, etc.

    • Thanks Shira! I’m happy to hear you got re-sized after your weight loss. I bet it makes a huge difference! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  2. Thanks so much for the honest review! I’m a 30d and it was such a struggle to find the right fit. Ive had wonderful luck at Bra Smyth. They will alter the straps and band for free with purchase. Often a 32D fits well in the cup and they alter to the correct band. Not all petite women are size A!

  3. Thanks for reviewing TLBC and for suggesting that I go down a bandsize. I’m happy to report that I don’t have to re-adjust myself by doing the awkward push/wiggle. 🙂 I haven’t tried their bras in a few years and it was Frmheadtotoe’s review that had originally convinced me to try them out. It looks like I will need to give them another chance. It’s so hard to find the right petite bra and they tend to be very basic but these are very pretty and feminine especially Yvonne.

  4. those bras don’t fit you! you need to go up at least a cup size. the wires should never sit on top of breast tissue in front or on the sides. i have the same problem with tlbc because they don’t make dd or d cups on a 28 or 30 band, even though they place the identical cup/wire sizes on larger bands (34b and c).

    • I agree- you don’t need to settle for something that ‘almost fits’. The best thing to do is to find a cup that fits perfectly, and then have the band altered, which costs about $12. Recently I went to Nordstroms and bought a Wacoal strapless bra at that was 32DD The cups fit better than all the other strapless bras they had, but the band was too loose. I learned that if you have a nordstroms credit card, you get $100 worth of free alterations/per year. So I opened an account and got the alteration for free.

  5. This was SUCH a great review, Im so glad u mentioned about the easy method of measuring the right bra size. and all the bras look amazing and seem comfortable too.

  6. Awesome post. I often have difficulties with bra’s because of my small rib cage yet larger bust, so I know I’m wearing the wrong size as we speak. And of course get throrougly confused with mearsuring. Must get re-sized and into a better bra! Thanks fo the info and calculator!

  7. It’s good to see another 28D saying TLBC ought to make these! All the 28D’s I see online have giant gores that go up the sternum — I have a small chest and don’t need that large of a gore! I emailed them today asking. Perhaps if more people email them requesting 28D they will make it!

  8. Thank you thank you thank you! I already knew about this website, but it seems to be the only place I can really find bras. I too am going to try a 28C and a 30C to see which fits. My bras are always big and drive me crazy! I like your review and definitely will help me out! Hopefully other companies will pick up the 28/30 group!

      • I got the Julia in a 28C which I like, but I’m going to try it on again tonight, because it seemed like maybe it was a little too small. Just to let you know though, here’s two sites that has some 28Ds you might want to try http://www.lindasonline.com/size-28d-bras.html http://www.herroom.com/search.aspx. I might try one if I decide the 28C doesn’t fit, or I might try an extender (though I think the 28 is better for me than the 30). It kind of gives me side fat and when I pull my boobs forward (for the padding to work) my right nipple pops out. We’ll see! Thanks again!

          • No but I will because I think I just want to try a different style since the one I got was a bit tight (after taking the padding out). I have really narrow shoulders, so it seems that where the straps meet the cup sometimes digs into me, any suggestions? Thanks for all the replies! I was also thinking of trying the Yvonne, that you chose.

          • quick question! How did the 30C wacoal feel in terms of band size, since the 30b i have now band size is too big and the 28 fit better, would I be better off trying just a diff style in the 28c or looking for a 28d versus trying the wacoal 30c, in your opinion? I’m hoping not to try each one!

  9. Wow, so I’m not an A cup! Thank you so much for this. So we don’t have to inhale and exhale, right? The first calculator says to do that.

  10. UGHHH– Do NOT do business with the Little Bra Company. Warning.
    First, the bras that they list in standard sizes do not REMOTELY fit in the same sizes you’d find in a store. WAY too small.
    The quality of the ones I ordered was AWFUL. Extremely cheap-looking colors and lace. Ewwww.
    And when you return them, if you’ve also ordered matching panties– they WILL NOT honor a return on them, EVEN IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN OPENED!
    I was flabbergasted. Add to that, they don’t even pay the postage on a return.
    So this lousy, miserable dealing with these people (or person) actually ended up COSTING ME MORE THAN A HUNDRED DOLLARS.
    BUYER BEWARE. WELL aware.

  11. my problem is that I have armpit fat that the bra pokes and I cannot find a bra that fits right because of it 🙁

  12. According to TLBC website on how to measure, I should be a 32A but I’m actually a 28E or 30DD. I’m thin with smallish boobs. So their bra’s wouldn’t work for me at all. I can’t imagine trying to squeeze into an A cup, or even a B cup. Way too small!

    Also something to remember is that all brands fit differently. Some brands will just never fit right even if they’re your size. If TLBC 28C doesn’t fit you, it doesn’t mean you’re not that size, it could just mean that certain brand isn’t right for you. Better going into a store with lots of different brands you can try on to get the best fit. I find here in the UK after being measured by Bravissimo (who are fantastic) that I am a 30DD in their own bra’s but a 28E in Cleo by Panache. But then my Mum who shops there can’t buy Panache at all as the fit just isn’t right for her.

    http://www.bravissimo.com/perfectfit/ This guide can also help with fitting. There’s a video tutorial too 🙂

  13. wow thanks for doing reviews for petite girls! I recently found out that it’s not normal for your boobs to fall out of your bra all the time (i was wearing a 32DDD) and got measured by a bra specialist and found out that i was around a 28I or a 28H!!! It’s so hard finding bras in my size :/ I’m not even very busty but it’s still hard to grasp that my cup size is so huge! I’m not even very petite by height as im 5 ft 6, so this is a huge surprise!

  14. I measured myself to be a 28c
    Any recommendations for what size I should try from TLBC?

  15. Funny i have the exact measurements as you do! but i dont like wearing bras so i dont wear much unless i needed to… there’s not much people around me with my measurements and they dont understand small measurements..they are like small is small and big is big..

  16. If your underbust measures 25″ then you really should be wearing a 26 band, a 26DD to be exact. And you should never take these measurements with a bra on and you should also be leaning over when you take the over bust measurement so that all the tissue falls over. For this reason and the way you fit these bras I have deduced that you should be wearing a 26E. Katherine Hamilton is a great place to find bras in this size, and once you start scooping and swooping your breasts into the cups, you will find they will move back to the front of you chest and you will likely go up another cup size. Impish Lee and Uye Surana also offer bra’s in 26 bands. Please check out Bratabase.com or ABraThatFits on Reddit for more reccomendations in the 28D area.

    • Yes! Its always leaning forward, thats the best way to measure and thats how all women should be putting their braw on, strap it on then lean forward to put breasts in cups, swooping your breasts into the cups whilst leaning forward ensures a better fit as all the breast tissue is being scooped into the cup. When you dont lean forward to adjust your breasts you end up having issues with the wire cutting off some of your breast tissue and over time this will create a “line” or”division” in breast tissue and many women think its “side fat” when its really your breast tissue that has been formed this way by wearing the wrong braw size since puberty and putting on your braw incorectly. In know this too well as im one half cup size larger on one side dfue to these mustakes. Its SO important for women to know the correct way to size and put on braws as we teach our daughters and when done incorrectly, especially since puberty as the body developes, not doing this correctly does affect the way our bust comes in. The wrong braws can damage how your breast grow when developing so im always happy when i see sites spreading the word about propper braw sizing, now if only more women knew to lean forward when putting on their braws wed get less women with tissue damage like myself caused from doing it incorrectly since puberty. Sorry the comments so long but this is very important especially since correcting this damage is so expensive. The wrong braw size and technique of putting on a braw will do so much harm during developement, when youve studied anatomy and see where our breasts actually begin you see the reason leaning forward is so important!

  17. Please tell me what size I should order..34 cup 30 band..I am interested in the Wacoal brand.non padded.. thank u

  18. Hi, Do you offer a print catalog. I have 2 daughters who I will soon be having to buy these for.

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  21. I have just the opposite problem. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten larger and need a large, wide band. However my cup size has remained small. (Tiny, miniature) I need the cup to cover the sides and they just don’t. The bras always gape at the top of the cups. The larger the band the larger the cup gets. I hate bra shopping, I hate bras. I always said I probably wouldn’t mind a double mastectomy. I wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore then. 😑

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  28. A bra is not made to fit me correct.
    In all my bras I need to sew a dart between the two cup. The cups are too for apart for my petite body.

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  31. Hi I was wondering what size bra I am since I want a perfect size that actually fits me

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  34. I learned so much from this post. Now I see that I’ve been wearing the wrong size bra!

  35. This was really informative. I had the same misconception with cup sizes. I can’t wait to finally have a good fitting bra. Thanks.

  36. In clothing, the word ‘petite’ refers to HEIGHT. In that context, this means that even obese women can also be petite and can find PETITE clothing to fit them. This site says it’s about bras for ‘petite’ women, but you only talk about bras for tiny women with small rib cages and small breasts. What about bras for SHORT women who have large breasts?
    I am just under 5’2″ and wear a size 36D or 36DD bra, though I weigh only 115 pounds. And I have a SHORT TORSO! The problem is that the STRAPS ARE TOO LONG! Even with a bra that has fully adjustable straps, the straps are, very soon, ALWAYS too long for me. When a bra is brand new and I’m wearing it for the first time, I have to BEGIN with the shortest adjustment. But after just a few wearings/washings, the straps end up 4 or 5 inches too long. Since my breasts are large and saggy (I am 72 years old) I need wider straps and so cannot attach anything to the back to create a ‘racer-bra’ effect, and I am always wearing wireless sports bras which are already constructed with the straps joining together in the middle of my back. I have broad shoulders, so straps falling off of my shoulders is never the issue. I’m really very frustrated.