Review: The Little Bra Company – Bra Sizes 28D and 30D

 At this very moment, most women are grappling with bras that either have bands too loose and cups too small or bands too tight and cups too large. It’s a common struggle. I strongly encourage each of you to take a moment to reevaluate your measurements at least once a year. Weight fluctuations, surgery or age can significantly affect your bust size, so it’s crucial to check in periodically.

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.

For instance, I measure 25″ under my bust and 30″ over, resulting in varying sizes like 28C (according to one calculator) and 28D (according to another). The revelation that cup size alone doesn’t signify breast size was truly eye-opening. It’s a widespread misconception. Cup size and band size go hand in hand. For instance, a 28D has the same cup volume as a 30C. As the band size increases, so does the cup size by one increment. A 32A is equivalent in cup size to both a 30B and a 28C. Many petite women with smaller busts often assume they’re an “A” cup by default, but in reality, they could be a B, C, or even D cup with smaller band sizes. A 28D and a 34D may share the same letter, but they’re vastly different in terms of fit. Always remember, the cup size (letter) is meaningless without considering the band size (number).

TLBC specializes in attractive intimate apparel for hard to find sizes ranging from 28-38A, 28-36B, 28-34C, 28-32D. 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. 

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They sent me both 28D and 30D band sizes to try this time. You can check out my review from 2013 for band sizes 28C and 30C HERE. It’s quite ironic that over a decade ago, when I wrote my first review for TLBC, I wished and hoped they would one day carry size 28D and now they do! TLBC bras tend to run much smaller than those from most other brands, so I recommend sizing up from your usual size.

(Note: if you can stretch out your bra band in the back more than two fingers, the band is too big.)

Yvonne in nude vanilla– size 28D (available in 2 colors)

Padding = ** (2 stars)

(Note: you should always wear your new bra on the last hook so when it stretches out, you can move to the tighter hooks)

Lenna in warm taupe = size 30D (4 colors)

Padding = ** (2 stars)

The “Lenna” bra is an excellent seamless t-shirt bra designed for petite figures. This beautiful smooth-cup bra features contoured push-up padding that provides a natural-looking curve. It is available in small sizes and comes with versatile convertible straps. I sized up from a 28 to 30 band size.

Erika in warm taupe – size 28D (3 colors)

Padding = * (1 star)

Sascha smooth in nude – size 30D

Padding = **** (3-4 stars)

Finding a strapless bra that stays put is like finding a needle in a haystack. But guess what? This one fits like a dream and doesn’t budge an inch! This bra not only excels as a strapless but also rocks it as a regular convertible bra with straps. Personally, I prefer flaunting it sans straps. I have yet to find a strapless bra that even compares to this one! I think it’s just as important how the bra fits underneath your clothes as it does alone. Below is how it looks under a form fitting dress so you can see how it looks.

Here’s the scoop: out of the four, this bra boasts the tightest band fit, hugging snugly even on the last hook. It feels more akin to a 28 band size. So, if you’re eyeing this beauty, make sure to size up when placing your order.

Bra: c/o TLBC | Dress: Windsor (size XS) | Necklace: Chanel (similar HERE) | Earrings: Chanel (similar HERE) | Bracelet: David Yurman