The Best Bras for Shorter People
Finding the right bra is hard, especially when you’re shorter than average. This article lists our best bras for shorter people that are perfect for petite frames and solve related fit issues.
When it comes to bra shopping, shorter folk often struggle with buying bras that complement their bodies. Here at Understance, we thoughtfully design our products to suit a variety of body shapes, including those with shorter torsos and bodies.
Bra Fit Problems for Shorter People
If you’re wearing the wrong bra, not only will it feel uncomfortable, but you may be experiencing the following fit issues:
- Gapping: If the cups are too tall for you, you may experience gapping and the bra may even poke out of your shirt.
Try finding a bra that provides lower coverage (they have shorter cups).
- Slipping shoulder straps: You may find that shoulder straps slip off easily, even when you have adjusted them to be the tightest they can be.
To fix this issue, we recommend getting a racerback bra (Y-shaped back), leotard back bra (U-shaped back), or bra with shoulder straps that are generally more centered.
Here is our collection of bras with anti-slip straps.
- Digging center gore: The center gore may come up too high and dig into your sternum.
The solution to this is to pick bras that have lower center gores or no center gores at all (whether UniWire [the underwire just goes across the bottom of the bra in one wavy stroke], or wireless).
- Band being too long: If your torso is shorter, the band may be too long and sit uncomfortably on your body (maybe even almost covering your entire rib cage).
Try finding a bra with a shorter band to prevent rolling and digging.
- Underwire digging at the sides: You may find that the underwire comes up too high on the sides and pokes into your armpit area, leading to chafing, irritation, etc.
To fix this, try bras that have lower/shorter side wires. Bras that are advertised as “providing side support” typically have longer underwires.
Bra Fit Problems for Shorter People
If you’re wearing the wrong bra, not only will it feel uncomfortable, but you may be experiencing the following fit issues:
- Gapping: If the cups are too tall for you, you may experience gapping and the bra may even poke out of your shirt.
Try finding a bra that provides lower coverage (they have shorter cups).
- Slipping shoulder straps: You may find that shoulder straps slip off easily, even when you have adjusted them to be the tightest they can be.
To fix this issue, we recommend getting a racerback bra (Y-shaped back), leotard back bra (U-shaped back), or bra with shoulder straps that are generally more centered.
Here is our collection of bras with anti-slip straps.
- Digging center gore: The center gore may come up too high and dig into your sternum.
The solution to this is to pick bras that have lower center gores or no center gores at all (whether UniWire [the underwire just goes across the bottom of the bra in one wavy stroke], or wireless).
- Band being too long: If your torso is shorter, the band may be too long and sit uncomfortably on your body (maybe even almost covering your entire rib cage).
Try finding a bra with a shorter band to prevent rolling and digging.
- Underwire digging at the sides: You may find that the underwire comes up too high on the sides and pokes into your armpit area, leading to chafing, irritation, etc.
To fix this, try bras that have lower/shorter side wires. Bras that are advertised as “providing side support” typically have longer underwires.
Here are our best bras for shorter people:
Yara - designed for small band, big cup
Yara FlexWire Unpadded Demi Lift Bra
- Low center gore and low side wire = no digging or irritation
- Very light and lifting
- Creates a natural, rounded shape
- Features soft, beautiful lace for a sexy look
Available sizes: 28-42 DD-J
Yara – designed for small band, big cup
Yara FlexWire Unpadded Demi Lift Bra
- Low center gore and low side wire = no digging or irritation
- Very light and lifting
- Creates a natural, rounded shape
- Features soft, beautiful lace for a sexy look
Available sizes: 28-42 DD-J
Gemma - made for small band, medium cup
Gemma FlexWire Strappy Unpadded Bra
- Low center gore for maximum sternum comfort
- More centered shoulder straps
- Invisible under thicker knits and looser tops
- Features soft, beautiful lace for a sexy look
Available sizes: 28-42 C-H
Gemma – made for small band, medium cup
Gemma FlexWire Strappy Unpadded Bra
- Low center gore for maximum sternum comfort
- More centered shoulder straps
- Invisible under thicker knits and looser tops
- Features soft, beautiful lace for a sexy look
Available sizes: 28-42 C-H
Chelsea – created for small band, small cup
Chelsea FlexWire Unpadded Demi Bra
- Low center gore and low side wire = no digging or irritation
- Low volume cups = no gapping
- The inner side sling lifts
- Features soft, beautiful lace for a sexy look
Available sizes: 28-42 A-D
Chelsea – created for small band, small cup
Chelsea FlexWire Unpadded Demi Bra
- Low center gore and low side wire = no digging or irritation
- Low volume cups = no gapping
- The inner side sling lifts
- Features soft, beautiful lace for a sexy look
Available sizes: 28-42 A-D
Peek-Proof – the perfect everyday T-shirt bra
Peek-Proof T-Shirt FlexWire Contour Bra Collection
- The lower side wire suits shorter bodies (This bra fits 38-44 bands who are 5’ 3” or shorter especially well)
- Made with the latest in bra science: the “free” feeling and fit of a lightly lined bra combined with moderate nipple coverage
- In three styles: Plunge, Demi, UniWire Full Coverage (the UniWire style has no center gore)
Available sizes: 30-44 C-H
Peek-Proof – the perfect everyday T-shirt bra
Peek-Proof T-Shirt FlexWire Contour Bra Collection
- The lower side wire suits shorter bodies (This bra fits 38-44 bands who are 5’ 3” or shorter especially well)
- Made with the latest in bra science: the “free” feeling and fit of a lightly lined bra combined with moderate nipple coverage
- In three styles: Plunge, Demi, UniWire Full Coverage (the UniWire style has no center gore)
Available sizes: 30-44 C-H
Aubrey - for maximum sternum comfort
Aubrey UniWire Lightly Padded Demi Bra
- Features UniWire: soft, flexible underwire that doesn’t curl up in the middle (no center gore)
- Great for wide-set, shallow breasts
- Lightly padded molded cups
- Features satin accents (not T-shirt friendly)
Available sizes: 30-46 A-C
Aubrey - for maximum sternum comfort
Aubrey UniWire Lightly Padded Demi Bra
- Features UniWire: soft, flexible underwire that doesn’t curl up in the middle (no center gore)
- Great for wide-set, shallow breasts
- Lightly padded molded cups
- Features satin accents (not T-shirt friendly)
Available sizes: 30-46 A-C
Zoe – a bra/bralette hybrid option
Zoe FlexWire Sheer Lift Bra
- Comfortable underwire (our signature FlexWire™) doesn’t come up too high on the sides
- U-shaped back keeps straps from slipping
- T-shirt friendly-ish (invisible under most shirts, except thin white T-shirts)
- Very light and lifting
Available sizes: 30-48 D-G
Zoe – a bra/bralette hybrid option
Zoe FlexWire Sheer Lift Bra
- Comfortable underwire (our signature FlexWire™) doesn’t come up too high on the sides
- U-shaped back keeps straps from slipping
- T-shirt friendly-ish (invisible under most shirts, except thin white T-shirts)
- Very light and lifting
Available sizes: 30-48 D-G
Harper (Eco) - made with pre-consumer recycled materials
Harper Smooth Lace FlexWire Strappy Soft Cup Bra (Eco)
- Shorter side wire contours without poking into your armpit
- Low center gore eliminates sternum discomfort
- U-shaped back prevents slipping straps
- Shorter band prevents underbust rolling
Available sizes: 28-40 C-H
Harper (Eco) - made with pre-consumer recycled materials
Harper Smooth Lace FlexWire Strappy Soft Cup Bra (Eco)
- Shorter side wire contours without poking into your armpit
- Low center gore eliminates sternum discomfort
- U-shaped back prevents slipping straps
- Shorter band prevents underbust rolling
Available sizes: 28-40 C-H
We hope this blog post featuring our best bras for shorter people was helpful.
If our collection doesn’t quite have what you’re looking for, let us know by emailing hello@understance.com. We’re always open to hearing new product ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more answers to common bra questions, click here.
1. What bra size am I?
You can find your bra size using our size calculator. Our calculator asks for three measurements (underband, upright bust, leaning bust) and asks about your breast fullness and fit preference.
Even though you input your fit preference, our calculator gives you both your technical fit and relaxed fit, in case you ever want to try or reference the other one.
2. How do I know if my bra fits right?
Here are 5 “objective” standards of a technically perfect fit that most bra fitters agree on:
(Keep in mind that bra fit is more art and science.
If the bra meets the following criteria, but feels uncomfortable, don’t settle for it. If it doesn’t check all the boxes, but feels right, then you can continue wearing it. To learn more about technical fit vs. relaxed fit, see this blog post.)
- The bra band should stay put without being uncomfortably tight. It should be parallel to the floor, not riding up in the back.
- The shoulder straps shouldn’t dig in, slip off, or cut into your armpits. If the shoulder straps are falling off, look for a bra with closer-set straps. (Leotard or “U” back bras, as well as racerback or “Y” back bras have anti-slip straps).
- Your breasts should be contained in the cups without any overflow or gapping anywhere.
- The underwire should contour your breasts without poking anywhere.
- Generally, the center gore should lie flat against your chest. However, if your breasts are touching when supported (there is no room for the center gore between your breasts), you are wearing a wireless bra with no center gore, or you have an inverted sternum, the center gore doesn’t need to lie flat against your chest.
Remember to do the scoop and swoop every time you put on a bra. If you don’t know how to, watch our video tutorial here.
Read our complete fit check guide here.
3. My bra doesn’t fit properly. What should I do?
There could be many reasons why your bra doesn’t fit and feels uncomfortable. Our troubleshooting guide lists top common fit problems, related to the band, underwire, cups, and straps, and recommends solutions. Check it out here.
You could also book a 1-on-1 virtual fitting with one of our fit specialists. They are here to help you out.
4. What colour bra do I wear under a white?
Choose the colour closest to your skin tone. However, when in doubt, wear a warmer-toned bra instead of a cooler-toned one.
There’s some truth to red being a stand-in nude tone. Darker pinks, burgundy, even a deep purple can be invisible under white, for various skin tones. But make sure to stay away from bright white – it’s actually one of the least invisible colours under white.
5. What bra is best for short torsos?
If you have a shorter torso, you may find that regular bras dig in at the center gore and/or armpit areas. That is because the underwire goes up too high in the center and sides. To fix this issue, buy bras that have lower center gores, no center gores (our UniWire bras), shorter side wire, and/or are wireless.
You may also find that bra cups often come up too high and/or gap. Try lower coverage styles, like balconette bras and plunge bras.
You can chat with one of our fitting specialists during a virtual fitting, to see which bras work best for your breasts and body shape.