Is it just me, or are sports bras getting cuter and cuter these days? I am loving all the strappy versions popping up all over the place and even though the vast majority of my sports bras have the traditional racerback look, I’ve found myself gravitating toward some new looks.
But today I wanted to share with you my favorite sports bras. Now, as you may know, I have a small chest and am a proud member of the IBTC, so I do not need the level of support that those who are more well-endowed might need, but I do need enough support to keep everything in place. (FYI, if you have a larger chest and are looking for recommendations for sports bras, check out Tina’s post: Sports Bra Recommendations for Busty Ladies.)
When selecting a sports bra, I look for something that makes me feel secure (<—still very important!) and comfortable during my workouts, but I also gravitate toward sports bras that give my chest a little bit of shape. I prefer sports bras with a little lining because when the headlights are on, I’d rather not feel like I’m on display and I also don’t want to be totally flattened out (unless I’m running outside and then I just want something that keeps it all in)!
The following sports bras are bras I’ve loved for quite some time now that I highly recommend to anyone who might have a smaller chest who may be looking for a comfortable sports bra that keeps everything in place but offers a little shape, too!
Best Sports Bras for Small Chests
This sports bra was an impulse buy from Nordstrom Rack for $25 and I was surprised by how quickly I fell in love with it. The strappy design on the back of the bra is super cute but the bra is also quite supportive and the removable pads are flattering. It’s a personal favorite for barre workouts but I’ve also worn it to BodyPump and on a few hikes with Ryan and think it’s great for a myraid of activities. (You can actually find it online right now for $25 in the pink color I have, blue and gray.)
- Balance Collection by Marika
I buy these sports bras at TJMaxx or Marshalls for around $12. They are super cheap and incredibly comfortable. I wear them to work out, travel, run errands around town and more. They are not quite as supportive as some of my other favorites, but they’re great for yoga, barre and strength training workouts.
I LOVE this bra. It’s one of my absolute favorites and I own it in three different colors! The material is soft comfortable on my skin and the skinny racerback is fabulous for mobility. It has removable cups, but I always leave them in. (I actually wish the lining was permanently sewn in because the cups always fall out in the washing machine which is my only complaint.) Just a heads up: I’ve seen this bra pop up on sale for around $20 on RueLaLa from time to time.
If you’re looking for a sports bra that offers support but gives you a little oomph as well, Lorna Jane bras are the perfect match. This sports bra is one of the most supportive I own, making it perfect for running or plyometric workouts. It holds me in and keeps everything in place! I am also majorly lusting after their strappy Technique bra and their Ellenora bra after Katy sang its praises at IDEAWorld.
This is, hands down, my favorite sports bra for running. It’s incredibly supportive and doesn’t chafe along my armpits. It is sold in normal bra sizes (A, B, C, D, DD) rather than small, medium and large which I think gives it a better fit. The bra comes with light cups you can remove, but they actually stay in place better than most when I wash them. I’ve had this sports bra a few years (three?) and it still looks and feels like new which I thinks says a lot about the quality. It’s a favorite for sure!
Question of the Afternoon
- What sports bra is your all-time favorite?
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Disclaimer: A few of the above sports bras have been gifted to me over the years, but I am not being paid to review them or include them in this post. The sports bras featured above are simply bras I absolutely adore!
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I looooove Lorna Jane!!!! Now I don’t need the umph (thank you breastfeeding) so ill need to look for something very supportive..
The great part about being in the IBTC is that you don’t need support so you have endless options. Here is a round up of really stylish and colorful bras to try http://www.inallofhersplendor.com/2014/05/13/10-most-stylish-colorful-printed-sports-bras/
I’m fairly small-chested, and sometimes when I workout at home – I don’t even wear a bra (haha)! But, if I’m running or at the gym, I love the Lululemon Running bra called “Stuff Your Bra II” – it has pockets in the chest to put your iPod in :).
i have a pretty small chest and I love under armour sports bras, not like the ones you have listed though, they look a bit like the reebok or balance collection ones, very simple but work for me!
Great post! And thanks for thinking of us small chested ladies!
Oh and my favorite bras are the Lulu Flow Y bras!
Thank you for doing this post! I always see posts for the best sports bra for bigger busts, but never for me…aka barely need a sports bra!! 🙂 The straps and fun designs are all super cute. The Reebok Yoga Sports bras are so cute and I love that they have a little padding too.
For those of us who didn’t get invited to join the IBTC, I prefer the Moving Comfort Juno….it’s not very stylish, but it does the job, comes in cute colors, and is racerback for wearing tank tops. 🙂 Expensive but worth it!
thanks so much for this post! i might have to check one of these out. as another proud IBTC member, i am a HUGE fan of Aerie (that’s right, American Eagle Outfitters… targeted to 14-16 year olds, ha) sports bras. I’ve tried other brands like Nike and Lululemon in the past, but nothing compares to them! I buy them in bulk in fear that one day they’ll be discontinued, haha. I wrote about them here. http://minutespermile.com/2013/08/01/running-gear-my-top-seven-must-haves/
Thanks for this list we will have to check some of these out 😉 We love handful bras!
such a helpful post for other IBTC members like myself 🙂
my favorite, affordable but low support option has to be Target’s C9 brand (my top pick of all time is no longer for sale, but similar to this: http://www.target.com/p/c9-by-champion-women-s-seamless-cami-sports-bra-assorted-colors/-/A-14726680#prodSlot=large_1_3)
as for more support though higher price, I can’t not mention the Lululemon Free to Be bra. really simple and cute with pretty decent support: http://shop.lululemon.com/products/clothes-accessories/bras-light-support/Free-To-Be-Bra-32213?cc=15529&skuId=3561319&catId=bras-light-support
Have you tried the free to be bra by Lululemon? I know it can be pricey but it has seriously changed my life! It actually has padding in it (something all of us small chested women love)! Plus the back is super cute and can be worn with all kinds of tops!
Thanks Julie! I’m also a member of the small club. I have 3 of the under armour! It looks like the reebok also has those flattering removable pads. I’ll have to try when I see a sale.
My favorite sports bra is an Arie bra I picked up at TJMaxx! Its super supportive, cute, and has adorable criss cross straps in the back! I find myself wearing it to yoga, spinning, body pump, and even with open back shirts it’s that cute!
Oh nice, I like to pick up sports bra from Vivre Activewear
http://vivreactivewear.com/product-category/sportsbra/
i really like lulu bitty bracer for running and energy bra for non running but i do want to try moving comfort juno and under armors bras though i also do not belong to the ibtc
Also a member of the IBTC and I have found this new company Valleau Apparel. They make the cutest sports bras I’ve ever seen!! They also had a sports bra that was dedicated to IBTC girls just like us! Unfortunately they are all sold out of those 🙁 but they still have a large collection of sports bras that make me want to run in just that! Love your list, hope you find this helpful as well 🙂
http://www.valleauapparel.com
I’m a little embarrassed to say that I had to look up what IBTC stands for in the urban dictionary. And I cracked up! Because yes, I am proudly and happily part of this club.
My favorite bra for everyday wear for running errands, walking the dog, etc. is the Handful bra. I own this bra in 4 different colors, and 2 in white. I also like that it comes with a little laundry bag. They have removable padding that is easy to slip in and out before and after washing it. I am a size 36A, so it’s tough to find a generic “medium” bra that doesn’t fit too snugly and leave red indentations on my skin. However, they are a bit expensive (about $50 per bra), and I’d like a bra that is thinly lined without the removable cups for aerobic activity (I do karate). I used to use Champion brand several years ago, but now I find these bras have become more constricting and too tight.
Does anyone have any suggestions of a good thinly-lined bra for 36A cup? One that isn’t too tight?
Thanks for the great info– very helpful!!
Hi. I stumbled upon this site while researching for my wife. She had a double mastectomy and opted to not have reconstructive surgery (with my full support). She is having difficulty in finding a swimsuit without darts and cups, etc., so we are thinking that a sports bra might be the way to go. She, however, does not even qualify as a member of the IBTC … she’s a proud member of the NTC! Do you have any suggestions for bras that are made for ZERO passengers? So far, I think a competitive one-piece swimsuit might be the best option, for pro athletes, with such low body fat, often are IBTC members, but she would prefer a two-pc. solution for her … uhm, small bladder convenience. Thanks, gals!
I was wondering what the Balance Collection by Marika bra was called. I have been looking for more of these for a long time now. I purchased 4 of them at marshalls years ago. If you know the style name, I’d really appreciate the information.
Thank you!