These four bras all have three things in common:
1. They're my favourites and out of my entire collection, they get the most wear.
2. They're all true to their size, a 30B and fit perfectly.
3. They're all from the UK brand Ultimo and were bought within the last two months.
In fact, before mid December my thoughts on Ultimo were less than kind. The name "Ultimo" for me brought about images of legions of 32 band bras with one common goal, unattainable cleavage.
It wasn't until i was perusing Secret Sales (a website i adore due to their non stop lingerie sales, at the time of writing this you guys are missing out on Maison Close, but can look forward to Calvin Klein and Gossard in the next few days) and came across an Ultimo sale that i realised they had some pretty lovely designs and that some of their collections were available in a 30 band, starting at a B cup. So between then and now, i've bought every single Ultimo bra available in a 30B and i am beyond smitten.
One of the reasons i am reluctant to part with my money from stores such as The Little Bra Company is that bras exclusively designed to fit small busts have a tendency to be either completely dull and uninspired or soft cup triangle bras. So this is one of the reasons i am beyond impressed, and a little obsessed, with Ultimo. All of the bras featured in todays post vary wildly in design and yet, although they are also all available in sizes up to a 38D, the appropriate construction changes have been made to ensure they fit their smallest sizes (i would really love to hear from someone who has tried the other sizes about how they fit and to see if this is the same for the larger end of the spectrum).
All these bras originally retailed for between £50 and £55 but are in the sale for less than £20 each. So limited sizes are available (30B available in all and 30C in most, which is great news for small busts) but it's always worth checking out eBay if you're in desperate need of a particular size.
The Bombshell bra has moulded cups but no padding and gives me the kind of lift i've never achieved before. Cleavage, for me, is pretty unobtainable but this comes really close. It's become my go to bra for when i need a smooth silhouette under clothes or when i'm wearing a low cut top and want a little oomph. I really adore the art deco petal design on the cups and i'm debating whether or not to snag the last of the matching knickers in the sale, a debate i've been having for a while now.
The Temptress bra is a quarter cup bra with a structured mesh overlay, or at least that's how i'm inclined to describe it. Not to generalise but i've found that most super small busts tend to be bottom heavy and so quarter/half cups give us great support and a lovely shape. The mesh overlay is just right as well (which is really impressive) and so there's no excess fabric. Overall it fits like a dream and the satin-esque band and minute details like the tassel and rhinestones (something i know many might find quite tacky but Ultimo seem to favour and the fifteen year old in me loves) give it a really interesting and dare i say it "expensive" look.
I have the full Temptress set, including suspender knickers and waspie (if you can call it that), and i am considering posting a full review soon if i can learn to love the photos i've taken (or find the energy to re-shoot).
The Desire bra is my newest purchase, and one of my valentines day presents to myself. Believe it or not this is the bra i've always wanted but never owned. I love the chunky lace band and the allover lace cups. Unfortunately the cups are a tad too deep for my smaller breast and so the fit on this isn't as perfect as the others, but it's something that i'd usually expect from bras like this and so is only a small niggle. Even with this minor fit issue, i get a nice little lift and shape from this bra and i really do love wearing it.
I own the matching knickers to this and i can say they're just as beautiful and the cut is incredibly flattering, i'd like to say the dude thing (not quite Ram status) was also impressed but i don't even think he noticed (if anyone has any tips on how to go about making a lingerie connoisseur out of a man, then comment them down below. It's imperative i know this). The whole set is making me rethink why i don't own more black lace lingerie
The Persuasion bra has maybe, possibly, changed my life. If you hadn't already noticed, it is quite similar to the Agent Provocateur Alina in colour and shape, although there are structural differences. Previously, i'd always, begrudgingly, assumed that very structural bras such as this one would be difficult (maybe impossible) to design to fit very small busts. It was always the excuse i, and many, cited for brands like AP not producing their very structural pieces in anything smaller than a 32B. But low and behold, this bra fits beautifully. The quarter cup yet again gives a great shape and support, the lace overlay is just enough to fit snugly against the centre of the breast, covering the nipple and the cutouts are perfectly positioned so theres no gaping anywhere. Aside from the beautiful blue based red colour (a colour i feel obliged to avoid most of the time due to sporting reasons) and the gorgeous chain detail edging the lace, there's just something very special about this piece and i am forever upset that i missed out on getting the matching knickers.
As of yet Ultimo don't offer any bras in 28 bands or in a 30A. I did email their customer services a while ago enquiring as to whether there were any immediate plans to expand their ranges to include these so i could relay accurate information onto you, but have received no reply. So i can't vouch for the customer service of this particular company as i am a little disgruntled at their non-reply (and i had given them a decent chunk of time before writing this). I'm also a little concerned as i bought all these bras in the sale and naturally, although my funds were happy for the discount, my brain and heart are anxious that this could mean Ultimo decide their 30 band sizes are not economically viable enough for them. I am over the moon with my little collection but still hoping that Ultimo releases more excitingly designed bras in 30 bands in the (near) future as, even if they haven't realised it themselves, they are really, tremendously, good at catering to the very small busted market.
*Just an fyi for full disclosure, if you click the link to Secret Sales and sign up, it does not benefit me in any way. However if you were to make a purchase then both you and i would receive a £10 e-voucher. I am not being paid to advertise this website nor am i using the e-voucher as an incentive. I genuinely do love the lingerie sales (from which i have purchased many times) they host and would like to share with my readers.*