When it comes to breasts, it can be easy to think that bigger is better. After all, the average size of American women's busts have been steadily increasing, from a previous average of 34B to the new average of 36C. We are a country obsessed with cleavage — so where does that leave women on the smaller end of the boob spectrum?
After talking to several members of the small-busted among us, it turns out that, as a large-breasted woman, I was right in feeling a little bit jealous of my less-endowed sisters.
From cute bras to easy access for public breastfeeding, to feeling total body confidence, read on for all the reasons women with smaller chests are feeling awesome about their bodies.
Image via iStock.com/energy
No Bounce
"I'm a runner and I like that I can run with no bounce! I can buy cheap sports bras and I am good to go. Sometimes I wish for a little more cleavage, but mostly I like that my breasts don't slow me down." — Keeley F., Medford, Oregon
They Are Healthy!
"I've watched my mom and my aunt fight breast cancer. At this point, I don't care what size my boobs are — as long as they are healthy, I am happy with them. There is a good chance I won't have them forever as I'm considering a preventative mastectomy once I am done having kids, since I have such a strong family history of breast cancer, so I'm going to enjoy what I have, for as long as I have them." — Margo R., Rochester, New York
Cute Bras
"My BFF has big breasts and I know she struggles with finding decent bras that aren't ugly. She is too big for most of the stores at the mall and has to special-order hers. I like that I can find cute bras at basically any store and I don't have to pay big bucks for them." — Lori W., Des Moines, Iowa
Fashion Choices
"Being small-chested is nice when it comes to wearing things that are strapless or have thin straps. I can either skip a bra or I can wear a strapless one and everything stays in place. No worries about coming out of my dress!" — Hannah H., Mobile, Alabama
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The List
"There are lots of reasons to like the fact that I can be mistaken for a piece of wood if I stand still long enough at Home Depot:
1. No bounce when jogging
2. Still perky after nursing three kids
3. No underboob sweat
4. They are cute!
Also, I can wear a padded bra if I want to look bigger. Bigger girls can really ever hide that they are busty." — Jane V., Miami, Florida
Teenage Sizes
"I buy most of my bras in the girls section at Target. I am SMALL — 32A, barely — so I can also skip bras on most days. I almost never wear bras in the winter when my shirts are thick. I've probably saved a fortune over the years in bras.
Also, they are MY breasts. I like them." — Mindy R., Saint Paul, Minnesota
Perfect Fit
"I used to be a ballet dancer, so being long and lean was always the goal. I'm naturally pretty thin, and so I think I'd look crazy if I had big breasts. Smaller suits me." — Juliet D., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Why Not?
"Why SHOULDN'T I like my small breasts? Who says bigger is better? This is the shape I was born with, so it is the one that is [the] right one for me. I like myself regardless [of] if I meet some weird social expectation to have a big rack and small brain. Sorry. This question pisses me off." — Martha N., Saint Paul, Minnesota
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Small & Mighty
"I used to wish for bigger boobs. I'm a small 34B, and I sometimes felt like my figure was 'boyish.' And then I had a baby and my boobs got bigger and it felt uncomfortable. I also realized that my boobs were small but mighty when it came to feeding my baby. Those little guys worked hard to keep my child fed for almost two years. I'm proud of them!" — Lexi B., Odessa, Texas
No Questions
"Well, I've never had to worry that a guy is dating me just for my breasts!" — Christie B., Saint Paul, Minnesota
Comfortable in My Own Skin
"Like a lot of things, I've gotten more comfortable in my own skin as I've gotten older. I'm 40 now, and I just don't have the time or energy to wish for bigger boobs anymore. I could get breast implants, I suppose, but I feel like I look and feel good being smaller now." — Carla D., Tulsa, Oklahoma
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