If you‘ve ever struggled to find a bra that fits your small chest without gapping or slipping, you‘re definitely not alone. In fact, it‘s estimated that over 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, and those with petite busts often have the hardest time finding a comfortable, flattering fit.
Enter Pepper, a lingerie brand founded in 2017 by Jaclyn Fu and Lia Winograd with the goal of creating bras specifically designed for cup sizes AA, A, and B. By focusing solely on serving smaller-busted women and innovating on fit and design, Pepper has attracted a legion of devoted fans who say their bras have been life-changing. Intrigued? Read on for my in-depth Pepper bra review.
About Pepper
Pepper was born when founders Jaclyn and Lia, who both wear A-cup bras, commiserated about their frustrating bra-shopping experiences and lack of options for small busts. Tired of bras that gaped, slipped, and couldn‘t provide the shape and support they wanted, they set out to create a better bra for those with petite chests.
The brand launched in 2017 after raising over $10,000 on Kickstarter in just 10 hours, proving the huge demand for small-bust bras. All of Pepper‘s bras are designed in-house at their NYC headquarters, then manufactured in Colombia in a factory that employs women and pays fair wages.
Sustainability and ethics are important to Pepper. Their modal fabric is made from eco-friendly beechwood fibers using a closed-loop system that recycles water and chemicals. And their factory in Colombia provides jobs to single moms and heads of households.
Pepper currently offers 3 bra styles – a classic underwire, a wireless bra, and a lacy bralette – in band sizes 30-38 and cups AA-B. They‘ve also recently expanded into underwear and apparel. The brand has a major cult following, with over 6,500 5-star reviews and celebrity fans like Gina Rodriguez.
Pros & Cons of Pepper Bras
After testing out Pepper bras myself and scouring hundreds of reviews, here are the main pros and cons I‘ve found:
Pros
- Unlined, lightweight cups that lay flat against the chest without gaping
- Specially designed underwires and shallower cups for a small bust
- Soft, stretchy fabric that molds comfortably to your shape
- Unique size range for petite band sizes and smaller cups
- Pretty, feminine designs in a range of colors and prints
- Ethical manufacturing and eco-friendly materials
- Free shipping over $70 and free returns
Cons
- Pricier than typical bras, around $50-60 each
- Some long-term durability issues reported
- Limited size range compared to other brands
- Padding/push-up is minimal, so less va-va-voom cleavage
- Not as much support for high-impact activities
- Confusion around their unique sizing; may require trying multiple sizes
Overall, women who fit into Pepper‘s smaller size range seem to overwhelmingly love their bras and say the comfort, fit, and feel are unparalleled. The main complaints are around price and some quality concerns. Their size range is also limited, so it won‘t work for everyone.
Best-Selling Pepper Bras Reviewed
Pepper currently makes 3 bra styles, each with a cult following. I had a chance to test each one, and I also analyzed the nearly 10,000 reviews on their website to see what customers have to say. Here are my thoughts on Pepper‘s 3 hero bras:
The All You Bra
Pepper‘s most popular style, the All You is a re-engineered underwire bra designed to lay flat against the chest, without any gaping at the top of the cups. It has a plunging neckline, a sleek microfiber body, and smooth lace accents.
I found this bra extremely comfortable to wear, with soft fabric and a stretchy band that didn‘t dig in. The underwire felt very supportive but not pokey. The best part was how my chest looked – perky and lifted, but still natural. Over 3,000 reviewers agree, with an average 4.8-star rating.
"Life changing bra! It‘s so comfortable and gives me the perfect amount of lift and support without any padding. And no gaping whatsoever!" – Marisa L.
The Limitless Wirefree Bra
For those who hate underwires, Pepper‘s wireless Limitless bra gets rave reviews for comfort. Reviewers call it "yoga pants for your boobs." The soft, flexible cups are lightly lined and have a scooped balconette shape.
I loved how soft and lightweight this bra felt – I barely noticed I was wearing it. The wide straps felt very supportive and distributed weight well. It definitely wasn‘t the sexiest bra, but for an everyday T-shirt bra, it was perfect. Customers agree, giving it a 4.8-average from over 4,600 ratings.
"Most comfortable bra I‘ve ever owned! I can wear it all day without it bothering me at all. It‘s so soft and fits like a glove." – Jenna S.
The Laidback Lace Bra
For a little more oomph, the Laidback Lace bra has Pepper‘s signature fit in a feminine, plunging-neck style. The delicate lace looks sexy, but it‘s still lined and supportive enough for everyday.
This bra made me feel confident and put-together, but not overly sexy. The v-neck shape worked well with low-cut tops. I did find that the lace overlay made it a bit less comfortable than Pepper‘s smoother styles, but it wasn‘t bad. Around 200 reviews give it a 4.7 average rating.
"Makes me feel sexy but still secure and lifted. The lace is so pretty and I love that it doesn‘t show under tops." – Rachel M.
Key Features & Materials
So what makes Pepper bras unique? There are a few key design elements:
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Specially engineered cups that are shallower to prevent gaping and lay flat against the chest. Pepper calls it their "Authentic Lift" design.
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Soft, flexible underwires that are less curved and pokey for a small frame. They still provide support and lift.
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Stretchy, lightweight fabric that molds to your shape. Pepper uses eco-friendly modal for the cup lining and soft mesh for the wings.
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Sheer, unlined cups that show your natural shape, with just a hint of nipple coverage. No push-up padding.
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Plunging necklines and back detailing that are pretty and feminine. Accents like lace and mesh elevate the look.
Pepper Bra Sizing
One potential downside of Pepper is their unique sizing system, which is different from typical bra sizing. They use underbust measurements and cup size letters to create sizes like 30AA, 32A, etc. Some reviewers found the sizing confusing or had to try multiple sizes to find the right fit.
Pepper has a helpful fit questionnaire on their website to determine your size. They also offer free shipping on orders over $70 and free returns, so you can try a few sizes at home. Once you find your perfect fit, most reviewers said it was the best bra they‘ve ever worn as a small-chested person.
What Customers Are Saying
Pepper has over 6,500 5-star reviews on their website, with an average rating of 4.8 stars. Customers rave about the comfort, fit, quality, and style. Here are a few common themes across reviews:
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Finally, a bra that doesn‘t gap or pucker at the top of the cups! Women who have never found a bra that fits their small chest are amazed.
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Incredibly comfortable fabric and lightweight feel, to the point of forgetting you‘re wearing a bra. No digging or chafing.
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A flattering, natural shape that provides lift and support without major padding or push-up. Reviewers love how it enhances their petite chest.
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Feminine, pretty designs that boost confidence and work with different necklines. Customers appreciate the elevated look.
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Some concerns about long-term durability, especially given the higher price point. A few reviewers had issues with fabric wearing out or underwire poking through after a few months.
How Pepper Compares to Other Bra Brands
If you‘re considering Pepper bras, you may be wondering how they stack up to other popular bra brands. Here are a few key differences:
Pepper vs Victoria‘s Secret
Victoria‘s Secret is known for their push-up padding and oversexualized ads, while Pepper focuses on enhancing your natural shape. VS also has a limited size range for petite bands and smaller cups. Reviewers say Pepper‘s AA and A cups fit much better than VS.
Pepper vs ThirdLove
ThirdLove offers half-cup sizes and a wide range of styles, but their smallest sizes are still 30A. Pepper goes down to AA cups and specializes in bras for a smaller chest. However, ThirdLove has a much larger selection overall.
Pepper vs Lulalu
Lulalu is another brand focused on small busts, with AAA-B cups. Reviewers say both brands have great fit for petite sizes. Lulalu has a wider range of styles, like strapless and sports bras, while Pepper focuses on elevating basic everyday bras.
Is Pepper Worth It?
So, are Pepper bras worth the hype and the $50+ price tag? If you wear cup size AA-B and struggle to find bras that fit well, I would say absolutely yes.
Pepper has created something truly unique with their "Authentic Lift" design and carefully engineered fit for smaller chests. The way their bras made me feel – supported, comfortable, and confident – was unlike any other bra I‘ve tried as a small-busted woman.
However, Pepper is definitely a splurge compared to your average T-shirt bra. The $50-60 price per bra may not be feasible for everyone‘s budget. And if your size falls outside their limited range, you‘re out of luck.
I was also a little concerned by some of the reviews mentioning the bras wearing out faster than expected. For the price, I would hope they hold up for longer than a few months. Pepper does have a 1-year warranty though.
At the end of the day, I think Pepper bras are 100% worth trying if you fit into their size range and struggle with gaping, slipping, and poor fit from other brands. Taking advantage of their free shipping and returns makes it easy to test them out. Your boobs may just thank you!
Bottom Line
Pepper has made it their mission to create beautiful, comfortable bras for those with smaller busts who have been underserved by other brands. By focusing specifically on designing for AA-B cups and petite band sizes, Pepper has earned a devoted following and rave reviews.
While $50+ per bra is definitely a splurge, women say Pepper‘s fit and feel is unparalleled for their size. Soft, stretchy fabrics, a natural but lifted shape, and no gaping cups are just a few of the design details Pepper has perfected for a smaller chest.
Beyond the product, Pepper‘s ethical manufacturing practices and eco-friendly materials make them a feel-good purchase. Supporting women with fair-wage jobs is central to their mission.
If you‘re tired of bras that don‘t fit your petite bust and want to invest in a bra that will make you feel amazing, Pepper is absolutely worth a try. Their risk-free returns and stellar customer service make it easy to find your perfect fit. You may never go back to "regular" bras again once you experience the magic of a Pepper bra.
