Knowing how to choose a bra for a teenager comes down to three things: the stage she is at, the support she needs day to day, and a size that fits now rather than one she will grow into. Teen bra shopping is a rite of passage, and while it can be great fun, it also brings plenty of questions. Whether you are doing your own research into bras, or you are a parent helping your daughter pick out her first bra, this guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the best bra for teenagers, from teen bra shopping to getting the best fit.
At a glance
Choosing a teen bra in three steps
Everything below, in short.
- Match the stage. A crop top or training bra while breasts are budding, then a soft non-wired cup bra as they fill out.
- Match the day. Smooth styles for school, a sports bra for PE and activity, something soft for sleep.
- Measure, then try it on. Sizes change quickly in the teenage years, so check the fit every few months.
Wondering When To Get Your First Bra?
Figuring out the right time to buy a first bra can feel confusing, especially since everyone develops at a different pace. While the teenage years are typically considered to range from 13 to 19, breast development can start earlier, and so might the need for a bra.
There is no universal right age for a first bra. One of the earliest signs to look for is breast budding, when a small amount of tissue starts forming beneath the nipple. At this stage, lightweight options like crop tops, bralettes or soft sports bras can provide gentle coverage and a sense of comfort.
As development continues and breasts begin to fill out more, more structured support becomes useful. That is the time to explore soft cup bras, especially if she is beginning to feel discomfort or wants more shape under school tops. If she is active in sport or dance, a bra with proper support is important for comfort and for protecting developing breast tissue during movement.
What Type Of Bra Should Teenagers Wear?
When it comes to bra types, the choices are endless, so which ones are best for teenagers? To decide, think about the support needed. Is it just enough cover while developing, extra support during sport, or a fuller shape that would benefit from more structure? Here are the main styles, and the best bras for teens at each stage, from first bra to fuller support.
Training Bras And Crop Tops
Despite the name, a training bra simply means a soft bra that gives basic support, coverage and comfort. Ideal when breasts are just beginning to form. Try the Royce Lola crop top.
First Bras
The Royce My First Bra is designed to be the very first bra a girl's parents buy for her. It is made from pure cotton that is soft and comfortable, in a two pack with one plain white bra and one with a pink trim.
Soft Cup Bras
A soft cup bra gives a little support while still looking natural. Without wires, it fits the shape of the breast without lifting or compressing it. The Royce Sophia teen bra has lightly moulded cups for a smooth shape under clothes.
S
Sports Bras
Sports bras are worn for activity and give extra support that protects delicate breast tissue when the chest is moving. The adjustable Royce Impact Free is designed for a smaller frame, with a racerback and removable pads.
T
T-shirt Bras
Moulded cups give a smooth line under school shirts. The non-wired Royce Posie and the Royce Skyla, designed for small bands starting at a 28, are both good choices.
U
Underwired Bras
Wired or non-wired is largely down to comfort. Some girls do not like wires, others enjoy the extra support. Underwired bras can suit girls with a C cup or larger, as long as the fit is checked often.
A few tips on colour and fabric: dark bras can show under light clothing, which matters with a white school shirt, so a nude or skin-tone bra is the safest choice. Lacy fabrics or lots of embellishment can catch on clothes and leave a bumpy outline, so smooth cotton or moulded cups give the neatest finish under uniform. Browse all teen bras to compare styles.
What Bra Should A 13, 14 Or 15 Year Old Wear?
There is no set bra for any age, because girls develop at different rates. As a general guide, though, the style tends to follow the stage rather than the birthday.
- Just starting to develop, often around 11 to 13. A crop top or training bra gives cover and comfort with no cups or wires.
- Breasts filling out, often around 13 to 15. A soft non-wired cup bra or t-shirt bra gives light support and a smooth shape under clothes.
- Fuller busts at any age. A well-fitted soft cup or, for older teens, an underwired bra gives more support. Check the size often, since a wire that is too small can dig in.
- Sport and PE at every stage. A sports bra, sized to fit, keeps her comfortable when she is moving.
What Bra Size Should A Teenager Wear?
The teenage years are full of comparisons with friends, peers and media icons, but when it comes to what bra size a teenager should be wearing, there is only one answer. The bra size a teenager should wear is the size that fits her best. Whether that is an AA cup or an FF cup, every teenager is different, so this is one area where it pays to ignore what everybody else is doing.
There is no right bra size for a teenager. The right size is the one that fits her today, and it will change as she grows.
Things To Consider About Measuring And Bra Fitting
It is important to know the correct bra size before buying. The difficulty is that bra sizes vary between brands and will change as breasts grow through puberty. A basic understanding of how to measure for a bra, and how to check that a bra fits, gives you everything you need when buying in store or online.
You can choose a professional fitter in store, or measure at home. Whatever number you end up with is a guide, as every bra, even in the same size, feels slightly different. If a bra starts to feel painful, rides up, gapes, or the straps keep falling down, it is time to measure again. A correctly fitting bra should not be noticeable, so measure regularly through the teenage years as breasts continue to grow.
How To Measure For A Teen Bra
Bra sizes are made up of two parts, a band size and a cup size.
- Band. Wrap a soft tape measure around the rib cage, directly under the bust, keeping it level and snug. This number in inches is the band size. There is no need to add any inches to it, since modern bras have stretch built in.
- Bust. Measure around the fullest part of the bust, keeping the tape level, and round to the nearest inch.
- Cup. Take the band measurement away from the bust measurement. The difference gives the cup letter.
Cup size from the difference between bust and band
| Difference |
Cup size |
| Less than 1 inch |
AA |
| 1 inch |
A |
| 2 inches |
B |
| 3 inches |
C |
| 4 inches |
D |
| 5 inches |
DD |
For example, if the rib cage measures 30 inches and the fullest part of the bust measures 32 inches, the difference is 2 inches, so the size is 30B. For the full step-by-step guide, including measuring a daughter at home, see how to measure for a first bra, or use our bra size calculator.
Your bra size at any measurement is a guide, so try on that size and possibly a few either side to find the best fit. A top tip is to buy a bra that fits comfortably on the loosest set of hooks, so the band can be tightened as it stretches with wear.
Teen Bras We Recommend
Royce My First Bra
Soft pure cotton, non-wired, in a two pack. Made for the very first stage.
View My First Bra →
Royce Sophia
A lightly moulded, non-wired teen bra for a smooth shape once a cup is needed.
View Sophia →
Royce Lola Crop Top
A soft crop top that works as a training bra, with light cover and comfort.
View Lola →
Shop all teen bras →
Related Questions
What type of bra should a 13 year old wear?
Most 13 year olds are comfortable in a crop top, training bra or soft non-wired cup bra, depending on how far breasts have developed. Choose a style with adjustable straps, measure first, and add a sports bra for PE. Most girls start to wear a bra somewhere between 9 and 14, and any age in that range is normal.
What bra should a 14 or 15 year old wear?
By 14 or 15 many girls move to a soft cup or t-shirt bra for a smooth shape under school clothes, with a sports bra for activity. Girls with a fuller bust may prefer an underwired bra, as long as it fits properly.
Should a 14 year old wear an underwired bra?
She can if she prefers the support and the bra fits well, but non-wired bras are usually recommended at this age. Breasts are still growing, and a wire that becomes too small can dig into breast tissue. Soft cup styles last longer through growth spurts.
What is the 3 bra rule?
It is a simple rule of thumb: have three bras on the go, one to wear, one in the wash and a spare. For teenagers it is a sensible starting point, since sizes change quickly and there is no point buying a large set that will soon be outgrown.
What bra size should a 14 year old be?
There is no set size for any age. A 14 year old might be anything from a 28AA to a 32D or beyond, and all are normal. Measure the band and bust, then try the size on, rather than going by age.
Wondering when your breasts will stop growing?
Breast development usually finishes once puberty is over. Puberty often starts around 11, though anywhere from 8 to 14 is normal, and usually lasts about four years. It is completely normal for one breast to grow faster than the other, and for shape and size to keep changing up to around 18.
Does my teenager need a bra fitting?
A professional fitting is helpful but not essential. If she would rather not be measured in a shop, she can measure at home with a tape and the table above, then try a few sizes and return what does not fit.
Is a C cup big for a 16 year old?
No. A C cup is a common size at 16, and so are smaller and larger cups. Breasts develop at different rates, so there is no normal size for any age. What matters is that her bra fits well.