After I published our article on the best bikinis for a large bust, I received emails from a couple of mamas with the opposite problem: a post-nursing, non-existant bust.

Lindsey, from the blog SistersToSons, wrote:

I have 3 kids and nursed them all and they literally sucked the life out of me. No really. I am barely even an A anymore (used to be a C). It’s tough finding suits that fit without making me look like a 12 year old.

Sing it, Sister. I have many (many!!) friends who warned me about the post-nursing deflation (one referred to her boobs as “tube socks” that she could just “roll right up into my bra”), and judging by the frequency of this reader question, Lindsey’s hardly alone.

Combining a few reader recommendations with a few thoughts of my own, here’s what we came up with:

1. Enhance What You’ve Got With a Wrap Bikini Top

L-Space Chloe Wrap Top | Sundry Gauze Beach Pants (similar) | Gap fedora

Lindsey swears by this L-Space Chloe Wrap Top. She wrote: “I’m wearing a small – the extra small had barely any material. It’s not lined, but since it’s a wrap, I can adjust the tightness to create illusion of cleavage. (Or at least something!)”

She’s right – a wrap top is a great choice to pull whatcha got together. It’s the bikini equivalent of that old Paula Abdul video, where she’s smooshing her girls together and rolling around in the field.

2. RUFFLES

Zinke Reese Bandeau Top | Urban Outfitters Oversized Nubby Panama Hat

These pictures speak for themselves. Ruffles add volume to a post-nursing, flattened chest, and they’ll also help disguise some sag. Lindsey says, “Ruffles are a small-chested girl’s best friend!” And Kim, another brave Mama who sent in pics, also swears by ruffles to “add volume to my non-existent chest.”

3. A High Neck Shows Off Gorgeous Shoulders

Lindsey swears by this Zimmerman suit (sadly, no longer available), but it totally works for a small chest. Why? The high neck shows off your shoulders, drawing the eye up and away from the chest. And small-busted Mamas don’t need to worry about uniboob (my main concern with suits like these).

You can also get this shoulder-sculpting, chest-distracting power in a bikini, too.

J.Crew Cropped Halter Bikini Top

4. Find the Right Stripes

Vitamin A Triangle Stripe Bikini | Solid and Striped Bikini Top | Solid and Striped Morgan Bikini Top

Stripes can be used to a small-busted Mama’s advantage. I’d look for diagonal lines or a slight curve – these type of stripes will trick the eye into seeing a a little hint of something-something if even there’s nada-nada.

5. Flaunt Your, Um, Elegant Lines In Something Only You Can Pull Off

These tops certainly won’t make a small-busted Mama look well endowed…but…so what? I’m all about rocking whatcha got. And there are several styles that only look good on a very small bust. For example….

A Photo-Realistic Rashguard

BP Cropped Rashguard

Just imagine how unrecognizable that ferris wheel would be stretched across a big bust.

Something All Strappy and Sexy

Vitamin A Olivia Bralette

This top is dead sexy. I mean seriously WOW. But imagine, for a moment, if you had two giant breasts peeking through? Like missiles off a launch pad? Terrible. It would be terrible. (Mike disagrees. Whatever.)

Anyway, strappy, cut-out tops like this are gorgeous on a flat chest.

Lastly, Lindsey offered up this genius tip:

Since these tops are expensive, I just buy a basic black or white bottom from Target so I can mix and match without totally breaking the bank!

Ok, small-busted Mamas, what do you think? Have you had any success with these tips, or others? Share, spill, send in pics – we love it all. And a HUGE thank-you to Lindsey and Kim for helping mamas out!

You can see all of my favorite bikini tops, perfect for a small bust in our 2015 Swim Shop (just updated – scroll to the bottom!)

xo,

S