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The Perfect First Bra for Your Preteen

Smiling preteen on a dock in a striped shirt, her first bra hidden underneath

The perfect first bra for your preteen is a soft, seamless, wire-free bralette that pulls on over her head like a shirt. It feels familiar from day one, with no back clasp to fumble with. Non Disclosure Apparel's Elli Girls is that bra. There's no padding, just a concealing petal sealed inside each cup for coverage without the fuss. She can wear her favorite tops with confidence. And it comes in Junior (girls' sizes 8 to 10) and Small (girls' sizes 12 to 14).

Key Takeaways

The perfect first bra for a preteen is a soft, seamless bralette with no underwire or back clasp. Non Disclosure Apparel's Elli Girls has concealing petals that provide targeted coverage for breast buds. Concealing petals are an alternative to padding: they add no bulk, while padding adds volume a 10-year-old doesn't need or want. Most moms buy one bra as a trial and order more once their daughter approves. Many girls wear the same style for years, sizing up from the girls' Small into the women's Elli.

What Her First Bra Should Have

Tween girl doing a cartwheel in a black bralette and leggings

Either she asks for one, maybe because her friends are wearing bras, or you notice it's time. Suddenly you're looking online for the best first bra, and you're not alone. You want this to be a good experience for her, and you want to get it right the first time. The right one has one job to do: keep her comfortable and covered. To save you time, here's what she doesn't need:

  • Padding, sewn-in or removable. Spoiler alert: foam isn't designed for coverage. It's meant to add size, and neither of you wants to see that.
  • Underwire. She doesn't need the structure, and it pokes.
  • Back clasps. Hooks take practice, and nobody needs that added frustration at 7 a.m. before school.
  • Itchy tags and seams. If it bugs her, she won't wear it.

Beware of bras described as "lightly lined." That usually means two thin layers of fabric, and breast buds may still show through.

Instead, look for soft, stretchy fabric, a pullover style, and thin straps that look just like a cami's, in case she'd rather keep her new bra a secret. And ask yourself: could it serve more than one purpose, like school, then soccer practice or dance class? A bra that works for all of it is one less thing to buy, or pack to change into.

A First Bra Without Padding

Preteen checking the fit of her first bra in the mirror, a nude bralette with no padding

That's exactly how we designed the Elli Girls. It's a ribbed nylon and spandex knit with light support, not compression. In place of foam, a concealing petal is sealed inside each cup. It's ultra-thin, strong and flexible, thinner than a credit card, so breast buds stay smooth under her shirt with no added bulk. Plus, you'll never fish a foam insert out of the washing machine again.

If she'd like more coverage, our longline Gigi is a tank-style bralette, and its size S fits like the girls' Small. For a deeper look at your options, see our guide to the best training bras for girls.

A First Bra That Grows With Her

Tween dancer sitting on a stool in a crop top, with her gray girls’ bralette in size Small underneath

The best part about getting it right? You may not have to shop for another style for a long time, or ever. It's a rite of passage and a big deal, so once you find the right one, check that box and pat yourself on the back. From there, she just keeps sizing up, since the girls' Small is the same bra as the women's Elli in size S. Her outgrown ones? Hand them down to the next little one in line.

One of our favorite reviews says it best:

"My first purchase for my 2 daughters was a while ago. To this day, they continue to wear only these. At age 24 and 30! Don't waste time and money on 'training bras,' get it right the 1st time!" (Kelly)

Wondering how long she'll wear a training bra? Our guide covers when girls stop wearing training bras and the signs it's time.

FAQs

What is the best first bra for a preteen?

The best first bra for a preteen is a soft, seamless bralette that's comfortable from day one. Non Disclosure Apparel's Elli Girls has no padding, no underwire and no back clasp. Instead, a concealing petal sealed inside each cup keeps breast buds from showing through her shirt.

What size bra does a preteen need?

Most junior bras are sized like girls' clothing, not by band and cup. Non Disclosure Apparel's Elli Girls comes in Junior for girls' sizes 8 to 10 and Small for girls' sizes 12 to 14. The size chart also lists band and cup sizes, if you've dared to measure her.

How many bras should a girl have?

Most moms start with one bra as a trial and order more once their daughter approves. Non Disclosure Apparel ships free on two or more bras anywhere in the US and offers volume discounts on three or more, so stocking up on a few colors, or a few of her favorites, costs less in the long run.

Can I buy her training bra online?

Yes. Non Disclosure Apparel's Elli Girls is sized like her clothes, so no measuring is required. You can keep at least one bra and return the rest through the Returns Portal with no return fee.

Shop the Elli Girls, and for more on what tweens look for in a bra, see our guide to the best bras for tweens. Questions? Email us. We're happy to help.

About the author: Becky Connelly is the founder of Non Disclosure Apparel and the inventor of the concealing petal. She spent six years developing the Elli while raising her two children, and launched it in 2020 for every girl who's ever worried about what shows through her shirt.

Becky Connelly