The £19 high street push-up bikini which made my 32Cs go up a cup size – and was better than tops DOUBLE the price
SIMPLY THE BREAST The £19 high street push-up bikini which made my 32Cs go up a cup size – and was better than tops DOUBLE the price
I DO love my smaller boobs, I really do.
My 32C girls is what's spared me from endless back pain, wearing a bra and they also don't get in the way of weightlifting.
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While I've grown to love my smaller boobs, there are days I wished they were a little bigger
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
But while I've grown to accept, embrace and love my flatter chest - which has been pretty much the same size since they started developing - there are days when I wished they were a tad bit bigger.
And I am not the only one. A recent study found that a whopping 47.5 % of women wanted larger breasts than they currently had.
Just a mere 29.3 % were satisfied with their current breast size, while 23.2% wanted smaller breasts, the data showed.
In the UK, breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgery, with an estimated 10,000 women having breast implant surgery each year.
However, like all surgeries, going under the knife for larger chest does involve high risks, such as scarring, numbness and blood clots - and many women have since shared how their implants ''nearly killed'' them.
For those who don't want to take the risk, or fork out the eye-watering sum for a surgery, the fashion industry offers a solution - push-up bikinis.
But can they really give you that oomph? And do any of them actually compare to implants?
I, Fabulous' writer, Kate Kulniece, tested out a variety of bikini tops suited for every budget to see - and here's how it went...
Super Push-Up Bikini Top Indonesia, £30
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A huge bonus of this Super Push-Up Bikini Top is the buttery soft material - it's slinky to touch and felt luxe
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
This is the first bikini top I tried on - and all I could say was ''Wow''.
In all my 29 years of life, I've never my girls looking so lifted and full - I felt like a whole new person.
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Another huge bonus of this Super Push-Up Bikini Top Indonesia is the buttery soft material - it's slinky to touch and felt luxe.
The straps are also adjustable - which means you can give your boobs and extra oomph and bounce when adjusted correctly.
Although I didn't go for a cooling swim in this £30 bikini top, it felt extra secure - and there will be no unfortunate nip slips, despite my breasts looking one size larger.
My only issue was the back clasp fastening - not sitting right in the middle, it felt a little fiddly to put the two together.
Simply the breast rating: 4/5
Push-Up Bikini Top Shiny Satin, £45
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For the hefty £45 price tag, I was expecting something more
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
On paper, this Push-Up Bikini Top was everything I wanted - a flattering design, shiny satin that screams elegance and a somewhat retro feel to it.
But in reality, I was quite disappointed and underwhelmed after trying it on - yes, the champagne-pink colour was lovely, but I found the underwire digging into my ribcage.
Perhaps the suffering may have been worth it if my boobs got a lift - but they looked just as flat as they usually do (which I have no problem with).
For the hefty £45 price tag, I was expecting something more - and sadly, this wasn't it.
Simply the breast rating: 2/5
Tie Front Bikini Crop Top, £16.99
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Despite the rave rating online, I was disappointed by this wallet-friendly piece which felt flimsy
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
Online, this New Look Cream Wave Texture Tie Front Tie Bikini Top, £16.99, boasts an impressive five-star rating - so I did have certain expectations.
Although it's not advertised as a push-up bikini top, this wallet-friendly option does feature padding and the model looked sensational.
On me, however, the cream top looked a bit sad and the overall quality felt a bit flimsy - so poor that I feel like the pads would keep moving up and down with every wave you battle in the sea.
While New Look has become one of my go-to stores for summer staples, I'm going to give this one a swerve - and advise you do the same.
Simply the breast rating: 2/5
Khaki Monogram Padded Halterneck Plunge Bikini Top, £19.99
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It may not have done much for my girls - but out of the seven options I tried on, this was my top pick
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
Priced at just £19.99, this New Look number if one of the cheapest options I spotted on the high street - yet it still looks posh, in my eyes.
The print resembles a high-end brand that sells for hundreds of pounds - Fendi - but for a fraction of the eye-watering price.
While the bikini is advertised as padded, it didn't really have that mega push-up effect I was after - but I still found the look quite flattering.
As someone whose wardrobe consists of mainly halterneck tops, I appreciated the design and the gorgeous khaki colour, with the golden elements.
Yes, it may not have done much for my girls - but out of the seven options I tried on, this was my favourite.
Simply the breast rating: 5/5
Super Push-Up Bikini Top, £30
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This stunning number, priced at £30, comes in give gorgeous colours
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
If you're looking for a mega cleavage, Calzedonia is your best bet - the lingerie retailer offers a huge variety of sexy bikini tops, including this Super Push-Up Bikini Top for £30.
Flawless style, flattering ruching detailing at the front and a plunging neckline - this is the perfect pick for those after a classic design to wear for summers to come.
This gorgeous piece - which comes in five stunning colours - feels light against the skin and while my breasts were lifted, it was in a subtle way.
Another bonus are the adjustable and detachable straps - beach goers can wear them crossed over at the back or tied around your neck.
Simply the breast rating: 5/5
How to find a flattering bikini for any body type
According to Boux Avenue the best swimwear for pear body shapes is a high-cut swimsuit to add length to your legs.
For those with a straight body type, the underwear brand suggests a ruched swimwear option to create shape and emphasise your legs.
For hourglass curves, the brand suggests a strappy swimwear style, or triangle bikini.
For apple body shapes, an underwired bikini is best to work with your natural volume with a crinkle high-waist bikini brief.
For round body shapes, supportive cups are a must and a high-cut leg will add poise to your swimwear body pose.
Push Up Triangle Bikini Top, £13
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Although this Boohoo bikini top looked alright, the overall quality felt poor - one wave and you're fully flashing the other beach goers
Currently slashed to just £13, this Boohoo deal is perfect if you're tight on money... or don't mind flashing everyone - because that is exactly what will happen.
Yes, the price is amongst the lowest in the market - but that is also reflected in the quality.
Despite tying the straps as tight as possible, it offered virtually no support - think going for a swim, getting hit by a wave and realising you've given everyone a full show.
This is a personal preference, of course, but I also didn't appreciate the bright white colour - it was giving hospital vibes and removing sunscreen stains would also be a nightmare.
Simply the breast rating: 1/5
Padded Push-Up Bikini Top Indonesia, £30
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If you're after a mega push-up effect, I advise checking out the high street retailer Calzedonia
Credit: supplied/kate kulniece
I rarely shop at Calzedonia - however, it's safe to say their bikinis have become a firm favourite.
While at £30 this Padded Push-Up Bikini Top was on the more high-end side, it's a worthwhile investment, in my opinion.
The soft padding and the clever placement of the underwiring added volume to my boobs in a second - not to mention the vibrant red colour which made me feel like a goddess.
Teamed with golden jewellery - or perhaps a statement necklace - this fiery red bikini is bound to made heads turn on the beach.
Simply the breast rating: 5/5.
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