There’s a parenting moment that sneaks up on you. Your daughter mentions, somewhere between breakfast and the school run, that she needs a bra. And suddenly you’re standing in a department store staring at a wall of options that seem to be made for anyone except an actual nine-year-old.
On one side: flimsy crop tops with zero coverage. On the other: grown-up bras with underwire and lace and absolutely nothing in between. It’s a gap that Brisbane pharmacist and mum of three Sally Chen knows well.
“I came home wondering why there wasn’t something made specifically for girls in between,” Chen says. That question led her to launch Sassh, a brand designing first bras specifically for tweens and young teens aged 8 to 14.
“My goal was simple: to create bras that help girls feel comfortable, confident and supported as they grow, while making the first bra experience a positive milestone rather than an awkward one.”
Your questions, answered
Is my daughter ready for her first bra?
There’s no magic age. Some girls want one at eight, others aren’t bothered until high school. The better question is whether she’s noticed changes herself, whether she’s feeling self-conscious in class or at PE, or whether she’s simply asked for one. If she has, that’s usually the only sign you need.
What’s the difference between a crop top, a training bra and a sports bra?
Crop tops are exactly that: a top, with no real structure or support. A first bra (sometimes called a training bra) is designed to offer light support and coverage for a body that’s just starting to change. A sports bra takes things further, built to keep everything comfortable and secure through PE, netball or dance.
Chen says this gap is what parents flag most often. “Why do the girls’ crop tops not come with padding?” is one of the most common questions she hears at markets and school events. Tween bodies need something between “top” and “bra”, and most of the market skips straight from one to the other.
How do I bring it up without embarrassing her?
Plenty of girls go quiet the second the word “bra” comes up. Chen’s advice, drawn from hundreds of conversations with mums and daughters, is to keep it low-key. Mention it while you’re already shopping for something else. Let her choose the colour or style. Or simply leave a couple of options on her bed rather than making a production of a fitting-room trip.
What size should I buy while she’s still growing?
This trips up a lot of parents. Bodies at this age change fast, so it’s worth choosing styles with adjustable straps and a bit of room to grow, rather than sizing up so much that the bra doesn’t actually do its job. A properly fitted first bra should feel snug but not tight, with straps that don’t dig in.
Can she wear the same bra for school and sport?
For light activity, a soft first bra can usually do double duty. Once sport gets more serious, think running, netball, dance or gymnastics, a dedicated sports bra with more structure and sweat-wicking fabric makes a noticeable difference to comfort.
A brand designed for the in-between stage
Sassh designs bras specifically for girls aged 8 to 14, with removable padding, adjustable and convertible straps, and sweat-wicking fabric that moves from classroom to netball court without a second thought.
The range includes:
- The Essential: a seamless everyday first bra for comfort and coverage
- The Active: designed for PE and training days
- The Energy: a longline racerback style for girls who want extra support during sport
Chen launched Sassh in early 2026 after leaving her pharmacy career to focus on the brand full-time. She’s spent the months since talking to mums and girls at community events and sporting clubs around the country.
“Growing up should feel exciting, comfortable and confident, right from her first bra,” she says.
However that first bra conversation happens in your house, the goal is the same: make it feel like a normal part of growing up, not a moment either of you has to brace for. A bit of planning, the right product and a low-pressure approach can turn an awkward milestone into a simple one.
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