Finding the right strapless bra can be a real challenge, particularly for women with larger busts. And although this isn’t something that will be part of your daily lingerie rotation, it is a wardrobe must-have for when you want to flaunt those halter blouses and strappy summer dresses.
The first hurdle is to find the right size. According to Priya Downes, CEO of B-Corp Certified lingerie brand Nudea, 80 per cent of women are currently wearing the wrong size, the main driver of this is not being fitted often enough.
So what should you look for when buying one? Sian Thomas, Head of Global Design at Triumph shares useful tips: “Strapless bras need to feel secure so make sure you have the correct size to suit your shape. Ideally, look for the best fit and hold with the lightest feeling and breathability. Strapless bras are not an everyday bra for most people so the wearing occasion is usually either in warmer weather or heated social event.”
And when you’re buying a strapless bra for bigger busts, she adds: “Make sure the strapless bra contains all of your boobs, don’t put up with any bulges. If you are fitted in the correct size it should create a smooth silhouette and still support you.”
Whatever your style and body type, there are plenty of strapless bras in the market to suit your needs.
From bandeau to lace and padded to plunging, here are some of our tried and tested picks.
Sexy Illusions by Victoria's Secret Smooth Multiway Strapless Push Up Bra
It’s one thing to find a good strapless bra, but it’s a whole other thing to find a good strapless bra with push up support - which is why this bra from Victoria’s Secret ticks all the boxes.
It features the brand’s side smoothing technology and the all-important non-slip cups and bands. It comes with adjustable straps too, which means it can be worn strapless, classic, or even as a halter bra. An idea option for under those wedding guest dresses.
Sizes range from 32 to 44DDD and it comes in brown and nude.
Buy now £18.96, Victoria’s Secret
M&S Body Soft™ Padded Strapless Bra
We love the scalloped edge on this strapless bra from M&S. Who said functional bras had to be boring? With light padding and underwire support, this is one of the comfiest bras on the list thanks to its sumptously soft fabric. The 712 reviews averaging four stars seem to agree, with one person saying they wore it all day and never had to pull it up, while another called it “exceptionally soft and very comfortable”.
Sizes range from 32A to 42E.
Buy now £20.00, M&S
Savage x Fenty Mesh Strapless Bra
This is a strapless bra that has a really good frame. The sturdy underwire structure provides a nice lift and the wide straps keep the shape intact and secure.
It features interior boning technology and the material is made from high-shine microfibre, with the mesh body making it super breathable. There is a silicone lining that goes all around the cup and the straps which makes it anti-slip.
It comes with adjustable and removable straps and in sizes up to 46E.
Buy now £60.00, Savage x Fenty
Pour Moi Definitions Multiway Strapless Bra
Support for everyone from a B to a G cup? Count us in. We love Pour Moi’s super smooth silhouette and its sturdy underwire support. It has 71 reviews with an average 4.5 star rating, with reviewers calling it versatile and the “only strapless bra that fits properly”. So you know it’s going to be good.
Sizes range from 30B to 38G.
Buy now £26.00, Pour Moi
Calvin Klein Strapless Bra
Made from microfiber jersey, this strapless bra from Calvin Klein may just be the most smooth and soft of them all. While it has underwire to offer support, there is no padding which means it will help manouvre your bust to fit just right under those too-tight dresses.
Sizes range from 30A to 40F.
Buy now £42.00, Calvin Klein
Wacoal Halo Lace strapless bra
Wacoal has a large selection of strapless bras to suit various sizes and body shapes. Halo Lace is, as it says on the tin, a lace bra in a bandeau style with underwires, gripper elastic and detachable straps. This bra style is perfect for those conscious of spillage or like full coverage. We tried it for a few hours under a t-shirt and we forgot we were even wearing it. It doesn't have padding so may not work under a tight outfit but you could wear it under anything floaty and most evening wear.
We also tried the Red Carpet strapless bra by the same brand and it was much curvier and provided the bust with more support and lift. The thin padding gives it a smooth and rounded shape on the outside, while the anti-slip silicone strip keeps the bra intact. We thought the bra gave decent coverage and stayed up after our jumping test. We also wore this with straps for an entire day and would recommend it highly. Both bras come in nude and black colours.
Sizes range from 32B to 36E.
Buy now £32.00, John Lewis
Wonderbra Ultimate Silhouette Plunge Bra
This is the bra for those outfits that don't allow for a bra. The Wonderbra Ultimate Silhouette Plunge Bra is strapless, low-backed, and extremely low-fronted making it versatile to fit any outfit that's proving tricky.
Plunging at the cleavage, the main draw is this bra's ability to be worn invisibly with the lowest of low-cut tops. This does mean the bra sits low on your ribs which isn't the most comfortable, but it does its job there well. Smooth and seamless, it creates clean lines and offers impressive support alongside Wonderbra's signature cleavage enhancement.
Available in sizes 32C to 38DD.
Buy now £47.00, John Lewis
Triumph Amourette charm
This wired, non-padded strapless bra is pretty as a picture and light as a feather. The delicate barely-visible lace offers full coverage around the chest, while the underwire provides the perfect support. It also comes with multi-way straps giving you the freedom to turn it into whatever you want it to be. There are three hook-and-eye fastenings at the back and there are five different colour options.
The best thing about this bra is the 3D Flexi side bones which mould according to your body type, so no more pressure marks or irritation. We loved this bra for its versatility - and pretty looks (who doesn't love a bit of lace?).
Sizes range from 32B to 42F.
Buy now £25.00, Triumph
SKIMS Fits Everybody Bandeau Bra
You may think that a bandeau won’t work for you as those with a larger bust often struggle to find the support in this type of bra. But SKIMS blows that myth out of the water. If comfort is what you're after, then it doesn't get better than this. Kim Kardashian has developed a range of nine skin tones in this basic, no-frills, stripped-down bra, the fabric of which feels like butter on the skin.
The no-cut design is simple but effective, with the thick band at the bottom giving your busts a little support. We tried the bra in a size 32DD and felt it held together just fine. If you're looking for something to accentuate your boobs then this isn't the bra for you, however, this works a dream under more baggy dresses. You could even pass this off as a tank top.
Buy now £14.00, Net-A-Porter
Verdict
There is no one size fits all when it comes to strapless bras, mostly because women prefer different styles that suit their body type. If you're looking for full coverage with curves then Savage x Fenty does a good range. For something sexy, go for a lace bra like Triumph. And if you're planning on wearing a strapless bra for the entire day then Victoria's Secret is your best friend.
