When 19-year-old Mary Phelps Jacob invented the very first, makeshift modern brassière back in 1913 (using a pair of handkerchiefs and some ribbon), she would have had no idea of the political ramifications that it would take on in the 100 years since.
From Victorian-era corsets to the overly ostentatious, campy cone bra designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and worn by Madonna on her infamous Blond Ambition tour in 1990 – the journey taken by women’s supportive garments has been quite the wild ride. The bra has become emblematic of the woman’s body and how it may be restricted, concealed, or supported.
While “Free the Nipple” campaigns across the globe have rightly demanded the depoliticisation of women’s breasts in order for women to reclaim a sense of ownership over their own bodies, supportive garments still remain a necessity for the vast majority of ladies for day-to-day comfort.
As such, we’ve witnessed a trend towards minimalism and overall practicality in the world of lingerie. Don’t get us wrong, we all love the confidence-boosting power of a particularly sexy, lacy new bra and knickers combo. Yet, in our humble opinion, nothing feels quite as good as a sumptuously soft, skin-hugging wireless bra and some form-fitting cotton pants.
Indeed, Alexa Chung once said in a conversation with French actress and singer Josephine de la Baume, as they went through the Parisian’s lingerie drawer, “I’m happy with my five-pack of pants,” flashing a pair of white M&S multipack knickers as she spoke, “I think white cotton knickers are sexy.”
In true simple-is-sexy fashion, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best wireless bras for all-day comfort and support.
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Best wireless bralettes
Calvin Klein Modern Cotton Triangle Bra
The Modern Cotton Triangle Bra from Calvin Klein is the zenith of confidence-boosting comfort. The supportive, extra-wide elastic underband – which features the brand’s signature repeat logo – paired with adjustable spaghetti straps ensures a perfect fit every time.
Buy now £35.00, John Lewis
Skims Fits Everybody scooped stretch-woven bra
The iconic Fits Everybody collection from Skims is available in a variety of neutral tones for each and every skin colour. Lightweight and silky soft, the scoop bra is the crown jewel of the ground-breaking range, offering fantastic support with a barely-there feel.
Buy now £38.00, Selfridges
Dora Larsen Anais recycled-lace soft-cup bra
Employing an ingenious knowledge of colour theory and design is M.O. for lingerie label Dora Larsen. Though the brand has made a name for itself in producing wearable, sexy underwear in a rainbow’s worth of bright and beautifully feminine designs – we can’t help but fall for the Anais recycled-lace, soft-cup bra in particular.
Buy now £40.60, Net-A-Porter
Parade Vintage Soft Triangle Bralette
Taking inspiration from vintage brassière silhouettes with a modern twist, the Vintage Soft Triangle Bralette from the trailblazers over at Parade has been crafted from the brand’s best-selling sustainable cotton alternative. We love the sheer variety of colours available, ensuring there’s a perfect hue for every unique personality.
Buy now £16.00, Parade
Intimissimi Emma Natural Cotton Triangle Bra
The wrap-over, plunging design of this natural cotton triangle bra from Intimissimi is fit for dancers, movers and shakers thanks to its ability to stay put at all times. We don’t know about you, but we’ll be purchasing this value-for-money piece in each and every neutral tone available.
Buy now £25.00, Intimissimi
Out From Under Seamless Easy Triangle Bra
The closest we’ll get to replicating HAIM’s iconic Louis Vuitton concert bralettes, this budget-friendly option from Urban Outfitter’s Out From Under range takes the biscuit for fashion-forward, bikini-esque comfortable design.
Buy now £14.00, Urban Outfitters
Wacoal Embrace Lace stretch-lace soft-cup bra
Who said that fancy, lacy and oh-so Parisian lingerie couldn’t be comfortable? This gorgeous soft-cup, wireless bra from Wacoal embodies a beautiful combination of delicate structural support and traditional feminine charm.
Buy now £40.00, Selfridges
Best padded wireless bras
M&S Body Soft Non Wired Full Cup Bra
It can be difficult to find padded, wireless bras that don’t look frumpy and strange. All our prayers have been answered thanks to the bestselling Body Soft lingerie range from none other than M&S. Flexible, luxuriously soft and complete with a subtly delicate lace design at the underband – this is truly a gold-standard bra to add to your comfortable lingerie arsenal.
Buy now £22.00, M&S
Uniqlo 3D Hold Wireless Bra
For slightly more lift and a little bit of cleavage without the pain of frustrating wires, Uniqlo’s 3D hold wireless bra is the t-shirt bra of all our dreams. Lightweight and full of unbeatable yet durable stretch, this cleverly structured design is composed of six ultra-thin layers which offer support while adapting to your body.
Buy now £19.90, Uniqlo
H&M Padded Jersey Bra
A loose and lacy design complete with supportive padding, the H&M jersey bra is a fantastic option for those looking to try a lightweight bralette but aren’t quite ready to give up padding just yet.
Buy now £9.99, H&M
Victoria’s Secret Incredible Smooth Non Wired Push Up Bra
Known for their gravity-defying push-up bras, Victoria’s Secret’s lesser-known and incredibly supportive non-wired bras allow you to achieve that same unbeatable lift while remaining comfortable all day long.
Buy now £39.00, Victoria’s Secret
Chantelle Soft Stretch V-neck stretch-woven bra
A brilliant option for those with larger breasts looking to forgo the pain of wired support, the soft stretch V-neck bra from Chantelle has got you covered – literally. Unbeatable in the department of full coverage and full support, this bra offers sports-level hold without oppressive discomfort.
Buy now £50.00, Selfridges
