I have always worn underwired bras. The only time in my life that I switched to non-wired styles was when I was pregnant and then breastfeeding my two daughters. Being a 32FF, I have found underwired styles were necessary to give me the support I needed.
But having gone through the menopause, I find my shape has changed and my skin has become more sensitive to badly fitting bras with uncomfortable wires. So my quest began to find a non-wired bra that gave me a great shape but didn't feel restrictive or painful to wear.
Price: £22
Band size: 30-42
Cup Size: F-H
Padding: No
Wired: No
When I was researching the best sleep bras for support and comfort throughout the night, I tested over 20 non-wired crop tops that were incredibly comfortable and ideal for sleeping in. But none of them had the support I needed to wear all day. I wanted a bra that looked like a bra - not a sporty crop top. It had to have straps that I could adjust and a proper clasp at the back that I could tighten over time. The M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H met all of my criteria.
When it comes to bras, Marks & Spencer are the high street lingerie leaders with hundreds of different styles to suit all shapes and style requirements. But I have always found their sizing to be slightly different to other bra brands, especially when looking for best bras for large busts.
To ensure I got the correct fit, I booked an appointment with one of their professional fitters and discovered that my usual 32FF was the equivalent to a 32G in M&S. My fitter, who also wears a G cup, recommended I try the Lace Non-Padded Bralette, her go-to bra for wearing all day at work.
Debbie Harper, Head of Styling at Good Morning Britain is also a fan of the style. "I love this bra, it's comfortable enough to wear all day long while I'm at work in the studio" she said. "It feels supportive and gives me a great shape."
Following these two expert recommendations, I took the bra home and have been wearing it every day for three days and have considered the level of support and comfort it provides, along with the shape it gives me under my clothes – here's what I thought.
M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review
M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review: Comfort
After wearing this bra for a full day, when the weather was hot and I had lots of errands to run, I was impressed by the level of comfort it provided. Being non-padded was a great advantage on a warm day, a padded or moulded design would have definitely increased my body temperature.
I couldn't feel the hidden support structure, which was constructed from a smooth and stretchy fabric, and the lower sections of the lace cups were lined with a lightweight mesh. The seams were flat and smooth against my skin. The adjustable straps felt smooth and didn't slip down.
In order for this bra to provide support, the underband needs to fit snuggly against the ribcage, and this was the only part of the bra that felt slightly uncomfortable at the end of a very long day. After removing the bra I had very slight red marks under the bust, but nothing like the deep red marks that I usually get with my wired bras.
M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review: Style
Unlike many bralette styles which look sporty and plain, this bralette has a dainty and pretty vibe. The daisy design lace is stretchy, but looks delicate, with lace trimmed edges to finish off the look. The plain mesh back panels are smoothing and wide enough to conceal any lumps and bumps, great if you are looking for bras to banish back fat. The double hook fastening isn't bulky and blends in with the rest of the bra.
M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review - Shape & Cut
This bralette design has two-part cups that offer ample support for larger busts. The centre front of the bra is 11cm (on my size 32G) – it would definitely show if you were wearing it with a plunging neckline. But the bra has a pretty lace edging and gives the appearance of a camisole top, making it ideal as it is pretty enough to be seen!
M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review: Support
If you are used to wearing an underwired full cup bra you may find that this bralette offers you less support that you are used to. However, I have been wearing it for three days and during that time I've run for a bus and climbed stairs and jumped on and off the tube, all without too much bounce! I wouldn't suggest this bra replaces your best sports bra, but it will support your boobs for everyday activities.
M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review - Fit
After being professionally fitted in store and finding the exact size to suit my shape, this bra fitted perfectly, with no overspill, bulges or gaping. I did find that throughout the day my boobs started to move closer together after a couple of hours wear, I find this tends to happen with non-wired styles. I did have to scoop my boobs back into position to ensure all-day comfort.
M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review: Care
The huge advantage with this bra is that it can be machine washed on a gentle cycle at a low temperature. After three days wear, I did exactly that and can confirm there was no change to the look, shape or support of the fabric or construction. Debbie Harper, Head of Styling at Good Morning Britain confirms this "I've machine washed my bra a few times and it still looks and feels great."
M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review: Verdict
If you have big boobs and you are looking for a non-wired bra that's easy to wear and will look great under your clothes, this style provides the perfect combination of support and comfort. After 44 years of wearing a wired bra I'm going to add this non-wired style into my bra collection and look forward to more comfortable days ahead.
Shop the bra
This soft black shade has a slightly sexy edge over the white and beige colourways, and is ideal for darker skin tones or under dark coloured clothing. Try it under a sheer black blouse for an evening look.
