The Bra Buster (Part One)

Product Information

This version has an underwire for good separation, though it also comes in a wireless version that still proved to be supportive in our tests. And though the panels are stretchy, the bra still kept its shape well after we put it through the wringer in our stretch recovery and laundering evaluations. The thoughtful design offers support yet still works with most clothing because the cut isn't too high and the straps aren't too wide. It's adjustable and has an underwire for good separation, plus soft cups for a rounded shape. Although our testers found it to fit nicely, some online reviewers share that it runs on the smaller side, so be sure to review the size chart before buying, especially since it's offered in UK cup sizing. upvotes Follow Unfollow 4 years ago Dots Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017 This bra has a lighter underwire at the band, which may be a turnoff for those who want more lift and support

Courtney Leiva is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as The Daily Beast, Buzzfeed, HuffPost, and more. When researching the best bras for larger busts, Courtney spoke with several industry experts about the standout features (straps, cups, bands, etc.) to consider in a bra as you shop. She also conducted research by looking at various bra styles and details and analyzing the fit, support, and function of each. We washed this bra five times in the Lab and noticed minimal changes in appearance, though the brand recommends hand washing this style for best results over time. In our stretch recovery tests, the bottom band of this bra did stretch out a bit. You’ll want to choose a bra with contoured, full-coverage cups and light padding to make heavier breasts look smaller, says Palep. “A full-coverage cup will not only give you shaping benefits but will also cover more breast tissue and encapsulate breasts completely,” she explains. “Also, look for bras without heavy padding — the extra padding will only add more heaviness to your breasts. Finally, choose cups that are smooth and contoured, like microfiber.” Another standout feature of this bra is its straps: They lie flat without slipping and are the ideal width to be supportive yet discreet. The bra's buttery soft fabric also kept its shape perfectly after we stretched it out in Lab tests, and it washed well with no signs of wear.You can start by measuring your bra size at home or with a consultant in a store. Even then, you should still try on a few different sizes to see what fits and feels best. Freno urges you to focus on what feels good instead of getting caught up on a specific size, especially because fit varies between brands. It may help to go up and down a few band or cup sizes if the fit doesn’t feel right. Just like with clothing, each brand will fit you differently. Lexie Sachsis the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development fields. Lexie led a massive bra test in 2017 and wrote the shopping guide for this story. Because many people with smaller chests are forced to wear bras not properly designed for them, many testers were unsure of their proper size and had to try a few to find their best fit.

You should fill out the cups without any gaping (which means the cup is too big) or overflow (a sign the cup is too small).Luciani adds, "Obvious signs of wear and tear such as crushed cups, bent underwire, stretched out straps, broken or bent clasps and when the material loses its elasticity — all good signs it’s time to toss. Other signs that are maybe not so obvious are if it suddenly seems big or it’s not holding you up the way it should be! That may mean it’s time to replace." This style earned the top spot in our tests and our panel, including those with both small and large cup sizes, rated it the most comfortable bra of the bunch. On top of that, it proved to be durable in our Lab testing; it washed well and retained its shape even after we stretched it out. In fact, it's the bra our own experts have preferred to wear for years, even after trying dozens of styles on the market. In our Lab testing, Pepper bras stayed in great condition after stretch recovery tests and after laundering five times, but some testers reported durability issues with their Pepper bras, noticing some fraying and even torn straps. We also tested the brand's wire-free bra and T-shirt bra: and both were popular among testers with smaller chests too.

Whatever outfit you’re wearing, it’s safe to say that a minimizer bra won’t spoil the fun—these wear smooth and are invisible underneath all kinds of tops, blouses, and dresses. While there are lots of minimizers to choose from, bras by Spanx are some of the best ones you can buy, according to Mangiarotti. It's constructed with the same high-quality material as you would find in the best shapewear. “Spanx’s minimizer bras come in several styles and colorways and offer the finest support and coverage,” she says. Aside from coverage and support, this minimizer bra is comfortable to wear thanks to a thin fabric and unconstructed cups. It’s also available in four flattering tones so it will pair with all the basic undies in your collection. In our Lab, we assess each bra for properties like stretch recovery, construction and how well they hold up to repeated laundering. We also send them out to our consumer testers — hundreds of people ranging from small cup sizes to larger busts— who share their thoughts on fit, comfort, appearance and more. This bra proves you don’t have to sacrifice support to go strapless. In fact, it had higher scores from our testers than many of the non-strapless styles we analyzed. It uses silicone strips along the top of the cup and on the band that help it stay in place as you move, and it features wide side panels with boning for more stability and smoothing benefits. Our testers said the bra was comfortable, but a few online reviewers noted that although the bra stayed put, the silicone strips and boning dug in. While many bralettes we tested stretched out substantially in our Lab testing, this bralette proved to be durable. It received a perfect score in our stretch recovery test, returning to its original shape. It also barely shrunk after being machine washed on the gentle cycle and hung up to dry.

Rhonda Fleming

It's a traditional bra that's ideal for everyday wear thanks to its foam cups, supportive underwire, adjustable straps and hook-eye closure. It has plenty of coverage throughout, yet remains invisible under most clothing, though a few testers shared that the lace straps were noticeable under some tops. It also comes in a variety of colors — including neutral shades and vibrant hues — and a wide range of cup sizes. Emma Seymour has been a senior textiles product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab for over four years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for all different types of bras, including wireless bras, bralettes and sports bras. She studied Fiber Science and Apparel Design at Cornell University with research experience in product quality assessment. She updated the most recent version of this article with new testing data. If you're looking for a comfortable wireless bra, the Soma Embraceable Full Coverage Wireless Unlined Bra is a great option. Featuring deep, full-coverage cups, zero wiring, and comfortable fabric, this bra is supportive enough to wear to work, on your days off, or during light-impact workouts. We love that it forms to the body well, and there’s no bulging underneath clothes, or binding, pinching, or poking. The sturdy straps are another nice perk, plus the just-right price point hits the sweet spot. While it’s not as embellished as other bras on our list, its lightweight feel and durable construction make it stand above its other wireless counterparts. Essentially, if you’re looking to go wire-free for good, this is the one to do it. People with big boobs understand: finding a comfortable and supportive bra is much harder than it should be in the year of our Lord 2021. As recently as 2013, the average American woman's bra size was a 34DD—so why is it such a challenge, even now, to find a bra in that size? To make matters worse, some women don't even know there are bras available in sizes beyond a double D—yes, there are Es, Fs, Gs, Hs and beyond.