Best bras of all time to support, lift and shape your bust

Looking for the best bras that deliver on support, lift and style? We’ve got you (and your boobs) covered.

Brilliant bras have a lot in common with the best jeans: they're an everyday wardrobe essential, but confusion over styles and sizing can quickly turn browsing for them into more of a chore than a treat. Too much choice = a higher chance of a shopping induced melt-down. 

Yet with roughly half the adult population wearing them, bras are big business. All the key retail players are clamouring to create new styles that not only look good, but are a joy to wear. Take the rise in popularity of the bralette. Figleaves’ unpadded, unwired Millie Lace Bralette has quickly become one of their best-ever sellers – a surprising stat from a brand that mainly caters for bigger busts.

How to choose the best bra for you

You need to consider two things when looking for the best bra for you. 

First, think about the kind of boobs you have – are they big or small? Pointy or round? High or low? Symmetrical? 

Then consider what you’d like your bra to do – lift, shape, boost, provide coverage? These two factors combined will help you identify the style of bra that’s best for you.

Best bras to buy now

With two decades of experience, what Figleaves doesn’t know about lingerie just isn’t worth knowing. Proof they’re always ahead of the curve? The Millie Lace Bralette has not only become something of an influencer favourite,  and one of their most popular styles, but it is one of the best bralettes on the market. 

Fitting more like a crop top than a bra, this is low coverage in that it’s made from semi-sheer, unlined fabric, but it’s also longline, finishing two inches beneath the bust. It’s this extra fabric that makes it so stable and well suited for bigger boobs, providing extra support without the need for wiring. 

If you’re feeling confident, the pretty racer-back style would look lovely layered under a camisole top, or beneath an oversized linen shirt. 

See our full Millie Lace Bralette review

If you’re looking for the best sports bra that will support your boobs without compressing them, then this is the one for you. The light padding, underwiring and moulded encapsulation cups work together to ensure there’s no need to compromise on shape. 

Comfort is front and centre of all the design details, from the pillowy-soft straps to seam-free inner cups. The washing instructions have even been printed directly on to the band to negate the need for niggling labels. 

Wear as a classic bra with the straps straight for low-intensity walking and yoga, or take advantage of the racerback clip for sweaty HIIT sessions and long runs. 

Mollie is Boux Avenue’s bestselling bra, with one being bought every 10 minutes. The removable padding in sizes A-DD will appeal to those with a smaller bust, while the plunging, supportive shape has made it Boux Avenue’s most popular choice for sizes DD+, too. 

The soft lace fabric makes it a comfortable choice for everyday; throw in an impressive shade range of six different colours and it’s clear we’re on to a winner. The full-coverage cups will boost your confidence, creating a full, rounded shape both under clothes and without them.

If your boobs are different sizes (almost everyone’s are!) it's handy that you can keep the extra padding in one cup, and not the other, for an even look. 

See our full Boux Avenue Mollie Lace Plunge Bra review

For us, the Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless bra is one of the best strapless bras on the market.

At first glance, it looks like it might be too big, but the majority of its extra bulk is in the band, making for a supportive and budge-free fit. The inside of this band, and under the bust, is peppered with tiny silicone dots to ensure it won’t inch down during the day – especially handy when you’re doing something active or breaking a sweat.

It also boasts a unique “hand-shaped system”, which is moulded into the cups, lifting and boosting your bust from the inside. And while you can see the outline of this from inside the cups, no one would be any the wiser from the outside. 

The intense hold isn’t comfortable for over long periods, but that's the price you pay for a strapless bra that really doesn't budge. And those with bigger busts will appreciate this high level of spill-proof security for special occasion wear. 

See our full Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless Bra review

If you’re looking for a fancy bra at high-street prices, the Rosie for Autograph range ticks all the boxes. The signature shapes remain pretty much the same year after year, updated with new colourways and trend-led prints each season. If you find bra shopping stressful, it’s nice to know you have a tried-and-tested favourite you can return to again and again.

I’ve been a fan of the entire range for years, but for the purpose of this review, I tested a Silk & Lace Underwired Full Cup Bra. As expected, it provided plenty of coverage and lots of support. The light padding and underwiring worked together to lift and boost my bust, while the luxe silk straps kept me comfortable.

See our full Rosie for Autograph Silk & Lace Underwired Full Cup Bra review

Curvy Kate has a great range for bigger busts sized D-KK, designed to lift and support with design features tailored specifically for big boobs, like extra hook-and-eye fastenings and more supportive straps. The classic balconette style moves away from a deep cleavage towards a natural lift, with sturdy, adjustable straps, a four-part seamed cup and sturdy underwire.

Balconette bras are designed with the cup cut horizontally, which creates a lift upwards, rather than inwards. This is great for women who have a bigger bust and want a more natural look, rather than the cleavage created by a plunge. 

The Curvy Kate Victory Balcony Bra offers a firm, natural finish, minus padding - a good option for bigger busts. The cups have a smooth shape that will work underneath dresses and T-shirts alike. Plus, it's pretty easy on the eye when the clothes come off, too. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking this bra, which nods to a daintier bralette style, isn’t the most supportive. But once you try on this crowd-pleasing piece of lingerie, you’ll soon be proved wrong. Its clever double lining and sturdy underwire result in a secure fit and plenty of lift. The Figleaves Juliette is a plunge style and I found this provided a flattering shape under T-shirts and shirts, as well as plenty of cleavage if you’re opting for something with a lower neckline. 

The quality of the fabric is high for a lower price point, with delicate lace and pretty scalloped edges. The Figleaves Juliette Lace Non-Pad Bra is a real find, as it provides great shape and lift, without any padding. 

See our full Figleaves Juliette Lace Non-Pad Bra review

Not longer just responsible for seriously impressive shapewear, Spanx have used their years of expertise to create the softest bralette we’ve ever worn. The beauty of this comfortable bra is in its simplicity, with what's missing as important as its key features. 

The plunging triangle shape, supportive shoulder straps and wide, hosiery-style back makes for a modern-looking bra with a sporty feel. It’s crafted from hardworking Lycra mix, for the softness of a t-shirt and the stretch of a pair of tights. The bra is free from padding, underwiring and hardware for a natural shape that camouflages seamlessly under clothes.

Those with bigger busts might find it doesn’t offer enough support for all-day wear, but it would work perfectly as a sleep bra. 

See our full Spanx Bra-llelujah! Unlined Bralette review

If you thought that bralettes provided minimum support, trying M&S’s signature style will soon changed your mind. While this bralette is recommended wholeheartedly for lounging and sleeping in, I’d also feel comfortable wearing this day to day with T-shirts, shirts or dresses; the seamed cups create a lovely shape, even for a bigger bust. 

I tried the bralette in my usual size and it was a little snug. After reading the reviews on the M&S website, I concluded I wasn’t alone, so I’d definitely opt for a size up with this bralette. 

The colourways in this exact style are black and white. But if you favour this style, there’s a whole host of M&S bralettes in pastel shades, eye-catching brights and fun prints.

Gracefully tiptoeing the line between femininity and functionality, this full-cup style provides plenty of support without compromising on appearance. The bulk of the lift comes from the balconette-style wiring, perfectly placed to perk up your bust without digging in.

The inclusive sizing earns this timeless bra plenty of brownie points, catering for back sizes  32-44 and cup sizes B-K. It does come up a bit big, so if you’re in between sizes we’d recommend sizing down. 

You don't have to stick to classic white, black or beige, you can make the most of the broad colour offering with pretty pastels through to bold brights. 

Call off the search – we’ve found your ultimate wardrobe solution. This sleek multiway bra can be worn in five ways, accommodating for strapless, asymmetric and halter necklines, as well as traditional and racer backs. The first thing I noticed about the bra was the quality of the fabric. It’s silky soft, with a raw edge along the wings that create smooth, barely detectable lines under even form-fitting clothes.

The real magic comes from the patented non-slip band and cups, using a sticky coating to gently adhere to skin with no irritation. This not only means it won’t slip and slide as you wear it, but negates the need for boning on the back, which has a tendency to dig in. 

See our full Sexy Illusions by Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra review