The best minimiser bras should be supportive, comfortable and flattering, whilst giving the impression of a slightly reduced bust. While big boobs should be celebrated and embraced, a minimiser bra can be a handy tool for wearing underneath certain tops or dresses when you want your chest to look a little less pronounced.
If you have big boobs you’ll know that finding the best bras for large busts can be a tricky task. Bras come in a huge range of designs, fits and sizes and it can be overwhelming with where to start. A lot of bras on the high street are designed with padding and push-up details which can be uncomfortable and unflattering to wear if you have a naturally fuller chest.
If it’s the best minimiser bras you’re looking for right now, you’ll want to consider the same things that you would with your regular support – you’ll want the most comfortable bras that keeps your breasts looking and feeling their best all day.
What does a minimiser bra do?
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A minimiser bra wont actually reduce the size of your bust. They will use very light compression fabric and expert design details to redistribute the breast tissues to create a slightly flatter shape, while providing lots of support. There are plenty of options to suit different body shapes and styles – so whether you’re looking for padded or jersey cups, pretty lacy details or something simple, you’ll find a fit that works for you.
Why you might need a minimiser bra
Although I don’t have a huge bust, there are times that my 36C boobs get in the way of wearing certain pieces in my wardrobe. There are pretty blouses that gape a little when I button up the front, or strappy sundresses that I’d love to wear during the summer, but can feel a little too revealing when I'm wearing my every day support. A minimiser bra can work wonders to lessen the curves of my boobs and means I can fasten up shirts without the pesky gaps and pulling!
As well as meaning you can wear clothes that were previously in your ‘can’t wear’ pile, if you have large breasts, a minister bra can also give you more support and hold than your everyday t-shirt bra, and will keep your boobs under control, so you can carry on with your busy day without worrying about your chest.
We have taken all the faff out of finding the best bras, as we have tried and tested a wide range of minimiser bras and rounded them up below with all you kneed to know before buying.
The best minimiser bras, as tested by us
Best minimiser bra overall
M&S is one of the best bra brands, so it’s no surprise that its minimiser bra comes out tops for us. This bra is made from a silky soft, stretchy blend of polyester, polyamide and elastane. You can choose to wear the straps in a cross-back style or as normal, and the style gently lifts breasts (even without padded cups), while remaining supportive and comfortable, despite the underwire.
With three different colours and a size range that spans from an A cup to a H cup, this bra would suit anyone, and the simple style is perfect for wearing with any outfit - though it’s worth noting that the straps are fairly thick, which might not be ideal if you like to wear daintier straps alongside a vest top.
What our tester said:
Fit: “This bra is definitely supportive, and while not specifically a push-up bra, I found that it gave the best lift out of all the bras I tested. One thing I found with minimiser bras (and bras in general) is that often where my boobs look smaller and more flattering, a level of support is compromised and they didn’t feel as secure. This bra was the exception to this rule: I genuinely feel like I could go running in this bra and I would be perfectly comfortable. I went for my normal size, and in certain outfits (or when lying down) I did feel that the cups were maybe slightly too large, so next time I would possibly size down for a tighter fit.”
Quality of materials: “The incredibly soft material of the cups on this bra meant that not only was it super comfortable and soft to the touch, it also looked smooth under a top. Despite it being a black bra, I found this was perfect to wear underneath a white t-shirt, as my boobs didn’t look too ‘perky’ and you couldn’t see the colour or shape of the bra at all.”
Style: “Even though I’d describe this bra as having more of a ‘full-coverage’ style, I still found it incredibly flattering. This is a bonus when the bra is already so stretchy, soft and comfortable, but I loved the simple black style and found that it went with so many of my tops.”
Best multi-way minimiser bra
The multiway straps on this minimiser bra means it can be worn in a whole host of ways. Straps can be removed completely, as well as being worn as crossback, or halterneck, which makes this great for working with a wide range of tops and dresses. Its available in 30DD-38G, and it really does hold up as a strapless bra to keep boobs under control.
What our tester said:
Fit: “The thicker and sturdier fabric on the back band felt quite structured and firm compared to other bras I tried, and had the same kind of feel as a sports bra. Although it was a little firm for me, I think the tighter fit would work really well as strapless support for bigger boobs and will keep breasts where they should be all day without becoming loose or any risk of sliding down."
Quality of materials: “The soft microfibre nylon and cotton fabric is super smooth which makes it perfect for underneath even the thinnest fabrics without any lumps and harsh lines. It does feel thicker than some of the other ones I wore though, which might get a little warm on particularly hot days.”
Style: “This is a very simple and fuss free design which is perfect for a multi-way bra as it will work underneath pretty much every fabric and shape of clothing. The classic shaped cups provide plenty of coverage too.”
Best balconette minimiser bra
Bravissimo - one of the best lingerie brands - is committed to providing stylish, flattering and affordable bras to those with larger busts. This minimiser bra errs more on the side of comfort, with a subtle underwire and no padding on the cups, making for a very thin but flattering bra. However, if you purchase a size JJ or K cup, you’ll find that there is extra lining for more support.
What our tester said:
Fit: “This balconette-style bra is super flattering, and as the material is fairly thin it looks quite delicate. Due to the size I tested, the back of the bra had a two-hook fastening, but the largest sizes use a three-hook fastening for extra support, so this would add some extra material to the back band. There’s such a huge range of sizes available, from 28D to 40K, so I think this would be one of the best plus size bras for those looking for a comfortable and flattering option.”
Quality of materials: “Due to the scalloped edge of the cups and their thin material, I found that there was no bulkiness to the bra and therefore it looked great underneath my favourite vest tops. However, I did notice that the lace made for a little bit of bumpiness, so I wouldn’t personally wear it underneath a white t-shirt.”
Style: “I’ve always favoured balconette bras, so I loved the style of the Millie bra. It comes in lots of different colours, but I think the black is a perfect staple that would go with so many different pieces. While it might not have offered the best support in terms of there being enough coverage, I still found the fit very flattering.”
Most supportive minimiser bra
This Triumph minimiser bra is made from two layers of Jacquardtronic lace, which looks fairly structured on the hanger but is actually very stretchy. The cups have a smooth, moulded feel, which adapts to your shape and aren’t too thick or bulky. While the band sizes go up to 42, unfortunately, the largest cup size available is an F, which seems to be universal across Triumph’s minimiser bras.
What our tester said:
Fit: “This is one of my favourite minimiser bras, and the fit is a large part of the reason. Rather than pushing my boobs to the side or the middle of my chest, this bra really supports them and holds them in place while still being flattering. I was really impressed with how this bra looked under a variety of different clothes I tried, although I didn’t find that it ‘minimised’ my chest quite as much as other options on this list. However, due to how comfortable and secure it was, I was willing to overlook that fact.”
Quality of material: “This stretchy, lacy material is quite unique across the bras I tested, and although there is an underwire here, I never felt it digging in. If I wanted to wear a bra for an especially long time (e.g. both all day and into the evening, in contrast to the habit I have of changing into comfy clothes as soon as I walk through the door), I could foresee that the underwire might start getting a little uncomfortable.
Style: “This is a very basic style of bra, but I really liked the subtle sheer stripes on the cups and straps. This bra definitely favours comfort and support over style, but that’s not to say it doesn’t look good: I can definitely see myself wearing this staple style much more than a lacy or silkier style. It’s also worth noting that even though there are two layers of material to the cups, it is still fairly sheer, so you can see some skin through the bra, but not loads.”
Best minimiser bralette
If you’re someone that steers away from underwired offerings, there’s no reason to think that you can’t still wear a minimiser bra. One of the best bras for mature women, instead of underwire, this bralette-style minimiser bra has an elasticated underband, which keeps everything in place while still being supremely comfortable. We’ve found that bralettes are usually designed with smaller-chested people in mind, but this bra can be secured and adjusted with a hook-and-eye fastening rather than pulling it over your head, and it’s also available in cup sizes up to a G.
What our tester said:
Fit: “In terms of comfort, this bralette really feels like you’re not wearing anything at all. The lightweight marl material is soft but supportive, and I didn’t feel like the bra was pushing my boobs down or to the side.”
Quality of material: “This was probably the softest bra I tested - the material is quite thick, but doesn’t feel too sweaty and the straps didn’t dig in at all. I’d describe this more as a lounge bra than every day support.
Style: “For my preference, I could personally do without the little bow at the front, but I really liked the thin straps and the soft black marl material. When it comes to style versus comfort, this definitely isn’t the most stylish pick, but it’s one of the most comfortable bras I tested.”
Best-looking minimiser bra
The raspberry colour and sheer lace fabric gives this one a slightly sexier feel compared to most minimiser bras. The chic design will flatter chests of all shapes and sizes, and there's matching knickers available if you like to wear a co-ordinated set. A lot of bras are supposed to be hand wash only, but this easy-care bra is machine washable (on a delicate cycle), to save any hassle.
This one can only be bought online, so be sure of your size by learning how to measure your bra size before ordering.
What our tester said:
Fit: “This one is super comfortable and I wore it all day without any complaints. The underwire and stretch lace fabric supported well and definitely made my boobs look a little smaller without feeling too restrictive. The compression is more subtle than other styles, so its probably not the most supportive for very big boobs while running for a bus, but its available in a wide size range and the art-deco inspired, semi-plunge design will sit well on chests of all sizes.”
Quality of materials: “ I thought the lacy fabric might be itchy but it was actually super soft and gentle on skin, and felt nice and light for summertime wear. The straps are standard size without any padding though, which may be a little uncomfortable for anybody with really big boobs.”
Style: "I really liked how this minimiser bra looked. It's available in black too, but the warm pink hue is super pretty and the colour has a romantic feel to it, that I really loved. The cups are quite sheer and I found the lace seam at the front was a little lumpy under clingier tops, but it was great underneath tshirts and heavier fabrics.”
Best minimiser bra with a wide back
One of the best bras for back fat, this Wacoal minimiser bra has a wider band at the back which is designed to smooth down any bulges. Available in black and rose shades, this is a full-coverage bra with high cups that support the chest and claims to reduce the bustline by up to one inch.
What our tester said:
Fit: “I’m not always a fan of a full-coverage bra, but this one was undoubtedly very comfortable. The wide back didn’t get too sweaty or ride up, even on tropical tube lines or when wearing it for the whole day. I also liked the thickness of the straps, which didn’t dig in and weren’t too thin and spindly.”
Quality of material: “Made from a blend of nylon, and polyamide, the cups in particular feel silky to the touch and on the inside there’s a soft and mouldable material. I loved that the material was stretchy as well as soft, and I felt like there was a lot of give to the material, too.”
Style: “I’ll be honest, this isn’t the kind of style I would usually go for. As I said, I’m not usually a full-coverage girl, but I still thought that this bra looked quite nice on its own. Plus, if you’re a fan of more coverage and you like a ‘longer’ cup, this is definitely one for you."
Most affordable minimiser bra
This lace trim bra relies on stretch fabrics and clever design details to smooth over fuller boobs and create hold that work surprisingly well considering the bargain price. Its available in black and white, and comes in a size range that covers 34C-46G.
What our tester said:
Fit: “This one offers full cup coverage and amazingly soft, padded straps but the lace panelling comes up quite high and the straps are wide, so they might both be on show if you’re wearing a skimpier top. The stretch fabric was super soft and easy to wear, and it lessened my cleavage without being restrictive.”
Quality of materials: “The slinky stretch fabric of this one was a little shiny for me, but the lace detailing worked quite well to balance it out. The material contains elastin which gives it plenty of stretch and hold so I could move about minus any discomfort.”
Style: “Although its super comfy, the design of this one was a little busy for my personal taste. I love the soft padded straps but the lacy details on there are a little bit much, and the bow at the front isn’t needed. For this price though, I think it’s a classic bra that flatters boobs nicely.”
How we tested the best minimiser bras
Everyone is different when it comes to bras, and each person will prioritise different factors when shopping for a new bra. However, there were some must-haves that we thought should be a no-brainer when it came to testing the best minimiser bras:
- Quality of materials: This should be at the top of any list of priorities for a bra, and while minimiser bras don’t sound like the most comfortable option due to their name, there’s no reason why you should compromise on this. From soft, breathable materials to the way the straps fit on my shoulders, we considered how long we could wear each bra without feeling uncomfortable or desperate to take it off, as well as how well the materials held up over a couple of months of testing.
- RRP: Those with big boobs will know the plight of needing to spend more money on bras than your small-chested friends. While things in the industry have changed, it’s still fairly common for bras made specifically for big boobs to be unfairly more expensive than other styles. While minimiser bras can set you back a little more than ‘normal’ bras, there’s also lots of options that won’t break the bank.
- Style: Similarly to the issue of price point, style is often something that can be compromised when buying bras for larger busts. No matter what type of bra that was tested in terms of its style, we wanted something flattering that still felt supportive.
- How well it minimised the bust: Minimiser bras are designed to redistribute tissue and flatten the shape of the bust to provide a more ‘even’ look. If you have big boobs, no bra is ever going to make them look invisible, but minimiser bras are a surefire way to ‘smooth out’ the appearance of your bust and make it look a little less noticeable. For this reason, we noted how much the bras truly did ‘minimise’ and wore them under a variety of different garments to test if they did the job. Our tester didn’t measure their cup size before and after wearing the bras, but noted instead how their chest looked in them, especially when wearing button-up shirts and the best t-shirts for women where they wanted the chest to look a little bit flatter.
Should you choose your normal size when buying minimiser bras?
Wacoal's Design Director, Jo West, tells us that "when purchasing any bra it is essential to have a professional fitting to ensure you are wearing the right size. Our breasts change size throughout our life and it is recommended to check your bra size ideally every six months. The right size is imperative to providing support, lift and comfort."
West also suggests that "making sure you are wearing the right size could even eliminate the need for a minimising bra", so it's a really important first step.
Is there a best occasion for minimiser bras?
"Minimising bras can be useful to women with fuller busts", says West, as "they can help to smooth, flatten and spread the breast offering extra coverage and smoothing under clothing."
"Minimising bras can be useful under button-up shirts and figure-hugging clothing," she adds, "but they can also help when exercising." However, you should always look to invest in one of the best high-impact sports bras if you are planning on running or taking part in another high-impact exercise."
Do minimiser bras really work?
In our experience of testing the best minimiser bras, we've found that these bras really can reduce the look of your chest, giving the illusion of a flatter or smaller bust. As we've noted, the bras won't actually change the size of your breasts, and West advises that "an underwired bra in the correct size will provide the everyday comfort, smoothing, support and shaping our breasts require."
Hannah is the UK Shopping Writer for woman&home. As a shopping writer, Hannah has written on everything from period pants to wine subscriptions, and is especially interested in sustainable alternatives to well-known products, as well as books and homeware accessories. Before she joined the team at woman&home Hannah headed up the social media accounts for Wonderland in 2019, where she was also a Contributing Editor for the magazine’s sister titles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hannah also explored evolving shopping trends at New York Magazine’s The Strategist UK, researching everything from face masks to status candles and even pens.
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