The Evelyn & Bobbie smoothing camisole firms up my whole top half for the ultimate confidence boost

I have been testing out the very best bras for woman&home for a while now, and after covering everything from classic plunge and push-up pieces to soft triangle and strapless designs, I thought that my boobs and I had covered all bases when it comes to lingerie. That was until I discovered the Evelyn & Bobbie Structured Scoop Bra Tank, which really is unlike anything else in my underwear drawer.

I have long been a fan of the Evelyn & Bobbie brand, and the Defy Bra is up there as one of my favourite and most comfortable bras ever, so I was instantly intrigued when I spotted this newer scoop neck design from the American label. Designed to be one of the best bras for back fat, this longline style looks like a basic vest, but it offers far more than that. In a similar way to my favourite M&S Hidden Support Vest, this piece has a built-in bra that sits like a discreet crop top inside the longer camisole, and the lingerie-meets-shapewear hybrid provides lift and hold for my bust while smoothing and contouring my back, sides and tummy to create a sleek and neat silhouette. After a few days of wear, it has really impressed me and does everything I hoped it would.

I get very frustrated with overspill around my bra, and have sometimes avoided wearing clingier tops due to worries about lumps and bumps at the back. This well-designed piece cancels out any concern without the need for layering up a bra and a smoothing slip – it does two jobs in one, and as it falls on my hips, it also cancels out any pesky overhang on the waistband of my jeans and skirts too. Win, win!

Shop the Bra

I wore the Evelyn & Bobbie piece over a couple of days before washing it and wearing it again. While testing the bra, I considered the design, the fit, the fabric and the support, as well as how smoothing it was around my bust, sides and back.

Evelyn & Bobbie Structured Scoop Bra Tank: Comfort & Fit

The bra is a pull-on style, which means you won't need to faff about with fiddly clasps and fastenings at the back, and although it is a little bit of a squeeze to get on at first, once it's pulled into position, it feels wonderfully comfy and very easy to move around in. I found that it managed to stay where it was supposed to be without riding up around my tummy or back. It does feel a little snug after you pop it on, but the firm and stretchy material is designed to mould to your natural shape and curves over time, and the brand suggests wearing it for a couple of days to let it adapt to your body and fit nicely. It really does work, and it was much easier to pull on after a couple of wears, and I found that the stretch fabric moved with me rather than against me for a comfy feel.

This bra is wire-free, which means it isn’t rigid or stiff, and as with the rest of the collection from the brand, the clever shaping of the cups and technical fabric will provide hold for even very big boobs, and will evenly distribute the weight of your bust to minimise the risk of any pressure points or back strain. On top of that, the straps are wide to offer extra support, which makes this one of the best bras for large busts too.

Of course, as well as the bust support, this longer line style promises to keep any lumpy areas around your back, waist and tummy to a minimum too, and it really does. I was impressed by how sleek it made my top half look, but without the overly tight feeling I often get from a standard shaping top or a slip, and I can easily wear it under a tight tshirt or slim-fit dress knowing that it will flatter from all angles. It adds a gentle firmness to my frame and means I can get dressed in a hurry without any worries about my outfit clinging to certain areas.

I expected the longer style to feel a little hot and sweaty to wear on a warm day, and I wasn’t so sure about an extra layer under my shirt, but the thin polyamide and elastane blend fabric is surprisingly cool against skin and promises to be moisture-wicking and anti-odour, so I think it’ll be a winner for the summer months too.

The sizes go from S-XXL, but because of the adaptable fabrics, each one covers a dozen or so bra sizes, so busts ranging from 30C-54H can find their match, and it takes a lot of hassle out of trying to guess the best size for you when buying online. I'm a size 12 and a 36B, and found that the Medium fitted brilliantly.

Evelyn & Bobbie Structured Scoop Bra Tank: Style

This bra is wonderfully comfy and smoothing, but in all honesty, when it comes to design, it's not the most wow-worthy. The overall look is quite simple and fuss-free, which isn’t the end of the world, but it does feel a little dull compared to some of my other bras, and it's not necessarily the sexiest piece of underwear in my drawer right now. The lack of lace, embellishment and trims does mean it sits invisibly under all clothing, though, and for everyday wear, the comfort and support definitely outweigh the understated design.

Another thing to consider is that the bra features much wider, adjustable straps than a lot of my other lingerie staples, which are great for support, but they might peek out a little from the sides of a sleeveless top, and the higher cut front of the bra vest may be tricky to layer under a lower neckline. Overall, though, I have found that it sits well under most styles or tops and frocks without any problems.

I opted for the soft sand colour as I think it will be the most versatile, but there is also a classic black option, as well as five other wearable designs, including pink and dark brown.

Evelyn & Bobbie Structured Scoop Bra Tank: Care

Despite the fact that the fabric is very technical, this bra is very easy to care for, and it can be thrown in the wash on a cool cycle. This was a massive bonus as I'm not usually a fan of hand-washing, and I found that it dried speedily and felt like new the next time I wore it.

Evelyn & Bobbie Structured Scoop Bra Tank: Verdict

I really do love Evelyn & Bobbie, and I have recommended this particular lingerie brand to lots of friends and family over the last few months, and I will be doing the same again after wearing this longer line style too.

The bra top provides plenty of shape, lift and hold for my boobs and kept my bust in check during a busy weekend, which involved shopping, a big spring clean and a trip to the playground with my little ones. I’m impressed by how much hold it offers without any harsh underwires or overly firm fabric, and I imagine it will be a great alternative to your best minimiser bra for anybody with much larger boobs.

The longer line is such a great idea, as it cancels out the need for my best shapewear on top of my bra and creates the most sleek and neat silhouette, which means I can wear a multitude of tops and dresses without any worries about lumpy areas or unsightly overspill around the back strap. It tucks into my jeans and skirts snugly too, and works very well to prevent overhang at my waistband, and all without riding up or needing to be readjusted throughout the day.

This bra is great for a little firm-up if you’re wearing something clingier than usual, or simply as a comfy base layer for everyday outfits. Rather than just focusing on back fat, this bra smooths and firms up my whole top half brilliantly and acts as the ultimate confidence boost with minimal effort.

Shop More Evelyn & Bobbie