How we test bras to support you in making the right choice

A bra might not always be the most expensive item in your wardrobe, but we understand the importance of getting it just right. The humble bra underpins every outfit, and if the fit is wrong, you just won't feel as confident and supported as you could.

Of course, we all come in different shapes and sizes, meaning that the best bras is an incredibly broad category. Which is why we've also broken it down into areas like the best bras for large busts and the best bras for back fat.

Our testers have put lots of different styles through their paces, in order to authoritatively weigh up the pros and cons of each, as well as offer personal experience and advice.

To ensure each bra piece we publish is as reliable as it can be, we have compiled a rundown of how we test bras – think of it as a more nuanced version of our wider policy on how we test products at woman&home. Creating a guideline for how we test bras helps us to ensure that we are always adhering to certain criteria and giving the best advice possible. With a selection of checkpoints, we take our time testing bras, so that we can be sure we fully support a bra choice, as much as it returns the favour.

How we test bras

We take a lot of time and care in ensuring we recommend styles we truly believe in. To do this, we make sure we have a selection of pillars to refer to when testing bras, and use these as a reference point for anyone testing lingerie on our behalf, so we know the advice we give is well thought through and analysed to the best of our abilities.

Brand selection

The first point of any round of testing is understanding the right products to call in. When it comes to how we test bras, one of the most important things for us at woman&home is establishing the right labels for the task.

We ask specialist brands and lingerie experts in the field, calling in designs from those companies that we know put the time into developing fit, innovating new styles and shapes, and constantly striving to ensure women get the most comfortable bras.

This doesn't mean that all the bras we choose to test are expensive: we are conscious of having a wide range of price points available throughout, but we won't compromise on fit.

Comfort & Fit

Undoubtedly the most important part of any bra is the comfort and fit. No one wants to be fiddling with their lingerie all day, trying to get it to sit just so. Of course, particularly when it comes to the fit of any clothing or undergarment item there is a certain amount of subjectivity, but when we look at how we test bras, we hone in on specific function of that bra and how it fits first and foremost.

For example, if we're looking at the best bras for back fat, while we want to know that the bra is comfortable, we are inevitably also looking at whether the bra meets the brief and helps to smooth out your back under clothing.

Fit also covers the uplift a bra delivers and whether it gives a nice rounded shape. We use various testers throughout our bra content online and endeavour to always find someone that fits each particular bra brief best. This means that our best bras for large busts feature is road tested by someone with a FF cup. So even though there is a level of subjectivity, we know that we've got a tester who understands what is needed.

We really get under the skin of each bra and look for the finer details that make our choices stand out from the crowd. This could be extra padding on the sides, or a placket at the back to stop hooks digging in - anything and everything a bra offers.

Style

We all want lingerie that looks as well as feels good, so style is considered in all our bra ratings and selections. We try to have a range within each piece that covers the basic neutrals to racier and bolder colours, as well as lacy and plain designs so that there is something that appeals to everyone. What we don't do is champion a bra purely for its aesthetics, because at the end of the day, having a good and comfortable uplift is still the most important function of a bra.

The quality of the materials plays a big role in how the bra looks and feels too. From the fastenings and straps to any additional decoration, we consider how these impact both fit and style.

We've also really thought about how exactly you might wear yours. For example, the writer who put the best bras for back fat to the test made sure to wear all 32 of the styles she tried underneath a fitted outfit to see if it was visibly bumpy from any angle.

Similarly, our best bras for large busts expert tried hers under a variety of necklines, and checked how they would perform during everyday activities like walking, jogging for the bus and dancing at parties.

Care

Each bra feature is started weeks, sometimes months in advance. This means that we take our time with each bra, wear them on repeat, wash them and see how each bra performs over time. This helps us to give an accurate and honest analysis of how each bra truly performs in the 'real' world. It does mean that sometimes it takes us a bit longer, but that we know the woman&home bra advice is worth reading.

Let's face it, washing it a huge part of the longevity of a bra. If you don't have the time to be hand washing a bra then is it really going to work for you? And how does it look after a wash in the machine? It's all worth considering if you ask us.

Verdict

The beauty of trying so many bras is that it enables our testers to compare and contrast, coming to conclusions about which is the bra that might be right for you in each category.

For example, within the best bras for large busts feature, our tester came to a decision on winners for full cup, non-wired, t-shirt bra, balcony, plunge and strapless bras. In the best bras for back fat article we found winners for subsections like best size range and best loungewear.

Between our testers, we've tried hundreds of bras, and worn them for hours, which will not only save you time and money doing the same, it means we can confidently advise you on which ones are well worth your money. You're welcome!