Say hello to the strapless bra that's guaranteed to give your bust a boost this summer

It's no secret that a padded bra will make your boobs look fuller and add volume, which is great if you want a super perky look. Regardless of how happy you are with your natural size, it's good to know that the technology exists to give yourself a boost if you want one! There are lots of low-cut dresses with thin straps in the shops this summer, and this is one of the best strapless bras to wear with them.

A well-fitting strapless bra is a wardrobe essential, whatever your shape or size. Personally, I wear a size 34F, so increasing my bust size isn't something I ordinarily strive to do, but there are certain tops that simply look better with a bit more cleavage!

I'm also a trained bra fitter and have helped many women with smaller cup sizes to achieve a more curvy silhouette by wearing a great bra. I always start by ensuring they are wearing the best bras for their figure type, in the correct size. A common mistake that women make is to squeeze themselves into a bra that's too small in order to get a cleavage effect. Not only will this feel uncomfortable, but it can also result in skin abrasions and back pain. Instead, look for a bra that's specifically designed with padding at the sides of the cups to push you upwards and toward the centre, and get fitted to ensure you are wearing the right size.

John Lewis has over 70 styles of strapless bra on their website, from soft bandeau shapes to more structured moulded designs. Sales of their strapless bras are up by 40% this year, and they have seen a 9% rise in lingerie fitting appointments.

I was looking for a plunging style that I could wear under a low-cut dress with thin straps. Cassie Super Push Up Strapless Bra is one of their bestsellers and is available in a choice of smooth or lace fabrics. I tried a size 32F and wore it under my dress to ensure the bra gave the shape I desired. I considered the level of support and comfort it provided and whether it made my bust look more uplifted - here's what I thought.

John Lewis Cassie Super Push Up Strapless Bra

John Lewis Cassie Super Push Up Strapless Bra Review

Shape & Design

Similar to a T-shirt bra, this style has moulded cups made from a lightweight polyamide fibre chosen for its strength, flexibility, and moisture-wicking properties. The outside is smooth and seam-free, with a low-cut centre. Inside the cups, bonded within the layers of fabric, are areas of denser padding on the outer and upper edges. You can't remove this padding - it's moulded into the inner lining.

The underwires are also bonded within the structure of the bra and are completely flexible - in fact, I wouldn't personally call it underwiring; instead of traditional metal wires, they have used softer strips of flexible plastic that are fused into the lower cups.

The elastic along the bottom edge of the cups and the top edge of the back has tiny silicone dots to help grip the bra in place. Flexible strips of boning are encased in the side seams and back panels to give extra structure. The straps can be attached to the inside of the bra and are adjustable to lengthen into a cross-back style. The bra fastens with 2 hooks and eyes, and there are 3 rows to ensure a perfect fit.

Support & Fit

I'm going to be honest here and say that the 32F size that I chose struggled to contain my boobs! If there had been a size FF or G cup available, it would have fitted me better, the padding and push-up technology definitely worked! My boobs were lifted, creating an impressive cleavage that gave me the desired shape under my low-cut dress. This bra would not provide me with enough support to wear every day, but it was ideal for a special occasion or night out.

If you are a D cup or smaller, you will find it supportive and more comfortable. One customer review stated, "It gives me a really nice shape, especially at 45 when my breasts are no longer where I'd like them to be!" Another commented that the bra "stayed in place, didn't feel uncomfortable and gave me a great cleavage, which at over 60 I'm beginning to lose."

Comfort

As with all strapless bras, this design needs to fit snugly in order for it to stay in place but the smooth and soft elastic gripped firmly without any discomfort. Unlike other strapless bras that I've tested, which have boning in the side seams, this style had plenty of room at the top and bottom of the encasing - which ensures the boning doesn't rub or irritate the skin.

I wore the bra for a couple of hours and it felt very comfortable. For longer period of time one customer review states "I wore it from 7am till 9pm yesterday and I didn't have to pull it up or adjust it even once."

Care

This bra needs to be treated gently and is hand-wash only.

Verdict

This padded bra increased the appearance of my bust by lifting and creating a fuller, more defined cleavage. The smooth, moulded design is seamless and invisible under tight tops and feels light and comfortable to wear. The lace version is a more glamorous option. The straps can be removed completely or worn cross-back or halter, which is particularly great for plunging necklines.