This wire-free design is one of the most comfortable bras I've ever worn (and I've tried dozens)

While the support, hold and comfort of a bra is much more important than how it looks, a bright and modern design is definitely a bonus and can feel a little more fun to wear than your everyday basics.

It was the cheerful colours from Stripe & Stare that originally caught my attention, and after reading plenty of positive reviews online, I was keen to give a bra a try to see if they really did feel as good to wear as they looked.

After launching in 2017, the female-founded, British brand has fast become a favourite with the fashion set and offers a wide range of lingerie in an array of colours that certainly stand out from the crowd when it comes to the best bras, and all while promising to be seriously comfy to wear. I have been excited to see what all the fuss was about and decided to try the Smooth Sculpt Padded Bra.

As with all the Stripe & Stare range, this bra is wire-free, made from silky soft modal fabric, and it promises to smooth, shape and lift boobs in the most comfortable way. When it comes to the bras vs bralette debate, I definitely prefer the latter, but equally, I need some proper hold for everyday wear, and this contemporary-looking piece promised to do it all. I wore it for a couple of days, and I’m pleased to report that it is everything I had hoped it would be – it's fast become a favourite and is up there as one of the most comfortable bras I’ve ever (and I mean ever) worn.

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I tried out the Midnight & Neon Pink colour-way in Size 1X, and wore it for two full days before washing and wearing again later in the week. I wore it for a busy day at work, including a commute that involved missing a bus and needing to power walk my way to the office, as well as a quieter day working from home in my loungewear, and it impressed me massively for all my plans.

While trialling the bra, I considered the fabric, the hold, lift and support as well as, most importantly, how comfortable it was. Want to know more? You can find plenty of info from our handy guide about how we test bras.

Stripe & Stare Smooth Sculpt Padded Bra: Comfort & Fit

This bra contains some flexible padding, which is enough to contour and smooth my bust but minus any rigid feeling, and I like the fuller bralette-style shape, which offers coverage without covering up my boobs completely. While not a plunge or push-up bra, the well-designed cups on this one provide a great amount of lift that flatters my chest nicely, and creates a subtle amount of cleavage that sits well under most styles of top. It's listed as offering medium support, but it actually looks after my boobs equally as well as some of my firmer-hold bras and it is a total winner for everyday wear.

The brand describes the fabric as ‘cloud soft’, and I actually do agree. It has enough stretch to feel easy to move around in, but holds its shape well so I don’t ever feel like I need to yank it back into position or re-adjust throughout the day. I popped it on in the morning and forgot all about it – sometimes new bras can take a bit of getting used to, but this one felt right instantly. It’s very light and breathable, and I had zero complaints – even when dashing about on a hectic commute.

It fastens at the back with traditional hook and eye clasps, and the shoulder straps are easily adjustable. It's available in sizes XS-4X, which covers 26A-42E, and there’s a very handy size guide on the website to find your perfect fit. Although it might not be a winner for those with larger busts that tend to opt for their best minimiser bra or extra-firm support, I’m a 36B and found size 1X to be a total winner.

Stripe & Stare Smooth Sculpt Padded Bra: Style

As I mentioned, it was the bright blue and pink design that caught my attention first, and the cheerful combination really does spark some joy every time I wear it. It has such a happy and modern feel to it, but if you prefer something a little more neutral, there are six other colours to choose from, including plain white, classic black and a muted take on leopard print.

The sleek and smooth cups are fuss-free and simple, which means that the lace-free design sits neatly under even the most tight of tops or bodysuits without showing through. I also like that there aren't any tags – the washing instructions are cleverly printed on the inside of the back band, which is very handy and means there isn’t any chance of irritation from the edge of a label.

There are matching knickers available too, and the bottoms cover everything from full briefs or hipsters to a classic thong, and all of them are made from equally velvety soft materials. After falling so hard for the bra, I am most definitely going to invest in a set to complete the look.

The bra is the perfect blend of practical and pretty, and the bright hues have certainly perked up my underwear drawer!

Stripe & Stare Smooth Sculpt Padded Bra: Care

The bra is made from 89% polyamide and 11% elastane, and has been created thoughtfully as the fabrics are produced with 50% less carbon emissions and water consumption than standard modal materials. Impressively, the brand actually plants a tree for every new order, and the underwear itself can be composted when the bra is finished with, as the fibres will break down over time. It's a very guilt-free treat for your chest!

The good news is that the easy-to-wear bra is also easy to look after, as it can be thrown in the machine on a 30-degree wash or simply cleaned by hand. I found that it dried impressively fast and looked and felt equally as special post-laundry.

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Stripe & Stare Smooth Sculpt Padded Bra: Verdict

I have tried dozens and dozens of bras over the years, and this one really stands out for me. As well as looking different to any other bra I’ve worn before, it feels like such a treat to wear. It is incredibly soft all over, and it’s very easy to forget that I’m wearing it.

The fresh design is bright and bold while being understated and simple, so it will appeal to most women, and although the sizing only goes up to cup size E and may not be the best bra for larger busts, there is still a wide range of options to support and lift a variety of boob sizes, and all while feeling dreamy to wear.

It kept my chest in check for a busy day of meetings and travelling, but it was also wonderfully supple and relaxed to wear under a hoodie and jogger combination for a day at home. It is a fantastic lingerie staple, and I will be wearing it on repeat going forward.