Finding the best bras for large busts is not easy. As well as fitting perfectly and feeling comfortable, your bra needs to work under a variety of outfits - and if you wear a D cup or above the search can be even more challenging.
Shopping for the best bras can be an overwhelming experience as there are so many types, from non-wired bras that offer the ultimate in comfort to full-cup styles that are recommended by experts as being the most supportive.
The most important thing is ensuring you are wearing the right size. A correctly fitting bra will feel comfortable, provide the support you need and, much like the best bras for back fat, help create a smooth silhouette.
I'm a size 32FF and a trained bra fitter. I've been testing a wide variety of bras from the high street and the best lingerie brands in order to find the top six styles. I've considered the overall look of the bra, how well it fits, how comfortable it feels after wearing it for a full day, how easy it is to care for and the price tag too.
We initially started testing for the best bras for large busts in 2022 and have continued to trial new products ever since. Regularly checked for updates, this guide includes the very latest styles that are new to the market, along with classic designs that are longstanding bestsellers.
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The quick list: my top 6
I have summarised and condensed my findings and here follows a quick synopsis of the 6 best bras for large busts. If you want to find out more about each style, I go into further detail below and you will find links to the reviews in full.
Best Full-Cup
This bra is packed with technical features that are engineered to give you maximum support, including under wiring, adjustable wide straps and firm mesh back panels. Full-cup designs are considered by experts to be the most supportive of bra styles, the cups are constructed from 3 parts that combine to fully encapsulate the breast. One of the key features is the underband which is curved at the centre, making it more flexible than other similar designs.
Best Non-Wired
This pretty lace bra is extremely comfortable and suitable for women who can't, or choose not to, wear wired bras. It's the only non-wired bra to make the the final 6 styles tested for this feature. It doesn't provide the same amount of support as a full-cup style but does have hidden stretch panels that give adequate support throughout the day, with no wires to dig in or irritate the skin. At £22 it's great value-for-money.
Best T-Shirt
This is an incredibly soft bra with seam free cups that's great for women with big boobs who are looking for support, comfort and a smooth line under tight-fitting tops. It's a practical bra that has no added embellishments and the clean unfussy design looks modern, an ideal wardrobe staple. The back of the bra is wide and fits really smoothly against the skin, making it one of the best bras for back fat.
Best Balcony
This bra offers great support and creates an uplifted, rounded shape for a more youthful appearance. It's available in a great choice of colours including neutral black and white, soft pastel shades and vibrant bright colours like this neon coral. Made from stretch lace the cups offer less coverage than a full-cup bra and the straps are wider set, making it the ideal choice under square or low scoop necklines.
Best Plunge
This bra will give you a great cleavage, while still remaining supportive and comfortable. It's the perfect style for wearing under wrap dresses or tops with deep V-necklines. It has lightly padded foam cups to boost your shape and a stretch-lace trim along the top of the cups that's a bonus if you have irregular cup sizes. Made from floral lace, with metallic trims, this bra is a glamorous option.
Best Strapless
If you are looking for a bra with removable, multiway straps that you can wear with bandeau, halter neck or asymmetric tops, this is the perfect solution, even if you have big boobs. The firm under band and moulded, lightly padded cups will keep your bust in place and will not show under strapless or tricky necklines. Costing less than £30 it is an affordable option.
The best bras for large busts: Tried and tested
I've been a fashion stylist for over 30 years and have dressed hundreds of women of all shapes and sizes. One of the most important things that I consider when I'm choosing clothes is the underwear that will go underneath. Selecting the right bra can make or break a great outfit. These six different bra styles will cover all of your everyday and special occasion needs. You may wish to add one of the best sports bras to your collection if you exercise regularly. Whether you are in your twenties or looking for bras for more mature women, these styles will improve the way you look. I tested over 30 bras from a range of stockists and wore each style for at least 4 days, making note of how it fitted, how supportive and comfortable it felt, what it looked like under a variety of clothes and finally how it looked after washing. Here is everything you need to know about the 6 bras that offer the best support, lift, comfort and style for those with bigger boobs.
Best bras for Large Busts: Full Cup
I tried and tested this bra in a size 32G in purple.
Curvy Kate specifically caters for women with large cup size boobs (the average size they sell is a 34G), and this is the supportive design is the bra style that I tend to feel most confident in. I wear a size 32FF but for this review I wore a size 32G, as it's the smallest size available. The bra fitted well on the cups, with no overspill or gaping but the band felt tighter than usual. I predict that this bra will 'give' slightly over time and the band will stretch, however you may want to go up a band size if you are between sizes.
The cups are made from 3 panels that completely encapsulate, lift and centre the breasts. The lower and side panels are lined with a firm mesh and the upper panel is made from a sheer, more stretchy fabric. The straps are smooth, easy to adjust and are set closer together than on a balcony bra, making it a good choice for women with narrow or sloping shoulders.
I liked both the colour and simple style of this bra. I wore it under a mid-weight jumper and you couldn't see any hint of the bra below. It also worked under a silky top too, the firm back panels helped to smooth any lumps or bumps. The bra was easy to care for (simply hand wash and drip dry) and there was no change in appearance after washing.
I would usually consider spending up to £40 on a good quality bra from a specialist lingerie brand, and at £37 this bra is at the top end of my budget, but I think it has plenty of technical details that warrant the price. If you are looking for a bra that gives you maximum support, up to a K cup, and will work under most clothes in your wardrobe this will earn its keep.
You can find out more in my full Curvy Kate WonderFully Full Cup Side Support Bra Review
Best Bras For Large Busts: Non-Wired
I was fitted for this bra by a fit expert at M&S and am wearing a size 32G in black.
Apart from a brief period in life when I was pregnant and then breastfeeding I've always felt more confident in wired styles. Even the sports bras I wear are underwired. However, in the past few years the technology and new fabrics available have allowed lingerie designers to develop ways to support the bust without any rigid structure, even for women with big boobs.
After discussing the pros and cons of non-wired styles with my friend Debbie Harper, Head of Styling at Good Morning Britain, she recommended this M&S bestseller. "It's comfortable enough to wear all day long while I'm at work in the studio" she said.
It wasn't available in my usual 32FF so I went to be fitted and was offered a 32G. It fitted perfectly, with no overspill, bulges or gaping. I couldn't feel the hidden support structure, and the adjustable straps felt secure and didn't slip down. The under band fitted snuggly and felt comfortable for most of the day.
If you usually wear an underwired full cup bra you will find that this bralette offers you less support that you are used to. I didn't feel as confident as usual when I had to run for the bus, but for general activities the support was good enough. If you lead a very active lifestyle you may find that you require more structure, but this bra was most definitely the most comfortable in comparison to every other bra I tested.
Unlike many bralette styles which are usually plain, this one is made from a daisy stretch lace that gives it a feminine and pretty appearance. The other huge advantage with this bra is that it is the only one out of the six that can be machine washed on a gentle cycle at a low temperature. I can confirm there was no change to the look, shape or support of the fabric or construction after 3 washes.
You can find out more in my full M&S Lace Non-Padded Bralette F-H Review
Best Bras for Large Busts: T-Shirt
I tested this bra in a size 32FF in the shade Almond which was close to my skin tone.
A T-shirt bra is the best solution if you like to wear sheer or close-fitting tops and want a bra that will completely disappear. John Lewis is one of the UK's leading lingerie stockists, and out of all the T-Shirt bras I tested this was the one that combined a sleek smooth finish with great support.
My go-to full-cup bras give me the level of support I need, but are made from lacy fabrics with trims that show under tight-fitting clothes. This bra is made from incredibly soft fabric and has moulded, un-seamed cups that offer a practical solution to the problem. All of the edges are bonded rather than stitched which contributes to the smooth finish. The straps were adjustable and also very smooth. The under wiring is flexible and moves with your body. There are no fabric labels inside the bra, and the washing instructions are printed directly onto the underside of the clasp.
T-shirt bras work by containing and compressing your boobs into preformed moulded cups which give you a soft and natural shape. When I was wearing this bra my boobs felt slightly squashed into place, rather than the uplifting, forward projecting effect that you get with a full-cup bra. The padding works to smooth over the nipple area preventing any show-through on thin fabrics. Due to the moulded nature of the bra, I did get a little gaping at the base of the straps where my boobs have lost some fullness.
It gave me a good amount of support, and my only discomfort with this bra came from the padding, which made me feel overly warm on a hot sunny day. But in general it proved to be very comfortable. Due to the bonded seams and edges of the bra it needs to be hand washed to retain its shape, and ideally it would be stored flat and unfolded to keep its shape.
You can find out more in my full John Lewis Sofia Smooth Underwired T-Shirt Bra Review
Best Bras for Large Busts: Balcony
I was fitted by the experts at Bravissimo and I tested this bra in a size 32FF in neon coral.
Balcony or balconette bras as they are sometimes called, have straps that are joined at the side of the cup rather than the centre. This creates an uplifting 'lift and separate' effect. From my trial selection of balcony styles I chose the Millie from Bravissimo as I was immediately impressed by the quality and feel of the bra. Priced at £39 this style is the most expensive of the bras in my final 6, but the quality of the fabric is comparable to more luxurious designer bras.
Bravissimo is one of the best bra brands for larger busts and they aren't afraid to design larger bras in bold prints and vibrant colours. I thought it would make a change to go for a bright colour to add some energy to my lingerie drawer. This neon coral shade was flattering on my skin and was great under medium and dark coloured clothes. Lingerie expert and Content Creator Chantelle Garrood (who wears a size 32H) is also a fan of the style: "I love that the Millie bra comes in multiple colours... the all-over stretch lace makes the bra not only look beautiful but it also works with a wide variety of sizes and even moves with your body".
This is an incredibly pretty bra, made from an attractive floral lace fabric with scalloped edges. The cups provide less coverage than a full-cup style and because of the wider distance between straps this style would show under a deep V-neckline. This makes it ideal for wearing under scoop or square necklines though, especially if you want to make your boobs look fuller and more rounded, but I did feel slightly more exposed and less supported than when I'm wearing full-cup bra. This bra fitted perfectly and was true to size. I recommend getting professionally fitted for a balcony bra as it is not a style that would suit all body types, especially if you have narrow shoulders.
The Millie Balcony bra was easy to care for - I hand washed using a gentle liquid detergent and there was no change to the overall look or feel of the bra.
You can find out more in my full Bravissimo Millie Balcony Bra Review
Best Bras for large busts: Plunge
I tested this bra in a size 34F in black.
This bra is all about glamour. That said it doesn't fall down in the practical stakes either, being both supportive and comfortable to wear. Fantasie is a brand with an excellent reputation in the specialist large-cup market and they recently introduced a plunge version of their bestselling Fusion bra. It's a great bra if you want to create a cleavage effect while still feeling contained and confident that you aren't going to flash more than you intended! Other styles I trialled for this category left my boobs feeling squashed or were too padded and increased the volume, which I didn't feel comfortable in.
I find V-necklines are a flattering choice for my curvy figure but if the neckline is too low my bra shows. I often have to resort to a safety pin to conceal it, but this solves the problem. It's made from delicate lace fabric with lower cut inner cups, so the upper part of the cup exposes the breast beneath. The inner cups are slightly padded and made from the same foam fabric as a moulded T-shirt bra and this lifts the breasts bringing them forward towards the centre of the bra. I would normally wear a size 32FF but tried this in size 34F as I find Fantasie bras fit tighter around the band than other lingerie brands. It fitted well, with no overspill or gaping. It was incredibly comfortable to wear - the underwires are set wide to ensure they encircle the breast without touching the actual breast tissue and the lace fabric was soft and stretchy.
As a result of the cups being lower-cut this bra does not provide the same level of coverage as a full cup style but I still felt contained and well supported. The underwiring, along with the firm back panels and substantial straps, provide anchorage so the bra feels sturdy. I wore this bra for four days and this included a night out where I put it to the test on the dancefloor and can confirm it stayed in place and provided support, although the lower-cut cups did result in some jiggling!
I have washed the bra once in warm water using a gentle lingerie liquid soap. After one wash the bra remained in perfect condition.
You can find out more in my full Fantasie Fusion Lace Padded Plunge Bra Review
Best Bras For Large Busts: Strapless
I tested this multiway bra in every strap configuration in a size 34F shade Natural
A multiway bra is unlikely to become your everyday choice, but it will work under a variety of tricky necklines and prove useful as a solution to the problem of what to wear under strapless, one-shoulder, bardot or tops with thin straps. Finding a multiway style that stays put and doesn't feel uncomfortable is challenging, particularly if you have a large bust. Pour Moi's Definitions range includes some of the best shapewear available so I wasn't surprised to find they sell two versions of strapless bra - a push-up style and a lightly padded style. I opted to try to latter as I didn't want to create extra volume but simply wanted a secure solution.
The design is sleek and simple, much like a smooth T-shirt bra, without fussy trims that might show under tight tops. I opted for the colourway that was closest to my skin shade and I wore it for a variety of occasions including a full day event and a night out, and it didn't slip down or ride up with wear, even when dancing.
With ample underwired cups that are big enough to encapsulate most of the breast, the shape had the same effect as a balcony bra and lifted my boobs while leaving the uppermost part uncovered. You can use one strap to create a halterneck or one-shoulder bra, or remove them both for a completely strapless design. When both straps are attached it transforms into a balcony bra.
Strapless bras have to fit tightly around the band in order for them to provide the support you need and this one is no exception, I could feel the band firmly against my ribcage at all times. My average size is a 32FF, but with this bra I opted for a size 34F. I felt comfortable in this bra for about 4 hours before the tightness of the band began to irritate me, but not enough to cause any real discomfort.
Like other moulded bras this style needs to be hand washed with a gentle liquid detergent to prolong the life of the bra.
You can find out more in my full Pour Moi Definitions Multiway Strapless Bra Review
How we tested the best bras for large busts
I spent over 3 months trying and testing the best bras for large busts.
Finding the best bra that will suit you is a very personal choice as we all vary in shape and size. I am a size 12/14 and most of my bras are a size 32FF, but as you will see from my reviews above there is no standard sizing and this can vary from brand to brand. I tested 30 bras in a variety of styles and sizes for this trial and in some cases I was fitted in store by a professional and in others I ordered online and bought a couple of different sizes of the same bra and returned the ill-fitting ones. It's essential that you buy the correct size to ensure a comfortable fit. Check out my fitting tips below, or watch my guide here.
I also considered the price of each bra and decided to limit my trial to include bras priced between £20 and £40, as in my experience this is the average amount that most women expect to spend. Once I found my perfect size I then wore each style for at least four days before choosing my final six. I have a busy life and although I didn't exercise in these bras I did put them to test with lots of walking, jogging for the bus, dancing at a party and general everyday activities to be sure that the products I chose for this breakdown offered all-day support. I then washed them to test their staying power too.
These are the main factors I considered for this trial:
- Fit and support: Once I had determined that I was wearing the correct size I then considered exactly how the bra fitted. I made note of how supported I felt by the cups - was there any over-spill or bulging? Did the under wiring feel comfortable or did it start to dig in after a few hours? Did the straps stay in place and were they easy to adjust? Was the clasp easy to use and in general how comfortable did it feel throughout the day?
- Quality of materials: I considered the fabric and how it felt against my skin. I looked at the construction of the bra and made note of how well it was made, paying particular attention to the seams and how the underwires were concealed. I looked at the clasp and compared the amount of hook and eye fastening that were used, and if they were sturdy enough to keep the bra in place. I then washed each bra once following the manufacturers instructions and checked for any changes in the quality, fit or comfort. I will continue to wear the final six styles and ensure this feature is updated if I feel that further wear and washing diminishes the quality.
- Style: I set out to test every type of bra that a woman might need in day-to-day life. As a fashion stylist I know that some styles are more suitable than others under certain outfits and wanted to cover as many solutions as possible. From practical bras that create a smooth silhouette to more sexy styles that create a cleavage, I tried them all.
You can also learn more about how we test bras in this detailed guide.
How to choose
The best bras for big boobs involve a lot more design technology than you might think, and for the most part, the best bras for large busts are a feat of engineering. If you wear a size D cup or above you should consider buying your bras from a specialist lingerie brand that embraces this design technology. It is possible to find large-cup bras at budget retailers, but I would advise shopping in the sales at the brands with a good reputation for fit and instead save money by buying past season styles. Here is a quick checklist to remind you of the key criteria to look out for when shopping that will help you decipher if a bra is going to work for you.
- Fit: Getting the perfect fit is the key to lasting comfort. It's best to get professionally measured if you can, and always opt for bra styles that are measured by cup and band size rather than S, M, L etc. If you're unsure of the fit or size you're after, we always recommend ordering a few sizes to find the one that works best for you.
- Style: What do you need your bra to do? Are you looking for an everyday style that will work under the majority of your outfits? Do you need extra support or is comfort your priority? Has the bra got to work with a tricky neckline? Do you want to minimise your bust or show off your cleavage? Use my guide above to help you decide what style works for you or ask a professional fitter for help.
- Price: What's your budget? Larger sized bras do not have to be expensive and once you know your size and preferred style you can get some great bargains in the sales or on Amazon. Much like shopping for the best jeans for your body type you can spend a fortune on expensive designer lingerie if you desire, but I don't believe the bras will be any more supportive or comfortable than the six styles that topped our list.
How to get the right fit
The most sensible way to find your bra size is to be fitted by a professional bra fitter at a department store or lingerie specialist. Many companies offer virtual fittings too, via their websites. If you prefer to work out your own size follow our 3-step guide below.
Step 1 - Start by wearing a bra that you feel most comfortable in and measure in inches directly under your bust, keeping the tape tight and level around your body. If this number is odd you will have to add or subtract an inch to find your size.
Step 2 - Measure around the fullest part of your bust (usually the nipple line) keeping the tape level all the way around your back.
Step 3 - Subtract your band size (from step 1) from your bust size (from step 2) and use the difference to calculate your cup size. For example if you have zero difference in inches you will be a AA cup size, one inch = A cup, two inches = B cup, 3 inches a C cup, and so on.
But beware! Bra sizes are not standardised, each brand will fit differently and it's impossible to find the right fit based on size alone. You need to pay close attention to the look and feel of the bra. Here are the signs to look out for...
1. Your bra rides up at the back - This is a sign that the band size is too big. The band should fit firmly and provide 80% of the support.
2. Underwires digging in - The underwire should not rest on the actual breast tissue or cut in under the arms. Go up a cup size.
3. Bulging cups - The top of the breast should fit smoothly into the cups without overspill. If in doubt go up a cup size.
4. Gaping at the front - The centre front of the bra must lay flat against the breast bone without sitting on any breast tissue. This is a sign your cup size is too small.
5. Uncomfortable straps - You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably under the straps, if they dig in consider going up a cup size and down a band size.
Tip: When trying on a bra for the first time fasten on the loosest hook, over time your bra will stretch as you wash and wear it, this will allow you to fasten it tighter as this happens.
FAQs
What bra style is best?
This does come down to personal preference and may be more dependent on your bust shape than just your size. However a wired full cup bra is generally speaking the best bra shape for large busts as it supports all of the breast tissue. A full coverage bra won't work for every occasion, but if you're looking for an uplifting every day choice, a full cup design is, in my opinion the best choice.
What bra lifts and separates large breasts?
A balcony bra is specifically designed to lift and separate breasts. The straps are set wider apart and the centre gore sits higher to widen the gap between the two breasts. I call this 'the milk-maid effect' and it works with square or scooped neckines.
Which bra is best for large busts - padded or non-padded?
The answer to this question lies more in personal preference and the final look you want to create. A heavily padded bra will add volume and increase the size of your bust. A lightly padded/moulded design will create a rounded, more even shape without increasing the overall size. A bra with no padding will simply keep your breasts supported without any increase in volume, and generally reposition their shape to look perkier!
