I tested the best bras for back fat - these are the 6 smoothing styles I can't live without

It may not be the most glamorous of topics, but back fat is something that most of us have, and those lumps and bumps can be a nuisance – especially when wearing fitted clothing. While it’s definitely nothing to be ashamed of, if unwanted overhang is something you're concerned about, then the best bras for back fat will really help to smooth the area and give you a confidence boost. Find yourself a well-fitting and cleverly designed piece of underwear, and it can flatter from all angles and completely transform how your outfit looks.

Whether you're looking for the best bras for larger busts or the best minimiser bras, when it comes to fit, you want it to sit firmly enough to fully support your chest, but not so tightly that it causes pressure and overhang under arms or at the back. According to Boux Avenue's Retail Store Trainer, Lesley-Ann Potter, "You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably behind the clasp at the back of your bra when it's fastened on the loosest hook (with a new bra, as over time the underband stretches and it's advised to then tighten by using the next hook along). This helps ensure that the bra is snug enough to provide support, but not too tight that the bra digs in and becomes uncomfortable to wear." If you can't fit fingers behind the clasp, it could be that your underwear is actually causing bulges.

The best bras can have a similar effect as the best shapewear – they can smooth over any problem areas to create a more streamlined shape and help your clothes to drape and fall better without clinging to bumps. For optimum results, look out for sleek, seam-free edges and wider back panels that will gently contour your back and sides while supporting your bust too.

As a stylist, I understand that it can be hard to know what to look for when it comes to updating your lingerie drawer, so I put over 30 bras to the test for you. To keep things fair, I made sure that all the bras I tried were designed and sold to be smoothing and promised to keep back fat at bay, and I tested from a wide range of brands. While vetting the back fat bras, I considered a number of things, including how smoothing and flattering they are, as well as how comfortable they are to wear all day and how well they support my boobs. Every bra in this guide was tested for at least a full day, and worn under fitted tops to test if any pesky lumps could be seen around the back band. It was a tough call, but the top 6 bras for back fat were chosen because they looked after my bust brilliantly while being very flattering on my sides and back. These are the top shaping picks that you and your boobs can really rely on.

The quick list

You'll find a handy summary of the best bras for back fat below, and there's plenty of extra detail about our rigorous testing and the reasoning behind the best buys further down in this article.

Best Bras for Back Fat: Tried & Tested

After the brief introduction, you can find much more detail as to why each of these bras has made it into the top picks for the best bras for back fat below. I tested 32 bras and wore each one for a full day. While wearing each one, I considered everything from fit and comfort to style and care, but above all else, I looked into how smoothly and discreetly each bra sat under clothing. You can find more information on how we test bras in this guide, and you can trust that each of the below has been picked because they really will give you the support, shape, and smoothness that you'd hope for if lumps around your back and under arms are a concern.

Best bra for back fat overall

I’d never bought lingerie from Amazon before, but I was genuinely impressed with the fit and quality of this Delmira Padded T-shirt Bra. It has a nice mix of balconette and full coverage cups, and it lifts and supports boobs without feeling too rigid to wear. The underwire was really well covered, too, so there was no digging in throughout the day.

I loved how simple the design was, and the sleek polyamide and elastane fabric felt soft and comfortable against the skin while being breathable. It’s fuss-free but does everything you want your bra to do, all while being smoothing. I will definitely be buying it in another colour!

This bra is lightly padded, and the fuller cups lifted and supported my chest well without any 'ouch' moments, thanks to the well-covered underwires and wider shoulder straps. The back band sat well against the skin without feeling too tight, and the seamless design was invisible under clothes to flatter from all angles.

I love the simplicity of this everyday bra. There aren’t any bows or lace fabrics, and the plain black fabric is clean and chic, with a gentle sheen to it that keeps it feeling modern. It's seam-free so it looks neat at the front, side and back without any lumps too. The only small issue is that the wider shoulder straps might peek out and be seen when worn under a sleeveless shirt or dress, but overall, it sits well under most of my wardrobe. It's available in 15 colours too -from pale grey to bright red.

It washed very well and looked just as new and glossy after I’d cleaned it. As with most bras, it's hand-wash only, but it dried within a few hours and held its shape well.

You can find out more in my full Delimira Padded T-shirt Bra review

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Best bra for size range

Marks and Spencer has been much-loved and well-trusted for lingerie for decades, and generations of women have opted to buy their smalls from the high street hero. Because of this, I had high hopes for the ContourWear Smoothing bra – and I was not disappointed!

The bra I tried is from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s collection, which promises to lift and support while being flattering all over to leave your silhouette looking its best. It's wire-free and uses smooth padding in the cups to create support and shape while being wonderfully soft to the touch. I was unsure about how well a non-wired bra would hold my chest while I was out and about all day, but it kept my bust under control (even when I was racing around after my toddler in the park!) and created a naturally smooth shape. It was so comfy that I didn’t feel the need to whip it off as soon as I got home, and it sat neatly under my tops without any telltale overhang. It will lift and hold boobs big and small well, and it's available in an impressive range of sizes covering 30A-42E.

I found the non-wired cups amazingly comfy, and I genuinely forgot I was wearing it as I didn’t feel the urge to yank it down or readjust throughout the day. The lightly padded cups added definition and lift without being too much, and I liked how soft the fabric was. The wider back straps and seamless design kept things smooth and sleek from behind, and it didn’t dig in so there was no sign of overhang.

This one is simple to look at from the front, but from the back, it’s a different story. The back straps are made from pretty lace fabric, and the clasps are a chic rose gold that adds glamour. It's pared-back yet very chic and will sit well on various bust sizes nicely.

I've been impressed with how well it holds its shape and support despite being wire-free. I hand-washed it and found that the polyester fabric was very quick-drying and still looked like new.

You can find out more in my full M&S Rosie Contourwear bra review

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Best loungewear bra for back fat

I love wearing loungewear while I'm at home, and this gorgeous bra has quickly become a favourite addition to a snuggly sofa day. When I think of Spanx, the classic shaping shorts, slip skirts and the much-loved seamless leggings spring to mind, but not necessarily bras. I have worn lots of Spanx shapewear in the past and loved it all, so I was intrigued by the chest support options and decided to give the bralette-style piece a go.

I went for this simple and straightforward design, which promises to add support and hold to boobs while still being very flexible. The high-cut and fuller piece offers more coverage than a traditional bralette and actually looks and feels like a chic and modern version of my best sports bra. I really like the clever reversible design too, as it means you get two bras for the price of one.

While it doesn’t offer fuller support for a day at work or hitting the shops, it’s a truly great option for wearing at home for some extra support without feeling too rigid or uncomfortable. It's wire-free and doesn't contain padding, but the fabric is firm and thicker than my usual bras and manages to support my chest while chasing my toddler round the garden or tidying the house, with no harsh tightness or ruching. It moved with me rather than against me, so I found it very easy to wear all day without any complaints. As with the rest of the Spanx range, it feels like it's been designed to smooth and accentuate my shape rather than restrict it

Unlike a lot of my structured and more delicate bras, the padding-free shape of this one means it can be rinsed in the washing machine and washed at a lower temperature. The thicker fabric took a little longer to dry compared to some of the lighter material bras like M&S ContourWear Smoothing bra, but once it had dried, the shape and hold were the same, and it felt exactly the same to wear post-cleaning.

Overall, I found it a comfortable and very flattering bra that smoothed and lifted my boobs, and it covers a wide range of sizes, so I think this one would be a winner for anybody with a large bust, too.

You can find out more in my full Spanx Comfort Bra review

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Best bra for smaller busts

The Wren Lace Underwired Plunge Bra from the And/Or range at John Lewis has been one of the brand’s bestselling bras for the past three years. The lace and underwired design is the perfect balance of style and support, and it’s designed to be smoothing at the front, back and sides. It has a thin layer of luxe-looking lace overlaying the cups that has a subtle scalloped edge, which flattered my boobs and created a really feminine shape. It's lightly padded but was enough to keep my chest in check while I was dashing to catch my train during a hectic commute, and the smooth semi-sheer bands at the back were very sleek and neat under my tops without any lumpiness. The plunge front, padding and thinner lace fabric make it great for boosting smaller boobs in particular, and I was impressed with how smoothing it was.

I wore this bra during a busy day in the city, and it was surprisingly comfortable and easy to wear. The padding added structure and lift but wasn’t too rigid, and the polyamide and elastane mix fabric kept it cool and breathable. I found the band and cup size were true to size, and it felt really comfortable all over. The semi-sheer fabric at the back looked great while being surprisingly smoothing, so it’s a stylish investment if you’re on the hunt for the best bras for back fat.

I love the matte black fabric, combined with the delicate lace – it creates a subtle sexiness to the otherwise simple bra that has added lots of glamour to my everyday underwear collection. The triangular shape of the lace panels at the front is very feminine and super flattering on my chest without being too flashy and it worked well with the semi-sheer fabric on the band and back straps. I tried the black bra, but it's also available in five other colours, including red, beige and dark brown.

I hand-washed this lace-trim bra and then wore it again, and it felt just as good to wear the second time around. It kept its shape well, and the lightweight fabric dried very quickly without any bobbling or damage.

You can find out more in my full And/Or Wren Lace Underwired Plunge Bra review

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Best for Smoothing Under Arms

This bra has really surprised me and has genuinely ticked all of my lingerie boxes. I love the subtle amount of lift it gives to my chest, while providing plenty of support and hold, so it doesn't matter how busy I am - my boobs always feel under control and comfortable. It offers full coverage cups without covering my breasts up completely, and I've found that it sits well under most vest tops without any fabric sitting too high and peeking out.

It really does well to take care of my bust, but the main thing I like about this bra is how well the wider straps at the sides and back work to banish any unsightly bulges or lumps, to look very sleek and neat under my outfit. The side and back band contains a very fine layer of power mesh that acts like light shapewear but without feeling very tough or restricting, and lets me move around freely. They work really well to pull in and smooth over my back and underarms so I don't need to worry about bulges, even when I'm wearing a very clingy tshirt. The side panels are much deeper than any of the other bras I've tested, and I had expected them to feel quite stiff, but the fabric is impressively flexible and the stretch material works brilliantly to add a neat and sleek finish to my sides, even when I'm sitting or bending over.

I tried out the glossy black colour, and this bra is also available in a classic white and a soft beige colour way. The bra is very simple and understated, but the shiny and smooth fabric adds a modern feel that also looks a little bit sexier than some other full coverage bras that I've worn before. I like how fuss-free it is, and the lack of lace or frills means that I can pop it under a tighter top without worry that it will show through. The little gold tag at the front adds a hint of glam too. Although the back band is wide, it doesn’t look dowdy or old-fashioned – this bra manages to find the perfect balance between chic and practical.

I loved this bra for my medium-sized bust, but unfortunately, the cup size only goes up to a D, so if you have larger boobs you are probably best to go for the M&S ContourWear Smoothing Non-Wired Plunge Bra, which offers a lot of the same smoothing support and a similar design but with more options for sizing.

The only other minor downside to this bra is that it's hand-wash only, which is to be expected for a bra that contains an underwire. The polyamide and elastane fabric washed well, though, and it felt just as good the next time that I wore it.

You can find out more in my full Leonisa Back Smoothing Bra review

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Best bra for larger busts

I was originally drawn to this bra because of the bold leopard print, but it turned out to be one of the most comfy and supportive bras that I’ve worn. As the name suggests, the Freya Undetected Bra is designed to sit invisibly under clothes for a completely smooth finish all over. It's underwired (without feeling too rigid to wear all day), and the seamless cups have some light padding that creates a very smooth and flattering shape to my bust. The plunge front wasn’t too revealing, and the wider back straps dip a little near the fastening to prevent it from being seen when worn with certain outfits.

I popped this on first thing and wore it for a full day with zero complaints. The seamless and underwired cups added support and lift to my bust without being too much push-up and I liked the smooth shape it gave to my chest. It's designed to fit and flatter, and it really did the job. There was no sign of overhang under my arms or at the back and there were zero bumps to be seen through a t-shirt. It has two hook and eye fasteners, but for the bigger sizes, there is an option for three for added support and comfort too.

The wild cat print is a bit of a statement, but the muted pastel colours give the classic spots a softer spin. Although the print could be seen through some of my thinner white tops, overall it sat invisibly under most of my clothes, so it worked well for everyday wear and added a little fun to my underwear collection. The straps can be switched at the back to sit crossed over, which means it can work well with racer back vests or skimpier dresses in the summer, and the slightly lowered back panel stops it from peeking out from bandeau frocks and tops.

I hand-washed this bra, and it looked and felt just as good post-wash. The polyamide and elastane fabric dried super fast, and the cup shape stayed as it should.

You can find out more in my full Freya Undetected Bra review

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How we tested the best bras for back fat

When finding the very best bras for back fat, I tested 32 bras and wore each one for a full day. While putting them to the test, there were three key things I considered – comfort and fit, the design, and the quality of the fabrics. Of course, the back-smoothing abilities were the most important thing that I judged while wearing each bra, but I made an effort to think about every aspect of the lingerie to make sure it was a good all-rounder that would work for every day.

I tested a wide range of styles, shapes and designs from a whole host of brands that covered a mix of budgets and bust sizes. To ensure each bra was genuinely one of the best for avoiding overhang at the back, I looked for design details like firming fabrics, wider bands and seamless cups,xw22§ as well as bras that catered to a wide range of sizes. I wore all of them under a fitted t-shirt or dress and checked to see if it was visibly bumpy from any angle throughout the day.

• Fit: Of course fit is key when looking for the best bras for back fat and this encompassed both how the bra fit in terms of comfort, lift and shape, and its ability to smooth out back fat or gently contour your silhouette for a smoother finish.
• Quality of materials: Having washed the bras, I looked into how the bras held up post-wash, if they feel good against the skin and the level of stretch and comfort provided by each piece.
• Style: This was the least important factor in the test but one to consider nonetheless. I looked at colour, patterns, shape of cups and straps.

How to choose the best bras for back fat

When selecting the best bras for back fat, there are a few standout features that you should always look for as a starting point. These are the things that often flag that a bra will help contour your back before you've even slipped it on:

• Extra support: smoothing out bulges, a bra with extra support should offer gentle compression, offering a similar fit and feel to shapewear.
• Wide straps & underband: The underband is actually where most of the support and lift comes from for a bra. Wide straps make them less likely to dig into your shoulders, giving greater comfort overall. The wide underband covers more skin and distributes pressure more evenly which helps to contour your back and stop overspilling on top or under the band.
• Seam-free: Seam-free styles tend to be made of smooth, highly elasticated fabric that can aid in giving you a more contoured finish. As well as cancelling out any risk of harsh stitching lines showing through fabrics, the lack of seams means that the tension of the fabric is uninterrupted and will sit smoothly and neatly against skin to prevent bulges.
• Bralette fit: when it comes to bras vs bralettes, in this instance, a bralette can give a smoother look as it tends to be made from thinner fabric, providing more subtle support. But if you have a larger bust, a wired version might be the best bralette style for you as you'll get a better lift and shape. Bralettes tend to have a more crop top style silhouette, which can also offer extra back coverage.
• Higher back: this will mean the band at the back is thicker or wider and offers more back coverage, to smooth and hold a bigger surface area and smooth away lumps, much like the best plus size shapewear items.
• Front-fastening bra: as a general rule if a bra fastens at the front, it tends to have wider back panels to help support the construction. Be careful of back cut-out details or racer-back styles, as these won't give as much support as a fully covered back bra and can create the perfect environment for overspilling.

Bras That Just Missed The List

I tested over 30 bras, from a wide range of brands for this feature and it was a tough task to edit the best down to just 6 back smoothing styles. There were a couple that just missed the list, which were:

• Boux Avenue Ribbed Seamless Scallop Bralette - The super soft fabric and wire-free design of this one meant it was wonderfully comfy to wear when I was at home. The bralette shape gave fuller coverage without feeling too covered up, and the seamless and flexible shape made it easy to wear while giving my chest support. The wider band at the sides and back was flattering, and I adore the soft bluebell colour. It's a great loungewear bra, but the Spanx Comfort Bra offered a little more lift and hold.
• TU Clothing Multiway Soft Cup Balcony Bra - This bargain buy has detachable straps that can be worn in multiple ways, including cross-back and asymmetric, as well as totally strapless, making it very versatile for different dresses and necklines. I tested it out, minus any straps, and it held up well without digging in or causing overspill at the back. The wider back band sat much neater against the skin than most other bandeau bras I’ve worn in the past, and it's definitely one of the best strapless bras I've worn, but overall it was slightly less smoothing than other styles that also offered detachable straps like the Leonisa Back Smoothing Bra.

FAQs

How do I stop my bra from showing back fat?

The most important thing to do when it comes to keeping lumps and bumps at bay is to make sure you find the right size for you. If it's too small, it can cause your skin to overhang at the edges, but if it's too big it can lack support and cause similar issues. It's always a good idea to get measured up professionally or try our how to measure your bra size at home.

The other thing to help get the smoothest finish on your back is to opt for a bra with wider side and back bands to cover more surface area and create a sleeker silhouette. Seamless designs will sit better than anything too structured or shaped and will have much more of an invisible finish under clothing.

How should I dress if I have back fat?

Don't let your back fat dictate what you wear - you should feel free to put on clothes that make you feel your best, regardless of whether or not they are 'flattering'. However, if you are particularly insecure about your back fat, there are various things you can wear to feel more confident.

The right bra will be the top thing to help you smooth out your back fat, so it's worth getting properly measured and investing in one of the bras on this list for the best look and feel.

Dressing in darker shades like black can also help to slightly obscure any areas you may be insecure about, and slightly looser fitting tops may be the thing to make you feel more comfortable day-to-day. However, there are many of us with insecurities about our back fat, and it probably isn't something you notice on others.

Ensure you have a high-quality, well-fitting bra and wear what will make you feel your most confident.

Will a bra extender help with back fat?

A bra extender is a small extra piece of fabric with hook and eye fastenings that can be added in between the clasp at the back of your bra for an extra couple of inches give around the band. They can be useful if your bra is feeling a little uncomfortable or for adding temporary extra room during times like pregnancy or breastfeeding. While they can add in extra room to your bra band, which will reduce any excess overhang at the back, it's always best to wear the correct-sized bra. If you are wearing the right sized underwear it will feel much more comfortable and will give your bust and back much better support than anything too big or small.

Why does my back fat hang over my bra?

There are several reasons that could be causing back fat or spilling over your bra. These include:

• You're wearing the wrong bra size
• You're wearing the wrong bra style
• You haven't adjusted your bra properly
• Your bra has changed in shape and fit over time

Any of these factors can cause back fat, which is why it is important to wear the right bra size and the right style for the look you're after. Anything slightly off is likely to dig in, ride up, and cause excess back fat.

How should a bra look on your back?

When you put on your bra, try looking at it from all angles in the mirror to make sure it's flattering and smooth in all the right places. The back band should sit firmly against your back and parallel to the floor – if it's riding up or digging in, it's not the right size for you.

A good test is to see if your back strap is fitting well, is to see if you can fit two fingers behind the clasp of your bra when it's on the loosest hook. If you can't quite squeeze your fingers in, it's too tight and could be causing the bulges. Try lifting your arms up and looking again – if there’s skin spilling out under your arms or at the back, you should look into upsizing or finding a bra designed to be smoothing.

What does a bra size really mean?

Bra sizes are all made up of a number followed by one or two letters - each part is basically a measurement. The number eg. 32, 34 or 36 is worked out from the measurement around your ribcage (just below your bust) and is the size you should be looking for when it comes to the underband. When you measure, a general rule of thumb is to add four inches if your measurement comes out at an even number, and add five inches if it comes out at an odd number. So if you measured 32 inches around your ribcage, your underband size would be 36, and if you measure at 33 inches, your actual size would be 38.

The letters are worked out by measuring around the fullest part of your breasts. Once you have that number, subtract the underband number, to find how many inches difference there are.

For each inch of difference, you go up a letter. So for a 1 inch difference between your underband and full bust, it would be an A cup, if theres 2 inch difference it would be a B cup, and so on.

The reason behind all the maths is that traditionally bras had much less stretch because they were made from fabrics without any elastic. Bra materials have changed over the years, but the measurements have stayed the same!

Lesley-Ann Potter from Boux Avenue gives us some key things to look for if you are unsure about the fit of your bra. She explains that quick signs are-

• Gaping or overflowing cups - This is a clear sign that your breasts aren't sitting well in your bra. If there is gaping at the top, your cup is too big, and your bust isn't filling it fully. If there is overhang along the front, your cup size is too small, and the edge of your bra is digging into your breasts to cause spillage.
• Straps digging in or falling down - Your straps should sit firmly but comfortably on your shoulders to ensure your chest has the right level of support. Try adjusting them yourself, and if they still don't feel right, you are most likely wearing the wrong size of bra.
• Band rising up or digging in - The underband is key to providing hold and lift to your bust and should sit neatly from all angles without too much movement during the day. If you are constantly yanking it down or readjusting around your ribs, it's most likely too small for you.

Lesley-Ann recommends getting fitted by a professional every six to twelve months. She explains, "Throughout the year your bust shape can shift dramatically due to life’s natural rhythms like weight fluctuations, hormonal changes, pregnancy and menopause. Wearing an ill-fitting bra may mean missing out on both comfort and support."