Best bras for back fat - I put the top 6 smoothing styles to the test

We’ve all got a bit of back fat – it’s nothing to be ashamed of. But if unwanted bumps are something you're worried about, I’d recommend the best bras for back fat, which will sit neatly against the skin without digging in. As a stylist, I've seen firsthand the difference a well-fitting bra can make to an outfit, and how the smoothing effect can give you a confidence boost.

Whether you're on the hunt 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 overhang at the sides and at the back. A good test 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, it's too tight, and it could be that your bra is actually causing bulges, rather than supporting your silhouette. We recommend getting fitted by a professional every six to twelve months.

If you're unhappy with how your figure is looking in your favourite dresses and tops, it's definitely worth looking into a new bra. The best bras can have a similar effect as the best shapewear – they can smooth over any problem areas to leave you looking and feeling your best. 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.

I understand that it can be hard to know what to look for when it comes to updating your lingerie drawer, so I have put over 30 bras to the test for you. While vetting the best bras for back fat, I considered how smoothing and flattering they were as well as how comfortable they were to wear all day and how well they supported 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. These are the top smoothing picks that you can really rely on.

The quick list

I’ve condensed all my thoughts from my weeks of testing the best bras for back fat below into a handy summary for you, and there's plenty of extra detail and reasoning for my favourite buys further down in this article.

Best Bras for Back Fat: Tried & Tested

After the brief introduction, I've gone into much more detail as to why each of these bras has made it into my 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 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. The Boux Avenue Ribbed Seamless Bralette was launched early in 2024 and was quick to sell out due to rave reviews on social media and online. It totally lived up to the hype! The bralette design has a similar shape to a sports bra, and provides fuller coverage than an everyday t-shirt bra, but doesn’t feel restrictive to wear and it's completely seam-free, which means it sits well under clothing without a bumpy finish. The sleek design comes with removable shaped cups for an even softer feel, and although it wouldn't provide enough support for running to catch a bus, it’s the perfect amount of hold and lift for a low-key weekend indoors. The pretty colour and scalloped edges gave it a seriously pretty feel and it added a touch of glamour to my outfit – even if that is my oversized hoodie and jogger combo!

The super soft fabric feels wonderfully comfy to wear. I’m a size 12, with 38B boobs and I opted for a Medium, which fitted really well all over. I’d say that the sizing is spot on and the stretch fabric kept it comfy and any overspill at the back to an absolute minimum. The feminine scalloped edges, wider back and seam-free design also helped to keep it discreet and smoothing.

The pastel lilac-blue colour of this one is super pretty and it’s also available in four other colours including powder grey and delicate pink. The v-neck at the front was flattering on my boobs and the wider back was smoothing.

Thanks to the fact the shaped cups can be removed and there’s no underwire, this one is machine washable. Compared to a lot of other bras, this one was much less of a faff to clean, and it held up its shape and softness really well after it had dried.

You can find out more in my full Boux Avenue Ribbed Seamless Scallop Bralette 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 multiway bra for back fat

While a multiway bra doesn’t usually get as much use as the rest of your lingerie collection, it’s most definitely a wardrobe staple, and finding one that fits well is essential for the most flattering fit. The Beige Multiway Soft Cup Balcony Bra, from TU at Sainsbury's, ticked all the boxes for versatility, comfort and support while being brilliantly smoothing, which is why it earned a spot in the best bras for back fat. The supermarket staple is available in a wide range of sizes, it's underwired and the straps can be completely removed or worn in multiple ways. I’m not normally a fan of strapless bras but this one really surprised me! The moulded cups shaped and covered my boobs well, and it stayed in place all day without the need to readjust, but wasn’t so tight that it dug in and caused overhang.

Multiway bras aren’t known for being particularly comfortable as the rubber strips on the inside that are needed for holding it in place, can sometimes rub on skin or feel a little sweaty. This bra had an impressive hold and stayed put, but without any sting and it was far more comfortable than I expected. It was very smoothing at the front, sides and back and even when worn under a tight vest or t-shirt, it sat neatly against the skin minus any overhang. The multiway straps can be worn in five ways, including cross-back and one-shoulder, and they are very easy to attach and remove without too much faff.

The completely smooth, moulded cups on this bra are simple and sit very discreetly under clothing without any lumps. The simplistic front is balanced out nicely with a soft lace back, and the band is wider than most everyday bras which is both flattering and smoothing. The balconette cups sit well under strapless tops and dresses without peeking out from the top.

Most wired bras should be hand washed to avoid damage or changes to the shape of the moulded cups, but this one is machine washable - handy! I put it on a gentle rinse, and I was impressed with how well it kept its shape and hold the next time I wore it.

You can find out more in my full TU at Sainsbury's Beige Multiway Soft Cup Balcony 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 wore all of them under a fitted t-shirt or dress and checked to see if it was visibly bumpy from any angle.

• 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 should help 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. The lack of seams also stops from highlighting where seams are, giving an even smoother finish.
• 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, smoothing out and shaping, 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.

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 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!