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Picking the right bra just got a whole lot easier.
When bra shopping, it can be hard to know what you need. It’s easy to get infatuated with the first cute piece of lingerie you see without knowing if it’s the right fit for your breast shape.
"Bras are not created equal," says Eleni Barbieri, owner of The Bra Ladies Boutique in Connecticut. "There's so many different styles out there for so many different body types."
Every woman should have five types of bras: t-shirt, seamed, strapless, sexy, and leisure, says Lori Kaplan, owner of Bra Tenders in New York City.
Meet the experts: Eleni Barbieri is the owner of The Bra Ladies Boutique in Connecticut. Lori Kaplan is the owner of Bra Tenders in New York City.
"You wanna grow into your bra," Kaplan says. In practice, that means the right bra will fit on the first hook and about halfway up the strap. Once adjusted to your body, a well-fitted bra should sit right below your ribcage. To put it on, lean forward to clip it from behind, then drop each breast in the cups, advises Barbieri.
Once you know your breast shape and size (which hopefully you do!), select the right bra with this expert-approved guide.
One of the most important things to account for when looking for a bra is all-around support—in the straps, band, and cups—and this bra has it all. "Real women who are average in weight and heavy chested, it just gives such a minimizing effect," Barbieri says. So, it'll make your body look smaller while giving you a good shape. Plus, it's got a cute floral pattern and comes in so many colors!
Size Range: 32C to 44I
ICYDK, a molded bra is made out of one fabric without seams in the middle of the cup, which sounds comfortable AF to me. This underwire option from Fantasie features a spacer mold that provides a round shape and doesn't add volume. Bonus: The material is also lightweight and breathable.
Size Range: 30D to 40GG
This bra lives up to its name (see: discreet). Coming in two shades of pink, it's one of the most popular underwire options from Natori. Foam-free with molded lightweight spacer cups, this convertible bra which will give your breasts a round shape if they aren't that way naturally. Additionally, the adjustable straps allow for versatility to the nth degree.
Size Range: 30D to 36DDD
I don't know about you, but I can't take my eyes off of this bralette that's just as comfy as it is pretty. "They're unbelievable. Women adore [this bralette]," Barbieri says. "It's so elegant that you want a little piece of it to show, like a piece of your clothing." Ranging from size 28DD to 40H, this bra fits and supports a wide variety of body types—no underwire required!
Size Range: 28DD to 40H
Athletes, I see you—and you need to see this sports bra from Anita. It offers a ton of support in addition to a breathable mesh back, Kaplan recommends wearing it when running and doing other high-impact activities. That flop, flop, flop on the treadmill is now a thing of the past.
Size Range: 30B to 46H
Fact: You can never have too many t-shirt bras. Plus, this one is so pretty, it could be worn during ~sexy time~ too. (What's better than a multi-purpose purchase?) Coming in cool colors like teal, yellow, and coral and a wide variety of sizes, this may just become your new favorite go-to bra, recommended by Kaplan.
Size Range: 30C to 40D
If you have east-to-west breasts, a.k.a. they kinda shoot off in opposite directions, this bra may be your perfect match. It has "really good back support [and] side support that basically takes breasts that are going from east to west and pushes them in," says Barbieri. Plus, it comes in four adorbs colors: red, purple, black and nude.
Size Range: 30DD to 38DD
Breast size can make or break what a strapless bra looks like on your body, especially if you have a bigger bust. Lucky for you, Wacoal's Red Carpet is perfect for larger chests, and is "one of the number one strapless bras out there," says Barbieri. Yes, it's underwire, but that's where your support and lift come from, which is essential in a strapless bra.
Size Range: 30B to 44I
Now, for the petite-chested gals, I present the best strapless bra for your body type: the Cosabella Evolution Strapless Bra.
How can you tell if it's right for you? Well, a great strapless bra should do two things, per Barbiera:
2. It will *magically* stay put.
This option has lightly padded, molded cups, and it's also underwire. Best of all? It has removable straps, so if you'd rather not go strapless, you don't have to!
Size Range: 30B to 36DD
Racerback bras are a bit rare to come by these days, says Kaplan. But that's okay, because J-Hook bras are in. Fantasie's t-shirt bra has the ability to be clipped together in the back, making it a great convertible option to wear under various tops. And thanks to its high cup and molded features, it offers great coverage and smooths out your chest.
Size Range: 30D to 40F
In case you need a little refresher, shallow breasts are where the breast tissue lies in the bottom of the breast, says Barbieri. If that sounds like your bust sitch, stay away from molded cup bras, as "you'll have gaping on the top part between the strap and your breast," she explains. To solve this spacing problem, opt for a form-fitting bra, like Chantelle's Norah Seamless Comfort Bra. It's here to save the day!
Size Range: 30C to 42I
Who says style and sports aren't synonymous? Anita has yet another fantastic sports bra option, recommended by Kaplan. The cups are specifically built to manage your sweat while providing you with comfort in all the right places. It also helps control the movement of your breasts, so any sensitive tissue won't be pained amid your cardio circuit.
Size Range: 32A to 42G
This bra is great for those with big busts who just wanna keep it all contained. It's "an awesome, awesome bra for full-figure women," says Barbieri. Plus, it's sexy and stylish—look at those details lining the top!—and it comes in six different colors for every occasion.
Size Range: 32DD to 46K
If you're looking for a convertible bra with a capital C, this one is it. The Little Bra Company specializes in bras for—you guessed it—little boobs, and this bra is adjustable in every way.
It can be used as a strapless bra, a regular bra, a halter bra, a racerback bra, and a criss-cross bra, says Kaplan. "You can wear it about five different ways, which makes it an it economical choice," she adds. "And it has versatility for pretty much any wardrobe."
Size Range: 28A to 32A
Made of light and breathable mesh fabric, this bralette is perfect for under-clothes invisibility and comfort, coming in 13 colors to match your skin tone. While the plunge cut still ensures support sans underwire, it'll also gives your natural breast shape a chance to ~show off~.
Size Range: 30A to 42F (Small to X-Large)
This t-shirt bra is great for that ~invisibility~ factor that breast owners (or at least, me, myself, and I) are always striving for with bras. Plus on the comfort front, Kaplan recommends this wirefree bra to smooth your breasts and wear under a variety of shirts.
Size Range: 30C to 38F
"Women love this bra and its unbelievable support," Barbieri says. Though this wire-free option only comes in nude, white, and black, the straps are thick (with a foam lining—hello, comfort!) and the support comes from all angles. Where do I sign?
Size Range: 34B to 48E
I know you've been waiting for this one...and here it is! Simone Pérèle is known for beautiful lingerie, so Kaplan had to recommend this plunge bra from their Bloom collection for that special time of the night (or day!). Available in four different colors, this bra offers a sexy blend of comfort and style.
Size Range: 32B to 40E
Savage x Fenty continues to kill it when it comes to creating styles for all body types, so this patterned bra is ideal for a wide variety of bust sizes, but especially those on the larger side. Plus, it's just as cute and colorful as it is versatile. If you didn't know you needed a bright purple balconette bra before today, now you do.
Size Range: 30A to 46DDD
Calling all my small-boobed buds! This visually-stunning bra from Natori ("an insane, awesome brand" per Barbieri) comes in eight vibrant colors, even hot pink. It has a demi contour, deep plunge neckline and adjustable straps, so you have the option of showing a little cleavage or opting for a chiller look, making it a perfect everyday bra.
Size Range: 32D to 36DDD
A full fit bra is also called a full coverage bra, giving—well, you guessed it—full coverage. Natori slays again with this bralette that gives you the support you might not get with other options. It lifts your boobs without wire or pads (did someone say comfort?) and has a swan hook for added adjustability.
Size Range: 30C to 40C
This bra is giving comfort and style. What else could you possibly want? Support comes from the band, so the lace won't slip, plus the underwire has a rounded edge so it'll adjust to your body.
Size Range: 32C to 38H
You can never have too many sports bras, so here's another suggestion from Kaplan. Freya's sports bras are made "for women who are busty, but not full-figured," she says. Its wide curve underwire will prevent pressure from squeezing your chest, and it has a J-hook, so you can even convert it to a racerback for those intense workouts where you need an extra lift.
Size Range: 28D to 40G
This list wouldn't be complete without a push-up bra. Made for small, wider-set breasts, this underwire bra is great for giving your breasts that extra oomph. With convertible straps, it's another great versatile option to match all the 'fits in your closet.
Size Range: 28A to 36B
Calling all new moms and moms-to-be! This nursing bra from Chantelle allows such easy access for breastfeeding and gives the maximum amount of comfort. It'll allow your breasts to relax but still be lifted, which is necessary for both you and your kiddos.
Size Range: 32C to 42F