16 Best Bras 2024: T-shirt, Strapless, Everyday, and More | The Strategist

The Strategist’s carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here.

The Strategist’s carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here.

Bras get a bad rap because it’s hard to find one that lifts and separates without looking unnatural, and provides support without feeling uncomfortable. But the longer I’ve been on the bra beat, the more good bras I’ve found — including one described as “the unicorn of undergarments” and another that convinced an “underwire cynic” to reconsider. To write this guide to the best bras, I asked professional undergarment fitters and lingerie-store owners, along with stylists and Strategist staffers, about their most beloved bras. Then I tried many of their recommendations myself, wearing them out and about, determining how comfortable they are throughout the day, and tracking how they hold up through wash and wear. Below you’ll find the ones I’ve deemed the best of the best, including an actually sexy minimizer. And if you are looking for even more bras, we have guides to the best bras for small breasts and best wireless bras for large breasts, too.

Update on November 4, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.

I wanted to include bras that come in a wide selection of cups and bands. To broaden the number of sizes you have, here’s a helpful tip: If you go down a size in a band to get a better fit, choose the next cup size up to keep your band-to-cup ratio the same, and if you go down a cup size, go up a band size. Or put another way, a 36AA is roughly the same as a 34A, a 34B is about equivalent to 32C, and so on.

The purpose of an underwire is to provide support, structure, and lift. But lots of people find underwires uncomfortable and prefer to only wear wireless bras, which rely on wider bands and straps to do the same supporting job. For each of the bras below, I specified whether or not they have an underwire. And for each bra I tested — whether wired or wireless — I checked to make sure it felt supportive enough, and didn’t let my breasts droop.

Your cup style of choice will determine the coverage and silhouette you get — from the cleavage it creates to how it shapes your breasts. Cups that sit too low could mean an unintended nip slip or cause your breasts to spill over the top. Some of the most common cup styles are T-shirt, which are smoothing; plunge (for lower necklines); and balconette (a close cousin of the demi, designed for more cleavage and less cup). Lining is another factor in coverage. Stretchy mesh will show more of your natural shape and is often more sheer than padded or molded cups. Each recommendation below is noted as lined, padded (including if it has removable cups), or unlined.

Sizes: 30A–38DD with G-cup options | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Contoured plunge cups with a light lining and molded mesh

The Feathers from Natori has a respectable size range (30A through 38DD, with select G-cup sizes); contoured cups for a natural, rounded shape; a pretty, lace-trimmed band; and wider straps in the larger sizes to give those with bigger breasts some extra support. Those factors, along with my own experience wearing the bra, convinced me it’s worthy of our “best overall” title. As a 36D, I felt securely held in, even with its cleavage-enhancing plunge. The combination of sheer mesh and lace — which somehow looks magically smooth underneath whatever I’m wearing — gives me a gentle boost that’s not as dramatic as a push-up but without any sagging. I now understand why writer Molly Lamoureux calls the Feathers “the unicorn of undergarments.” A big part of bra shopping should be about feeling your best, and this is a good-looking bra that makes me feel good about myself (and my breasts).

I also like that you can choose between several skin-tone shades and bright colors like coral and lemon lime. The bra is a perennial favorite of Strategist readers as well as a best seller at New York City’s Bra Tenders, according to store founder Lori Kaplan, who often recommends it to customers who wear A through G cups. As a bonus, it goes on sale pretty regularly, too.

Sizes: 32A–44H with some half-cups (like A½) | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: T-shirt style with lightly lined memory-foam cups

ThirdLove’s T-shirt bra has a smoothing shape that is suitable for everyday wear, and it is the best bra for small breasts because it comes in half-sizes A½ through E½ (though it also goes up to cup size H for those with larger breasts). It’s a favorite of small-busted Strategist staffers, including senior writer Liza Corsillo, who wears a 36B and says “it makes my boobs look equal and perky without overly drawing attention to them.” Because I’m a D-cup, I assumed the bra’s lower-cut cups wouldn’t work for me, but they actually hit a little higher on my breasts than the ones on the Feathers, and I didn’t feel at all like I was spilling out or being squeezed in. A thin layer of memory foam gives the cups a nice roundness that provides some shape without the look of too much padding. One of the brand’s selling points for the bra is that it has pleated, “anti-slip” straps, but your mileage may vary — while the pleats look nice, Strategist writer Lauren Ro found they didn’t do much for actually keeping the straps in place.

Sizes: 44C–54DD with F- through K-cup options, | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Balconette style, lightly lined, molded cups

Lane Bryant’s intimates line, Cacique, has a following that includes JIBRI founder Jasmine Elder, food editor Alyse Whitney, and content creator Thamarr Guerrier of Musings of a Curvy Lady. Its bras have wider straps, with seamless bands that don’t pinch. Guerrier turns to this balconette bra the most as it’s smoothing enough to be a true unseen undergarment. It’s made in band sizes 32 through 56, along with cup sizes A through K. You can get it in a size like 50B as well — the type of small-cup-and-large-band combo that isn’t often offered, even by some of the bigger bra brands, which tend to assume a bigger band always corresponds to a bigger cup.

Sizes: 30B–40D | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: T-style style, lined with lifting memory-foam cups

This Calvin Klein T-shirt bra counts Lamoureux and Dudley Stephens co-founder Lauren Stephens as fans for its lightweight microfiber lining and memory-foam cups that mold to the body. (Stephens tried the bra while working PR for Calvin Klein, and even years after leaving the company, she still sings its praises.) Coverage-wise, it’ll be similar to Thirdlove’s T-shirt bra thanks to the combination of memory foam and a lighter lining. Although this Calvin Klein bra is cheaper, it doesn’t come in as many sizes as Thirdlove’s.

Sizes: 32C–44E with A- and half-cups (like B½) | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: V-shape, unlined (foam-free and double-layered)

The intention of an unlined bra is to show off the natural shape of your breasts, without any foam, padding, or pushing up. But there’s less material in an unlined bra, so you might feel like your breasts are more on display, while your nipples aren’t smoothed over as they would be with a traditional lined bra. The Second Skin from ThirdLove is one of the better unlined bras I’ve tried out. The cups have a double layer of fabric, so the bra looks more opaque than sheer. But it’s still lightweight, because it’s made from breathable microfiber. Though it’s not the most uplifting of bras — you’re better off with ThirdLove’s T-shirt bra if you want more of a boost — I feel supported and secure whenever I wear it.

Sizes: 30A–44E with a few H-cup options | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Cups cut with deep V, unlined with sheer or printed mesh

The Cuup Plunge is a favorite among a number of current and former Strategist staffers, including writers Chloe Anello, Latifah Miles, and Dominique Pariso. Anello made an exception to her “no-real-bras rule” for this one. “Surprisingly, it gives lots of support despite how thin it feels,” she says. You have to be okay with sheerness, as the Plunge is made of mesh that doesn’t leave much to the imagination. (If you want a plunging style with more coverage, go with our best overall Feathers from Natori.) But that’s what gives it the “French girl” vibe that convinced Amanda McMillan, a restaurant general manager in Brooklyn, to give it a try. A former “underwire cynic,” McMillan says the bra has a barely there feel, and she likes that it doesn’t contort her chest. Maude founder Éva Goicochea is another fan and wears the Plunge as lingerie. And the bra comes in a range of colors, from “core” nude tones to brighter shades of citrine, chartreuse, and coral.

Sizes: 30A–44E with up to H-cup options | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Balconette-style, unlined with darted seam on cups and made from sheer mesh

Cuup’s Balconette bra is made from the same sheer, stretchy mesh as the Plunge. It highlights the natural shape of your breasts rather than molding them — the effect reminds me of ThirdLove’s unlined Second Skin bra. A big difference between the Balconette and the Plunge is that the Balconette has a darted center seam at the bottom of each cup for some shaping, and there’s a taller, narrower gore — the strip of fabric in between the cups — for closer-together cleavage. The Balconette does what a balconette should do: make you look well rounded. I got a good lift from the bra, and the cups really showed off the tops of my breasts. The lower neckline is what Beverly’s owner Beverly Nguyen likes best about the Balconnette: It makes for the “perfect half-corset fit” and doesn’t sit too high on her chest. This bra is meant to be flaunting, and it is, so it’s not the best thing to wear underneath a T-shirt, as it won’t be the most smoothing.

Sizes: 30A–38G | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Contour cups in a T-shirt style, foam-lined

Think of a contour bra like the push-up bra’s cousin. This style features cups specially cut to sculpt the bust without the lumpiness of a push-up’s padding. Natori’s Bliss, which is designed in a T-shirt style and comes with a touch of padding, gives wardrobe stylist Grace Thomas the “subtle lift most of us are looking for in our bras.” She even goes as far as to call it an upgrade to our top-pick Feathers bra for its well-thought-out details. The cups of the Bliss are cut just low enough to wear with a V-neck without having to worry about the top of the bra playing peekaboo, as is the band, which is scooped in the back and easy to wear with tops that bare slightly more skin. Still, Thomas adds that the band isn’t overly narrow — it falls higher on the sides, and she likes that the lace trim throughout makes the Bliss a sexier version of an everyday bra.

Sizes: 32D–44DDD | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Minimizer-style, high-cut cups and lightly lined

I know from experience that bras branded as “minimizing” can be very smooshing. The Visual Effects from Wacoal is an exception. I don’t feel like my breasts are being pressed down — it smoothes and minimizes them without any pain. I wear this bra when I don’t want them to be so front and center, like underneath a tighter turtleneck. The bra sits high enough on my chest that I never worry about slips or spillage. And it remains unseen even under the thinnest of T-shirts. Best of all, I just forget I have it on.

The Visual Effects is also notable for not looking like something your grandma would’ve worn with a girdle. As Linda Becker, a.k.a. Linda the Bra Lady, puts it, “Minimizers are known to be ugly.” But this one’s lacy and pretty while making you look a size smaller. And Becker should know, depending on it herself as a G-cup. Kaplan adds, “It does what it says it’s going to do, and it’s got nice wide sides, so it contains any side pooching.”

Sizes: 34B–42C with D- and DD-cup options | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: T-style style, lined with foam cups, extra-wide side-coverage panels

Sometimes you need a little extra support on the sides, so this Warners bra features the brand’s signature “No Side Effects” fit, meaning the band has higher and wider panels on each side of the cups. Pre-Warners, I would often struggle with spillage. Intentionally showing off sideboob is one thing, but feeling like my chest is oozing out around the edges is not what I’m going for. The side panels on this bra sit higher and closer to my armpits — even more so than Wacoal’s minimizer — to hold me in. It’s surprisingly comfortable. My sides aren’t unpleasantly smushed in. (Stylist Allie McKenna goes for the wireless version and says it’s one of the only bras she doesn’t feel like ripping off after a long day.)

Sizes: 30B–44H with some I-cup options | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Seamless cups, foam lined, built-in boning

The Wacoal Red Carpet is the strapless style I’ve heard about the most, especially for its impressive size range that goes up to an I cup. Becker told me that it is often the only strapless bra that her clients with G and H cups feel comfortable wearing, and Kaplan praised its “phenomenal” support, even without straps. It’s not just a bra-store staple though. Strategist contributor Nora Whelan says that unlike other strapless bras, this one doesn’t slide down constantly, with a silicone strip at the top of each cup to help it stay up. “This bra will take you from perpetually petrified of popping out to secure and spillage-free,” Whelan assures.

Sizes: Cups A–G | Underwire: Yes | Cup style and coverage: Deep V-shaped plunge, unpadded, adhesive wings

When we asked seven lingerie experts about the best backless bras and boob tape, NuBra emerged as the best of the best. The Feather-Lite is notable for its sizes (cups A to G is a generous range in the world of backless bras, from what I’ve seen), and shades (with tones of tan and chocolate, as well as brighter hues like coral and lilac). It’s the bra that Caldwell wore on her wedding day. “It was 95 degrees Fahrenheit and 95 percent humidity, and that sucker stayed on,” she recalls. The impressive feat comes down to the “really, really sticky” gel that’s inside the cups of the bra. Just note that there’s a bit of a learning curve to putting it on: “My biggest tip is not to try to put your entire breast into it — that’s not how it works,” Caldwell explains. “It’s supposed to just sit on the front of your breast and then clip in the middle.” You can also rewear the Feather-Lite over and over, as it can be hand-washed with soap and water without the bra losing its stickiness.

Sizes: XS–XL (equivalent to 30B–38D) | Underwire: No | Cup style and coverage: Pullover, scoop design with removable pads

If comfort is a top priority, you can’t go wrong with this bralette from True & Co. It’s made from a stretchy nylon that feels almost invisible, as thin as a sheet of paper, and Strategist contributor Brodie Lancaster calls it softer than any other bra material she’s encountered. The bralette is like a cross of a T-shirt bra and a sports bra, providing both lift and support. Leave the removable cups in for a more molded silhouette, or take them out for a more natural look with less lift. True & Co. uses lettered sizing (XS –XL), but makes both a “standard” size for A through D cups and a “full” size for DD, E, DDD, and F cups. The design remains the same whether you order a “standard” or a “full,” and I went with a large in the standard range of cup sizes since I wear a 36D. The bra is well fitting, and I like it a little better than the True Body Lift V Neck Bra from the same line, because the Scoop version has adjustable straps for a more made-for-you fit. Finally, the longline silhouette offers some underboob smoothing, which is a nice bonus.

Sizes: 0–5+ (equivalent to cup sizes A–G) | Underwire: No | Cup style and coverage: V-neck, high-cut cups, clasps in back, unlined with sheer micro-mesh

Negative’s Sieve bra has been called the archetypal wireless bra — unstructured, comfortable, and lifting. It’s one of our favorite wireless bras for small breasts, and I it deserves a place here as well. Blogger Frances Kwon likes it for its mesh construction. Photo producer Emily Eisen describes it as lightweight and “a little sexy.” It was the only bra former Strategist newsletter editor Mia Leimkuhler took on her two-week honeymoon. And according to Anello, it is supportive enough for those who have bigger chests, too.

Sizes: XS–XL (equivalent to 28DD–40H, with extended sizes 1X–3X here) | Underwire: No | Cup style and coverage: Pullover V-neck design that’s lined with mesh

While reporting our guide to the best wireless bras for large breasts, I heard much praise for Cosabella, and tested the brand’s best-selling Never Say Never bra. Even though it doesn’t have an underwire, I thought the bralette felt close enough to an underwired bra, support wise. The wide, side-smoothing band works wonders, stretching under my breasts and around my back. Because the bra is lined with mesh underneath the very pretty lace, it’s comfortable, breathable, and not at all scratchy. It’s also available in hard-to-find band- and cup-size combinations like 28DD and 40H, and there are a number of versions like petite, ultra, curvy, and beauty to fit different bodies.

Sizes: XXS–6XL| Underwire: No | Cup style and coverage: Scoop design, racerback, longline silhouette, designed for full coverage

It would be a Herculean effort to count how many times we’ve heard about Girlfriend Collective’s Paloma bra, making it rise above all the other contenders. (It was also featured in our best sports-bra guide.) Lauren Roxborough, former head of marketing for hot-yoga studio Y7, turns to it when she knows she’s in for an active, sweaty class. Natalie Holloway, co-founder of Bala (maker of our favorite stylish wrist weights), likewise relies on hers for intense workouts:. “It isn’t restrictive in your movement and shows none-to-little sweat,” she says. But it works outside the gym, too: Lancaster wears it for WFH, saying that it stays put, is structural, and supports her chest (thanks to its compression style) without becoming uncomfortable. “If anything,” she says, “it encourages me to sit up straighter, for which my osteopath is grateful.”

• Karen Iorio Adelson, former Strategist senior writer• Chloe Anello, former Strategist writer• Linda Becker, a.k.a. Linda the Bra Lady and founder of Linda’s• Stella Blackmon, filmmaker and former New York Magazine photo editor• Kimmay Caldwell, undergarment educator• Liza Corsillo, Strategist senior writer• Elisabeth Dale, author of The Breast Life Guide to the Bra Zone• Emily Eisen, photo producer• Jasmine Elder, founder of JIBRI• Thamarr Guerrier, content creator at Musings of a Curvy Lady• Cora Harrington, author of In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie• Natalie Holloway, co-founder of Bala• Lori Kaplan, founder of Bra Tenders• Courtney Killpack, runs lingerie store Bosom Besties and Instagram account Bra Fittings by Court• Simone Kitchens, Strategist senior editor• Molly Lamoureux, writer• Brodie Lancaster, Strategist contributor• Tammy Lee, Parsons fashion-marketing student• Lisa Mayock, co-founder of Monogram• Allie McKenna, personal stylist• Amanda McMillan, restaurant general manager in Brooklyn• Latifah Miles, former Strategist writer• Beverly Nguyen, Beverly’s owner• Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer• Lauren Ro, Strategist writer• Lauren Roxborough, former head of marketing for hot-yoga studio Y7• Lauren Stephens, co-founder of fleece-focused clothing company Dudley Stephens• Grace Thomas, wardrobe stylist• Nora Whelan, Strategist contributor

Additional reporting by Lauren Schwartsberg, Karen Iorio Adelson, and Dominique Pariso.

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