Underwire, removable convertible straps, hook-eye closure, light padding, non-slip binding around band

Lexie Sachsis the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development fields. Lexie led a massive bra test in 2017 and wrote the shopping guide for this story. This version has an underwire for good separation, though it also comes in a wireless version that still proved to be supportive in our tests. And though the panels are stretchy, the bra still kept its shape well after we put it through the wringer in our stretch recovery and laundering evaluations. Luciani adds, "Obvious signs of wear and tear such as crushed cups, bent underwire, stretched out straps, broken or bent clasps and when the material loses its elasticity — all good signs it’s time to toss. Other signs that are maybe not so obvious are if it suddenly seems big or it’s not holding you up the way it should be! That may mean it’s time to replace." The effects can range from subtle to extreme and, depending on your preferences, you’ll want to consider whether you want light padding or wireless options for increased comfort, or more significant stuffing and support for some serious lift. And it’s important to work out whether you’re best off with a smooth surface that’s best for sitting under T-shirts, or pretty lace detailing for that extra feel-good factor. She says that you first need to measure under your bust while wearing a sports bra or no bra, using a soft tape measure, and note down that measurement in inches. If it's an odd number, round up to the nearest even number. This is your band size.

Although this bra did stretch out a bit during our stretch recovery test in our Lab, it washed well, staying in nearly perfect condition after five wash cycles. The brand does recommend hand washing for best results. This bra proves you don’t have to sacrifice support to go strapless. In fact, it had higher scores from our testers than many of the non-strapless styles we analyzed. It uses silicone strips along the top of the cup and on the band that help it stay in place as you move, and it features wide side panels with boning for more stability and smoothing benefits. Our testers said the bra was comfortable, but a few online reviewers noted that although the bra stayed put, the silicone strips and boning dug in. Washability: Each bra is repeatedly laundered according to its care label and assessed for aspects like shrinkage and appearance after washing.

With f ull-coverage cups to avoid spillage, wide straps to reduce stress on shoulders and wide side panels that smooth to prevent bulges, this bra is your best bet if you're looking for all-over support. The cups are lightly lined so there's not too much padding, and the fabric feels smooth throughout and looks flattering under clothes. The thoughtful design offers support yet still works with most clothing because the cut isn't too high and the straps aren't too wide. It's adjustable and has an underwire for good separation, plus soft cups for a rounded shape. Although our testers found it to fit nicely, some online reviewers share that it runs on the smaller side, so be sure to review the size chart before buying, especially since it's offered in UK cup sizing. It offers medium coverage to show off a bit of cleavage while still feeling secure and covered. It performed well in our Lab tests, with minimal changes in appearance or shrinkage after laundering. We appreciate this brand's inclusive size offerings up to a 54 band size and H cup size.

Searching for your perfect bra can feel like a never-ending journey. For starters, there are so many styles to choose from — strapless, bralettes, wireless and more with differences in padding, closures and support. It can feel nearly impossible to buy one that’ll meet your needs, fit you properly and feel comfortable enough to wear all day long. On top of that, bras can get pricey, so you want to make sure you’re investing in a quality bra that will feel good, look good and hold up well over time. Experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab test bras of all kinds and have evaluated more than 200 styles with over 500 real users in the last few years. Altogether, we've collected upwards of 6,500 data points to help us find the best bra styles for different preferences and body types. Emma Seymour has been a senior textiles product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab for over four years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for all different types of bras, including wireless bras, bralettes and sports bras. She studied Fiber Science and Apparel Design at Cornell University with research experience in product quality assessment. She updated the most recent version of this article with new testing data. It held up well in our Lab tests without shrinking or stretching out. It also comes with removable straps so you can wear it as a traditional bra, halter, criss-cross or one-shoulder style. Plus, it comes in a variety of colors and a wide range of band and cup sizes. In fact, this style was especially loved by people with full figures and larger busts. now you can see more of chiffon that is ruched...with tiny pleats..and trimmed. There is a solid slip attached to the under layer...it's the outer top, that drives the peekaboo man crazy.

That said, many women wear soft bras all the time. And when it comes to health, well, as long as you feel comfortable in your bra, then you’ll be just fine. The band should be level with your ribcage without riding up, and the center gore, the section of the bra that stretches between the two cups, should lie flat against your breastbone.This brand designs its bras specifically for AA, A and B cup wearers, unlike other bras that may just be scaled down to fit smaller cup sizes. This bra is specifically designed to prevent gaping for a smooth fit under clothes — and testers reported that the brand succeeds, praising its great fit on smaller chests. The cups are lightly lined for modest coverage and shape without excess material. It's a traditional bra that's ideal for everyday wear thanks to its foam cups, supportive underwire, adjustable straps and hook-eye closure. It has plenty of coverage throughout, yet remains invisible under most clothing, though a few testers shared that the lace straps were noticeable under some tops. It also comes in a variety of colors — including neutral shades and vibrant hues — and a wide range of cup sizes. You should fill out the cups without any gaping (which means the cup is too big) or overflow (a sign the cup is too small). Whether you love a push-up for its support or how it makes you feel, it’s undeniably great for creating that enhanced shape. Although it’s important to remember when searching for the perfect push-up bra that it’s not one size or style, fits all. If that sounds like you, then a good push-up bra could be a wardrobe essential. It can be nothing short of a miracle worker for those who desire some extra lift to make the most of what they have (or even boost to a bigger cup size or two).