7 Best Bras for Every Figure — Plus How to Find the Perfect Fit Online
Comfortable and flattering? Yes, please!
Finding a bra that fits perfectly, flatters your figure, and is comfortable even after hours of wear feels a little bit like a magic trick — and like magic, it can feel impossible. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best bras that can fix everything from the dreaded “quad boob” to armpit bulges and back rolls.
Whether your breasts are surrendering to gravity’s pull, pointing in different directions, or deflating like balloons the day after the party, there’s a bra that can make magic happen for you. Just think of us as your fairy godmother!
But first, to find the right fit …
How to Buy a Bra Online
The idea of buying a bra without trying it on first can be daunting. This handy guide will help you zero in on the right size, no fitting room needed!
1) Measure the band size
While wearing a bra, wrap a soft measuring tape around the area where the bra band sits. Round the number found to the nearest whole number of inches. The goal is for the band to fit comfortably on the loosest hook, so it can be tightened over time as the bra loses elasticity.
2) Measure the bust size
Wrap the measuring tape loosely around the fullest part of the chest (near nipple level); round to the nearest whole number of inches. Tip: It’s best to wear a non-push-up, lightly lined bra when measuring so breasts are as close to their natural shape and size as possible.
3) Calculate the cup size
Subtract the band size from the bust size, then take that number and calculate as follows to figure out your true cup size:
- One inch difference = A cup
- Two inch difference = B cup
- Three inch difference = C cup
- Four inch difference = D cup
- Five inch difference = DD cup
- Six inch difference = DDD cup
When bra cups fit properly, they will lie flat against skin, sans gaping or spillage.
Keep scrolling to shop our picks for the best bras for every figure!
Soma Stunning Support Smooth Full Coverage Bra
best bra for a saggy bust
Buy on Soma Intimates (From $60)
Why we like it:
- Full-molded cups perk up saggy breasts
- Thick, wide-set straps distribute weight evenly and hoist up heavy breasts for added lift and support
It’s frustrating to watch our once-perky busts droop as the years go on. To blame: “Everything from weight fluctuations and gravity to changes in breast density as menopause kicks in, causing firmer breast tissue to be replaced with heavier fat”, says bra expert Elisabeth Dale, founder of TheBreastLife.com. Her advice? Pick a full-coverage bra with molded cups, like this one from Soma. Breasts conform to the preformed shape so they appear more lifted, while light, allover padding restores volume for a youthful, boosted bust — stat. Bonus: The lifted look showcases the waist for a slimmer-looking middle!
Third Love Unlined Minimizer Bra
best bra for ample bosoms
Why we like it:
- Holds up a larger bust without sacrificing natural shape
- Unpadded, single-layer for breathability and a “barely there” feeling
Those of us with ample busts veer toward minimizing bras to optically reduce their size. But minimizers with no stretch can end up smushing and flattening breasts. This pushes any excess tissue up and over cups — so it’s like we have four breasts, otherwise known as “quad boob”! Great news: “Minimizers have come a long way from their compressing past”, says Jené Luciani, author of The Bra Book (Buy on Amazon, $13.94). Simply look for one made of a stretchy fabric (like a blend of spandex and nylon), like this one from Third Love. “The stretch ensures breasts are fully covered and contained, while also acting like a sling to pull the bust up and in for a smaller-looking yet shapely chest.”
Wacoal b.wow’d Push Up Bra
best bra for deflated boobs
Why we like it:
- Contoured padding “reinflates” the bust
- Scalloped edges add a pretty touch of texture that doesn’t show through a thin tee
Whether it’s from nursing, fluctuating weight, or aging in general, when the bust loses its natural volume (especially if it was small to begin with), it can really sap our confidence. But to restore youthful plumpness in seconds, bra expert Elisabeth Dale recommends a bra that has graduating padding in the cups, like this push-up bra from Wacoal. The thicker padding along the bottom of cups acts like a pillow to prop up a smaller bosom, subtly. And because the padding gradually becomes thinner toward the top of cups, breast tissue gets pushed even more upward and inward for realistic-looking fullness.
Vanity Fair Side and Back Smoother Bra
best bra to nix pit pudge
Why we like it:
- Extra side panel smooths bulges
- Thick band helps eliminate back rolls
“Bulges near the armpits can occur when either a bra band is too tight or cups are too small — both squish breast tissue leading to spillage over the bra’s side”, explains bra guru Jené Luciani. Her smart two-part save? First, make sure you’re wearing the right band and cup size, then choose a bra with a built-in side panel, like this smoothing bra from Vanity Fair. “The extra inch of fabric that extends along the band between the underwire and strap cleverly contains any lumps, so you’ll stay smooth even if your size ends up changing.”
ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Uplift Plunge Bra
best bra for east-west breasts
Why we like it:
- Removable inserts allow you to customize the amount of volume and cleavage you desire
- Available in 7 gorgeous shades
“When there’s a wider space between breasts, it can cause them to look like they are headed in opposite directions, erasing youthful cleavage and optically widening the torso from shoulder to waist for a boxy-looking upper half”, says bra expert Jené Luciani. What can help: a bra that has strategic padding, like this pretty one from ThirdLove. “The extra cushioning in the lower half of each cup gently boosts and pushes breasts together, so the bust appears more center-set and voluptuous with subtle yet sexy cleavage”, says Luciani. Even better? Drawing side-set breasts together helps the torso look less square and more shapely.
Shapeez Shortee Back-Smoothing Bra
best bra to erase back rolls
Why we like it:
- Stretchy yet firm control Lycra in back and underwire cups in front work double duty to support breasts and erase rolls
- Available in nude or black
“The band is responsible for 90 percent of a bra’s breast support, as it relies on the tension in back to lift the ladies in front”, says Jené Luciani. That back-band squeeze, however, can cause rolls to form above and below it. The fix? A tank bra, like this one from Shapeez. Rather than a standard band design, the back is made with shaping fabric that spans from shoulders to just above the waist, spreading tension more evenly while also smoothing lumps and bumps. Plus, with molded cups that give added lift and shape in front, the bra ensures 360 degrees of gorgeous!
Calvin Klein Invisibles Bralette
best bra for lounging
Why we like it:
- Thick band of nylon and elastane fabric beneath the bust acts like a shelf to lift up a medium-sized chest
- Removable padded cups add extra support if needed
A balconette bra, like this one from Calvin Klein, is perfect for B and C cup busts. If you’re an A cup, go for a triangle design, like the the Skims Fits Everybody Triangle Bralette (Buy on Skims, $32). The structured shape and control of the nylon-and-spandex fabric blend hold in a smaller bust, while tall 3-inch sides draw breast tissue inward, creating subtle cleavage to define a petite bosom.
For D cups and above, pick a long-line style, like the True & Co. True Body V-Neck Bra (Buy on True & Co., $49). It has an extra-long band with a five-inch-wide panel under cups to hoist up larger breasts, plus double-layer microfiber fabric for allover shaping. Plus, thick straps take tension off your shoulders.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for Women.
