Bras, amirite? Many of us haven’t worn one since March 2020—and maybe you’ve sworn off them forever. They can be so constricting, especially when you’re unknowingly wearing the wrong size (which is actually quite common, considering we were measured for our first bra somewhere around…middle school). But now that festive events are back on and the return to office is here or around the corner, we’re probably gonna have to get used to strapping into the B-word again. (For all their faults, they do make an outfit look pretty damn good.)
Luckily for people with boobs out there, we here at Cosmo have taken it upon ourselves to try each of the best bra brands and styles on the internet—aka the ones with the top reviews and most clout online—testing the comfort and wearability for all cup and band sizes. Cosmo staffers representing A–B cups, C–D cups, DD–DDD cups, and G+ cups tried on the eight most popular bra styles (T-shirt, bralette, full-coverage, sleep, plunge, strapless, wireless, and balconette) by brands whose customers say they’re getting it right. To determine if these styles are best for you, take a look at the bra on a variety of body types, see the kinds of outfits they work best for, and read the review closest to your own sizing.
Scroll on to find the right bras for you.
Best T-Shirt Bra: Perfect Primer Underwire T-Shirt Bra by Wacoal
Ah, the humble T-shirt bra. Pretty much for all boob types and all occasions. This is your go-to bra, the one you reach for most often, so it needs to be comfortable and preferably not reveal itself at all underneath your outfit.
The Perfect Primer Underwire T-shirt Bra by Wacoal has amazing reviews from customers, but it also scored high with our editors. All noted how comfortable it was, despite some being very underwire-averse. One editor even called it her “number one return-to-office bra.” Now that’s high praise—seeing yourself wearing something all day, for at least eight hours straight. Learn what else our reviewers had to say about this lil undergarment, below.
A–B CUPS
“I am generally very underwire-averse because the center bit always digs into the middle of my chest. (Context: My boobs sit a couple of inches apart and don’t cooperate with anything attempting to corral them toward the center.) But I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this bra was and how it gave me daytime-appropriate cleavage. I also love that you can clip it into a racerback for extra lift and support!” —E, size 34B
C–D CUPS
“When I did my virtual fitting appointment, I was unconvinced that the, uh, *professional* fitter had me down for the right size. After watching me measure around the top of my ribs just below my boobs and around the middle of my bust where they’re fullest, she decided I was a full cup bigger than I’d told her. I tried convincing her there wasn’t enough me to fill a D-cup, but thankfully, she ignored my v unprofessional opinion. This bra lay perfectly flush against my chest and gave me a smooth, round, perky shape with zero spillage. It was the most comfortable so-called comfortable bra I’ve ever worn. The best part? While it gave me a nice shape under a tee, you couldn’t actually see the outline of it through my top. The T-shirtiest T-shirt bra that ever T-shirted!!” —J, 36C
DD–DDD CUPS
“Not only did this bra handle my boob sweat like a boss, but the seamless band smoothed out my bb rolls unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The cup fabric isn’t the thickest for nippier days and there’s no push-up, but the underwire gave my girls a modest lift that’s perfect for everyday activities.” —S, 32DDD
G+ CUPS
“This is the platonic ideal of an everyday T-shirt bra—it’s nude, super comfy, and basically undetectable through a tee. The fit was pretty flawless. The only tweak I’d make is that the bra cups are a bit more full-coverage than I usually like, so the bra doesn’t work with lower-cut tops. Still, it does work with everyday shirts, tank tops, blouses, higher-neck dresses, etc. I’m pretty sure that this soon will become my Number One Return-to-Office Bra (as in, I wish I were still lounging around at home braless, but this is comfy enough to get me through it).” —E, 40G
Best Bralette: Flocked Logo Bralette by Savage x Fenty
For my people who hate bras but need some support, please rest your eyes on the Flocked Logo Bralette by Rihanna’s steamy lingerie line, Savage x Fenty. Our editorial reviewers (and also RiRi’s customers) love the fact that this piece gives the smallest bit of lift without the extra constriction and straps that many other styles have. Everyone also appreciated the flirty mesh and trendy logo-based design. Rihanna, thank you for your service. If you’re wondering how to wear it, this type of bra does well with items that have a little less shape, like loungewear pieces and flowy dresses, or as a little peekaboo moment with something low-cut or see-through.
Editors who tried out this design noted that they loved it so much, they might be inclined to buy it in all colors! One quick thing: Savage x Fenty has a reputation for being very inclusive, and it does have an impressive size range. However, our reviewer with G cups noted that this particular style was built with only A to DD cups in mind. While the band fit her frame, her breast tissue spilled over, meaning this bralette doesn’t exactly pass the vibe check for anyone in the larger cup range. Read on for some in-depth meditations on this well-rated item.
A–B CUPS
“Oh, hi, new favorite bralette ever. (RiRi, I thank you for this incredible gift.) But seriously, I love this style—it’s a little spicy but still super comfortable, and the front snap is a delight. The only drawback is that the straps aren’t adjustable, so depending on their size and shape, your gals might sit a little low. All in all, though, supes cute, would buy in all available colors!” —E, size 34B
C–D CUPS
“Okay, so picture two cherubs floating on each side of you—each one is using their lil angel hands to gently, barely hold your boobs. You feel miraculously, naturally supported. Like this is where your boobs are supposed to rest, and this is how your boobs are supposed to feel naturally. That’s this Savage x Fenty bralette, ppl! Listen, I know this sounds like A Lot, but I have tried and failed at getting down with bralettes so many times before and this is the only one that actually held my boobs in without being annoying, so it deserves the hype!! Also, can we talk about how sexy this mesh is?? (I’m not gonna lie, the lacy trim did feel a bit itchy at first, but that went away after one wear, so still. Fenty bralette for president!)” —J, 36C
DD–DDD CUPS
“Everything that Rih touches turns to gold, and as such, I was super excited to try her Savage x Fenty bralette. I loved how breathable the mesh fabric was and that the low and open cut gave my sweaty boobs ample opportunity to air out (lol). The bright lavender color also looked so good against my skin! Sadly, I will say the lack of support left my triple Ds feeling like I wasn’t wearing a bra in the first place. Regardless, it stays in my ‘it’s 95 degrees and my apartment is too hot for undergarments’ bra rotation.” —S, 32DDD
G+ CUPS
“After a long year and a half of wearing mostly loungewear in quarantine, I am ready to live in soft bras forever! The bralette I tried from Savage x Fenty is bright and covered in a hexagonal pattern reading ‘Fenty,’ making it a fun piece while avoiding any poky underwires. While the band fit me pretty much perfectly, the bralette part cut into my breast tissue, giving me an unfortunate ‘quadriboob’ situation that didn’t look or feel good. I took a quick look at the brand’s fit guide and saw that Savage x Fenty’s bralettes are designed for cup sizes A to DD, depending on the band size (XS = 32A–32B, while 3X = 42DD–44D), which means my G cups are sized out, unfortch. The brand does offer a few bras in G-cups, but not many—and no bralettes. RiRi, pls consider expanding your size range bc this bralette is so cute and I’d love to wear it.” —E, 40G
Best Full-Coverage Bra: Rive Gauche Unlined Full-Coverage Bra by Chantelle
Anyone in the market for a full-coverage bra is probably interested in lots of support and, obviously, lots of coverage, meaning almost the entire breast is encased by the cup of the bra. Often, these are sought out by women with larger cup sizes, as demi, balconette, and even T-shirt bras may not always give off a desirable shape. This style is most often worn with things like sweaters and high necklines, so it doesn’t peek out. Many times, this style of bra comes off as matronly and not super cute. But our winning style, the Rive Gauche Unlined Full-Coverage Bra by Chantelle, is so pretty that it legit could be worn as part of your lewk with the right lower neckline that shows just enough of its lace trim.
Our reviewers loved how supported this bra made them feel—one mentioned she felt as secure as she would on a roller coaster! But one thing to look out for is that this is not the bra for people who don’t feel like they have a super-full breast shape (somewhat obvious but worth pointing out). Editors who fell under this category felt the bra gave them “torpedo” or “cone” shaped silhouettes and ultimately didn’t think the fit worked for them. More info coming at you right down there.
A–B CUPS
“I really wanted to like this pretty, lacy, super-femme style! But tbh, it gave me total torpedo boobs and not in a sexy Marilyn-Monroe-in-a-cardigan kind of way. The underwire was too close together in the middle and the cups gapped in an uncomfortable and unflattering way. My personal take? Pass.” —E, size 34B
C–D CUPS
“Listen, this isn’t my run-around-all-day-doing-errands bra. Is it supportive? Def! My boobs feel like they’re strapped into a roller coaster when I wear this bra, in a good way. They’re lifted, snugly held in, and safe from any unwanted budging. Full coverage, bb! And the cups, in addition to being reaaaaally pretty, fit generously, lay flush against the skin, feel soft, and are lined juuust enough to protect my nips from the elements but without any bulky padding. But. The bra left behind a bra-shaped imprint when I took it off. I’m not mad at her though! Like I said, the fit is perf. So she’s my going-out bra. My date-night bra. My dinner-and-a-roller-coaster bra.” —J, 36C
DD–DDD CUPS
“Lovers of lace, this one’s for you—right out the box, I was stunned by this bra’s craftsmanship. The floral lace at the top of the bust! The dainty bow! The contrast stitching! It was such a dream. When testing out the bra, I have to say I wasn’t thrilled with how it fit my bust. The underwire was a smidgen too snug. I had slight gaping at the sides, and for the life of me, I couldn’t get it to look good underneath my tops. It gave my boobs a bit of a cone shape that made me feel like my grandmother…which was not exactly ideal.” —S, 32DDD
G+ CUPS
“I appreciated how lightly lined this bra was—I don’t like or need bra padding, but so many bras come with at least some anyway! The cups gave my boobs a nice shape, but they’re very full-coverage, and the band came up very high under my armpits, which made the bra slightly uncomfy despite how much I liked the cups. This is a common bra issue for me, though, because I’m a little on the shorter side (5'3"), so I’d still recommend this bra for taller or longer-torsoed folks with a similar bra size.” —E, 40G
Best Sleep Bra: True Body Lift V-Neck Sleep Bra by Tru & Co.
Most people don’t actually sleep in bras, but there’s a growing category of loungy underthings that are so comfy, you could sleep in them and not even notice they’re there. Basically, they’re for those lazy days when you know you’re gonna be stationed on the couch but you want a little extra support, lift, and separation. There’s no reason to exclusively wear these in bed or at home though. This style works best under baggier ’fits and thick materials, like chunky knits, where shape is less key, so comfort is the name of the game.
The Tru & Co True Body Lift V-Neck Sleep Bra gets top marks from its customers and definitely won over our editors, who weren’t sure about the concept at first but fell in love with the soft, breathable nature of this garment. “It’s like athleisure but for your boobs,” one said, and honestly, true. One thing worth mentioning: These viral bras (they were all over the ’gram not long ago) are designed to go up to only a DDD. Our G-cup reviewer did wear one and loved the fabric but said it was a tight fit. If comfy lounge bras feel like they could be your vibe, read on for more about this bra, straight from people who wore it.
A–B CUPS
“So I’m not usually inclined to wear a bra while I’m sleeping, but this one is so comfy—as in, it *truly* doesn’t feel like you have anything on—that it gets a pass. It’s seamless and supportive like a perfect light-pressure hug for your boobs. The only (very minor) downside is that the style factor is kinda low: It’s not the bra that’s going to signal or inspire some late-night friskiness. Which is fine! Because it’s a bra made for sleeping! Still, I thought you should know.” —E, size 34B
C–D CUPS
“I don’t need a bra for sleeping?! is a thought you (like me) might have before you wear this bra to sleep in. And…well, you’re not wrong, but OMFG, it’s so comfy who even cares? This bra feels like the softest, coziest, most cooling pillowcase you’ve ever contemplated stealing from a fancy hotel, just gently wrapped around your chest. There’s no roaming cups (even though they’re removable!), too-tight pressure, warm or uncomfy fabric, or anything else that would prevent you from sleeping like a lil bb. It’s the next best thing to sleeping topless, especially if you don’t actually want to sleep topless and all your PJ tops are falling apart after wearing them 24/7 during quar. Think athleisure but for sleeping boobs.” —J, 36C
DD–DDD CUPS
“I’ll admit it: At first glance, I didn’t think this bra was going to do much for me because it was wireless and has little padding, but after giving it a try, I totally fell in love. The seamless nature of the bra allowed me to wear it with literally anything without being detected. The shape is very similar to that of some sports bras I own, which can sometimes create a really unflattering uniboob look. But this wasn’t the case here. Both of my girls were separated, uplifted, and comfy. So comfy, in fact, that I wore the bra out while on my daily activities and during bedtime. Sometimes I even forgot I was wearing it while I had it on. Total goals.” —S, 32DDD
G+ CUPS
“This bralette’s band fit perfectly but the bralette itself was just slightly too tight, giving me a tiny bit of cleavage spillover at the top—still, the bralette is unstructured enough that it was easy to adjust and still very comfy. The brand’s size guide shows that its bralette is designed for AA to DDD cups, so my Gs are one size bigger than the intended range. The material is favorite-pajama-level soft but weirdly features bikini-style boob pads, which move around in my case and take some adjusting to get to the right place. BTW, the brand’s size guide is labeled ‘a list of all bra sizes (U.S.),’ which made me feel like my boobs are unpatriotic. Sorry, Uncle Sam.” —E, 40G
Best Plunge Bras: Bowery Mesh Plunge Bra by Liberté and Matilda Side-Support Plunge Bra by Elomi
Plunge bras serve a variety of purposes and truly should be more of a staple in most people’s drawers. For anyone with boobs that point east-west or are spaced a little farther apart, this style does a great job of getting everything in the right place. Additionally, if your shoulders slope down at all (aka if you constantly have probs with regular bra straps falling down, even if they’re adjusted to you perfectly), plunge styles tend to combat that issue. They also tend to dip lower than a typical T-shirt or balconette bra, making them easier to wear with lower-neckline ensembles.
Our reviewers tested two different best-selling plunge bras, one geared more toward straight sizes and another with a more inclusive range of options: the Bowery Mesh Plunge Bra by Liberté and the Matilda Side-Support Plunge Bra by Elomi. Our Cosmo reviewers who tried the first bra loved how it made them feel and how their boobs looked in the bra. Our smaller-cup-size tester felt it was super comfortable, but those in the mid-range didn’t feel like it was an all-day-wear kind of style (it didn’t mix well with sweat, and they were more aware of the fabric than normal). The reviewer who tested the Elomi option thought it was super comfortable, and the only con was that the cups were a little more full-coverage than she typically prefers. At this point, you know the drill, so keep scrolling.
A–B CUPS
“Love a plunge, but especially love this plunge, which fits almost like a balconette for my B-cup boobs, which creates what I’m gonna call date cleavage (not too much, with the perfect dash of sexiness). The fit is smooth, the straps don’t dig, and the mesh upper + lace cup are pretty without sacrificing softness or comfort.” —E, size 34B
C–D CUPS
“Is it weird to confess that this bra almost made me late to brunch bc of how hubba-hubba it looked in the mirror? Okay, cool, fine, anyway. This bra is heavy on the s-e-x-y, less so on the c-o-m-f-y. But it’s not not comfy. It also created some juicy lift, but that also means it fit snugly in a way that I was never not aware of. But, like, it worked. Anyway, wear this to feel yourself, just maybe not all day.” —J, 36C
DD–DDD CUPS
“Stepping into this bra for the first time, I truly felt like a chic Parisian girl who, at the last minute, decided to wear this under a crisp, white button-down shirt tied at the waist. So yeah, I felt pretty dang good…that is, until I spent the rest of the day in the bra. The mesh fabric of the bra was nice at first, but as I began to sweat, it started feeling itchy and uncomfortable to keep on, despite the underwire and straps fitting like a dream. As someone with triple-D jugs, support is a must and the underwire of this bra pretty much felt like nothing was there (!!!), which, sadly, was a first for me!” —S, 32DDD
G+ CUPS
“This underwire bra is sheer, colorful, and pretty—giving my boobs plenty of support without making me feel like I’m wearing a ‘grandma bra.’ It fit me really well, without any poking bits, and is more comfortable than most underwire bras. The one thing is that the cups are more full-coverage than what I typically prefer—I tried it on with a simple tank top and it was still visible over the neckline, so I had to switch to a T-shirt instead. This bra is def pretty enough to be shown off if the outfit frames it right though!” —E, 40G
Best Strapless Bra: 24/7 Classic Strapless Bra by ThirdLove
Everyone with boobs can attest that strapless bras are a struggle. So finding one that actually stays up, still gives the girls a nice shape, and feels comfortable enough to wear throughout an event is a major coup. ThirdLove’s 24/7 Classic Strapless Bra claims to be all that and more—and customers pretty much agree. They insist that this one will be your staple for strapless or off-the-shoulder dresses and tops forever and ever, amen!
And for the most part, our reviewers echoed those sentiments. They noted that this bra actually Stayed! Put! (The silicone band on the inside helps with that.) And while they were aware they had it on (somewhat of a plus with a style you want to make sure isn’t inching down to your belly button), they did mention it was comfy enough to have on all night long. The only gripe? This design is all about functionality, and the cups are…“generous,” as one of our editors said. Meaning that if you’re wearing something low-cut, this bra may peek up and out of your look. That being said, almost everyone mentioned that this design would be their new go-to in the strapless category, and that’s really, really saying something. Read on for some more musings on this particularly great piece.
A–B CUPS
“A lot of strapless bras claim they stay up. This one actually does, no joke, if you have the correct size band. (Some background: Years ago, I had the 36B version and it was droopy, but now that I’m properly sized, I’m pleased to report that this is The One for all my strapless summer wedding dress needs.) I also really love this cup shape—it’s kinda what you would want your boobs to look like if you didn’t need to wear a bra—and the optional convertible straps are awesome. The only thing is it’s not super low-cut, so if you’ve got a plunge neckline in the works, probably continue the hunt.” —E, size 34B
C–D CUPS
“This is a tough one bc I sort of hate strapless bras. (Plus I don’t really wear tops or dresses that require one.) That said, I didn’t *hate* this one. The ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Strapless Bra didn’t slide down or move around on me (which is The Worst!!) thanks to the silicone lining on the inside edges. And while at first glance, the cups seemed pretty, um, generous, they created a nice full, round shape. It’s not the sort of bra that you forget about while wearing—like, you’re always going to feel it—but maybe that’s reassuring for a strapless bra? The best part: It comes with straps you can attach to wear as a regular ol’ strapped bra.” —J, 36C
DD–DDD CUPS
“Any company that’s able to do a nude bra to perfectly match my brown skin is a star in my book. The bra comes with some pretty stunning features: several rows of gold hooks, clear straps, and a silicone lining around the perimeter of the bra. But I have to mention that it was pretty uncomfortable for me to wear. Although it was a solid fit for me and didn’t slide down whatsoever in strapless mode, the inside silicone caused my sensitive skin to have a flare-up even after washing with fragrance-free, nonirritating detergent. The fabric itself could have also been more breathable, especially during those humid months in NYC (when you’re more likely to wear strapless clothing!).” —S, 32DDD
G+ CUPS
“Having both a bigger cup size and a bigger band size means that it’s really hard for me to find strapless bras in particular, but ThirdLove actually delivered. While it’s no-nonsense in design with a five-hook back and a sturdy, wide band, my boobs were Held! Up! All! Day! Long! However, it’s very full-coverage—the cup covers almost the entire surface area of my breasts, which means I can’t show more than the quietest, ASMR-like whisper of cleave without also exposing the bra. And it’s a structure-over-style kinda bra, which is fine, but it’s not the type of bra I want to put on display. It’s also not the comfiest, which in my experience is pretty typical for strapless bras—gotta keep ’em up somehow! Still, it offers more support than my current go-to strapless bra, so I’ll be keeping this one for any strapless + minimal-cleave tops/dresses.” —E, 40G
Best Wireless Bra: Padded Wireless V-Neck Bra by Knix
For all my folks who love the idea of bralettes and loungy bras but need a little more support than that and absolutely d-r-e-a-d underwire styles…the wireless bra is your new bestie. Lots of trusted brands have styles that fit this category, but Knix is known for its comfort and support, and its Padded Wireless V-Neck Bra is a staple for anyone in the know. This undergarment gives shape and lift, but it won’t go as far as your push-up, balconette, or T-shirt alternatives, so it is best to wear under something a little less structured and form-fitting as a result.
Our editorial reviewers, particularly those with larger cup sizes, absolutely loved this wireless bra. From its smoothing side and back panels to its adjustable fit (Knix sizing is different than your typical band-plus-cup situation—instead, it uses numbers 1 to 8+ and each size covers three to six standard bra sizes) and molded cups, testers mentioned a shape they all-around love. It’s worth mentioning that if you have a smaller chest, you may not be as into it, as it has a lot of material and, depending on your boob shape, those molded cups might not be it for you. But anyone C-cup or above should add this comfy bra to cart ASAP. Find out what else our editors said about this bra, below.
A–B CUPS
“I wanted to like this no-underwire bra, but it was better in theory than in practice. The molded cups didn’t form my girls into a particularly flattering shape; the style was also super high-cut—between that and the thick band, it felt like a lot of material. If you’re bustier, there might be some benefits here. But for smaller bosoms, I would say…skip.” —E, size 34B
C–D CUPS
“This bra is not playing around. The molded foam cups are super flattering, delivering a nice shape with just a liiittle bit of padding sans bulging plus separation that’s perfect for a lower neckline. But really, this is all about the wide side/back straps and hooks. The fabric that runs all along your back and under your arms is legit as strong and immovable as an underwire bra made out of steel. And the extra coverage under your arms smooths out general side bulge/boobage. There are five sets of hooks here (as in, two more than the usual three), which means you can really adjust for the perfect fit—so take a minute to figure out what that perfect fit is.” —J, 36C
DD–DDD CUPS
“If I could marry this bra, I would (sorry, boyfriend). It’s so rare for a wireless bra to give me the support—and cleavage—that my breasts need to look perky and round, but this Knix bra is a total knockout. My bra size has fluctuated a lot within the past year, so it’s nice to know that if I go back to 32DD from my current 32E/DDD cup, I won’t have much issue since there are five (!) rows of hooks to keep things as adjustable as possible. And despite not being seamless, this bra does not show whatsoever underneath my clothing unless I’m wearing a suuuper-low-cut top. A+ in my book!” —S, 32DDD
G+ CUPS
“I’ll admit I was a little bit skeptical of Knix’s sizing system—the brand uses the numbers 1 to 8+ instead of a cup and band size, and each Knix size covers three to six different traditional bra sizes, which sounded like a lot. But after I put it on, I actually loved this bra. It’s as comfy as a bralette but it gives more support. The scoop cup means you can pair it with low-cut tops if you want to, but it isn’t as cleavage-friendly as an underwire bra. It’s sooooo comfy, though, that I’ll be wearing it anytime I’m not attempting to get Bridgerton-level boobage.” —E, 40G
Best Balconette Bras: The Balconette by Cuup and Embroidered Floral Unlined Balconette by Love, Vera
Ah, the balconette. Sexy without trying and oh so French. The way the cups are positioned definitely works better for some people over others. If you have breasts that are fuller on the bottom than they are on the top, for instance, this is the bra shape for you. It’ll provide extra lift and its unique silhouette makes it perfect for clothing with a scoop or square neckline. These styles can sometimes work as an everyday T-shirt type bra, but if your breasts have more fullness up top, you may experience some bulging that’ll put you off of wearing this beneath something more form-fitting.
Cuup, a direct-to-consumer bra brand you’ve absolutely seen in your targeted Instagram ads, has really made a name for itself, particularly in the balconette space, so its aptly named “The Balconette” design earned top marks from customers. It doesn’t go up very high in cup or band sizes, however, so we had one tester try the gorge Embroidered Floral Unlined Balconette from Love, Vera. Cosmo reviewers tended to rate Cuup well the smaller chested they were and noted that the brand’s sizing may differ from what you’re used to but to go with it if that’s the case, for a better fit. Our Love, Vera tester raved about the design and lightness of the fabric, but while the brand is overall more inclusive, they did note that they had to get a sister size, which unfortunately didn’t line up well with their frame. Even still, they said they’d wear it again if it were to be ~seen by someone else~, so you know it looks goooood despite that setback. If you are interested in this style of bra, you know what to do!
A–B CUPS
“Confession: I’ve been a Cuup fan since the brand launched and I love the way these styles fit. Shout-out to the top seam of the balconette, which never cuts into my boobs in a weird bulge-creating way (although I could see how if you were fuller at the top of your boobs, that might happen). The material is super, super soft and the band has, to date, never dug in. And despite the underwire, I’m still not scrambling to get out of it at the end of the day. Also, it’s cool-girl sexy. (Buy the matching underwear. Trust me.)” —E, size 34B
C–D CUPS
“Three words: Trust the process. As in, when you take Cuup’s online fit quiz and it says there’s actually a full cup difference between what you think you are and what you actually are, just go with it. Full disclosure: I’d actually written off Cuup bras bc the first-ever one I ordered, a 36C, was a meh fit. It moved around so much, it gave me underboob. So I figured, Eh, what the hell when I actually took the quiz this time and got a 36D. No surprise: It fit. Like, actually fit. It didn’t budge or gap, and the mesh is so breathable, I barely felt it. Since it’s a balconette style, it works best with a lowish neckline—or, like, a loose T-shirt, which, tbh, is most of what I wear anyway. The way it lays on your chest creates some juicy bulging above the bra. (Think a push-up bra’s kid sister.)” —J, 36C
DD–DDD CUPS
“I don’t think I’ve ever met a mesh bra that I’ve actually kinda liked? That being said, I was pretty dang impressed with Cuup. I loved that the bra came in a wide selection of colors (clay! sun! leopard! taupe!), and balconette has the most darling shape. Sadly, the structure flattened the tops of my breasts a bit and didn’t give them much shape, probably due to the lack of padding. The pillow-soft underwire and ultra-secure clasp get major bonus points though.” —S, 32DDD
G+ CUPS
“I loooooved the design of this Love, Vera bra—sheer yellow cups with orange and yellow floral embroidery and yellow trim along the band and underwire—but the biggest cup size the brand carries is a DDD, a size smaller than my Gs. Love, Vera sent me a ‘sister size’ bra to try, one band size bigger and one cup size smaller than what I usually wear, but thanks to the larger band, the underwire hit me in the weirdest, most uncomfortable place in my side and armpit. It’s such a gorgeous bra that I might still wear it for short-term situations ~if someone else is seeing it~, but in the sister size, it’s too uncomfortable for me to wear for more than an hour or two at a time. I’d love to give it another try if the brand extends its size range in the future though!” —E, 40G
If none of the above styles or brands caught your eye, do not worry! Our reviewers (and other staffers who are just as passionate about lingerie) weighed in with their other favorite designs and labels. Browse the honorable mentions list below for even more vetted options. Most importantly, don’t settle for a bra that’s just okay! A good, comfortable fit is out there—it just sometimes takes patience (and reading through lots and lots of reviews).
A note on our review process and parameters:
Cosmo employees self-identified their chest sizes (A and B cups; C and D cups; DD and DDD cups; and G cups and higher). Then they each tried on eight bras, wearing them for a full night’s or day’s worth of activities unless they were too uncomfortable to wear for that long.
Stylist: Andrea Zendejas. Photography assistant: Ashley Wilson. Hair: Clara Leonard. Makeup: Juliette Perreux. Manicure: Mamie Onishi. Video: Abbey Adkison, Liesl Lar, Janet Upadhye. Art direction: Katie Buckleitner. Production: Ruben Chamorro, Khadija Horton.
T-shirt bra looks: A–B cups: Raquel Allegra top. Wacoal bra. DL1961 jeans. Uncommon Matters earrings. C–D cups: Jonathan Simkhai top. Wacoal bra. Citizens of Humanity jeans. Mejuri earrings. DD–DDD cups: Maisie Wilen dress. Wacoal bra. Mounser earrings. G+ cups: Hilary MacMillan dress. Wacoal bra. Sylvia Toledano earrings. Bralette looks: A–B cups: Savage x Fenty bra. Remain Birger Christensen shorts. Mounser earrings. C–D cups: Dries Van Noten top and skirt. Savage x Fenty bra. By Far sandals. Bondeye earrings. DD–DDD cups: Ted Baker blazer and pants. Savage x Fenty bra. Jimmy Choo heels. Joanna Laura Constantine earrings. G+ cups: Wray dress. Savage x Fenty bra. Labucq sandals. Bondeye earrings. Full-coverage bra looks: A–B cups: Calle Del Mar top. Chantelle bra. Agolde shorts. New Balance sneakers. Mounser and Loren Stewart necklaces. Klik Belts belt. C–D cups: Jonathan Simkhai top. Chantelle bra. Stine Goya skirt. Adidas sneakers. Jennifer Zeuner earrings. DD–DDD cups: Rails top. Chantelle bra. Ganni pants. Jennifer Fisher earrings. Notte necklace. G+ cups: Whit Two top and skirt. Chantelle bra. Daniella Shevel booties. Jean Riley earrings. Loren Stewart necklace. Sleep bra looks: A–B cups: JoosTricot sweater and shorts. True & Co. bra. Bychari earrings and necklace. C–D cups: LoveShackFancy top and pants. True & Co. bra. Mejuri earrings and necklace. DD–DDD cups: Bernadette robe. True & Co. bra. Sleeper shorts. Brother Vellies socks. Boy Cherie earrings. Gigi Clozeau necklaces. G+ cups: Summersalt top and pants. True & Co. bra. Wolf Circus earrings. Plunge bra looks: A–B cups: Cath Paname dress. Liberte bra. JoosTricot shorts. Sarah Noor earrings. C–D cups: Nanushka dress. Liberte bra. Manolo Blahnik heels. Mounser earrings. Pascale Monvoisin necklace. DD–DDD cups: Realisation Par dress. Liberte bra. Luv Aj earrings. 51 E John necklace. G+ cups: Draper James dress. Elomi bra. Mounser earrings. Strapless bra looks: A–B cups: Simon Miller dress. ThirdLove bra. Jimmy Choo heels. Jennifer Fisher earrings. C–D cups: & Other Stories top and pants. ThirdLove bra.Chelsea Paris sandals. Mejuri earrings. Loren Stewart necklaces. Bondeye pendant. DD–DDD cups: Simon Miller dress. ThirdLove bra. Aurelie Birdermann earrings. G+ cups: Mara Hoffman top. Karen Millen pants. ThirdLove bra. Jimmy Choo heels. Jennifer Zeuner earrings. Roberto Coin necklace. Wireless bra looks: A–B cups: The Attico dress. Knix bra. Roger Vivier heels. Loren Stewart earrings. C–D cups: Rosetta Getty top and skirt. Knix bra. Annie Costello Brown earrings. DD–DDD cups: Jacquemus dress. Knix bra. Uncommon Matters earrings. G+ cups: Eloquii dress. Knix bra. Chelsea Paris heels. Ming Yu Wang earrings. Balconette bra looks: A–B cups: Herve Leger top and skirt. Cuup bra. Sterling King earrings. C–D cups: Alejandra Alonso Rojas top and pants. Cuup bra. Alighieri earrings. DD–DDD cups: Rixo dress. Cuup bra. Vans sneakers. Mejuri earrings. Loren Stewart necklace. G+ cups: Tanya Taylor dress. Love, Vera bra. Jenny Bird earrings.
Rachel Torgerson is the fashion features and lifestyle director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing fashion and lifestyle coverage online, in print, and on our various social media platforms. She has over a decade of experience in the fashion and media industries. Before landing at Cosmopolitan as a digital fashion editor in 2016, she worked at Us Weekly, The Knot, and Fitness Magazine, among others. When she's not discussing runway trends, you can definitely catch her trying out (and, in many cases, failing) a new crochet cardigan pattern or in a spirited debate about the difference between the Bridgerton books vs the Netflix series. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @RachelTorgs
