Three essential bra styles every woman should own

There are so many bra styles, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’ve never put much thought behind your bra collection before and have no idea where to start, these are the three must-have bra styles we’d recommend. With these three bras on-hand, you’ll be able to wear almost anything with confidence and comfort. And then, of course, you can build your bra wardrobe from there.

Learn more about all the different bra styles (and find your perfect fit) here.

Best bra for perfect shape: T-Shirt Bra

Our first must-have style? An underwire, demi-cup, lightly padded bra — aka, the t-shirt bra. If someone asked you to visualize a bra, this is probably the image that would come to mind. 

The t-shirt bra will give you a ton of lift and support from the underwire and straps, great shape and modesty from the bra’s sturdy foam pads, and the ability to customize your fit thanks to its adjustable straps and band. In fact, the reason we call them t-shirt bras is because they’re supposed to give you the perfect shape underneath a t-shirt without showing through. 

Reasons to choose an underwire bra: 

• You have a large chest that needs heavy support. While many wire-free bras can pretty closely match the support level of an underwire bra, for women with very large breasts whose priority is support, a sturdy metal underwire is the best option.
• Your breasts are causing back pain. Heavy duty sports bras with a large surface area might be the most supportive and comfortable option for back pain, but they simply don’t work with many outfits. Plus, sports bras will compress the shape and size of your breasts. If you want something that works with lower cut tops that maintains your silhouette, a heavy metal underwire bra is a great option to give you enough support to hopefully alleviate your pain. 
• You have a relaxed breast shape. For breast shapes that need more lift than others, an underwire is a great choice to help lift, shape, and separate your breasts. For help determining what shape your breasts are, check out our post here. 
• You want minimal coverage. A way that supportive wireless bras make up for the lack of wire is by increasing the surface area of the bra, which can make them a bit more full coverage. An underwire bra can get away with having a much smaller cup, which can be more easily concealed under low cut tops and dresses. 

Pro tip: White bras sometimes show through a white t-shirt. Get a bra that matches your skin tone, and it will be totally invisible under your top. 

Comfortable bra for daily use: Wireless bra

PIck number two is a wireless bra.

Sometimes, you just don’t want to wear underwire, but you still need a bra that works. Wireless bras are comfortable and supportive. If you have a smaller chest, you can get away with a bralette, but if you need more support, you’ll want to look for wireless bras that have support structures built in. 

Features to look for when choosing a wireless bra: 

• A strong underband and cradle, which is the part of the bra that encircles the breasts, can be achieved without an underwire. One method is to employ bonding, which is an adhesive that stabilizes fabric layers in the cradle. Another option is to use silicone, which stretches and recovers in a way that’s similar to elastic, to provide comfortable grip and support.
• Molded cups provide separation and support. Earlier bras used to rely on seams to achieve a rounded cup. Today, that effect can be achieved by heating up the fabric with a rounded mold that creates a more natural, seamless shape.
• Flexible boning can be added on either side of the chest for extra stability. This method also mimics the side support you would get with a traditional bra without needing to include a stiff underwire.
• An extra layer of fabric is placed at the bottom of the breast, which is known as a bra sling. This fabric often has less stretch than the rest of the bra fabric, and that rigidity holds the breasts up. Think of it as a little hammock.
• The band of the bra can be extended down the body to create a longer, sturdier base.

Pro tip: Wireless bras are great to have on hand during that time of the month because they can usually accommodate multiple cup sizes. If your body is fluctuating, this bra is your best friend!

Supportive bra without straps: Strapless bra

Pick number three is a strapless bra. 

Sometimes, you just can’t get away with a bra that has straps. In these instances, you can either go braless, or you can opt for something strapless. The most classic version of this is a strapless underwire bra. 

Features to look for when choosing a strapless bra: 

• The bra's foam cups should be more firm than a regular bra so they don’t collapse from the weight of your breast tissue. Sturdy cups are key. 
• Look for a wider band. When you eliminate the straps, you remove one of the pieces that helps it to be more balanced. Having a wider band will help create that cross-pull. 80% of your bra’s support comes from the band, so this will be key in maintaining the level of support you expect out of a bra.
• Make sure there’s sturdy underwire. While a bra with straps might have a slightly more flexible underwire, you want the wire in your strapless bra to be a bit thicker to increase the bra’s overall supportiveness.
• Look for a silicone gripper along the inside of the bra. This isn’t the best option for people with super sensitive skin, but most people have no problem tolerating the adhesive. It activates with your body heat to prevent slippage.
• You might notice the top of the band is tighter than your bottom band. That’s intentional and a good thing as that slight grading can keep the bra from slipping. Your top band will fit more snug than it will in a standard bra. This is a good thing. 

Pro tip: Look for a strapless bra with removable straps. You can convert these to work underneath one-shoulder tops or cross them in the back to hide under racerback shirt styles.