You all know the importance of making sure that you wear the right size bra and that it fits well. But, what about if you’re lucky enough to have a shapely figure? What are the best bras for large breasts?
The problem many women with larger bust sizes can have is that bras for those whose cup size is more than a C tend not to be as fashion-forward.
Not only that, but it’s even more important to choose a bra based not just on looks alone, but on comfort and support.
Best fitting bras
You want to make sure that your bust is sitting where it should be, and not heading towards your waistband. Having the right undergarments will make your outer garments look a million times better.
Experts suggest that it’s just as important to change your bra as it is your toothbrush. You should be aiming to add a new bra, and discard any that are no longer offering the right support, every six months.
You also need to be sure that the support is coming from the band and not the shoulder straps, otherwise, you will find they are digging into your shoulders.
Check out our list of the best strapless bras for women over 40.
Tips to find the best fitting bra for larger busts
1. Look at the straps
When you have a big bust, you know that a larger bust can weigh a lot. So you need straps that will support that weight. Look for thicker straps rather than thin straps that will dig into your shoulders.
Wacoal Awareness Full Figure Underwire Bra
2. The back is important for support
While it’s easy to concentrate on the front when it comes to your bra, the back is just as important. Look for a bra with a wider back as this will distribute the support. As a general rule, a bra with three hook and eye fastenings will work.
Vanity Fair Full Figure Beauty Back Smoothing Bra
3. A full cup will be a good choice
A full cup will support your whole bust, and will give you a more supportive feeling as you move around. After all, you don’t want to feel as if your bust will fall out when you bend over.
Vanity Fair Illumination Full Figure Zoned-In Support Bra
4. Where do you want your support?
Depending on your bust, you may want to look at different types of support. For example, do you want uplift? Or, if your bust is wide apart, then you will want to look at bras that offer side support too to bring it together.
Freya Starlight Underwire Side Support Bra
5. Find your right size
It goes without saying that you need the right size. Go for a physical fitting, or measure yourself, making sure the tape measure is flat and you measure around the fullest part of your bust.
Best place to buy bras online
So, where should you shop if you have a fuller chest? Here are the best suggestions from the stylish, larger busted, women of the 40+ Style Community.
Don’t forget to add your own tips to the comments below if I’ve missed anywhere that you like to shop.
Top recommendations for the best bras for large breasts
Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer has long been the place to go in the UK for comfortable underwear and is fast becoming a US favorite too.
M&S was praised for bras without underwire which are just as supportive as those with.
“Good old m&s do very good supportive, super soft fabric bras without underwires that support as good as wired.” – Becky
Marks & Spencer Marseilles Lace Wired Balcony Bra
Natori
Natori was recommended by a 30DDD 40+ Style Community member.
“I’m 36DDD and love Natori Brand. They are the most comfortable out of the brands I have tried.” – Andrea
Natori Pure Luxe Custom Coverage Contour Bra
Chantelle Intimates
Chantelle sizes go up to a DDD and there’s a range of styles from smooth line t-shirt bras, to full coverage, sports, and minimizer bras if you want to downplay your bust.
Chantelle Basic Invisible Smooth Custom Fit Bra
This is another great option from Chantelle, which not only offers support, but also some sex appeal.
Chantelle Rive Gauche Full Coverage Unlined Bra
Elomi
Elomi was another popular recommendation, and it’s available at Nordstrom, so easy to find. There’s a good range from soft-molded everyday lingerie, to sports bras and bras which are a little more special.
Elomi Plus Size Charley T-Shirt Seamless Breathable Spacer Underwire Bra
Elomi Plus Size Smooth Underwire Molded Bra
Soma
Soma bras were a recommendation for comfort. Although it’s not a cheap option, I think it’s worth investing in bras.
This Vanishing 360 bra comes in many colors. Customer reviews say it is smoothing, comfortable… and sexy!
“It fits better, more supportive, and the cups don’t gap at the top. I love the mesh, I love the cups, I love the side smoothers!” – Annabelle
SOMA Vanishing 360 Perfect Coverage Bra
Fantasie
Another winning option from the 40+ Style Community from a very stylish woman who wears an F/G cup is the Fantasie brand.
“Fantasie bras are really good. Pretty and they specialise in larger busts.” – Lorraine
The Fantasie bra (below) has great reviews from women who say it is super comfortable and offers the best side support ever.
Fantasie Illusion Underwire Side Support Full Coverage Bra
TRIUMPH
The Triumph Finesse padded bra is a perfect everyday T-shirt bra. One reviewer said that it molds perfectly to her shape and gives her a nice natural smooth look.
Triumph Modern Finesse Padded Bra
Empreinte
Empreinte is praised by women with fuller busts for offers coverage, for lace which isn’t scratchy and for providing a seam free appearance under clothing.
Empreinte Cassiopee Seamless Full Cup Bra
PrimaDonna
The PrimaDonna bra is a top choice too among women with big busts. One reviewer said it is comfortable right out of the box and provides good support.
PrimaDonna Madison Full Cup Bra
ThirdLove
I like ThirdLove as it has a handy bra size quiz where you can answer questions about which size you usually wear, whether it fits properly, any issues such as straps digging in or band riding up, and then you will get suggestions about whether you need a different size.
This ThirdLove lace contour plunge bra is a good option if you are looking for the best plus size bras.
ThirdLove Lace Contour Plunge Bra
Curvy Kate
Another brand recommended for plus size is Curvy Kate, which aims to give sexy bra options to women with larger bust sizes.
Curvy Kate Lifestyle Plunge Bra
Glamorise
If you prefer a front-closure bra, how about the Glamorise bra (below), which has a choice of colors, and features side-bust control. Reviewers say it offers support and shape, describing it as practical and pretty.
Glamorise Plus Size Wonderwire Front-Closure Bra Underwire
Best minimizer bras
A minimizer bra can be a useful tool for you if you find you have shirts which should be the correct size for you, but which gap at the front.
Rather than having to buy a shirt in a larger size, a minimizer bra can solve this problem so that you can fasten your buttons without gaping.
wacoal
One of the brands recommended for minimizer bras is Wacoal.
Wacoal Plus Size Visual Effects Minimizer Bra
HSIA
For a pretty, lacy choice, you could also try the HSIA eyelash lace bra (below). Wearers describe the fit as “spectacular”.
HSIA Minimizer Unlined Eyelash Lace Underwire Bra
Deyllo
For a minimizing effect with full coverage, you could opt for the wire-free choice (below), which women say they can wear for hours without feeling uncomfortable.
Deyllo Full Coverage Minimizer Bra
Wire free bras for big busts
One of the major problems for those of you with large breasts can be discomfort.
While bralettes and sports bras worn as everyday bras have been proving increasingly popular in the past couple of years, it can be hard to find options which deliver genuine support.
And, I have to say, when looking at reviews for many options, it was difficult to find a wireless bra which women agreed offered enough support. However, the options below are all well reviewed.
playtex
The Playtex bra (below) is designed to be worn for 18 hours without any discomfort. Reviewers say it is the perfect bra for everyday, under t-shirt wear.
Playtex 18 Hour Active Breathable Comfort Wireless Bra
wingslove
The Wingslove bra (below) has wide straps to ensure they don’t dig into your shoulders, and it comes in a good choice of colors.
Wingslove Full Figure Wireless Minimizer Bra
Glamorise
The Glamorise bra (below) has a supportive band to provide uplift without wires. Reviewers say it offers excellent support and is made from quality material.
Glamorise Full Figure Plus Size MagicLift Original Support Wire-free Bra
Best sports bras for large breasts
One of the biggest challenges if you have a large bust can be finding a great sports bra which supports you and allows you to concentrate on your game, or exercise, without fears of bouncing around or spilling out.
One of the 40+ style club members recently asked for recommendations for a good sports bra without any side spillage.
wacoal
The best recommendation was this high-impact sports bra by Wacoal which has great reviews.
It has an inner side sling in the cups to offer additional support and 40+ style club members praised it for also having a hook-and-eye fastening, making it easier to get in and out of than other sports bras.
“I have three of these bras. My only wish is that they would come in more colors. Finding something comfortable and supportive for someone who is a 34DDD isn’t easy, let alone in a sport bra.” – Katie
Wacoal Sport High-Impact Underwire Bra
Glamorise
Glamorise also has a well-reviewed sports bra choice. Reviewers say it offers very good support, but it does run small.
Glamorise Plus Size Hi-Impact Sports Underwire Bra
A good sports bra when you have a larger bust really can make the difference between wanting to exercise and not wanting to move around because you feel so uncomfortable.
Other top sports bra recommendations are below.
View all our recommendation for the best sports bras here.
Whether you want to highlight a large bust or downplay it, you may like this piece on how to dress the large bust.
Of course, if you are more of an A cup than a DD, you may wish to take a look at this article on how to dress the smaller bust.
I’m sure that with all these recommendation, you will be able to find the best bra for your large breasts!
If you already found yours, we would love to have your recommendations on the best bras for large breasts!
What are the best bras for large breasts that you have found? Let us know in the comments.
Continue reading:
- How To Dress When You Have A Large Bust
- The Best Bras For Small Bust Sizes AND What To Wear If You Have Smaller Breasts
- The Best Sports Bra Options For Active Women
- Classy lingerie for women
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The straps come down on all of my bras. Looking for 34DDD with a little push up that straps stay in place. Any suggestions?
Great suggestions! I wore a 34K then I had breast reduction reduction surgery and I’m now a 34GG. I’m would also recommend:
– Bravissimo for large cup bras (many of the brands recommended) but also clothing specifically made for large breasts. For example, simple wire button down shirt with extra boob space so there’s no button gap.
– Shock Absorber for sports bras. This bra made it possible for me to run and workout comfortably. Practically a miracle.
– A couple other much loved brands include Panache, Freya and Fantasie.
A final comment about price. Well made bras can be crazy expensive. Most brands make fashion colors twice a year. If you know your size, Amazon is a great place to buy bras. The last season fashion colors are often up to half off. You may have to get creative wearing the white floral bra with hot pink lace, but black and navy don’t show the pattern.
What bra would you recommend for size 40F or a sister size with super super great support with some cleavage? That’s a lot to ask I know. My girls are very heavy. I also have this little bit that pops out of the cup so I am constantly trying to put it back in. Any suggestions?
Hey Sandy, I hear you! I have had great success and much love with Panache Andorra and Tango styles. You might be wearing the wrong size too. If the majority of the weight is supported by the straps, it’s the wrong size. Try going down in band size and up in cup size. Good luck!
I wear a 38 H and Glamorise sports bra have proven to be very supportive and comfortable. I have become a recent Third Love patron. I am enjoying these beautiful and comfortable bras. They are the only bras I have worn recently that the underwire lies flat and doesn’t poke out.
I am a full size 36G/H depending on bra. I have been wearing an Elomi but also have worn bali and wacoal minimizer. I just want something comfortable and will not dig into my shoulders.
Thanks for this article. I’ve gained a lot of weight recently, and this reminded me to get a fitting at a local lingerie store.
back smoothing is the most important to me. I measure a 36 but when I buy 36 D or DD the band slides up over my breast…or maybe my breasts slide down, either way it’s very annoying. So I go snugger w/a 34 and then even though I’m not overweight the “looser skin” we get when we age bulges over. Are there any solutions???
The same problems occur for women with smaller breast-especially seniors whose breast have lost a lot of the fullness. Someone commented on the different shape of peoples breast but I will add that the position of the nipple also plays a part in the shape. If it points out toward the armpit, that makes it difficult to find bras that don’t have a gap when you wear them. I also agree with that person about the straps-narrow shoulders means falling straps and no support for the breast. Even small breast [32A] need support to be healthy and in the correct position. So hard to find and too expensive to discard every 6 months.
I love Marie Jo bras, they’re comfy and pretty.
Most bras are designed for women whose body shape (at the band) is an oval whose longer width goes side to side. There are some women whose body shape is an oval with the longer width going back to front. (Hard to describe!). The styles with widely spaced straps do not work on us. If you look at all the styles, the straps on most of them start in the front closer to the armpits, with a majority of the cup being unsupported by the strap. What us front to back oval people need are straps that are closer to the neck, and in back attaching closer to the middle. Hard to find!
I’m a fan of Bravissimo, a U.K.-based company that offers free U.S. shipping when the order reaches a certain amount. They specialize in bras AND clothing for larger-busted women. Before finding them, I was never able to find button-down shirts that fit my small shoulders and 32DD bust. Bravissimo button downs come in standard sizes (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, etc.), but offer different bust dimensions within a given size. The quality-for-price is good, and their customer service and return process are top-notch . My only complaint is that I was disappointed in their t-shirt bras because the fabric puckers. I had to send back the one I ordered.
How about strapless options?
I’m a 42DDD and I’m struggling to find a good strapless bra.
Thank you for this post! I have always struggled to find a good bra. As I get older I’m more and more uncomfortable in bras. I only know of a couple that fit right (wacoal/and maiden form’s lillyette) I have tried Freya because they’re so beautiful but somehow they gap at the top. Now I have more to explore with these recommendations. Thank you.
Glad to know this was useful to you Maria!
I appreciate this article to help and assist women with larger breasts, and a lot of our society seems to be focused on breast size and increasing it, where are the articles and help on flat chested/smaller breast sized women?
We wrote about that at https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-dress-when-you-have-a-small-bust/
I hope the link posted correctly below. The sports bra I found on amazon is made by Wingslove. My size is 42G. I started getting compliments about how I looked smaller immediately. My boobs don’t move at all! The bra is comfy and has no underwire. Amazon takes return if you don’t like. For $25 or less, this is a great deal!
Thanks for the recommendation Patricia. I’ve added it to the article.