In the imaginary address book that exists only in my mind, I have several important contact lists:
- People to text about Animal Crossing
- People to text whenever my favorite T-shirt is on sale
- People to text about boobs (mine and theirs)
When you have big boobs (mine are a DDD or F cup) it’s important to have a group of people with whom you can discuss new sports bra trials, complain about unnecessarily backless clothing items, and trade swimsuit recommendations at any given time. Obviously, bras—the good, the bad, and the ugly-but-comfortable-so-who-cares—also come up a lot.
I never have more than a couple of bras on rotation, so I take my recommendation-giving extremely seriously. I’ve spent the last three months switching between this minimizer bra from ThirdLove and this Girlfriend Collective sports bra, which is my personal equivalent of wearing no bra at all. Naturally, I’ve told all my big-boobed friends about both.
In an effort to widen my circle and remind everyone of the joy that is receiving a personal recommendation from someone with the same underwear struggles as you, I asked the below list of women to tell me about their favorite bra.
ThirdLove Cotton Plunge Bra
Recommended by Mecca James-Williams, a 36DD–H.
What is your favorite bra, and why? Right now, I am a huge fan of Hanro, CUUP, and ThirdLove, and each brand has my favorite styles for different reasons. Right now, my favorite bra is the 24/7 Pima Cotton Plunge Bra from ThirdLove—it fits amazingly! It gives me support and coverage while providing a sheer detailing for cleavage. It’s super comfortable, and during these quarantine slumbers and weight fluctuations, it provides me with such a good fit.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? My biggest bra pet peeve are thin straps that dig into your skin.
If this is your #1 bra, do you have a runner-up or second honorable mention? My runner-up is The Temptation Spacer Bra from Hanro. This bra fits my boobs and provides the perfect amount of cleavage when I’m going out. My third honorable mention is CUUP Scoop bra—the material & feel are everything.
CUUP The Balconette Bra
Recommended by Lulu Bonfils, a 36G
What is your favorite bra, and why? I have so many go-to bras and favorites for different reasons. I love the CUUP bras for day to day, I love the True and Co. bra for at home comfort, and I love Lonely Lingerie bras for comfortable detailed lingerie.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? My biggest bra pet peeve is a bra that doesn’t secure when you’re bending over and your boobs immediately fall out—it’s not the most practical for day to day.
If this is your #1 bra, do you have a runner-up or second honorable mention? My honorable mention would be the Savage X Fenty unlined bras. Unlined bras are my favorite and all I ever wear, and they have a great variety of prints to mix and match.
The Great Eros Triangle Bralette
Recommended by Patricia, a 38C
What is your favorite bra, and why? I usually prefer going braless, but whenever I need some extra support, I always reach for my Eros triangle bralette by The Great Eros. I love that it’s the perfect mix of comfortable and stylish. Wearing this gorgeous bra makes me feel confident, sensual, and powerful.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? I hate when bras have underwire that dig into my side. This bra is great because it offers the support I need with the comfort of a bralette.
If this is your #1 bra, do you have a runner-up or second honorable mention? My runner-up is the Pansy Co bralette in mauve. It’s made from soft organic cotton and makes the cutest set with any of my Pansy Co high-waisted briefs. It’s been my comfy cute go-to for ages.
True & Co Lifting Seamless Wirefree Triangle Bra
Recommended by Nora Taylor, a 36G
What is your favorite bra, and why? Pre-pandemic it was the CUUP Demi, but right now it’s the True Lifting Wirefree bra. This is maybe my favorite bra that doesn’t feel like a bra. It’s comfy, adjustable, AND I feel like I can wear it under a tank top and leave the house (lol)—the holy trinity of a quarantine bra situation. The lift isn’t like a Wonderbra lift, just regular style support that minimizes movement when I walk while still being very very comfortable. I have fallen asleep in this bra more times than I care to recount.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? Being generally uncomfortable?! Digging into my armpits, probably.
If this is your #1 bra, do you have a runner-up or second honorable mention? Oh, great, I’ll talk about the CUUP bra now. Let me just say that it’s not uncomfortable or anything—it really truly is one of the more comfortable bra-bra options out there—it’s that I’m just not in the emotional space for an underwire at the moment. But yeah, I love this bra! It’s sexy but easy to wear all day. It’s supportive without being too molded and feels very breathable.
ThirdLove Lace Contour Plunge Bra
Recommended by Katie Sturino, a 40DDD
What is your favorite bra, and why? I wear this one from ThirdLove.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? I hate when an underwire digs into my pit! I just won’t wear that type of bra.
If this is your #1 bra, do you have a runner-up or second honorable mention? The Girlfriend Collective sports bra!
Chantelle Parisian Allure Unlined Plunge Bra
Recommended by Tiffany Wilkinson, currently a 32H/34G at eight months pregnant.
What is your favorite bra, and why? For the past 10 years, I’ve been a ride-or-die Chantelle girl—they used to make a bra called the Chic Sexy, which I loved. (It’s sadly been discontinued, but if you can find one in your size, snap it up). During pregnancy I tried to put off shopping for new bras, knowing that my body was going to keep changing, but I was getting so uncomfortable in my old ones that I pulled the trigger on this style from Chantelle that seems to be an update on the old style I loved. It’s been one of the best purchases of my pregnancy, a real workhorse. I basically wear it every day except when it’s in the laundry. It’s supportive, the underwire doesn’t dig in, and I feel sexy in it.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? I really dislike padded or foamy bras, however many of the sheer mesh-cup bras don’t have enough structure or support in the cup, so all the work of holding up your boob is left to the underwire and the straps. Then those parts start to dig in. I love how Chantelle bras are un-padded but have enough structure in the cup to support my breast comfortably and in a flattering shape that looks good under clothes.
If this is your favorite bra, do you have a runner-up? This one from Fortnight offers loads of support without an underwire. The bralette category is often sized medium, large, XL, etc. This doesn’t really account for a smaller band/bigger cup ratio, so you end up with a loose band or a too-small cup. This bra gets a lot of support from the longer line band and sturdy mesh, and it comes in proper bra sizing so you can get the perfect fit.
Savage x Fenty Unlined Bra
Recommended by Micaéla Verrelien, a 34D
What is your favorite bra, and why? Savage x Fenty has some of my favorite bras. Not only are they comfortable, but they’re also so pretty, which has helped make me feel sexy even underneath my clothes…. It’s helped boost my confidence.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? My biggest pet peeve when it comes to wearing a bra is to actually have to wear a bra. The feeling of having something hold you up all day has never felt right with me. Reasons why I love Savage x Fenty is their bras actually don’t feel like you’re wearing anything, which is exactly what I want!
If this is your #1 bra, do you have a runner-up or second honorable mention? The only honorable mention I can give is to my mom for my genes and her telling me to sit up straight. Posture has a lot to do with how your breasts stand up. It has helped my breasts stand on their own, with or without a bra.
Savage X Fenty LoveLace Unlined Bra
Recommended by Jessica Leahy, a 36E
What is your favorite bra, and why? I love a good sports bra— I think it’s the number-one wardrobe investment anyone with boobs has to make. When you feel like you can move swiftly without risk of being smacked in the face by your own nipples, it’s quite literally a game changer.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? I guess for me the biggest pet peeve I have is just generally uncomfortable bras that keep circulating in my wardrobe. You know, the ones you only wear occasionally and once you’re too far from home you remember it’s the scratchiest, most ill-fitting thing, and you hate yourself for forgetting. Now when that happens, I take that bra off the second I get home and put it in the charity bin so it can’t trick me into wearing it again!
If this is your favorite bra, do you have a runner-up? I guess if my sports bra is all about function, then for something pretty I can always hit up Savage x Fenty. I know they have really inclusive sizes, and I just generally love the sexy styles that are also really supportive.
MeUndies U-Back Bralette
Recommended by Sydney Grace, a 40D
What is your favorite bra, and why? My favorite bra is the MeUndies U-back bralette because it’s supportive but has no cups or underwire, so it’s super comfy! I’m normally #freethenip, but if I am wearing a bra, it’s almost always one from MeUndies.
What are your biggest bra pet peeves, and how does this bra avoid them? My biggest bra fit pet peeves are straps that don’t stay put and feeling like I’m being suffocated by a tight band! Anything that makes me continually readjust usually results in me promptly taking off said bra, but the MeUndies bralettes are no-frills and no adjustments needed.
If this is your favorite bra, do you have a runner-up? Yes! My runner-up is the True & Co True Body Lift Scoop Neck Bra. It’s super soft and comfortable, and I’ve even worn mine out as a tank before!
Feature Image: Mecca James-Williams, Photographed By Sabrina Santiago
