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Strapless bras for large busts are constructed differently from those for smaller busts because “someone with a D cup or higher needs a lot more support than someone with a B or C cup,” says Lori Kaplan, a bra and undergarment expert and educator. Below are the most important features experts suggest looking for in a strapless bra if you have large breasts. Each of the strapless bras I recommend aligns with expert guidance.
All of the strapless bras for large breasts I recommend below extend beyond a D cup and a 40 band size. Per experts’ guidance, each option is made with underwire, molded full-coverage cups, a prominent bridge, wide adjustable bands and wide side panels. In addition to browsing the options on my list, Kaplan suggests trying a strapless bra from a brand you’ve previously bought from — if you like how its T-shirt bra fits you, for example, you’re likely to feel the same about its strapless bra and easily pick out the right size.
Kaplan owned a bra fitting salon and retail store in New York City for over 25 years, and says Wacoal’s Red Carpet Strapless Bra was a bestseller among clients with large breasts. “Since it goes up to an I cup, it fits a broad range of sizes, especially for those who need small bands and big cups,” says Kaplan. The strapless bra’s foam cups are covered in smooth fabric so you don’t see wrinkling under clothing, and its band is cushioned for extra comfort. There’s also a medical-grade silicone strip along the top and bottom edge of the band to keep the undergarment in place.
This bra was another bestseller among those with large busts at Kaplan’s store. “It’s a phenomenally fitting strapless bra, and although it’s a big, bulky contraption, it gets those girls up there.” The undergarment’s padded cups are separated into four sections with seams to shape your chest, and there’s plastic boning in the side seams to add extra support. The side panels of the bra are double layered to feel soft against your skin and look smooth under clothing, plus there’s silicone elastic grips on the top and bottom.
I’ve worn Thirdlove’s bras for years, and since I’m familiar with how a few of its styles fit me, I wasn’t surprised that the 24/7 Classic Strapless works well for my chest. I feel incredibly secure in it, whether I put it underneath a skin-tight top or loose, flowy dress, and because its foam cups offer so much coverage, I never worry about spillage. There’s also no-slip silicone grips on the top and bottom of the band — I rarely fidget with the bra or pull it up, so the grips are definitely effective. One of my favorite parts of the bra is its smooth band that lays so flat against my skin, it practically becomes part of my body. Like all of Thirdlove’s other bras, the Classic Strapless comes in half cup sizes for a more precise fit, especially if you’re between cup sizes.
It’s inevitable that standard strapless bras will slip down a little bit during wear (due to gravity) for most breast sizes, according to the experts I talked to. If you want to avoid as much slippage as possible, opt for a longline strapless bra, which has an extended band that goes further down your torso, giving it more surface area to grip to your body. The band on Parfait’s Elissa Full Busted Strapless Bustier hits at most people’s waist, and there’s silicone elastic along the neckline and the top back area for extra grip. The bra has lightly padded foam cups, and its extended band has a slight shaping effect along the torso.
While I haven’t personally tried Skims’ strapless bra, my friends rave about how well it holds up their larger chests, and it meets experts’ shopping guidance. The bra is made with lightly padded cups, two-ply side panels lined with grippy silicone tape and a cushioned band. Its fabric has a buttery soft, stretchy feel, and it’s one of Skims’ most lightweight and breathable options.
Strapless bras for large breasts can be quite bulky, so some people find them uncomfortable. They also don’t work for backless tops and dresses, or those made from sheer fabric. There are a few alternatives, like adhesive bras and breast tape, but they have limitations.
“These alternatives provide lift and shaping without visible bands or straps, but they don’t offer the same level of support or long-term comfort as a strapless bra, especially for larger busts,” says Cohen. “Ultimately, it comes down to the outfit: adhesives shine when you need a barely-there solution, while a strapless bra is the more supportive, reliable, fuss-free and comfortable choice when an outfit simply calls for bare shoulders.” Cohen also says adhesive alternatives depend on clean, dry skin to stick properly, so they often don’t hold up well in heat or humidity.
Despite their drawbacks, you may still want to consider strapless bra alternatives depending on what you’re wearing. Here are two that experts recommend.
Sticky bras are backless, strapless cups that adhere to each individual breast, lifting and supporting them. Kaplan recommends Nood’s Game Changer Lift & Shape Bra because it’s made from a heavy, water-resistant hemp fabric and medical-grade adhesive. One of her former employees, who is a HH cup, uses it when she wears strappy or halter tops. “It’s so supportive that she can jump up and down while wearing it,” says Kaplan.
You get four single-use pairs of Nood’s sticky cups per pack, which are available in four neutral shades and four sizes. Each size fits a range of cups and bands, from 28AA to 38K. If you’re between sizes, the brand recommends sizing up — you can trim the cups to be smaller if needed. Nood suggests stacking multiple adhesive cups together for extra support, or adding breast tape strips. The brand has detailed application and removal directions on its website.
“Breast tape works especially well if you wear a top or dress that has some structure to it, but it takes a little trial-and-error to figure out where to place the strips and how many to add,” says Kaplan. The main benefit of breast tape is its versatility. You can cut strips to be any length, so you have full control over how much lift you give your chest and how you shape it, as well as where the stips go to accommodate specific necklines, backless styles, cutouts and straps. I agree with Kaplan that application can be tricky, but there’s lots of tutorials available online, including ones that address specific clothing styles, so there’s a low barrier to entry.
I bought Risqué Boob Tape to wear with a wedding guest dress that had very thin straps. I needed bare shoulders, but a strapless bra was too bulky to wear underneath — this tape was the ideal alternative because it gave me the lift, support and shape my chest needed, but was thin enough that you couldn’t see it under the fitted fabric. The tape was easy to apply once I got the hang of it, and I layered a few pieces to make it extra strong so I could comfortably dance without worrying about anything bouncing or popping out. I wore the tape for hours with no issues, and I didn’t experience skin irritation. Removal was simple, too — I soaked the tape in baby oil, let it sit for a few minutes and peeled it off.
While wearing a strapless bra, you shouldn’t feel like you’re constantly fighting with it. The band should remain in place, your breasts should stay in the cups and you should be comfortable enough to move freely, says Cohen. If any of those things aren’t happening, there’s a problem. Here are a few specific ways you can tell if your strapless bra doesn’t fit properly, according to Cohen and Kaplan. You can also visit a professional bra fitter in person to find your perfect match.
No, you should not go down a band size when buying a strapless bra, says Kaplan, although it’s a common misconception. “Your strapless bra should be the same size as your everyday bra,” she says. Each brands’ strapless bras fit differently, however, so if you try your typical size and it feels off, you may need to size up or down, or experiment with another option.
The best way to clean your strapless bra is according to the care directions on its tag. (You can use an iPhone to look up the symbols on the tag if you don’t know what they mean). But you don’t have to wash it every time you wear it, says Kaplan. Clean it every two or three wears, unless you sweat in it or it gets visibly dirty.
Generally, similar to all other types of bras, brands recommend handwashing strapless bras with cold water and a gentle, lingerie-specific laundry detergent (my favorite is from Soak). If you have to put it in the washing machine, put it in a garment bag, use a gentle setting and add lingerie-specific laundry detergent, says Kaplan (I use a detergent from The Laundress). Regardless of how you’re washing your bra, always air dry it — the dryer’s heat degrades the
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who writes about apparel, covering topics like wireless bras, sports bras and bralettes. For this article, I interviewed two bra experts about how to shop for strapless bras if you have large breasts. Using experts’ guidance, and my own personal experience as someone who wears a D cup, I curated a list of strapless bras to consider, some of which I’ve tested myself.
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