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I used to love my boobs. My body-proportionate, sits-where-they’re-assigned boobs. But after birthing two children, whom I nursed for eight and nine months, respectively, “the girls” have gone wayward. They’ve deflated. What once was up here is now down there. They have not gotten their groove back, as it were.
This wasn’t much of an issue until I stopped nursing my second (and last!) child. I realized the shape of my chest was, more often than not, a uni-boob. The ill-fitting, overwashed, cotton bras I was wearing––veritable boob hammocks––were no help, either. Something had to give. I wanted bras that would make me feel good. I wanted lift and shape and maybe just a tad more confidence in a V-neck.
But not just any bra would do. As a mom, I’m always on the move. Lord knows what sort of contortions I’ll be required to twist my body into at the service of my tiny dictators. I demand comfort from my bras, but also movability. Coverage––but a little cleavage. Adequate stretch, but ample support. And I want to feel nice, too. Is that so much to ask?
Thankfully, the Internet heard me and said, “No, it’s not too much,” and served me with enough bra ads to cover my boobs for decades. The good news? Gone are the WonderBras of yore. Today’s best bras are chic, comfortable, and flattering. From unlined t-shirt bras to lacey little numbers, these are some of the best bras for shape, lift, and overall umph.
Best Unlined Bras with Underwire
I’m not a Kardashian person, I gotta give it to ‘em. The hype is real. At my ripe 42 years of age, I have never worn a bra as soft, flattering, and comfortable as this one. And it has underwire! I thought I hated all underwire bras until I found this one. The fabric is buttery soft, stretchy, lightweight, and breathable. And it doesn’t stretch out, even after several wears. The bra keeps its shape, gives a nice lift, and keeps the girls in their place. I also love that the band size goes up to 46 and the cup size to an H. Inclusivity for the win!
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This bra is similar to the Skims bra in that they’re both flattering and comfortable with a second-skin fit. What I love about this one, though, is that it's made from a satiny microfiber that makes it easy to wear with t-shirts and other cotton styles. It’s got wider straps than the Skims bra––so watch out, spaghetti-strap summer––but for an everyday style, it’s perfect. It’s on the pricier side, so I chose a neutral color to wear it with almost anything. (If you want a deeper V, The Plunge Bra is also a great choice for lift, shape, and comfort.) While I may not be buying multiples, it makes me want to find out if their swimwear is as good as this bra.
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Best Unlined Bras With No Underwire
This bra has nice stretch, subtle support, and most of all, it’s comfortable. But what stands out to me most is its side-boob coverage. I’m not trying to show off my side boob, OK? I want negative visible side book (no pun intended). While this silhouette also comes in a feather-soft “Whipped” micro modal stretch fabric, I actually prefer this breathable micromesh fabric. It offers more lift. Though, if lift and support are the main things you’re after, this may not be the bra for you. An unlined, non-wire silhouette will only take your boobs so far (or high). And if you want longevity, be sure to hand wash your bra. It will lose some integrity over time if washed and dried in the machine. (She says from experience.)
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This is still not a story about nursing bras––more on that at the end––but if you are still nursing or pumping, or maybe you’re just not ready for “real” bras yet, this plush and stretchy, 70% bamboo bra is an unbelievably comfortable choice. Like me, you may have previously only known Kyte for their plush sleep sacks (of which we own three). But they actually have an entire line of intimates. This bra falls into my category of “comfort daytime bras.” While it’s not as supportive as the underwire bras, it’s a step up from a lot of other traditional crossover bras that either smoosh boobs into submission or give shockingly little support.
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Best Lined T-Shirt Bras
I. Love. This. Bra. I can’t believe I’m using such a glowing four-letter word to describe it, but here we are. One of the things that makes this seamless bra so unique is SoftWire®, a wireless wire (I know!) that offers the same support of underwire, but without the discomfort. It also has this lovely flexible, second-skin fabric. It provides plenty of coverage, but it’s far from a grandma bra, and it offers ample support. What I love most, however, is that this bra stays in place. One of my biggest issues is when my bra band constantly rises, leaving me tugging at my sides all day. But this bra, somehow, stays put. It’s comfortable, it’s cute, it’s a 10. (The 3D Precision Bra® is also worth exploring.)
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Thirdlove has a reputation for making quality bras in a variety of silhouettes and sizes. This bra comes in 45 sizes (A–H + half cups, 32–42 bands) and has super-soft memory foam cups that offer breathability, shape, and support. It can also be hard to find a supportive bra with sufficient coverage that doesn’t feel like you’re wearing the world’s most modest grandma bra. This is not that. It offers demi coverage and has thin straps, which may not work for everyone, but it’s a good option for those looking for adequate support and shape without sacrificing comfort. It does have underwire, but I didn’t find this to be an issue. The Comfort Stretch Back Smoothing Bra is also a great choice if you want more coverage under the arms and back.
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Best Occasion Bra
Ever since I was, oh, not 25, I haven’t had much interest in wearing scratchy lace bras with underwire. I have a few that I’ll don on date night or if a slinky slip dress calls for it, but for the most part, I’m largely avoiding bras like this because they’re just so damn uncomfortable. But not this one. Before this bra, I didn’t think it was possible to have a beautiful lace bra that I actually wanted to wear. Not only is this French-inspired style a gorgeous, flattering silhouette, but it’s also got a bit of stretch. The cups are lined with tulle, so there’s no scratchy fabrics to compete with. My only complaint is that, while the cup size goes up to G, the band size stops at 36, which is, um, the minority of women, to say the least. There’s no denying that the Journelle bras are gorgeous and that there are many options. Let’s just hope sizing gets slightly more inclusive.
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Oh, and that note on nursing bras––
If you’ve been led to this article because you, too, have mom boobs that are maybe still doing the work of feeding a baby, I can say with confidence that my favorite nursing and pumping bra was the Bodily Do Everything Bra ($58). It’s pricier than your average Amazon Pack of 3 nursing bras, which have their place, too, but it’s worth it. During my first pregnancy, I relied solely on cheap, ugly nursing bras. (It was the pandemic! I never went anywhere! Who cares if I’m a frumpy sack of milk!) I realized the second time around, though, that I was tired of feeling gross in my clothes, my skin, and even my nursing bras. This Bodily bra can be a nursing or pumping bra (for wearable and traditional pumps), which I love, but it also feels nice, offers lots of coverage, and it looks nice. It helped me feel less like walking milk-on-tap, and more like the vivacious mom that I am.
Little ole bras can make a big difference
It may sound silly that something as simple as a bra can change your attitude, but it’s true. Moms, especially, will resonate when I say: after children, it can be easy to get lost. We spend so much of our time taking care of our kids, our work, our homes, our friendships, and our partnerships that, even though our needs grow in size, too, the space for them gets smaller. Purposeful intentions, like making time for an Everything Shower or wearing a bra that makes you feel beautiful, can give you the boost you need to get through a long day. Maybe it just makes you smile, and that’s worth something. Because if mamma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
