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11 best strapless bras that flatter, lift and stay in place all day (even if you have big boobs)

The days of awkward bra hoisting and rejigging end here

Lauren Cunningham
Wednesday 26 April 2023 16:41 BST
Every bra tested was worn for a full day
Every bra tested was worn for a full day (The Independent)
Our Top Picks

Strapless bras are notoriously tricky to buy. We’re willing to bet even those who consider themselves lingerie connoisseurs have worn one that soon becomes a belt; one that’s so tight you can’t breathe; or one that gives serious mono-boob vibes.

But, whether you’re looking to wear a strapless dress or just dislike the straps on even the most comfortable bra, a good strapless bra is quite an essential for a well-prepared underwear drawer.

With wedding season on the horizon, now’s the time to start looking – lest you be the bridesmaid having to pull, push and rejig yourself into place before every picture, or the guest who just can’t get comfortable. If you’ve ever had to whip off your bra midway through dinner, this round-up is designed for you.

Searching everywhere from high-street go-tos to lingerie specialists, we’ve handpicked the best options for everyone, from those after an added lift; those with larger chests; and those who just want to keep things comfortable.

Take a look below at our round-up of the best strapless bras, all tried and tested, to help you find which one is best for you.

How we tested

Testing a strapless bra is quite straightforward, we wore each one for a full day – whether that was working from home, lifting boxes, running around the supermarket or even going to a concert. Key things to consider were how flattering a fit it was, how well it stayed in place and, perhaps most importantly, how comfortable it felt. Keep reading below to see which ones impressed.

The best strapless bras for 2023 are:

  • Best strapless braoverall – Wonderbra ultimate strapless bra: £48, Johnlewis.com
  • Best strapless brafor big boobs – Pour Moi definitions strapless bra: £26, Pourmoi.co.uk
  • Best strapless brafor exercise – Triumph flex smart padded bra: £46, Triumph.com
  • Best strapless bra for comfort – Skims fits everybody bandeau: £28, Skims.com
  • Best bargain strapless bra – George multiway underwired bra: £7, Asda.com

Wonderbra ultimate strapless bra

Wonderbra ultimate strapless bra indybest.jpg
  • Best: Overall
  • Size range: 32C – 38DD
  • Available colours: Black and nude
  • Padding style: Moulded and lightly padded

The name of this bra is hard to live up to, but it really did. Of course, Wonderbra was made famous thanks to its revolutionary bra designs, and with two patented technologies working to give it this status, it’s unsurprising we loved it so much.

Firstly, the bra has padded support in the form of hand-shaped polycarbonate, meaning it’s comfortable to wear with a natural lift that isn’t OTT.

Secondly, and possibly our favourite part of this bra, are the silicone dots. Instead of the plastic strip that usually features across the top and bottom edge of strapless bras, this one stays up through using non-irritating silicone dots across the wings. The result is a non-slip bra that holds in place without tugging.

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Pour Moi definitions strapless bra

Pour Moi definitions strapless bra.png
  • Best: For big boobs
  • Size range: 30B – 38G
  • Available colours: Black and natural
  • Padding style: Padded cups

Strapless bras and big boobs aren’t always a match made in heaven, but Pour Moi is here to put an end to that. Ranging from 30B to 38G, there’s something to suit a huge range of shapes and sizes.

The XL cups create the lift for larger chests while creating a smooth silhouette, and the simple back strap seems to work like magic while still feeling soft.

Detachable straps are also included, so you also have that added comfort for the occasions that call for it too.

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Triumph flex smart padded bra

Triumph flex smart padded bra.png
  • Best: For exercise
  • Size range: 32A – 42DD
  • Available colours: Sugar coral, soft praline, purple, moss light, black
  • Padding style: Padded cups

If you’ve ever wanted additional support under a sports bra, have a one-shouldered exercise top or one with tricky straps, you’re going to want to bag this bra. Super soft with no moulded cups or wires, it works wonders as both a sports bra and is a comfortable everyday find.

An extra-large back strap offers serious support, while strategically placed silicone stripes work to keep the bra in position. It does look a little odd without the straps, as the cups are quite high, but if you have a top that fits, it really is fabulous. And just one look at the colours available will delight anyone who wants to get away from basic black and beige.

We’ve worn this multiple times for working out, as well as around the house on cosy, comfy days.

  1. £23 from Triumph.com
Prices may vary
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Calvin Klein strapless bra

Calvin Klein strapless bra.png
  • Best: For getting on and off
  • Size range: 30B – 38DD
  • Available colours: Black and birch
  • Padding style: Lined cups with no padding

All strapless bras are slightly different, but this Calvin Klein option has one clever catch: a side closure made up of four hook and eye sets. Gone are the days of straining to reach around to your back, or fastening up at the front and flipping over. It’s a wonder why all bras don’t close this way.

There’s no silicone tape to keep it in place but we noticed no slipping, and at the back is a skin-hugging elastane, which makes it comfortable to wear no matter how you sit.

This bra also comes with removable straps for added support, but we were so impressed at how well it stayed up on its own, we got rid of these almost immediately.

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Skims fits everybody bandeau

Skims fits everybody bandeau bra  indybest.jpg
  • Best: For comfort
  • Size range: XXS – 4X
  • Available colours: Nine nude shades and 11 bright, seasonal colours
  • Padding style: No padding

More of a boob tube than a bra, this Skims bandeau has to be one of – if not the – most comfortable strapless bras on the market. Skims seems to build its bras with comfort in mind – we named its triangle bralette (£34, Skims.com) our best buy in a round-up of the best comfortable bras, so we didn’t expect anything less.

It pulls on either over the head or from the legs and up, and stretches to cover the full chest area. However, it’s still tight and takes quite a bit of tugging to pull down – great when you’re after a bra that doesn’t become a belt after a few hours.

If you’re looking for more of a bandeau top, then we’d also recommend this bra to be worn alone with trousers or jeans, and it comes in a great range of colours, from pink to blue, too.

Just note that, although there’s a good number of layers of fabric, there isn’t any padding, so nipple outlines may show.

  1. £28 from Skims.com
Prices may vary
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I.D. Sarrieri embroidered tulle bandeau bra

I.D. Sarrieri embroidered tulle bandeau bra.png
  • Best: For luxury-lovers
  • Size range: XS – XL
  • Available colours: Baby pink
  • Padding style: None

Luxury lingerie is a must for some, and few brands do it better than I.D. Sarrieri. Crafted from a delicate tulle and hand embroidered with tiny flowers, this pretty pink bra is sure to be the star of anyone’s underwear drawer. In fact, it made us feel absolutely fabulous as soon as we put it on.

Silky soft, it’s gentle against the skin, and although it doesn’t offer much support, with no wires or padding, it is incredibly comfortable, and top and bottom silicone strips make sure it doesn’t slip.

With a £170 price tag, it’s not going to be everyone’s pick. But for the boujie bra lovers who are looking to truly treat themselves (or someone else), we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.

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Boux Avenue strapless padded plunge bra

Boux Avenue strapless padded plunge bra indybest.jpg
  • Best: For staying up
  • Size range: 30A – 38DD
  • Available colours: Black, white, nude, bronze and chocolate
  • Padding style: Padded cups

This bra held up through a gig of dancing, jumping and sweating, which was an impressive achievement. Although it wasn’t quite as comfortable as the Skims model, its inner padding gave a subtle push without looking too Betty Boop-esque, but definitely helped to lift and perk.

With three sets of hook-and-eye clasps, compared with the regular two, it really does suck you in and also makes you stand taller too, which may be an added bonus for anyone working on their posture.

It also comes with multiway straps for versatile wear but, as it stays up so well on its own, we don’t think you’ll be needing them too often.

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M&S bodysoft padded strapless

M&S bodysoft padded strapless.png
  • Best: Balcony strapless bra
  • Size range: 32A – 42E
  • Available colours: White, black and opaline
  • Padding style: Padded cups

For those who prefer the lift and look of a balcony bra, they also come in strapless styles. And, of course, high-street stalwart M&S delivers.

Made from super-soft fabric, this style feels incredibly gentle against the skin, while lace details make it look a little bit more luxe.

There aren’t any silicone strips to keep the bra in place, but an inner elastic around the top and bottom ensures it stays put.

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Ann Summers sexy lace planet multiway bra

Ann Summers sexy lace planet multiway bra indybest.jpg
  • Best: For feeling sexy
  • Size range: 32A – 38DD
  • Available colours: Black
  • Padding style: Padded balcony cups

Ann Summers is known for being sexy – the stores alone project a sensual image that can be felt by just walking past. So, it’s no surprise this strapless bra is the sexiest option in our round-up.

With silicone strips on the top and bottom, it’s not shifting easily, and the four sets of hook and eyes also make for a more secure fit. There’s also under padding, which adds lift for a fuller look. The cups do seem bigger than other brands of the same size, but the ample padding helps to fill these.

With its lacy design, this is definitely a bra with wow factor, and it also comes with adjustable multi-way straps for ultimate versatile wear.

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Gossard superboost lace multiway strapless bra

Gossard superboost lace multiway strapless bra.png
  • Best: For size range
  • Size range: 32A – 38G
  • Available colours: Black and nude
  • Padding style: Removable push-up pads (DD – G cups are without padding)

Ranging in sizes, from 32A to 38G (and 44E), lingerie specialist Gossard is here to suit a huge range of breast shapes and sizes. After wearing this bra for just five minutes, we fell in love with it. The little lace detailing, back mesh panels and silky-feel cups made it feel incredibly luxe.

To help it stay up, silicone strips sit across the top and bottom of the back panels, but we didn’t feel them tug at all. Multiway straps are also included, making this a go-to black bra for all occasions.

  1. £46 from Gossard.com
Prices may vary
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George multiway underwired bra

George multiway underwired bra.png
  • Best: Bargain strapless bra
  • Size range: 32B – 38DD
  • Available colours: Light nude and black
  • Padding style: Padded cups

This George bra certainly isn’t the most comfortable one on our list, but coming in at well under £10, it is a true bargain buy. Available in both “light nude” and black (£7, George), it’s a simple, fuss-free basic, perfect for those looking to save some pennies.

The cups are slightly padded and quite soft, gently sculpting the chest. The back panels are made from mesh, which we found to be a lot more breathable.

Alongside the detachable straps are invisible ones too, giving you even more bang for your buck. What more could we ask for?

  1. £7 from Asda.com
Prices may vary
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The verdict: Strapless bras

We set out to find the best strapless bras without high hopes of finding many that are actually worth buying, but we discovered quite an extensive list from beautiful designs to incredibly comfy cops and everything in between.

Ultimately, Wonderbra stole the show, thanks to its patented technology and true staying support. But if you’re after something a little more comfortable, Skims and Triumph are true standouts, too.

For those with larger busts, Pour Moi is here to make strapless stress a thing of the past, while M&S proves yet again why it’s a high-street hero. George gives a great option for less than £10 and Ann Summers spices things up with its sexy styles.

Looking for lingerie to lounge in? These comfy bras are the best

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