The Bra Buster (Part One)

Product Information

We washed this bra five times in the Lab and noticed minimal changes in appearance, though the brand recommends hand washing this style for best results over time. In our stretch recovery tests, the bottom band of this bra did stretch out a bit. We appreciated its super smooth nylon/polyester fabric. This bra maintained its shape after being stretched in our Lab, acing our stretch recovery tests. Just be sure to hand-wash this bra carefully for best results, as it shrunk a bit when we machine laundered it. upvotes Follow Unfollow 4 years ago Dots Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The band should be level with your ribcage without riding up, and the center gore, the section of the bra that stretches between the two cups, should lie flat against your breastbone. Unlike most bras where you shop by the band and cup size, this one ranges from small to 3X and has a size guide to follow when you buy. It's designed for band sizes 34 through 46 — which is a wider range than most styles, though it only specifies cup sizes B to DD in its size chart. And while it offers great shaping benefits with some built-in padding, it doesn't separate as well as underwire bras. In our Lab testing, Pepper bras stayed in great condition after stretch recovery tests and after laundering five times, but some testers reported durability issues with their Pepper bras, noticing some fraying and even torn straps. We also tested the brand's wire-free bra and T-shirt bra: and both were popular among testers with smaller chests too. Because many people with smaller chests are forced to wear bras not properly designed for them, many testers were unsure of their proper size and had to try a few to find their best fit. Since unlined bras forgo underwire and foam cups, you’ll want to pay close attention to the materials, straps, cups, and the band, Sena explains. “The fabric should have some stretch, but also a higher spandex/lycra content for added support,” she tells PEOPLE. “I also prefer wider straps, so you don’t get shoulder dig-ins from the weight of heavy breasts. A wider band (with three to four hooks/eyes) and a fuller coverage cup will also help.” Because this bra boasts stretchy nylon and spandex fabrics and extends to a high cup range, it’s Sena’s top choice for an unlined bra. All the standout features are there, right down to the flexible fabric. “This bra goes up to 38G, and it's a stretch microfiber, which means it has a high spandex content,” she adds.This bra has a lighter underwire at the band, which may be a turnoff for those who want more lift and support You’ll want to choose a bra with contoured, full-coverage cups and light padding to make heavier breasts look smaller, says Palep. “A full-coverage cup will not only give you shaping benefits but will also cover more breast tissue and encapsulate breasts completely,” she explains. “Also, look for bras without heavy padding — the extra padding will only add more heaviness to your breasts. Finally, choose cups that are smooth and contoured, like microfiber.” This style earned the top spot in our tests and our panel, including those with both small and large cup sizes, rated it the most comfortable bra of the bunch. On top of that, it proved to be durable in our Lab testing; it washed well and retained its shape even after we stretched it out. In fact, it's the bra our own experts have preferred to wear for years, even after trying dozens of styles on the market. In our Lab, we assess each bra for properties like stretch recovery, construction and how well they hold up to repeated laundering. We also send them out to our consumer testers — hundreds of people ranging from small cup sizes to larger busts— who share their thoughts on fit, comfort, appearance and more. Another standout feature of this bra is its straps: They lie flat without slipping and are the ideal width to be supportive yet discreet. The bra's buttery soft fabric also kept its shape perfectly after we stretched it out in Lab tests, and it washed well with no signs of wear.

The thoughtful design offers support yet still works with most clothing because the cut isn't too high and the straps aren't too wide. It's adjustable and has an underwire for good separation, plus soft cups for a rounded shape. Although our testers found it to fit nicely, some online reviewers share that it runs on the smaller side, so be sure to review the size chart before buying, especially since it's offered in UK cup sizing. Lexie Sachsis the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development fields. Lexie led a massive bra test in 2017 and wrote the shopping guide for this story. The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing bras and intimates for decades, providing expert guidance on the most comfortable and supportive styles. We have tested over 200 different bras in our Lab with over 500 consumer testers (with cup sizes from AA-H cup sizes) wearing each bra. Past bra testing has been completed by:

Dorothy Lamour

It offers medium coverage to show off a bit of cleavage while still feeling secure and covered. It performed well in our Lab tests, with minimal changes in appearance or shrinkage after laundering. We appreciate this brand's inclusive size offerings up to a 54 band size and H cup size.

Searching for your perfect bra can feel like a never-ending journey. For starters, there are so many styles to choose from — strapless, bralettes, wireless and more with differences in padding, closures and support. It can feel nearly impossible to buy one that’ll meet your needs, fit you properly and feel comfortable enough to wear all day long. On top of that, bras can get pricey, so you want to make sure you’re investing in a quality bra that will feel good, look good and hold up well over time. Experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab test bras of all kinds and have evaluated more than 200 styles with over 500 real users in the last few years. Altogether, we've collected upwards of 6,500 data points to help us find the best bra styles for different preferences and body types. This version has an underwire for good separation, though it also comes in a wireless version that still proved to be supportive in our tests. And though the panels are stretchy, the bra still kept its shape well after we put it through the wringer in our stretch recovery and laundering evaluations. This brand designs its bras specifically for AA, A and B cup wearers, unlike other bras that may just be scaled down to fit smaller cup sizes. This bra is specifically designed to prevent gaping for a smooth fit under clothes — and testers reported that the brand succeeds, praising its great fit on smaller chests. The cups are lightly lined for modest coverage and shape without excess material. With f ull-coverage cups to avoid spillage, wide straps to reduce stress on shoulders and wide side panels that smooth to prevent bulges, this bra is your best bet if you're looking for all-over support. The cups are lightly lined so there's not too much padding, and the fabric feels smooth throughout and looks flattering under clothes. Whatever outfit you’re wearing, it’s safe to say that a minimizer bra won’t spoil the fun—these wear smooth and are invisible underneath all kinds of tops, blouses, and dresses. While there are lots of minimizers to choose from, bras by Spanx are some of the best ones you can buy, according to Mangiarotti. It's constructed with the same high-quality material as you would find in the best shapewear. “Spanx’s minimizer bras come in several styles and colorways and offer the finest support and coverage,” she says. Aside from coverage and support, this minimizer bra is comfortable to wear thanks to a thin fabric and unconstructed cups. It’s also available in four flattering tones so it will pair with all the basic undies in your collection.

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Emma Seymour has been a senior textiles product analyst in the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab for over four years, overseeing Lab and consumer tests for all different types of bras, including wireless bras, bralettes and sports bras. She studied Fiber Science and Apparel Design at Cornell University with research experience in product quality assessment. She updated the most recent version of this article with new testing data. You should fill out the cups without any gaping (which means the cup is too big) or overflow (a sign the cup is too small). You can start by measuring your bra size at home or with a consultant in a store. Even then, you should still try on a few different sizes to see what fits and feels best. Freno urges you to focus on what feels good instead of getting caught up on a specific size, especially because fit varies between brands. It may help to go up and down a few band or cup sizes if the fit doesn’t feel right. Just like with clothing, each brand will fit you differently. If you're looking for a comfortable wireless bra, the Soma Embraceable Full Coverage Wireless Unlined Bra is a great option. Featuring deep, full-coverage cups, zero wiring, and comfortable fabric, this bra is supportive enough to wear to work, on your days off, or during light-impact workouts. We love that it forms to the body well, and there’s no bulging underneath clothes, or binding, pinching, or poking. The sturdy straps are another nice perk, plus the just-right price point hits the sweet spot. While it’s not as embellished as other bras on our list, its lightweight feel and durable construction make it stand above its other wireless counterparts. Essentially, if you’re looking to go wire-free for good, this is the one to do it. Although this bra did stretch out a bit during our stretch recovery test in our Lab, it washed well, staying in nearly perfect condition after five wash cycles. The brand does recommend hand washing for best results.