In the search for the ‘ultimate strapless’, I teamed up with fellow blogger Becky Mount to review the bras which claim to be the best on the market. With so many strapless bras available, as a 28FF and a 30G, we have tried to focus on ones which cater for a wider size-market, with big cup sizes and all the promises under the marketing sun.
As a 28FF, I found I was fairly limited with bras which made strapless bras in my size, finding not a single one much under 30 pounds. One brand in particular which seemed to cater generously for me was the UK champions Panache, who have multiple styles of strapless in catering for a 28+ back.
Panache Porcelain:
Available from D to G cup, 28-38 backs.
Just £14.95 (in chocolate brown) at Brastop
Available in nude, white and black for £26.00 from Bravissimo
You can’t deny the support with this bra, but I couldn’t help but feel that more than supporting me as a strapless should I was just being pressed and squashed in like a bandage. As a girl who doesn’t have the most ample rack in the world, I don’t want my boobs to be minimised and bound down, however for bigger-busted girls this of course may be a plus. I am doubting that the plunge shape would be great for a bigger chest, however, and despite this being all-in-all a good bra, not one I would recommend when up against the Freya Deco or the other bras that Panache have to offer. One great thing about it is the multi-way function, have it halterneck, cross-back, standard straps or strapless!
This moulded plunging strapless bra is great for low cut party outfits. The smooth seam free shape keeps those lumps and bumps under wraps, whilst the low cut front means you can wear this bra with even more outfits.
Underwired Moulded Plunge Bra
3 hook fastening
Polyester polyamide elastane
Fully adjustable, detachable straps that can be worn multiway
Low cut centre front
Panache Evie:
Available from D to H cup, 28-38 backs.
Available in nude, white and black for £25.00 from Bravissimo
I have been absolutely living in my Evie strapless. If you read my blog you may be aware of how much of a balconette fan I am which already puts the Evie in good stead with me. With strapless bras I feel like you need the extra surface area that a the balconette shape makes, with wires and cups that create great support and coverage for the bigger bust, all the better when you are lacking in straps. After asking a few girls on Twitter it is apparent that this bra isn’t for everyone, but would definitely be, for me, one to try. Washes and wears wonderfully and almost seamless effect. Again has a multi-way feature! Yay! Also available in the stunning bridal edition for £31.00 at Bravissimo.
This simple design with foam filled cups gives great shape and a smooth line up to H cup and the cotton lining adds extra comfort! Now in a gorgeous versatile nude, which is perfect to wear under your favourite party tops and dresses.
Underwired Lightly Padded Strapless
3 hook fastening
Polyester cotton polyamide elastane
Fully adjustable, detachable fabric shoulder straps
Multi-way straps
Freya Deco:
Available from D to GG cup, 28-38 backs.
Available in nude, white and black for £31.00 from Bravissimo
A promising bra which (as Freya’s first strapless bra) has been eagerly-awaited by Freya fans and big-busted girls alike. For me it absolutely did not disappoint, and like Freya’s classic best-selling ‘Deco’ bra offers all the shape and support that a girl could ask for. The seamless moulded cups make this one a top-notch strapless, the light silicone in the inside seams prevents slippage and discomfort, and the genius engineering from Freya make this a top pick for me.
A strapless bra that offers sensational cleavage and uplift? Yes, it’s true! Lots of Deco fans have been asking for this strapless version, so we hope you love it just as much.
Underwired Moulded Strapless Bra
2 hooks in D cup, 3 hooks DD-FF, 4 hooks G-GG
Polyester polyamide elastane
Fully adjustable, detachable shoulder straps
Multi-way shoulder straps
Ewa Michalak ‘Czarny Strapless’
Available from A to GG cup, 30-38 backs. (smaller back sizes available on request. Contact:sklep@ewa-michalak.pl)
Available in nude, white and black from http://www.ewa-michalak.pl/
A really low-cut strapless which would be perfect with a plunging neckline or strapless dress. Very comfortable and supportive with a hint of cleavage and gorgeous shape, however the cups are made from what can only be described as really firm polystyrene and this is a little off-putting especially in this colour and style as it looks and feels a tad cheap and plastic-y. The shape and support, however is unrivalled and this is still a great contender for an ultimate strapless bra, especially since sizes smaller than 30 are available on request.
Wonderbra ‘Ultimate Strapless’:
Available from A to F cup, 30-38 backs.
Available in nude, white and black for £34.00 and a lace-embossed version for £36.00 from Debenhams
Last but not least I gave Wonderbra’s self-proclaimed ‘Ultimate Strapless’ a go, and I was pleasantly surprised. Despite not having the best experience with Wonderbras (they start at a 30 back – boo!) this one was tighter than the average 30 back and the 30F I found surprisingly wearable. As these bras are much more easy to come by than the others I tried, despite not being my personal favourite, would be definitely worth a try – and for once a product lives up to its hype – the hand-shape yet seamless moulded cups offer brilliant support – it literally feels like you are holding yourself in! Heard nothing but good about this bra and I would probably buy one myself if they made a 28FF and if I wasn’t so smitten with the Evie and the Deco.
Over two years in the making, and this ‘ultimate strapless’ bra by Wonderbra is guaranteed to revolutionise your strapless experience forever! Unlike other bras, the ‘ultimate strapless’ boasts built-in hand shaped structures to the cups, lifting and supporting the weight of the bust for an enviable Wonderbra cleavage.
Added silicone strips to the back band give the bra extra hold, ensuring long-lasting, non- slip support.
85% of those trialed liked the product!
Non wired – The polycarbonate ‘hands’ do all the work!
Made from microfibre for a smooth look under clothes 49% polyester, 42% nylon, 9% elastane Hand wash
Becky: For me, finding a strapless bra is a lifelong mission, and by that I mean strapless bra able to keep my G’s in one place, that’s comfortable, and doesn’t involve me staying very very still. Realising I finally needed to get back to my quest, I ventured to the nearest department store with a decent sized lingerie department. Three measly bras later, I took myself and my camera into the changing room for an afternoon of jumping up and down, throwing myself around, and generally making a lot of suspicious noises. Staff of Debenhams, I’m sorry.
Debenhams, Plain Strapless and ‘Droplet’ Strapless
First up were two styles by Gorgeous at Debenhams – the black droplet embroidered and the black strapless. I soon discovered they’re the same bra, different detailing, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing; why should a strapless be a plain moulded cup? Just because it’s practical underwear doesn’t meant it has to be hideous!
They were both very supportive, barely moving as I bounced about the changing room which is brilliant. The sizing was spot on, the back feeling a little snug but not uncomfortably so, and I could imagine myself wearing one of these all day. I do have two criticisms though. As is sadly expected, there aren’t many sizes on offer. Apart from that, I would have perhaps appreciated a bit more of an uplift, a bit of cleavage. Still, it’s a practical, comfortable, supportive bra, and ideal for dreaded strapless clothing, I’d just have liked a little more shape.
Ultimo Strapless
Personally, I’m not a fan of Ultimo products; I resent the blatant price discrimination and that aside I’ve not found a product that’s fitted quite right, despite lusting after some of the Miss Ultimo designs. That said, I was willing to put my previous prejudices aside in the quest for a strapless but sadly, yet again, Ultimo was not meant to be. Their Miracle Strapless Multiway bra seemed versatile and practical, yet I didn’t feel supported enough, perhaps the selling point for me, and after a few jumps around the changing room I had to hoick the bra back up and felt wearing it out would mean constant rearranging. Sorry Ultimo but you’ve yet to win me over.
Wonder Bra
Sadly, the closest available size for me is a 30F which I forced myself into but surprisingly I didn’t end up with a ridiculous cleavage you’d expect from a cup size too small. I felt supported, perhaps more so than I would in a 30G, and the bra didn’t budge as I actually threw myself around the changing room. A clear winner for me, the back size was a little snug, perhaps adding to the support, but I had undeniable support with a decent cleavage to boot. Success! I’m so tempted to buy the 30F but I should get a slap on the wrist for considering buying a bra in the wrong size. But honestly, the Ultimate Strapless is everything I want in a strapless – mega supportive and actually quite aesthetically pleasing (see the lace version). I have worn a cup size too small in a strapless before, mostly for peace of mind, but I’m not sure this is the best advice! Unfortunately the range of sizes isn’t great for both backs and cups which is frankly its only downfall. Wonderbra, please listen and change this!
One tried and tested favourite – although not a bra – is the Ballet Eternal Bustier. With the option to remove the straps, for so long it’s been my go-to strapless solution. I can’t praise this item enough; it’s absolutely beautiful, fits like a dream, and gives great support and definition. I know some people may be put off by the idea of a basque, but don’t over look them! They can be a great alternative to a strapless bra, which lets face it, is a volatile item at the best of times.
So, did we manage to choose a winner? Well… not exactly. Different bras will suit different people’s needs so it is hard to call a ‘once-an-for-all’ winner – however we both loved the Wonderbra, a bra that we felt almost deserved its title as the ‘ultimate strapless’ – but for me, the ones I would spend my hard-earned graft on would be either the Deco strapless or the Panache Evie – those I will be keeping!
