Are you fed up with all the poking, scratching, and squeezing that can come along with even the “most comfortable” underwire bras? Same. That’s why we’re on the hunt for the perfect bralette—we’re talking one that’s soft to the touch, looks cute peeking out from under your tank tops, and still provides some lift and shape (yes, even for larger chests). To make the process easier, we consulted experts to learn how the best bralettes should fit and asked SELF staffers for their favorites.
Below, you’ll find more options for padding- and wire-free bralettes than you could wear in a single week—all of them more than worthy of a spot in your underwear drawer.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Skims Fits Everybody Scoop Bralette
- Best Budget: Auden Luxury Collection Bonded Microfiber Racerback Scoop Bralette
- Best for Larger Busts: Jockey Forever Fit V-Neck Unlined Bra
- Best Lace: Parfait Plus Size Adriana Wire-Free Lace Bralette
- Best Scoop Bralette: Bombas Seamless Scoop Bralette
- Best Triangle Bralette: Alo Airlift Line Up Bra
What to consider when shopping for the best bralette
We have some helpful tips for finding the right bra, and none of them involve cramming yourself into a Victoria’s Secret dressing room a la middle school.
Fit
Turns out, most people aren’t wearing the right bra size, Lori Kaplan, the founder of Bra Tenders, a bra-fitting store in New York City, tells SELF. That’s not a huge deal when it comes to bralettes because many of them don’t have band and cup sizes, but it does mean you might not know how a well-fitting bra should feel.
“Most of the support from any bra comes from the band,” Kaplan says. “If you can slip two fingers underneath, that would mean that it’s tight enough, but [you don’t want it to be] so tight where it’s causing your skin to bulge on either side.” The band should sit around your ribcage and not ride up between your shoulder blades. Kaplan also suggests looking for one that’s at least three inches wide (especially if you’re fuller than a D cup), so it won’t dig in.
A bralette’s straps are there for a little extra lift and to help the band support your chest, Kaplan says. They should be snug, but they shouldn’t leave red marks behind or slide off your shoulders
If you have a fuller bust, Kaplan recommends getting a bralette with two cups (lined or unlined—it’s up to you) to separate your breasts and avoid the dreaded “uniboob” that some sports bras or scoop neck options cause. “If each of your breasts have their own little home to sit in, you’ll be much more comfortable than if they’re squeezed together and then just smashed down on your belly,” she says. You’ll know the cups fit correctly when the fabric covers your breasts without them bulging over the edge or spilling past the band (underboob is not the goal here).
Material
Kaplan recommends picking a soft, stretchy fabric like nylon or spandex. “People should buy what they’re comfortable in and what fits their needs. No two bodies are the same,” Kaplan says.
Support
As long as a bralette fits you correctly, it should be supportive enough for most everyday activities, like working, running errands, or hanging out at home. You can probably even get away with some low-intensity exercise, like yoga or Pilates.
When shouldn’t you wear a bralette?
For intense exercise, switch to a more supportive sports bra to avoid injuries. “Without adequate and proper support, the ligaments tissue in the breasts can stretch and become painful, particularly with strenuous exercise,” Kecia Gaither, MD, a double board-certified physician in obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal fetal medicine at NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx, tells SELF. “A supportive bra can help to equitably distribute breast weight across the chest and shoulders, reducing strain on the musculature of the upper back.” For anyone with larger breasts, wearing the right bra can also improve your posture.
Is it healthy to sleep in a bralette?
Dr. Gaither says it’s fine to take a nap or spend the night in your bralette, as long as you feel comfortable lying down in it.
Best Overall: Skims Fits Everybody Scoop Bralette
Pros
- Lightweight and stretchy
- Almost invisible under clothes
- Adjustable straps don’t dig in
Cons
- Band isn’t adjustable
- Has to be pulled over your head
You know something is good when you immediately buy multiples of it in different colors—and that’s exactly what SELF’s senior commerce editor did after trying the Skims Fits Everybody Scoop Bralette. It has a barely there feel, thanks to its lightweight, stretchy material, and it has a double layer of fabric that gives plenty of nipple coverage. “Supportive, but not too compressive, it keeps my chest in place and pain-free when I scale all four flights of stairs up to my apartment at the end of each day,” she says. And the true test of comfort: “In a rare first for me, I’ve actually almost gone to bed without realizing I still had it on more than once.”
Product specs
Material: Polyamide and elastane | Sizes: XXS to 4X | Colors: 11
Best Budget: Auden Luxury Collection Bonded Microfiber Racerback Scoop Bralette
Pros
- Racerback silhouette
- Seamless design prevents lines under clothes
Cons
- Band and straps aren’t adjustable
- Has to be pulled over your head
Bras can be expensive, so when we found this Target bralette for under $20, we felt like we hit the jackpot. “This is what I wear when I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing a bra or have boobs,” one SELF editor says. “It’s not super supportive, so I wouldn’t exercise in it, but it’s great for low-impact activity.”
The racerback silhouette is great for layering under a tank top if you don’t want your bra straps to show, and the seamless design means it won’t create any visible lines or texture. And while bras you have to pull over your head can stretch out faster, our tester says she prefers not having to deal with annoying clasps.
Product specs
Material: Nylon and spandex | Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 3
Best for Larger Busts: Jockey Forever Fit V-Neck Unlined Bra
Pros
- Fabric feels silky
- Gives a good shape
- Band is adjustable
Cons
- Straps aren’t adjustable
My size varies depending on the brand (and even the bra, TBH) but I can confidently say I haven’t been anything smaller than a D cup since high school. I had pretty much given up on finding anything wire-free that’s supportive and gives my chest a good shape (read: no uniboob or spillage) until my mom raved about this bralette she’d just bought. Faster than you can say “sold,” I was having the clerk at the Jockey store ring up four of these. Tighter shirts glide right over the silky fabric, the thick straps don’t dig into my shoulders, and the unlined cups keep my boobs nicely lifted and separated. I don’t even mind wearing a bra anymore.
Product specs
Material: Nylon, spandex, and polyester | Sizes: S to 3X | Colors: 4
Best Lace: Parfait Plus Size Adriana Wire-Free Lace Bralette
Pros
- Pretty design
- Full coverage
- Adjustable, convertible straps
- Thick, adjustable band
- Extensive size range
Cons
- Seams over the cups show through some shirts
This bralette also gives me plenty of lift, but it feels more exciting to wear because of the lace detailing. It has boning inside the band to give it structure, and it stays in place really well. The full coverage cups keep my boobs separated and contained (no spillage here).
Full disclosure: This isn’t as comfortable as my silky soft Jockey bralettes, but it’s leaps and bounds more supportive than other lace bralettes I’ve tried, and putting this on makes me feel fancy. It’s also worth noting that this style comes in cup and band sizes, so you can get a more exact fit.
Product specs
Material: Polyamide | Sizes: 30GG to 42I | Colors: 5
Best Scoop Bralette: Bombas Seamless Scoop Bralette
Pros
- Thick band
- Adjustable, convertible straps
Cons
Bombas makes bralettes? Who knew!? The brand is known for making socks that hug your feet in just the right way—and its soft, scoop-neck bra does the same thing for your chest. “It’s juuust supportive enough—I have D cups and don’t want to be flopping around,” one SELF editor says. “It’s my go-to on weekends when I simply can’t with an underwire. I also love that the sides are pretty wide and don’t cut in anywhere.” The straps are adjustable for a more secure fit, and they unclasp so you can criss-cross them underneath racerback tops.
Product specs
Material: Nylon, modal, and elastane | Sizes: XS/S to 2X | Colors: 8
Best Triangle Bralette: Alo Airlift Line Up Bra
Pros
- Pretty design
- Removable cups
- Adjustable band and straps
Cons
Alo is known for making stylish, minimalistic athleisure—and this triangle bralette definitely measures up to that standard with its simple silhouette and velvet trim details. “I bought this in multiple colors just because it’s cute,” one SELF editor says. “I wear it for low-impact workouts like Pilates, hot yoga, and sometimes short runs.” (Our tester says she’s “like a AAAA cup,” though, so if you’re worried about bounce control, you might want to stick to lounging in this.) That said, it has lots of chest-friendly features, like a thick, adjustable band; adjustable straps; and removable padding.
Product specs
Material: Polyester and elastane | Sizes: XS to L | Colors: 7
More great options
Still haven’t found your perfect bralette? We have even more styles for you to peruse.
LDMA High Sculpt Bra Rib
Pros
- Thick fabric provides nipple coverage
- Wide straps
Cons
- Band and straps aren’t adjustable
This LDMA bralette is as simple as it gets with zero padding, hooks, or sliders for adjusting. It’s perfect to throw on under your favorite hoodie while you’re working from home or hitting the Starbucks drive-thru. “It’s a little thicker in material, and the straps are wider for anyone who needs support,” one SELF editor says. It’s made with two layers of ribbed fabric that’ll prevent your nipples from peeking through and is stretchy enough to comfortably pull over your head.
Product specs
Material: Nylon and spandex | Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 6
Jungmaven Bralette
Pros
- Lightweight
- Super soft
- Comes in a bunch of colors
Cons
- Band and straps aren’t adjustable
With 15 shades to choose from, you could wear this Jungmaven Bralette in a different color every day of the week. Its minimal design means you won’t have any sharp buckles or hooks digging into your shoulders or ribs, and a blend of hemp, cotton, and spandex lend it a silky texture you’ll be happy to slip into. “It’s my go-to for lounging at home!” one SELF editor says. “It’s super soft, lightweight, and available in some pretty cute colors.”
Product specs
Material: Hemp, cotton, and spandex | Sizes: XL to 2X | Colors: 15
Lululemon Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
Pros
- Soft and lightweight
- Washes well
- Adjustable straps
Cons
