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Until I set out to find the best strapless bra a few months ago, I’d been wearing the same one for more than five years. And it didn’t even fit me right. It gaped at the top of the cups, was constantly slipping and sliding, and by the end of its run the lace was starting to tear. While my situation may have been particularly dire, my friends are all constantly groaning about their lingerie too.
But believe it or not, if you think they’re uncomfortable by design, that just means you haven’t found the right one. I know because after trying 11 of the top-rated and most highly-reviewed options out there, testing them with wedding guest dresses and all my tops with tricky necklines, I finally found a strapless bra that feels like second skin and stays right where it should: SPANXsmooth Suit Your Fancy Strapless Bra. It’s lightly compressive, creates a nice bust shape (which is extra important to me after having four kids), with no shelving and it stayed put for hours on end, even on days when I logged many miles or spent the night dancing. But since all bodies are unique and what works for one may not work for everyone, I also tapped other Glamour editors, stylists, and individuals in my network with boobs to find out what they wear, love, and whole-heartedly recommend, including strapless push up bras and even a few that are so comfortable you won’t mind wearing them all day.
The best strapless bras, at a glance
What to look for in a strapless bra
When shopping for a strapless bra, it’s important to consider your bust and band size needs above all, as well as how snugly it fits. Look for bras that have strong, nonslip grip along their outline to keep them in place—and it’s a good rule of thumb to size down from your standard fit, making sure your breasts are contained along the top of the cup and near your arm, which is where you often see spillage (meaning your bra fits poorly and will show through your clothing). “A band that’s too big is the most common reason for slipping—no matter your bust size,” Alicia Miller, director of merchandising and fit specialist at lingerie brand Chantelle, tells Glamour. Sena notes that you should avoid wearing lotions or oils under your strapless bra, as they can cancel out the grippiness.
How to take care of your strapless bra
The best strapless bras are about as low-maintenance as any of your other bras. While some exceptions apply, most strapless bras can be washed by hand and hung or laid out to dry. Softer bras like bandeaus are often machine washable with cold water (preferably in a net bag).
We researched the market for the most popular and well-reviewed strapless bras from brands both big and small, plus asked stylists which ones they recommend to their clients and even use themselves. Then, I tried the most widely-recommended styles, plus tapped other editors with different body types to weigh in on the ones they love and rely on.
During my month-long evaluations, I considered the design of each bra. What kind of materials was it made of? Was it a wire bra or wireless? I also considered other features like molded cups and padding, as well as the profile. Could I wear it under a plunging dress or was it better suited for more standard garments like tube tops and tanks with spaghetti straps? Of course, I also assessed long-term comfort and, perhaps most importantly, how well each bra stayed up. Because, well, it’s just not cute to constantly be hiking up your bra while you’re trying to tear up the dance floor at a wedding—who’s with me?
We’re confident the final list contains only the best strapless bras on the market. These are the bras that not only feel like second skin (read: don’t dig in), sit seamlessly under clothing (no awkward shelf), and won’t require constant tugging (phew!).
Should you go down a size in a strapless bra?
It’s a common misconception that you need to measure strapless bras differently than other bras, bra fit experts tell Glamour. Strapless and sports bras are designed to fit a little firmer, says Helene T. Delince, founder of The Fitting Curve in Rockville Center, New York.
To measure your bra size, use a soft, malleable measuring tape (often called tailor’s tape), following these steps:
- Measure the circumference around your ribcage, right under your breasts, keeping it level and snug against your body. Mark down the number in inches, which is your band size. If you get an odd number—say, 35, round up to 36.
- While wearing a well-fitting unpadded bra, measure the fullest part of your bust in line with your nipples without pulling too tight on the measuring tape. It should just sit flush with your skin. Mark down the closest round number (i.e. 40 instead of 39.5).
- Now, you’ll have to calculate the difference between the two measurements to get your cup size. Using the numbers above, there is a four point difference between 36 and 40, and each point corresponds to a cup letter—A is 1, B is 2, C, is 3, etc. So in this example, the cup size would be D.
- Finally, you combine your initial band size with your cup size. Here, the final bra measurement would be 36D.
Of course, all breasts are different, so finding the right bra will likely require some trial and error, says Delince.
Best Overall: SpanxSmooth Suit Your Fancy Strapless Bra
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley
- What we love: Ample silicone grippers to help the bra stay up; breathable and quick-drying fabric; cups provide a very natural and desirable shape
- What could improve: It’s not convertible
Spanx may not be my favorite brand of shapewear, but I was seriously impressed with their strapless bra. The material is really smooth and doesn’t cinch, crease, or dig. Instead, the soft material sits flush to create a really naturally beautiful shape, thanks to light compression. There was no shelf, nor were there any lines in sight—even while wearing thin, tight bodysuit tanks. The fabric is also breathable and quick-drying.
Importantly, this strapless bra has serious staying power. There are more silicone strips on the wings than any other brand I tested. There’s even silicone dots on the top of the cups to further aid in the no-slip department, plus help minimize any gaping issues. I successfully made it through a day where I logged more than four miles walking in the city without adjustments and even spent a few hours dancing one evening with only minor adjustments. For all of that staying power, there is one concession to be made: The bra does not have convertible straps, so you can only wear it as a strapless.
Best for Small Chests: ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Strapless Bra
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley
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What we love: Inclusive sizing; poke-free flexible underwire; supportive foam cups; includes clear and matching-color removable straps
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What could improve: Some reviewers report inconsistent sizing
Get some good grip and full coverage with ThirdLove’s classic bra. Glamour reviewer Emily Rodriguez praises this bra’s comfort. “I wore this strapless bra all day, and (a) it stayed in place, but (b) it didn’t make me feel like I was constricted by intense underwire,” she says.
I had a similar experience with the bra, but did find it ran a bit small. Even the cups looked and felt smaller than some other brands I tried, which may make this a better pick for those with small chests. The underwire didn’t dig in, but offered a nice little lift. I also appreciated the shape of the molded cups—they aren’t too padded yet add some shape. The bra sat nice and flush with my skin, too, so I didn’t experience that awkward shelf you often get with other strapless bras—great for clean lines under your favorite tee.
Best Push-Up Strapless Bra: Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Add-2-Cups Push-Up Strapless Bra
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley
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What we love: Breast-enhancing; versatile; push-up
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What could improve: Excess padding means the bra isn’t comfortable for extended periods of time
The cups on this signature Victoria’s Secret bra feature a nonslip band that prevents them from sliding down throughout the day, with padding designed to almost double your cup size if that’s what you’re going for. I truly couldn’t believe how much volume it added to my relatively small bust (hello, cleavage!). “This bra is a game-changer, especially for someone who hates padded bras,” says Glamour contributor Brittany Romano. “It also provided the necessary support for my scoliosis but didn’t dig into my skin or leave me reaching for my back roller.”
Another standout feature of this strapless bra is its convertible design. With its adjustable and removable straps, you have the flexibility to wear it in multiple ways, including strapless, halter, crisscross, or one-shoulder. Whether you’re attending a special event or simply want to make wearing your everyday tops easier, this bra delivers an unparalleled fit, though we don’t recommend it for extended wear, since the excess of padding doesn’t feel natural.
Best for Wedding Dress: Maidenform Dreamwire Strapless Multiway Underwire Bra
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley
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What we love: Convertible; adds volume and shape; silicone gripping on the wings to help the bra stay up; lower-cut than some other options for plunging necklines
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What could improve: Created a slight shelf
For a bra that doesn’t feel bulky or excessively padded, Maidenform’s Dreamwire Strapless Multiway Underwire Bra added a fair amount of volume. Not quite as much as Victoria Secret’s push-up, but a close second with less bulk to the actual bra. It also has concealed underwire that doesn’t dig in at all for a more comfortable fit.
I liked the fact that this is more of a plunge strapless bra, so you can wear it with more low-cut tanks, tees, and dresses. It’s also convertible, meaning it comes with matching straps that allow for multiway-wear. Without the straps, my biggest complaint was that I did notice a bit of a shelf at the top of the bra—not ideal for wearing garments that have straps but still require a strapless, like racerback tanks or spaghetti straps, but great for something like a wedding dress that has a more structured top. (In fact, multiple brides we polled wore this on their big day and noted it stayed up). Overall, though, I thought this bra checked most of the boxes and offered an excellent value.
Best for Large Busts: Skims Fits Everybody Strapless Bra
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley
- What we love: Wide range of colors to suit more skin tones; size-inclusive
- What could improve: Slightly flattening
TBH, there wasn’t much I didn’t love about the Skims Fits Everybody Strapless Bra. The fabric is very soft, but most importantly, it stays up without digging in or creating awkward lines under a shirt or dress. Not to mention, in classic Skims fashion, it comes in eight colors to suit more skin tones and extended bra sizes up to 46H. I also appreciate that it’s a convertible strapless bra—it comes with matching straps that can be worn any which way.
I wore this strapless bra with a racerback-style shirt for more than 12 hours straight on a busy day of errands and rarely had to make adjustments. I did, however, think there was something to be desired in the shape department. I felt like my boobs looked a little flatter than they did in other styles.
Best Wireless: Aerie Smoothez Bandeau Bralette
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley
- What we love: Removable pads; buttery soft fabric
- What could improve: Doesn’t come in traditional bra sizes; removable pads move around inside the bra a bit
If you’re searching for a true second-skin feel that slips right on, Aerie’s SMOOTHEZ Bandeau Bralette is a solid wireless strapless bra. I found the buttery soft fabric to be extremely comfortable, and liked that it has removable pads. I actually preferred the bra without the cups, since I found they were moving around a bit inside the bra and didn’t do much to help with shape. And, because of the wireless bandeau style, I also recommend sizing down for a more snug, stay-up-all-day fit.
Most Comfortable Strapless Bra: Cosabella Evolution Strapless Bra
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley
- What we love: Buttery soft fabric; seamless design; exceptionally stretchy for a supportive, underwire bra
- What could improve: May wrinkle under some shirts; created a slight shelf; not convertible
This bra really stands out for its seamless design and buttery soft fabric. It’s made from a blend of nylon and elastane that makes it exceptionally soft and breathable, and therefore, more comfortable for extended wear. It’s also a very stretchy option, so it doesn’t dig in the way some other strapless bras do, but still conforms to the body’s shape for adequate support and a more custom fit.
There is one downside to this design: The overlying material is thin and not super tight to the mold inside, so I found it tended to wrinkle a bit under certain shirts, which wasn’t the best look. I also noticed a slight shelf forming at the top of the cups, especially after prolonged wear. It’s not convertible, either, but if you’re someone who really prioritizes comfort—even over small drawbacks in functionality—this is the bra for you.
Best Strapless Underwire Bra: Wacoal Comfort First Strapless Bra
Tested and reviewed by Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley
- What we love: Convertible; silicone strips on the wings; no rigid boning; full-coverage cups for extra support and limited spillage
- What could improve: The underwire starts to feel uncomfortable after a few hours
Made from soft, smooth materials, this strapless bra sits nicely on the skin without digging in and features lightly padded cups that lend a natural shape that doesn’t add excessive bulk. The cups are slightly more full-coverage than some other options on our list, which means it offers great support, plus helps prevent spillage around the top, side, and back, especially for those with larger busts. Just note: It’s not quite as size-inclusive as a few others like the Skims bra.
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