Comfortable Bras...No, Really! - Shopping for the Real You

Coobie Comfort bralette

One of the outcomes of the pandemic is that a lot of women just simply stopped wearing bras. Or at least, they ditched their tight, underwire bras. (If you read my book, you know all the reasons that I discourage underwire bras.) Comfort – and the ability to breathe deeply – has risen to a new level of importance.

But one woman I know was far ahead of the curve. Tall, elegant, and well-endowed, she ditched her bras a few years ago. Now, I have to add that she is one of the most self-confident people I know. And she doesn’t give a fig about what people think. So, frankly, I envy her.

Since I lack that bravado, and figured that most of you still wear one when you have to, I wanted to share some very comfortable options. Many of them are new on the scene (entrepreneurs have jumped on this since the pandemic) and there should be something among them that might serve you. All of the following are wireless styles. Always keep in mind that one manufacturer’s idea of, e.g., a 36D is not the same as another manufacturer’s.

Bralette type

Coobie Comfort Bra $15-$23

You will find a lot of what are known in the industry as “bralettes.” These are the non-underwire, pull-over-the-head versions with no adjustable band. But many do have adjustable straps, and some have removable pads. These are fine for casual dressing. But they mostly suit those with a C-cup or smaller. (Some will accommodate a D.) Those with a larger bust will end up with the “uniboob” look. If you don’t mind that they are fine. But generally for larger breasts you’ll need adjustable straps and back hooks to get the best fit. Otherwise gravity will simply lift the back band up.

I’ve liked Coobies for years. But like many cheaper styles, different colors sometimes fit slightly differently. (Amazon makes it easy to return or exchange them.) They have removable pads and adjustable straps and are very comfortable. Their website says they accommodate up to a 48DD, but I’m very dubious. Still, they do the trick for more casual wear.

Richer-Poorer Women’s classic bralette $34

There are a lot of bras for smaller busts that are basically just two triangles on a band with thin straps, some with adjustable straps and hooks. Based on the reviews, this one from the company Richer-Poorer is nice, and serves up to a C cup.

Parade Scoop bralette $32

One of those plucky entrepreneurs who just got on the no-underwire bandwagon is a young woman named Cami Téllez. Cami’ start up is called Parade. Her bralettes mostly have adjustable bands and straps, and although they are made from recycled nylon plus a little spandex, they also have a cotton lining.

Seamless has several options, some with more structure and contour, some pull-over styles. This first one on the right is their Second Skin Everyday t-shirt bra. It has adjustable straps and band hooks. They also have a seamless bralette with removable padding. And lastly is their Second Skin Seamless bra with removable padding.

Second Skin Seamless Wide Support Bra $39

Seamless Bralette $22

Seamless Everyday T-Shirt Bra $37

A little Sexier?

Nuudi Tee System $44-$54

Now, granted, none of these are terrible sexy. If want something with a little more edge, you have some options. Nuudi, as the name sounds, is a sheer bra that has some interesting architecture: two straps for each shoulder. The theory is that this offers more support and options for placement of the straps on the shoulders. It’s available in either a bralette or halter style in sizes XS to LL. Usually that doesn’t mean much, but they do show different types and sizes of bodies wearing them.

Pepper has bras for smaller breasts that offer a little more structure and contour but are still feminine. That means they have replaced boning and underwires with heavier seams and stitching. But, still, they are still more forgiving and flexible than any underwire. And they have adjustable straps and band hooks. They also carry a lace bralette.

Pepper Lace Bralette $40

Pepper Scoop bra $50

Parade Triangle bralette $32

Parade Plunge Bralette $30-$38

Parade, also has a more feminine style called the Plunge. And although not exactly sexy, the multi colored version of their Triangle bralette is more playful.

Negative Triangle Cotton Bra $50

Negative Underwear also has a plunge style called their “Triangle” bra. It comes with adjustable straps and back hooks. And it’s made fr

Then there’s Cosabella. They have a great repulation for quality and style, and they carry a LOT of feminine and downright sexy wireless bras and bralettes: lace, animal print, floral, plunge, longline, triangle, more structure, or less. Here are a few.

Cosabella Never Say Never Curvy Plungie Longline $89.50

Cosabella Savona Floral bralette $79.50

Cosabella Allure bralette $89.50

I just wanted to include their Tempo Strappy bra simply so you could see what the back looks like. Is it sexy? It’s kind of interesting, kind of sexy.

Cosabella Tempo Strappy Bralette $69.50

Molded Cups and More Support

Herethose who want a little more modesty or just more substance,

Knix is an international company that caters to all ages, but has some great pieces for older women including leak-proof undies. (My doctor informed me years ago that 70% of women over 80 have some incontinence issues.) Most of their bras have adjustable straps and bands and many have molded cups. They are all no-wire. Their slip-over-the head sports bra gets very good reviews. And they offer free shipping internationally. And if you tend to have some of the dreaded back flab, their Luxe Lift more be an option.

Knix Luxe Lift Pullover Bra $50

Knix Padded v-neck Bra $55

Knix Sports Bra $89

Knix Wing Woman Contour Bra $60

Tommy John, offering underwear for both men and women, has a very nice and quite extensive selection of lightly molded bras with back hooks and adjustable straps, bralettes, “smoothing” bras (which means they cover more of your back), and “cool cotton lightly lined” wireless bras.

Tommy John Women’s Smoothing Comfort Bralette $58

Tommy John Laced Bralette $68

Tommy John Cool Cotton Lightly Lined Wireless Bra $68

Poly vs cotton

As lovely as some of the more sheer styles may be, the fact is that they are made with a lot of spandex and polyester. That means they last longer. But if you are a purist, or simply appreciate the feel of natural fibers against your skin, you have other options.

My own “bra” of choice is actually a shelf-bra tank top from PACT, a company that specializes in mostly cotton clothing and underwear. It works well on its own as my go-to base layer under sweaters in the winter. In the summer I often wear it as a cami under an unbuttoned cotton, linen or tencel shirt. Pact also makes a triangle bra, a Coobie-like bralette, a “plunge” style and a racer back that might work fine as a sports bra for low-impact workouts. (Except for their sales, my readers get 20% off with the coupon code SRY20.) Cosabella also has a nice cotton bra.

Cosabella Soft Cotton Curvy Bralette $79.50

PACT plunge bralette $35

PACT Smooth Cup Bralette $30

PACT shelf bra cami $25

And as the name suggests, Organic Basics has a limited, but terrific selection of cotton and tencel (a natural fiber) bras with adjustable straps and back hooks.

Organic Basics Organic Cotton Triangle Bra $50

Organic Basic Tencel Bralette $70

Organic Basics Cotton Classic Bra $50

Forlest Wirefree Removable Pad Minimizer Bra $32

Forlest offerings look very promising. Most are pull-overs but they have some with back hooks and shoulder straps. They’re molded, most have removable pads, and some have a more long-line look. It’s an EU based company but offers free shipping for orders over $79.

Don’t slouch!

Kinflyte Freedom Bra Midi Eco Jersey $119

Kinflyte Unity V-Top $149

Lastly, I wanted to include this site, Kinflyte. They specialize in supportive non-underwire bras that have wide straps and sturdier construction. The wide straps and full back help you stand up straighter. They are all made from upcycled poly and spandex, are moisture wicking, and antibacterial. Their “Freedom Bra” is available in cup sizes A-G and 32-58 bands. They also have a built-in-bra tank with removable cups that is called the Unity V-Top

So those are a few options for you to consider. Some of these websites might have other styles that might work for you as well.