While most of the PR flash around bralettes is starting to fade in favor of, well, just blatant lies from buzzy startups, I still get lots of questions from folks who wear DD+ cup sizes who are curious to see if there are wire-free options that will work for them. Many of us love underwires for the separation, lift, shaping, and support they offer, but underwires aren’t for every full-bust person. There are a host of reasons, from pregnancy and childbirth to chronic health concerns to plain old personal preference, why someone might seek out an underwire alternative.
You’ll pry my underwire bras out of my cold dead hands, but I’ll have some work trips next year that could see me facing 24-30 hour travel days. I love my bras, y’all, but I can’t wear an underwire for that long without wanting to rip it off my body. I decided to take a look at some of the wire-free options currently on the market, and I even ordered one to take out for a test run (more below). I thought this list would mostly be D-G sizes, but I was surprised by how many options I found for those of us who wear G+ sizes.
Unless otherwise specified, all products in this post use UK cup sizes, so the progression is D, DD, E, F, FF, G, GG, H, HH, J.
[This list may contain affiliate links.]
Panache ‘Sophie’ Non-Wired Bra, 30-40 D-J, available in black, beige, and candy pink. This style is a classic and comes in one of the largest cup size ranges around, as well as in a nursing bra style.
Panache ‘Andorra’ Non-Wired Bra, 28-40 D-H. A new non-wired version of the beloved Panache classic.
Cleo by Panache ‘Lyzy’ Triangle Bralette, 28-38 DD-G, also available in Wine and Cobalt. This style is so cute (and the matching tanga brief is snazzy), and I’m hoping they may one day take it up to H cups. I just saw a great dark jade/raspberry colorway for this style at Curve for Spring/Summer 2019!
Sugar Candy Non-Wired Bra, XS-XXL, available in beige, black, and pink. This is the style I bought for my trip, and so far I’m pleased. I wear a 32H in wired bras and tried sizes Medium and Large; while the Large is a little big in the band, the cups are the best fit. It’s very soft, light, and breathable, offers some separation, and features convertible straps that can be crossed in the back. While it can’t replace my wired bras, I’m pretty pleased with it!
Sugar Candy ‘Crush’ Wire-Free Bra, XS-XXL, available in charcoal and blue. Both this style and the original Sugar Candy bra are available as either standard or nursing bras.
Curvy Couture Luxe Cotton Wireless Bra, 34-44 DD-H (US sizes). I’ve tried this bra and while it’s too big in the band and too small in the cup for me, it’s unbelievably soft and comfortable. Highly recommend!
Curvy Couture Cotton Luxe Padded Wire-Free Bra, 34-44 C-H, available in Mauve Gray and Beige. Padding in the cup offers a bit more stability and lift than an unpadded wireless bra.
Freya ‘Fancies’ Bralette, XS-XL, currently available in olive, lipstick, black, and petal. I reviewed this bralette here. This is a great option at a slightly lower price point if you wear D-G cups and want something light and easy.
Freya ‘Daisy Lace’ Bralette, XS-XL. A light, unwired version of Freya’s popular Daisy Lace wired bra. This bralette looks, to me, a little more comfortable than the Fancies, as it has a standard bra back and won’t have to be pulled over the head.
Freya ‘Freestyle’ Soft Crop Sports Bra, XS-XL. While this style may not work for high-impact sports, the crop top styling and racer back cut work nicely if you’re looking for a cute sports bra for light exercise or lounging.
Rougette ‘Phoenix’ Bralette in Blue Floral Lace, 32-42 DD-F/FF-G. Rougette is a sister brand of Tutti Rouge, offering slightly simpler styles with a lower price point. Most of the collection is made up of wire-free bralettes and bodysuits in soft stretch mesh and lace.
Rougette ‘Eva’ Bralette, 32-42 D/F, FF/G. I particularly like Rougette’s attention to detail on the coordinating knickers– I have a pair that’s one of my absolute favorite pairs to wear. That attention to detail extends to some beautiful crossed straps across the back of this bralette, as well as heart-shaped sliders.
Goddess ‘Audrey’ Soft Cup Bra, 34-50 G-N (US cup sizes)
ASOS Fuller Bust Lace Cropped Bralette, 30-38 DD-HH. ASOS’ fuller bust size range is pretty remarkable right now. This bralette looks a lot like the velvet one I reviewed favorably earlier this year, this time with pretty crossed straps in the back with a lace accent.
ASOS Design Fuller Bust Lace Bardot Bralette, 30-38 DD-HH. I ordered this in an insomnia haze the other morning. Whoops. Will report back.
Ewa Michalak ‘Lovely’ Sleep Top, 30-42 F-KK. Like other sleep bras, these won’t do much in the way of separating or shaping, but they will provide some lift and support.
Ewa Michalak ‘Nina’ Sleep Top, 30-42 F-KK.
Bravissimo Padded Sleep Bra, 28-38 D/DD, E/F, FF/G, GG/H, HH/J. This style is designed to offer a little extra support during sleep or for lounging around the house. There’s also a non-padded version of the same bra, up to an H cup.
Bravissimo Racerback Sleep Bra, 28-38 D/E, F/G, GG/H, HH/J. Also available in pink, this style features a racerback cut and padding in the shoulder straps for extra comfort.
Bravissimo ‘Zara’ Bralette, 30-38 D/DD, E/F, FF/G, GG/H. This pretty lace style is Bravissimo’s first ever own-brand non-wired bra, and it uses dual cup sizing to offer a flexible fit up to a UK H-cup.
Parfait ‘Adriana’ Lace Bralette, 30-42 D-G. Also available in black and white, and as a babydoll.
Montelle Lace Bralette, 32-40 B/C, D/E, F/G. I wore this piece in the recent post with Broad Lingerie, and while it’s a scooch too small in the cup for me (I normally wear UK 32H), I still think it’s a great recommendation for folks who wear up to a UK G-cup.
Elila Jacquard Softcup Bra, 34-52 DDD-N (US cup sizes). Elila make some of the largest sizes on the market, with unique construction details like cushioned straps and sides to support the weight of larger breasts comfortably.
Enell High-Impact Sports Bra, 00-8. Yes, this is technically a sports bra, but if you’re concerned about stability, this bra will do the trick. I’ve mentioned it previously as the only bra I can run long distances in without breaking my skin, but it could also work as an option on a day you want to be wire-free but also plan to run errands, do chores, or otherwise be active. It’s…not the cutest, but there are plenty of colors to choose from across a few different styles, and it will definitely give you plenty of support.
Fantasie Jacqueline Non-Wired Bra, 30-40 D-H, also available in ivory. A non-wired version of the classic Fantasie lace style.
Royce ‘Ava’ Non Wired Bra, 30-42 FF-K, also available in black. Royce specializes in wire-free bras, including maternity and post-surgical styles.
Royce ‘Luna’ Non-Wired Bra, 32-40 F-K.
RG
August 6, 2018 at 6:32 am (5 years ago)What a great post. I just returned from an overseas trip and wore A Secret Treasures bra in large. I wear a UK 32F now, and found it quite comfortable for the flights, and even for hurrying through airports. Wouldn’t run, though! I used to wear a Fantasie softcup but realized I really needed something that didn’t have a clasp. In your follow-up reviews, could you mention whether they are pull-on? I know finding a good soft cup for larger busts in that kind of style is difficult, but you have shown it is possible.
Iveta
August 6, 2018 at 9:22 am (5 years ago)Great recommendations! I would add Cosabella Never Say Never Curvy Sweetie bra, which is truly a great bra – so comfortable, I hardly notice I have it on, yet surprisingly very supportive – not for running and jumping, but enough that I can do yoga in it. And it does not show any seams through light weight tops. I also own the Panache Lyzy, which has a little more plungey shape for lower cut V-necks. Parfait Adriana is another one of my favourites – it has an amazing lift and can be converted into racer-back. One drawback is that the vertical seam in the cups does show through super thin tops. Panache Andorra is gorgeous and very uplifting and the brief to go with it is a must. Thanks for showing me there is more out there to try.
Laurel
August 6, 2018 at 10:27 am (5 years ago)Love these! Can’t wait to try a few. I was pleasantly surprised recently to discover that Aerie has a few styles that fit me (I’m a 36E) including one with a standard bra hook back. The size range isn’t huge, I think XXL is the largest and they say they only go up to DD but the ones I have fit fine and were dirt cheap.
Julia Lambert
August 6, 2018 at 10:39 am (5 years ago)Oh my gosh, there are SO many options. This is amazing; thank you!
DDtop
August 6, 2018 at 1:38 pm (5 years ago)Hi Anita do many along with Triumph there are also some from the Polish brands like Gaia.
Usa have Avina and others Herroom&Bare N is good for an easy check.
MJ
October 18, 2018 at 1:12 pm (4 years ago)Thanks for these great recommendations(and the great blog!)! I’ve recently been on a quest to find a good bralette. I have found one awesome indie maker who I don’t see mentioned much, Rosalie Wynne. She’s a Canadian maker, who creates the most delicate bralettes that are remarkably supportive, and pretty affordable, too, for such lovely lace. I can wear her bralettes all day, which I’ve never been able to do with any bralette, and without the shoulder pain that so often happens with thin straps. I wear a 30f in Panache, and have a 28G in Rosalie Wynne, and it’s perfect. However, she recently updated her calculator to show “plus 4” sizes—she was getting too many people who were confused by the sizes they were getting—but the bras remain the same. She’s got more info on her instagram, @Roseliewynne