A few weeks ago I asked for recommendations for your favorite strapless bras and, per usual, y’all came through with amazing recommendations! I purchased a few and went in store to try on a few. As promised, I’m rounding them all up for you, my overall favorite and bra I kept and my pros and cons of the others.
Disclaimer: These recommendations were primarily for those who are heavier chested.
The lowest price option:
Delimira Slightly Lined Strapless Bra – $21.99
This bra is probably a better option for those who are smaller chested. It doesn’t have an underwire but overall just felt stiff and cheap. I did the “jump” test and it did not stay up well and I knew I would be messing with it constantly. This bra does have a deeper “v” so it would be great for lower cup tops.
The highest price option:
Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra – $68.00
Overall, I liked this bra. Would it have been good? Yes. But every body is different and it just didn’t fit exactly like I would have liked it to. However, I have every confidence it would stay up well for a night out at a wedding or what have you. Also, spending $68 on a bra is a struggle for me.
Soma Vanishing Strapless – $62
This one was a very, very close runner up (I actually purchased it but ultimately ended up returning it) but there were two deal breakers for me. 1) the price – it was $65 with tax. Ouch! 2) the sizing was way off. The associate in the store warned me that this was the case but I tried on my normal 36D on the largest hook as you typically should for a new bra and it was enormous. So she brought me the 34D and it felt like it was going to cut my circulation off. So, I put the 36D back on and I hooked it on the tightest rung of hooks and it fit well and secure. But what if it stretched and I needed a tighter rung of hooks?
However, this bra was amazing if you can get the sizing right. It has silicone on the band to prevent it from slipping and the back straps are thicker to prevent the dreaded back fat roll.
My suggestion: use the associate in the store to make sure your sizing is just right.
Soma Embraceable Strapless – $46
This was the bra I originally went into the store for. Overall it was a good option and is fairly moderately priced but I just didn’t feel it was as secure as I would have liked for a strapless.
My least favorite overall:
Soma Stunning Support Strapless Bra – Regularly $62 but currently on sale for $24.95
Ironically, the woman in the store said this was the most popular strapless that they sell. It seemed comfortable but the “contour foam cups” mentioned on the website gave me a Madonna cone boob look that may have been cool in the 80’s but isn’t exactly my style. It also didn’t feel secure at all so it was a definite no from me.
The overall winner for fit and price:
Vanity Fair Beauty Back Full Figure Strapless Bra – $26.44 (was $24.99 when I purchased it)
If you are heavy chested, THIS IS YOUR BRA! They have a wide range of sizes all the way up to a G but they do have smaller sizes as well. I imagine it would fit just as well on those who are smaller chested. It is full coverage so not as great for lower cut tops or dresses but let me tell you, this sucker will not budge. I wore it once all day at work and once for the evening when we had friends over and it stayed put and was super comfortable. And for the price and 2-day shipping, you can’t beat it!
Out of all of the bras I tried out, I had a very hard time deciding between the Vanity Fair bra and the Vanishing Strapless. All in all, those two were nearly identical to me but they were significantly different price points. Given that they were so similar in fit to me and that the sizing of the Soma bra was a little wonky, I ultimately decided that this was the winner. That said, I did exchange the Vanishing strapless for the Vanishing back bra and am very glad I did. Back fat be gone! I didn’t notice any of the sizing issues with the regular bra so I’m guessing maybe it’s isolated to just the strapless.
Another note: Soma offers a bra recycling program where you can donate your gently used bras regardless of brand to be donated to women’s shelters. My local store was offering a promotion of $10 off for 1 bra donated and $20 off for 2 bras donated. This is amazing if you are in need of a bra and have some old bras that no longer fit but you feel are too good to toss.
