Bras are changing. Style, support and shape are on the move, and it’s all down to demand. Women are increasingly choosing comfort over structure when they buy bras. We’ve found that we can achieve support and lift without uncomfortable underwires and cheese wire straps. It’s an excellent example of how the market really can and will respond to consumer preference. How and why are these changes happening, though, what are the most comfortable bras, and could this mean out for the sexy bra?
How to Wear a Bra
Why do we wear bras? To hold our boobs of course! It’s not actually as simple as that, though. The ways that we want to support our breasts changes depending on the circumstance. The activity that we’re undertaking, the size of our breasts, our mood, the time of the month. These are all things that change how we wear bras. One thing is increasingly important, though, and that’s comfort. More and more women are prioritising comfortable bras when they shop, and it’s about time!
Bra Pain Points
When a bra isn’t comfortable and causes us pain, many women used to just accept this as the norm. These are common areas where an uncomfortable bra will cause pain, so we look at what to do about it.
Shoulders
If your bra straps are digging into your shoulders, it may be that your bra is too small. Re-measure yourself and try increasing the cup size. It’s also worth looking for styles with wider shoulder straps. These spread the area that your breast weight is held by.
Lower back
Back pain for those with larger breasts can be relieved by making sure that your bra is supportive enough. Compression bras are ideal here as they minimise the movement of breasts and have a wide chest band. This adds additional support to your back and torso.
Breasts
If your boobs themselves are hurting, it might be down to the dreaded underwire. Underwired bras must fit flush to your ribcage to remain comfortable. They also have a limited lifespan, as the wire can move or twist whilst laundering.
Most Popular Comfy Bras
As part of prioritising comfort in our bra choices, what are the most popular styles? These styles shape and lift without triggering any of the classic pain points that are common.
Sports Bras
Not just for sports, the supportive engineering of sports bras has made them an everyday choice for a lot of women. Soft, wide straps and wide bands spread the support around your chest. You can adjust straps to keep the fit perfect, and panelling focusses the support where you need it.
Comfort Bras
Without underwire, the support in comfort bras comes from the compressive fabric, which manages to lift and structure your breasts. The straps tend to be wide to spread the anchor points, and they’re seamless for ultimate comfort.
Control Bras
More of a bralette style, the shape of control bras means that your breast silhouette is streamlined in the most gentle of ways. Using panelling, the bras create a cup within the front structure of the bra, so there’s no need for underwire.
Comfortably Sexy
It’s important to remember that it is possible to feel both sexy and comfortable at the same time! With soft fabrics and smooth lines, padded cup bras fit snugly and securely. Plunge shapes mean that you can stay sexy and fun while still remaining comfortable. And with fun patterns like leopard print, you can release your wild side without compromising on comfort. After all, feeling comfortable gives you the space to feel your most confident and sexy!
Becky is a content manager who writes informed industry based articles for businesses and consumers. She’s written for Elle Courbee on women’s issues and fashion for a number of years.