T-Shirt Bras for Fuller Busts – Why They Are Hard to Find
Most bras in North America are t-shirt bras. T-shirt bras are also known as molded bras or smooth cup bras. They are made from foam. Imagine dipping your fingertip in hot wax, and the hot wax cools into a little cup – that’s pretty much how t-shirt bras are made. T-shirt bras are great at giving you a completely smooth look under thin, form-fitting tops. For many, they are workhorse bras.
Cross-section of a t-shirt bra
T-shirt bras are easy to find up to a DD, rarer in DDD-H, and almost impossible to find above an H cup. In this article, we will explain why t-shirt bras for fuller busts are hard to find, why we don’t recommend them for bigger cups, as well as some fuller bust alternatives for a smooth look.
T-shirt bras are easy to find up to a DD, rarer in DDD-H, and almost impossible to find above an H cup. In this article, we will explain why t-shirt bras for fuller busts are hard to find, why we don’t recommend them for bigger cups, as well as some fuller bust alternatives for a smooth look.
Cross-section of a t-shirt bra
Imagine this grapefruit is your breast. When wearing a bra, your goal is to cover your breasts closely – not leaving anything overflowing nor any empty gaps.
Above a DDD cup, this is most likely what your breasts look like with a t-shirt bra on (imagine the glass bowl is the bra). Gaps and overflow are everywhere. The bra is somehow too big and too small at the same time. The cup is too wide, but too shallow. Most foam has a tendency to “bounce back” after heat treatment, so it’s difficult to mold it deeply. Foam also tends to be inflexible. Unless your breasts are exactly the shape of the cups, the cups will just end up sitting on top of your breasts, without “pocketing” them nicely.
Above a DDD cup, this is most likely what your breasts look like with a t-shirt bra on (imagine the glass bowl is the bra). Gaps and overflow are everywhere. The bra is somehow too big and too small at the same time. The cup is too wide, but too shallow. Most foam has a tendency to “bounce back” after heat treatment, so it’s difficult to mold it deeply. Foam also tends to be inflexible. Unless your breasts are exactly the shape of the cups, the cups will just end up sitting on top of your breasts, without “pocketing” them nicely.
In an unpadded, seamed cup bra, this is what your breasts look like in a well-fitting bra (imagine the dishcloth is the bra). The fabric wraps around your breast nicely, stretching slightly to give you a little more room where you need it, and laying flat where you don’t have as much volume.
So what if you wear a DDD+ cup size, and want a smooth look? We have some alternatives.
Alternative 1:
Molded Non-Foam Bras
Like t-shirt bras, molded non-foam bras don’t have center seams. Without the foam, they are a lot more forgiving with different breast shapes. The downside is they are not 100% when it comes to nipple-coverage – ok for some, not enough modesty for others. Our best molded non-foam bras are Sidney (30-48, C-H) and Shea (30-44, D-H).
Alternative 1:
Molded Non-Foam Bras
Like t-shirt bras, molded non-foam bras don’t have center seams. Without the foam, they are a lot more forgiving with different breast shapes. The downside is they are not 100% when it comes to nipple-coverage – ok for some, not enough modesty for others. Our best molded non-foam bras are Sidney (30-48, C-H) and Shea (30-44, D-H).
Alternative 2:
Padded Seamed Cup Bras
These bras are great at hiding the headlights. They are also easy-going when it comes to fit. You may see the seams and texture slightly depending on the shirt. They work well under crisp cottons or shirts with a bit of thickness. Our best padded seamed cup bras are Harper (28-40, D-H) and Ivy (30-44, C-J).
Alternative 2:
Padded Seamed Cup Bras
These bras are great at hiding the headlights. They are also easy-going when it comes to fit. You may see the seams and texture slightly depending on the shirt. They work well under crisp cottons or shirts with a bit of thickness. Our best padded seamed cup bras are Harper (28-40, D-H) and Ivy (30-44, C-J).
P.S. We are always working on innovative solutions – more DDD+ smooth cup bras are in the works!
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I just purchased the understance bra size 32D . I love it I am 62 years old and it gives me just the right lift and coverage, the girls don’t fall out when I am at work bending over. Also sexy enough to wear out at night. I will buy this bra again . Thank you.