The Best Bras for Larger Breasts
Finding a bra that feels comfortable and supportive can be hard to begin with. Since typical bra stores only carry A-DDD cups, folks with DDD+ cups have an even harder time finding bras that actually fit and feel right. Today, we have compiled our best bras for larger breasts, according to size range and fit solution.
At Understance, we focus on solution-based bras for everybody and every body, without sacrificing style. Currently providing the largest size range by a single brand in North America (28-48 bands, A-K cups), we aim to uphold that title and offer up to N cup by mid-2024.
What Breasts Are Considered “Large”?
It’s worth noting that the cup size letters do not represent how big your breasts are. The words “large” and “small” are relative. To clarify, in this blog post, we will be talking about comfortable and supportive bras for D-K cups.
How Can a Well-Fitting Bra Help?
If you have a bigger bust, the following probably seems familiar. Underboob sweat in the summer, breasts being so heavy that unless supported, it’s hard to breathe, constant chafing, bruising, irritation, and neck and back pain. The list goes on.
A well-fitting bra can alleviate those issues. Make sure the bra also matches your breast shape, or else you will experience other fit problems.
If you’re unsure about your shape, take 5 minutes to read Branatomy. It has everything you need to know to make your bra shopping experience as smooth as possible.
Different breasts have different needs, but some size ranges fall into similar breast shapes and therefore suit similar bra styles. Keep reading to see our best bras for larger breasts, organized by size and fit solution.
Ivy – our full coverage MVP for medium cup sizes (best for 30-44, D-G)
Ivy Full Coverage Underwire Bra
- Features signature FlexWire™ (flexible, bendy, comfortable underwire)
- Narrower underwire
- Forgiving fit (not picky with breast shape)
- Medium projection
Available sizes: 30-44, C-J
Select colours made with eco lace (pre consumer recycled materials that’s both smooth and not itchy).
Ivy – our full coverage MVP for medium cup sizes (best for 30-44, D-G)
Ivy Full Coverage Underwire Bra
- Features signature FlexWire™ (flexible, bendy, comfortable underwire)
- Narrower underwire
- Forgiving fit (not picky with breast shape)
- Medium projection
Available sizes: 30-44, C-J
Select colours made with eco lace (pre consumer recycled materials that’s both smooth and not itchy).
Salma – our best bra for bigger band, bigger cup (especially 38-48 DD-H)
Salma FlexWire Full Coverage Lace Bra
- Wider underwire
- High projection in D-G, medium projection in H-J
- Top sheer panel prevents over-the-cup spillage
- U-shaped back prevents straps from slipping
Available sizes: 30-48, D-J
Salma – our best bra for bigger band, bigger cup (especially 38-48 DD-H)
Salma FlexWire™ Full Coverage Lace Bra
- Wider underwire
- High projection in D-G, medium projection in H-J
- Top sheer panel prevents over-the-cup spillage
- U-shaped back prevents straps from slipping
Available sizes: 30-48, D-J
Anya – the best one for smaller band, bigger cup (especially 30-38, G-K)
Anya FlexWire Unpadded Full Coverage Bra
- Good bounce-control for everyday activities
- Strong, two-layer band with a hint of stretch
- Very projected
- Excellent lift and separation
Available sizes: 30-48, DD-K
Anya – the best one for smaller band, bigger cup (especially 30-38, G-K)
Anya FlexWire™ Unpadded Full Coverage Bra
- Good bounce-control for everyday activities
- Strong, two-layer band with a hint of stretch
- Very projected
- Excellent lift and separation
Peek-Proof – the perfect everyday T-shirt bra
A T-shirt bra has molded cups with no darts, seams, or expressive details that poke through clothing. The cups are smooth.
Peek-Proof T-Shirt FlexWire Contour Bra Collection
- Smooth, seamless, and T-shirt friendly
- Fits like a comfortable unlined bra, but with moderate nipple coverage
- Shorter underwire (great for those who struggle with digging on the sides)
- Offered in three styles: plunge, demi, full coverage
Available sizes: 30-44, C-H
You can see more of our T-shirt bras here.
Peek-Proof – the perfect everyday T-shirt bra
A T-shirt bra has molded cups with no darts, seams, or expressive details that poke through clothing. The cups are smooth.
Peek-Proof T-Shirt FlexWire™ Contour Bra Collection
- Smooth, seamless, and T-shirt friendly
- Fits like a comfortable unlined bra, but with moderate nipple coverage
- Shorter underwire (great for those who struggle with digging on the sides)
- Offered in three styles: plunge, demi, full coverage
Available sizes: 30-44, C-H
You can see more of our T-shirt bras here.
Shea – a great minimizer that’s as light as air
A minimizer bra lifts and spreads your breast tissue around so your bust looks smaller, but the bra doesn’t permanently flatten your breasts.
Spacer Air Shea FlexWire Molded Unlined Bra
- Minimizes by redistributing breast tissue into a more rounded shape (but does not feel compressive)
- Wider and more open underwire
- Cups are molded fabric (no seams)
- Made from a strong, but light-as-air spacer fabric
Available sizes: 30-44, D-H
Shea – a great minimizer that’s as light as air
A minimizer bra lifts and spreads your breast tissue around so your bust looks smaller, but the bra doesn’t permanently flatten your breasts.
Spacer Air Shea FlexWire™ Molded Unlined Bra
- Minimizes by redistributing breast tissue into a more rounded shape (but does not feel compressive)
- Wider and more open underwire
- Cups are molded fabric (no seams)
- Made from a strong, but light-as-air spacer fabric
Available sizes: 30-44, D-H
Penny – the uniboob solution for bottom-full breasts*
The solution to uniboob is wearing a bra that provides good separation. For example, an underwire bra with a tacking center gore (center part of the underwire lies flat against your sternum, separating your breasts).
Penny FlexWire Unpadded Balconette Lift Bra
- Good bounce-control for everyday activities
- Features our signature FlexWire™
- Excellent lift and separation
- Fits very projected
Available sizes: 30-48, DD-K
*Bottom-full breasts = most of your breast tissue is below your nipple
Penny – the uniboob solution for *bottom-full breasts
The solution to uniboob is wearing a bra that provides good separation. For example, an underwire bra with a tacking center gore (center part of the underwire lies flat against your sternum, separating your breasts).
*Bottom-full breasts = most of your breast tissue is below your nipple
Penny FlexWire™ Unpadded Balconette Lift Bra
- Good bounce-control for everyday activities
- Features our signature FlexWire™
- Excellent lift and separation
- Fits very projected
Available sizes: 30-48, DD-K
Sidney – the best bra to eliminate side boob
If you struggle with side boob, pick bras that are designed to give you side coverage.
Sidney FlexWire Molded Unpadded Demi Bra
- Stretchy side panel comfortably covers side boob
- Shorter side wire (won’t dig into armpit)
- More round and open underwire
- Band doesn’t roll or dig into stomach
Available sizes: 30-48, C-H
Sidney – the best bra to eliminate side boob
If you struggle with side boob, pick bras that are designed to give you side coverage.
Sidney FlexWire™ Molded Unpadded Demi Bra
- Stretchy side panel comfortably covers side boob
- Shorter side wire (won’t dig into armpit)
- More round and open underwire
- Band doesn’t roll or dig into stomach
Available sizes: 30-48, C-H
Cate – the best wireless option
Although typically an underwire bra is better at providing lift and support to larger, heavier breasts, a wireless bra can do a great job as well.
Cate Wireless Smooth Lace Unpadded Bra (Eco)
- No hardware except hook-and-eye closure
- Center front panel separates breasts without underwire (no uniboob)
- Medium support
- Made with smooth, non-itchy eco lace
Available sizes: 30-46, B-G
Cate – the best wireless option
Although typically an underwire bra is better at providing lift and support to larger, heavier breasts, a wireless bra can do a great job as well.
Cate Wireless Smooth Lace Unpadded Bra (Eco)
- No hardware except hook-and-eye closure
- Center front panel separates breasts without underwire (no uniboob)
- Medium support
- Made with smooth, non-itchy eco lace
Available sizes: 30-46, B-G
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which type of bra is best for heavy breasts?
The best type of bra for heavy breasts is one that feels most comfortable and supportive to you. It depends on if your priority is lift, minimizing, side coverage, or sensory friendliness.
Our customers in the 36H/38G/40DDD+ size range find underwire bras more suitable. Underwire remains the best bra mechanism for lift and support. When an underwire bra fits well, it’s magic – you shouldn’t be able to feel the underwire at all.
If you’re wondering if your bra fits correctly, check out our fit check guide. Keep in mind that bra fit is more art than science. If the bra meets all the criteria, but feels stiff and punishing, don’t settle for it. On the other hand, if the bra doesn’t meet all the criteria, but feels comfortable and supportive, then it’s completely fine to wear it.
2. What is the best bra style to lift and separate large breasts?
If you’re looking for lift and separation, we recommend an underwire bra. Ideally, the underwire should sit on your breast roots (the curved line at the base of your breasts) and center gore (where the underwire meets in the middle) should lie flat against your sternum. The underwire will help lift your breasts and the tacking center gore will help separate them.
If you prefer not having underwire, a good wireless bra can also provide lift and separation. For example, Cate is wireless and has a center front panel that separates breasts without an underwire. It provides medium support.
3. How do I choose a bra size for heavy breasts?
Our bra size calculator can help. Our calculator asks for personal preference between a firm fit and relaxed fit. Oftentimes, people with heavier breasts prefer a tighter underband. A tighter underband provides a good “base” for the bra. It helps the bra provide more lift and support, which relieves some pressure that comes with heavier breasts. Most of a bra’s support comes from the band, not the straps. The straps just keep everything in place – if you rely on the straps for lift, it’ll hurt your shoulders and back. If you find yourself constantly tightening the straps to get more lift, it’s time to remeasure and double-check your size.
4. What bra size am I?
We offer a bra size calculator that uses a different algorithm for each size range, so each size range can get the perfect match. We consider your breast fullness and prioritize your personal preference. Use the calculator here.
We also have a blog post that talks about the fundamentals of bra size, explains why getting the right fit is so important, and provides more information about our calculator.
5. How do I know if my bra fits right?
You can do a fit check by following this guide. If you need more assistance, book a virtual fitting with us.
6. My bra doesn’t fit properly. What should I do?
You can consult our troubleshooting guide. It lists common fit problems relating to the band, underwire, cups, and straps, and their solutions. Once you identify the fit issue, use the filters when browsing for a new style to try. We list our bras in terms of underwire width, projection level, side underwire height, coverage level, and other attributes that matter to a good fit. If you need more assistance, chat with one of our fitting experts.
7. What are the best bras for small band big cups?
We have compiled a list of our bras here that work for smaller band, bigger cups. These comfortable bras go down to at least a 30 band, and up to at least a G cup.
8. Why is bra shopping so hard?
We get it. Bra shopping sucks (especially for folks with larger breasts). We did a deep dive into the bra industry’s four main issues and compiled our answers into a 10-minute YouTube video. Watch it here.
9. What colour bra do I wear under a white?
Choose the colour closest to your skin tone. When in doubt, wear a warmer-toned bra instead of a cooler-toned one. There’s some truth to red being a stand-in nude tone. Darker pinks, burgundy, even a deep purple can be invisible under white, for various skin tones. Make sure to stay away from bright white – it’s actually one of the least invisible colours under white T–shirts.