Strapless Bra, or Bustier?

As the weather turns warmer and wedding season takes over, the demand for strapless bras skyrockets. I blame the clothing designers. They make all these beautiful dresses and tops, with no regard for bra straps! And if you’re fuller-busted, you know that it can be really tough to find a good strapless bra.

Idol Allure, by Freya

How do they work?

To understand a strapless bra, you need to understand regular bras. So why do bras have straps in the first place? Most people would probably say that they’re there for support, but that’s only a small part of what straps do. Your bra band should be doing about 80% of that work. (Relying too much on straps for support can cause back and shoulder pain.) Bra straps help hold your bra in place, and they assist with shape and lift. For example, look at this bra:

Envy, by Panache

See that panel at the side of the cup? The side panel connects to the bra strap, and the two work together to direct breast tissue up and in. So when we take the straps away, the bra loses some of its ability to lift and shape. Which means if you’re looking for a strapless bra that hoists your boobs up to your chin and gives a super held-in shape at the sides, you’re going to be disappointed. (Even Kim Kardashian West can’t get a strapless bra that does this – she just uses tape.)

Ditching straps also means getting serious about your bra band. When a bra has straps, you can get away with a slightly looser band because your straps will pick up some of the slack. Compromising on snugness in a strapless bra means you’re compromising on support. Which means you’ll spend the night hitching up your bra instead of wowing everyone with your mastery of the Single Ladies dance. (No? Only me?)

Adelaide, by Goddess

What about bustiers?

A bustier is like a strapless bra with a super extended band – like, down to your waist or hips. And since the band is the source of support, more band means… yes! Even more support. Which means you’ll be hands-free when it’s time for that Beyoncé impression.

And if your dress has a low back or neckline, bustiers can be easier to work with than strapless bras. Strapless bras often have a high centre gore – that’s the part between your boobs – for extra support. But because bustiers have the advantage of an extra long band, they can get away with a lower centre gore. In a similar way, a bustier can use the extra structure around your abdomen to make up for a slightly lower back. (Tip: If you’re shopping with a particular outfit in mind, bring it with you! Dress-testing lets you be sure the bra or bustier you choose will match.)

There are so many factors to consider when bra shopping, and going strapless takes it to the next level. Make a list of your priorities and ask a bra fitter to help you out. A strapless bra will never feel quite as good as your favourite everyday bra, but with a little experimentation we can get you close!