Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
Spring is fast approaching, and with it comes the promise of less coverage in the fabric department. While this is certainly exciting for our sun-deprived extremities, it’s not the best news for a particular undergarment that’s often worn well past its due date: the bra. Once the weather warms up, we can no longer hide our timeworn unmentionables under layers of Heatech, sweaters, and coats, and ignore the fact that they’re simply not giving us the coverage that we need.
What your wardrobe is begging for, is the t-shirt bra: that perfect spring underpinning that keeps everything in place while simultaneously ensuring that nothing looks out of place — like a good camper, it leaves no trace. The ideal version of this bra has minimal-to-no-hardware or frippery for thin fabric to catch on, and like the t-shirt, it’s casual — it’ll be that go-to style that you reach for every day, and will take you from work to the weekend to, and *praying hands emoji,* the beach.
We know that there are about eighty million different types of boobs out there — our friends at ThirdLove offer a whopping 78 sizes for all these ta-tas, and show no signs of stopping — so we’ve done our homework to suss out the best of this style for many a breast type in this edition of Hype Machine. (Nursing moms: we didn’t forget you.) Click through to find the t-shirt bras that have the internet saying hallelujah, and take you and your boobs through the rest of the year with style and subtlety.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The Best For Smoothing
Many an evangelical customer was thrilled to report that Spanx’s Full Coverage Underwire Bra smoothed lady lumps and lifted the girls in a physics-defying way. We expect nothing less from the original conquerors of VPL.
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 142 reviews on Nordstrom.com
What They’re Saying: "I now own two of these as they are truly the best. The soft stretchy back and straps make for total lack of lumpy back fat under smooth shirts. I am totally spoiled by this bra now and can’t handle any others. … Just enough oomph to make my 35 year old (and breastfed two babies) boobs look awesome." – Tessa248, Nordstrom.com review
SPANX Bra-llelujah! Full Coverage Underwire Bra: 32B – 38DD, $68, available at Nordstrom
The Best Fashionable Function
The t-shirt bra doesn’t have to be un-sexy. With lacy accents dancing down the straps. ThirdLove’s universally praised Lace Back T-Shirt Bra has the all the trappings of foncy lingerie with the smoothness and support of an everyday style. If you still want a little va-va-voom in your day-to-day wardrobe, this is the bra for you.
The Hype: 4.8 out of 5 stars; 584 reviews on ThirdLove.com
What They’re Saying: "This bra has the prettiest lacy design that makes feeling sexy in it an absolute. The perfect fit and soft fabric are not lost to the sexy design. I bought it in black and skin tone." – Lori, ThirdLove.com review
ThirdLove 24/7 Lace Back T-Shirt Bra: 30 C – 40F, $76, available at ThirdLove
The Best Wireless
For those of us that require as little hardware as possible, Warner’s Cloud 9 wire-free bra offers anchoring support with nary a trace of metal. And never fear — as evidenced by the review, the support is very much still there.
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars; 1,268 reviews on Amazon.com
What They’re Saying: "I was nervous that no underwire would make the ladies look like flattened pancakes, but this bra makes me look incredible." – Kathryn Florence, Amazon.com reviewer
Warner’s Warner’s Cloud 9 Wire-Free Contour Bra: 34A – 40C, $22.99, available at Amazon
The Best For Working Boobs
There’s a good chance that if you’re nursing, you may actually be living in t-shirts these days. Bravado’s nursing bra got high marks for support and functionality in a wide range of sizes, and it comes with removable inserts for nip protection.
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 40 reviews on BareNecessities.com
What They’re Saying: "I bought one of these before my baby came, and ended up buying 2 more — this is the only bra I wore the entire year I nursed. Now that we’re done nursing I’m trying to find a non-nursing bra that is just like this one, minus the wider straps and clip down cups." – Aldia, BareNecessities.com review
Bravado! Body Silk Wire-Free Nursing Bra: XS – XXL, $65, available at Bare Necessities
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Aerie’s Real Sunnie Bra is one of the highest-rated bras out there, with extra high marks for its outstanding support, comfort, and coverage. Normally priced at a (still-reasonable) $44, it’s on sale right now for $27, which is about the best deal in town for such a functional, hard-working boulder-holder.
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 131 reviews on Aerie.com
What They’re Saying: "I bought this bra to replace an old Sunnie that was absolutely worn to death. This one fits exactly like the old one in terms of comfort and support. There’s a reason I’ve been exclusively buying Aerie bras for about 3 years now!" – ac42, Aerie.com review
Aerie Full Coverage Lightly Lined Bra: 30A – 40DD, $25, available at Aerie
The Best Extended Size
With close to 1,000 reviews, this plus-size Wacoal bra got high marks for simplicity and support, especially from bustier customers. Our takeaway? This bra is going to stay put no matter what the day serves up.
The Hype: 4.75 out of 5 stars, 967 reviews on Nordstrom.com
What They’re Saying: "My daughter recommended this to me as being very comfortable, as we are both large-breasted. She was right. It’s pretty basic-looking and supportive. I don’t notice that I’m wearing it, so that’s great, too!" – LifeCoachShari, Nordstrom.com review
Wacoal Basic Beauty Underwire Contour Bra: 30D – 40DDD, $58, available at Nordstrom
The Best Sleeper (Literally)
We read that Marilyn Monroe would wear a bra to bed, presumably to lessen the effects of gravity and help keep the girls aloft. While the jury is kinda out on whether or not this is actually effective, if it is your personal choice, we’re here to make sure you have the best bra for it. Hanes’ Convertible Seamless Bra get accolades for both daytime wear and pajama-friendliness.
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 1,846 reviews on Amazon.com
What They’re Saying: " This fabric is stretchy and soft and comfortable and fit me wonderfully and I love it so much. … I could even sleep in it, which is crazy because sleeping in all my old underwire bras always felt like punishment for my boobs. I’m gonna buy a million of these and throw all my other bras out." – Lauren, Amazon.com review
Hanes Convertible Seamless Wire Free Bra: XS – XL, $14.02, available at Amazon
The Best For V-Necks
Just because you’re wearing a t-shirt doesn’t mean you can’t have a little cleavage, right? Dobreva’s plunge style is your best best for the more revealing tees in your collection.
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 30 reviews on Amazon.com
What They’re Saying: "I’m always afraid to order pushup bras because I am well endowed in that area and chunky, but this bra is amazeballs! My boobs look fantastic in v-neck shirts and definitely say hello to everyone we meet." – Chrystal, Amazon.com review
Dobreva Front Closure Bra, $18, available at Amazon
The Best Investment
Multiple customers cited perfect fit, top-notch comfort, and luxurious feel in this fanatically-reviewed Natori Pure Luxe t-shirt bra. More than one reviewer declared the slightly-higher price more than worth it, so spectacular is the bra’s quality and fabrication.
The Hype: 4.7 stars; 709 reviews on Nordstrom.com
What They’re Saying: "[Natori’s] new ‘Pure Luxe’ fabric is luxurious and super comfortable. The quality of this bra is top notch and with proper care will maintain it’s shape, elasticity and last for years. This bra style looks fabulous under all fabrics, not just cotton tees, but knitted sweater fabrics, nylon fabrics and linens." – Nantucket90, Nordstrom.com review
Natori Pure Luxe Underwire T-Shirt Bra, $66, available at Nordstrom
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Source: Refinery29 – Emily Ruane