Best Bras for Plus Size Women

Approximately 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong size bra according to the Bits of Lace website. The quest for the right size is even more difficult for plus size women because sizing becomes less reliable in bras larger than a D cup and individual manufacturers label large cup sizes differently. For instance, the Her Room size conversion chart shows that what Cacique brand calls a DD cup, Fancee Free brand labels as an E and what Elle MacPherson brand markets as an E, is an F cup in Dominique brand bras. What is a plus size girl to do?

Start by receiving a professional bra fitting or do it at home with the help of a friend. Put on your best fitting bra (one without padding of any kind) and have your friend measure your torso just under your breasts after you exhale. Round up the measurement to the nearest inch. This measurement is your band size and should be fairly reliable no matter what style of plus size bra you’re shopping for.

Put your arms to your side and have your friend wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust. Round up to the nearest inch and subtract the band measurement from the bust measurement. For example, if your band measurement is 40 and your bust measurement is 46, you will be working with the number 6.

Consult a sizing chart (easily found online at any store that sells bras) to determine your cup size. According to the sizing chart at Her Room, a difference of 6 inches between band and bust converts to a size DDD or F cup. This means that the correct bra size for the sample given is 40DDD or 40F. As previously discussed, cup sizes vary according to manufacturer, but with an accurate size in mind you’ll at least have a good place to start when searching for the best plus size bra.

Best Plus Size Sports Bra

A quality plus size sports bra should fit snugly without restricting movement, have wide, padded straps that are adjustable and be made from fabric that wicks moisture away from the body. An encapsulating bra, one that separates the breasts and holds each one separately, is better for a plus size woman than a compression bra – one that compresses the breasts to the chest. Women with larger breasts often end up with the “uni-boob” look when wearing a compression sports bra. The best plus size sports bra is one that encapsulates and compresses.

The Glamorise wireless sports bra is an excellent choice for plus size women. It is made from breathable material, has adjustable straps and a design that both encapsulates and compresses. It is a moderately priced bra that comes in cup sizes up to F and band sizes up to 48 inches.

Best Plus Size Feminine Bra

The Aviana minimizing soft cup bra received an average of 4.7 stars out of five on the Big Girl Bras website. It is described as pretty, soft and comfortable with wide, padded shoulders and a supportive wireless design. Aviana offers a wonderful line of bras for full figured women that come in soft colors with lots of lace and peek-a-boo styles.

The Aviana minimizing soft cup bra is one of the best plus size bras because few manufacturers offer such pretty, feminine designs in sizes as large as Aviana – up to 48M.

Best Plus Size Everyday Bra

The Wacoal Basic Beauty bra is perfect for everyday wear. It comes in basic colors that won’t show through light blouses and have a clever “kicked in” strap design the pulls straps toward the center of your back, preventing them from sliding off the shoulder. It is an underwire bra that is available in sizes up to 44G and is priced moderately for a quality garment. The Wacoal brand offers several lingerie options for plus size women including bras that are lacy, colorful and sexy.

What makes the Basic Beauty design the best plus size everyday bra is that it is completely smooth and seamless (perfect under t-shirts) without the addition of padding or molding – something most plus size women don’t need or want.