BEST PLACES TO BUY BRAS ONLINE THAT AREN’T VICTORIA'S SECRET
Looking for a few great options to get your girls in check? I’m sharing seven great bra brands that may just change your bra wearing experience for the better!
DISCLOSURE: None of this is a paid sponsorship. Although Yummie, AdoreMe, ThirdLove, Lively and True + Co gifted me pieces, I paid for the rest of the products with my own money. As always, this is an honest, unpaid review of ThirdLove, Lively, AdoreMe, Yummie, Aerie, Savage x Fenty and True & Co. However, there are affiliate links in this post. Which means if you click and end up buying something I get a small perk- usually a few bucks toward a new bra. Which I wouldn't hate ;)
If you're a girl with boobs then odds are your ads are like 75% bra ads lately. There are quite a few newish underwear companies trying to make their mark, including ThirdLove, Lively, True & Co., AdoreMe and Yummie.
First off… I have to admit, Victoria’s Secret and PINK were my GO-TO for bras and underwear (heck even lounge and everyday wear if I’m being honest) all through middle school, high school and undoubtedly some of college . Now, more than a decade later, my love of a good bra has evolved.
Post my Victoria Secret phase I wanted something a LOT more comfortable, so I picked up a few bralettes/sports bra’s at Marshall’s that I liked. They were super comfortable and I ended up wearing them for a little over a year; I really couldn’t complain.. Except for the times they didn’t always keep things in place and I felt like a needed something a bit more secure, or the times I wanted a grown-up bra that was a bit more flattering.
Bra shopping can be super frustrating and time consuming, and sometimes just downright depressing when things don’t go as planned. So I decided to go on the hunt for a new bra via online routes (better my bedroom mirror with natural light than the unflattering yellow lights and dirty carpet of a dressing room where I’m uncomfortable AF, right?). I gave all seven brands that I’ve been seeing lately a try and, obviously, documented my experience here for you.
If you have any questions about any of the brands or pieces mentioned, feel free to leave a comment or get in touch with me via a DM or email, and scroll down for a quick recap of my faves + not-so faves :) always happy to help!
* this post was updated 1/2021 to reflect updated faves and links *
One of the immediate things I LOVE about ThirdLove is their "Try Before You Buy" program. Basically, you get to try out their classic t-shirt bra and wear it as much as you want, free of charge for 60 days, you just pay for shipping. Considering how much you can shell out when it comes to bras, this can be a bit of a relief when you’re worried about fit and are on the fence about styles.
I personally prefer the Prima Cotton collection. It’s a bit softer and I like the fit of them better. I’m SO obsessed with the the Pima Cotton Wireless Bra. It’s a great everyday bra, with lots of support, but not too much push-up or padding so its super comfortable. The 24/7 Pima Cotton Bra is another great option, basically the same, but with a cute cutout so it’s not as basic! I also tried out the Lace Contour Plunge Bra and it’s great because it fits like a bralette, but has a cup with a little padding - which gives more push up than a bralette.
Another thing that makes Third Love special is their half-sizing. Who knew 50% of women fall between cup sizes? We’re so used to just going with whichever whole size fits the best, versus finding an exact fit for our body. And doesn’t 34 and-a-half B sound like so much more interesting than 34B? I bet Victorias Secret didn’t measure in half sizes!
Use their easy Fit Finder tool which asks you a series of fit and style preference questions which will recommend the right ThirdLove bra for you. I took the quiz and it recommended the classic t-shirt bra in sizes 36D and 38C, so I tried out both for fit and I decided to keep the 38C and return the 36D because I noticed the straps dug in a lot more in my armpits on the 36D which was uncomfortable and unflattering. The 38C is much more comfortable, and I can definitely feel the difference with the no slip straps that also sets ThirdLove apart.
update as of 1/2021 : I no longer wear the classic t-shirt bra, the straps were uncomfortable on me and I wasn’t happy with the fit of the cup.
SHOP THE POST
Final Review:
obsessed
Pricing: $$-$$$
The 24/7 Prima cotton collection is my go-to when I wear cup bras. They’re Comfortable and have great support.
The first time I came across True & Co (now available on Amazon Prime) was at my old internship and I remember literally saying “OMG these feel like butter!”. True & Co has some of THE MOST COMFORTABLE bras with a very casual everyday vibe that I personally love about bralettes, but with a more sophisticated twist. They’re a great everyday bra because it hardly feels like you’re wearing one and let’s be honest, that’s all of our vibes after the last year!
You really can’t go wrong with any of the True Body bra ($49). They have so many different color and style options ( scoop v neck, racerback, triangle, convertible strap) based on your personal preferences. I personally have at least 8 different True Body bra’s, I’m that obsessed with how comfortable they are. There's no underwire, which I generally prefer, but it doesn't squish my boobs or leave it gappy. The way its constructed is so smooooth, it feels like buttery soft and basically disappeared beneath my clothes. This is pretty much the perfect bra to wear under close-fitting tops or if you want something that’s super soft and comfy for everyday wear.
Full disclosure, because of the material and the length of them (they can be worn as crop/layering tops or with high waisted pants) but I dont really find that they roll at the bottom, unless they’re extra long so keep that in mind and look for shorter styles if that’s something you’re worried about.
I also tried out the True Weekend Cotton Stretch Triangle Bralette (currently on sale for $19!) and let me tell you, this is the bra I DREAM of. It has quickly become my everyday bra and I bought it in 2 more colors. It’s super comfortable like a t-shirt material, but has so much support and lift that i literally forget I’m wearing a bralette. I ended up going back and buying this myself in two more colors because I love it THAT much.
Two other bras I tried out were the Madison Lace Bralette and the Gramercy Balconette. The Madison lace Bralette was super cute and I loved the lace detail on the straps, however it didn't have as much support and lift that I like. The Gramercy Balconette was also not my cup of tea, it just didn't have enough padding on the actual cup behind the lace to make my girls look good (its basically just a thin layer of lace lol). I did like how much scoop and lift this bra had though and it’s a super unique design! Ultimately, I preferred the Cotton Stretch triangle bralette and the true body collection SO much more, but these would be a great option if you’re looking for more of a styled bralette or more of a lingerie look with the lace detailing.
SHOP MY FAVES
Final Review:
buttery soft! my go-to everyday bra’s
Pricing: $$$
These are my my GO-TO everyday bras. I’m not kidding about how buttery soft they are, basically invisible, and for not having an underwire the true & co body collection has SUCH good support. If you’re looking for a good everyday bralette, No underwire so not a ton of push up but honestly didn’t mind with the support and structure it had. One downside- The shape of some of them makes it non-tank-top-friendly, so keep in mind that some are more of a t-shirt bra. I promise you won’t regret trying this brand out.
What’s great is they have extended sizing (through DDD) so they’re definitely bigger-chested friendly.
If you like bralettes, you’ll love Lively! The makers of Lively set out to create an entirely new category by combining leisurewear with swim and lingerie taking the best elements of high-style and comfort from each category, and I’m into it. You can tell there’s a clear attention to detail, and the bras are super comfortable. From the strapless bra that actually stays up to the fun printed bralettes that are perfect for everyday wear.
I ordered a couple bras from Lively; the No-wire Push Up (my FAVE lively bra, has such good support and is so comfortable), Long Lined and Geo Lace Bralette as well as the no wire strapless (which was just as comfortable as the no wire push up, but would have liked a bit more push up). As far as the bralettes go, the Long Lined bralette was more me. It didn’t have pads inside which tend to get twisted, tangled or lost, but still had enough padding and comfort that I felt pushed up and supported. The Geo Lace Bralette would probably be better for smaller chested people, it left me feeling a bit more droopy and lacked the fit I prefer.
I’m wanting to try out the Skinny Strap Seamless Bralette or the Deco Mesh Bralette in my next order, so I’ll let you know how they compare.
There's a discount if you buy multiple bras and the discount deepens the more you buy so it pays to stock up and buy more. Even without the discount, though, Lively is by still super affordable at around $30-$40.
SHOP THE POST
Final Review:
bra’s + bralette’s for every shape
Pricing: $$
If you’re bigger chested (C cups and up) and looking for a traditional bra, I suggest the No-wire Push Up, T-shirt Bra or the all day no wire push up.
If you prefer bralettes, I suggest Long Lined bralette (for support) and Geo Lace Bralette (for flatter chested).
If you’re into prints and more of the lingerie style then AdoreMe is for you (their urban jungle collection is FIRE)! They have sophisticated and stylish silhouettes (that remind me a bit of the selection you’d find at VS) and definitely offer more of the typical lingerie style bra+ panty sets and bustiers. You can tell these bras are built for REAL WOMAN and were designed with comfort in mind. Their Analize Cup Bra has GREAT support and the push up always makes me feel like a VS model LOL.
They also extend their comfort into products like activewear, loungewear, swim, robes and pajamas which I’m obsessed with. I’ve been living in my lounge set, and my family and I got matching cheetah print pajamas for christmas, and got SO many compliments. we still in live them because of how soft and cozy they are.
SHOP THE POST
Final Review:
comfortable. sophisticated styles w/great coverage
Pricing: $$
If you’re into more lingerie styles, you’ll LOVE Adore Me’s selection!
The T-shirt Bra was my favorite cup bra in a long time. I am obsessed with the lift and push-up and its so comfortable for a cup bra. The Balconette bra is more of a lingerie style bra and felt like a mix between a strapless (with straps) and a regular cup bra. It was cute but not for me.
Yummie is another one of my favorite brands out of this bunch and they’re my go-to for more than just bra’s; they have an amazing selection of basics and shape wear like layering tops and bodysuits, biker shorts and super flattering leggings!
I tried out two bralette’s and one strapless bra from Yummie and it was hard to come up with anything I didn’t like about them. For a strapless bra, the Peyton Contour Strapless Convertible Bra had some of the best lift I’ve ever seen. I don’t know where I’ve been getting my strapless bra’s from but I’m throwing out all my little stretchy bandeau’s because this baby is taking their place, the lift and support is incredible and it’s SO comfortable.
The Emmie T-Back Bralette was my favorite of the bralettes and one of my top picks from this haul. It’s super comfortable and I felt super secure and loved how much support it had with the t-back. The Ultralight Seamless Lace Back Unlined Bralette had a very similar (if not the same) comfy material, but the lace detail in the back was a bit much for me. If you wear a lot of racerback tanks or open back shirts, you’d probably like this so you can see more of the detailing, but In the winter I’m more about comfort + versatility than style.
They just launched a ton of new bra’s which I’ll link below, and report back on if I end up trying out any!
SHOP MY FAVES
Final Review:
a+ strapless bra & go-to for shape wear and basics
Pricing: $$
I’m obsessed with the shape wear and bodysuits. As far as bras, MUST HAVE is the strapless bra, I’m telling you guys it is what strapless bras should be! I also suggest picking up one of their bralettes that are perfect for every day. All of their styles are comfortable and have great support!
I have heard people raving about aerie bras but I genuinely never expected them to to be that good. I ordered a few different styles including :
aerie chill cotton bralette (5/5, so comfy and great push up,)
aerie real me full coverage lightly lined bra (great cup bra for lift and support, but I prefer the third love or the lively)
aerie sunshine wireless lightly lined bra (another good cup bra, but the cup itself is a bit bigger than i prefer)
aerie chill seamless bralette (5/5 one of the most comfortable push up bralettes I’ve ever worn, I literally lounge around the house in this and never thought I would be one of those girls. I ordered in 3 more colors)
aerie lace padded bralette ( its a very comfy bralette and would get 5/5 but the padding on the inside tends to bunch and twist which is annoying so i ended up taking it out so it gets a 3/5 for me, if you’re smaller chested and can go without padding then deff give this one a try!)
SHOP THE POST
Final Review:
comfy & the most affordable option
Pricing: $
The aerie chill seamless bralette is the ultimate everyday lounge bralette. I live in it! Honestly wasn’t to keen on anything else, the quality of the cup bras just wasn’t there and I actually ended up getting rid of most of them because I wear the ThirdLove + True and Co' bras more. I did prefer the full coverage lightly lined bra over the aerie sunshine wireless lightly lined bra.
I’ve heard so much about Rhianna’s Savage x Fenty collection and after her show at fashion week I was convinced. I tried out the t-shirt bra and the floral lace bralette. I will say the floral lace bralette has NO padding, its one of those sheer lace, lingerie style bra’s which i wasn’t super into. I much more preferred the comfort I got from the t-shirt bra. It was actually one of my favorite cup bra’s i tried on throughout the entire haul. the bottom wire and cup are super comfortable and there is tons of push up and lift.
SHOP MY FAVES
Final Review:
lingerie style
Pricing: $
The tt-shirt bra is super comfortable as was the floral lace bralette., but its more lingerie style which I didn’t really prefer.
OVERALL:
Yummie for the MUST HAVE strapless bra
True + Co for buttery soft bra’s that barely feel like bras, think grown up barrettes with better support.
Thirdlove has the most comfortable cotton cup bras + bralettes.
Lively and Adore me have some great cup bras (and adore me has THE BEST PJs!)
Aerie for padded sports bras (that double as crop tops)
Wasn’t super Impressed with SavagexFenty (the quality and comfort for the cost/how in demand they are was just not there)
NOTABLE MENTION
Floatley: I was gifted a bra from their cozy collection and omg definitely been an everyday fave! The support and quality is wayyy more than i expected for the price point and I can already tell its made to be worn and last a while! I’m excited to get a few more styles and actually give them a full review! I’ll make sure to share so keep checking back!
Spanx: I’ve been living in spanx leggings for the last couple years, but definitely didn’t know they also have a great line of bras too. With fun names like the Bra-llelujuh and the Bra-dacious — there’s a size, style and color for everyone — and extra special details like a wider backstrap (helping to prevent things like the dreaded back bulge peeking out underneath top). Love what Spanx does for your bottom half? Then you need to try their bras!