8 Best Wireless Bras for Smaller Breasts | Well+Good

From gaping cups to digging underwire, the quest to find a comfortable and supportive bra is real. And for fellow members of the itty-bitty committee, it’s even more challenging to find a good bra (with all the boxes checked), no thanks to limited sizing. Yes, even people with small boobs need support and comfort, which is why we’re looking to wireless bras for smaller breasts.

“Wireless bras fit like second skin and support in all the right places, providing both lift and coverage with comfort,” says Jaclyn Fu, the co-founder of Pepper. Contrary to popular assumptions about wireless bras, they’re actually supportive. Instead of wired bras, wireless options rely on alternative materials and design elements to shape and support, and they come with various levels of padding depending on your needs. What’s more? “They are smoothing and sleek for an invisible look that disappears under shirts,” says Fu. But finding the right one can be challenging, so here’s what to look for.

Best wireless bras for smaller breasts, at a glance:

• Best overall: Pepper, Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra, $50
• Best seamless: Calvin Klein, Invisible Comfort Bralette Bra, $33
• Best strapless: Skims, Strapless Bra, $24
• Best lace: Natori, Bliss Perfection Wire-Free T-Shirt Bra, $66
• Best sports bra: Alo Yoga, Airlift Intrigue Bra, $64
• Best pullover: Thirdlove, Organic Cotton Triangle Pullover Bra, $44
• Best bralette: Pepper, Ribbed Knit Triangle Bralette, $27
• Best for nursing: Hatch, Dream Feed Nursing and Sleep Bra, $48

What to look for in a wireless bra for smaller breasts

Fit

The fit of a wireless bra has the same guidelines of a wired bra. The band of the bra should fit snugly and comfortably underneath the breasts. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that your boobs fill the cup without them spilling over the top or sides of the wireless bra.

Fabric

When shopping around for a wireless bra, Fu recommends looking for a single layer of micro-fabric. This will “effortlessly enhance your natural curves, lifting and hugging what you’ve got without any use for excess fabric or bunching,” she says.

Size

According to Kristyn Polin, a bra fit expert and supervisor of the customer service department at Bare Necessities, most women wear the wrong size bra. “Most women are wearing a band too loose and a cup too small,” she says. When this happens, it can give the illusion that the cup fits. But, in reality, everything is loose and doesn’t offer any support. To find the right size, Polin recommends getting fitted in a store by a bra fitting expert.

You can also find your bra size at home with a measuring tape. There are two measurements to take: bra band size and cup size. To determine your bra band size, measure around your torso directly under your bust and round to the nearest whole number (use inches). The measuring tape should be snug. “If you land on an odd number, you round up to an even number,” says Polin. “If you land on an even number, you stay on that number, and then that is your band size.”

To determine your cup size, take the measuring tape and wrap it around the fullest part of your chest. Round up to the nearest whole number. To calculate your cup size, you’ll need to do some math. Subtract your band size from your bust measurement. For example, if you measured 36 inches for the bust and 32 inches for the band, you subtract 36 from 32, which comes out to four. Per this chart, four is equivalent to a D, so your cup size would be a D. Combine your band and cup size, and you get 32D.

The best wireless bras for smaller breasts

Frequently asked questions

How does a wired bra differ from a wireless bra?

Wireless bras are more of a comfort style, says Polin, adding,“[an underwire bra] is a bra that has the channel that’ll help uplift and support your breasts, but without the additional support of the underwire.”

What are the different types of wireless bras?

There are five main types of wireless bras, including, but not limited to:

Wireless bralettes

The first type is wireless bralettes. Polin says this style is more for everyday comfort and lounging.

Wireless bras

There are also plain and straightforward wireless bras. These are “going to give you more structure, contoured shape, and more separation and encapsulation per breast,” says Polin. Wireless bras or padded wireless options are great for all people who want more comfort from their undergarments, especially those who have experienced life occurrences like birth or breastfeeding.

“Many women lose volume in their breasts after breastfeeding, so if you’re looking to give a more full look to yourself, you’ll want to look for something that has some graduated padding in the cup or a bump pad at the bottom to give you that appearance of a more full breast,” she says.

Wireless sports bras

Wireless sports bras use a combination of straps and fabrics like polyester, elastane, spandex, and elastane to offer support and compression during exercise. Since they’re wire-free, you don’t have to worry about irritation or the bra digging into your skin during exercise.

Wireless strapless bras

Unlike the previous options, wireless strapless bras do not have any structural integrity, so they aren’t as supportive. Instead, these bras are mainly worn for fashion purposes—they are ideal for off-shoulder or strapless outfits.

Nursing wireless bras

For people who are breastfeeding, nursing wireless bras can come in handy. These bras are designed with comfort and functionality, with easy pull-down capabilities that allow a mother to breastfeed with ease.

Do I still need a bra if I have small boobs?

A common misconception is that people with small boobs don’t need to wear a bra. That’s far from the truth. It “doesn’t matter how small you are, you can get a little sag,” says Polin. “Our tissue loosens up as we get older, so gravity starts to take its toll on you.” Ultimately, though, it all depends on how you feel, so Polin encourages doing what makes you most comfortable, whether it’s wearing or not wearing a bra.