AS a DD girlie, I often have to sacrifice my comfort to keep my boobs in the right place.
And while I wish I could get away without wearing a bra when I go out, I simply am not that lucky.
Fabulous reporter Leanne Hall put four bras to the test[/caption]
She wanted something comfortable that offered support[/caption]
For years it seems I’ve been searching for a bra that looks nice, keeps me locked in and doesn’t cut off my circulation, something that has proven to be difficult.
While underwire bras dig in to my ribs, leaving not so glamorous red bands around them, non-wired bras often lack the support I need and make the straps sag.
So you can imagine my delight when I heard about the jelly bra going viral on TikTok.
With over 1 million hashtags and thousands of rave reviews I was enticed to give it a go but I was sceptical.
On my quest to find the perfect bra that didn’t cause me backache, it only seemed fair to put four styles to the test – to see which one could give me the support I’ve been searching for.
Boux Avenue Comfort Microfibre Plunge Bra, £22
As a T-shirt bra goes, this is exactly what I’m looking for.
I love the minimal design of the Microfibre Plunge Bra and the deep plunge so that it doesn’t peek out when I’m wearing a lower cut top.
It’s also super comfortable to wear as it has no underwire and the material is buttery soft.
The straps on this are thinner than most, and while I like how it looks, it didn’t give me as much support as I would like.
It’s the perfect weekday bra for when you need to put one on but aren’t fussed about pushing them up. I also think the price point is reasonable for a fuller bust bra.
Rating: 4/5
Pour Moi’s Sofia Bra, £36
The style of this Sofia bra is exceptional, I got mine in the new Berry shade for autumn and it looked stunning against my fading summer tan.
The straps are nice and thick which means it does support my chest, while the half-cup lace adds a sexy element that stops it turning into a nan bra.
The bottom of the bra is underwired and almost has a corset-like boning up the front to hoist them back up.
The side panels are also thick to help give extra support, but for me this one lost points on being uncomfortable.
I did find the underwire quite robust, which meant having it on for a few hours made it uncomfortable to wear as it slowly dug in to my ribs.
While I like the overall look, this is one to save for when you plan to take it off quickly.
Rating: 3/5
Top bra tips
Fabulous’ Deputy Fashion Editor, Abby McHale has shared her tips for keeping your bras looking their best.
1. Don’t wash your bras in the washing machine on their own, this is how your wiring will get damaged. Instead either wash in a pillowcase or take them in the shower with you and wash as you would your body.
2. Always start on the loosest hooks for your back, that way as the bra is worn more and the elastic stretches you can tighten it up with the tighter hooks.
3. If you wear your bra two to three times a week then it should last between six months to a year before you need to replace it.
4. You should always be able to feel your bra throughout the day, if you don’t it means it’s not doing its job properly.
5. It’s actually the band across the back that keeps your boobs upright and not the cups itself.
Boux Avenue Mollie Lace Padded Plunge Bra, £28
I was pleasantly suprised by how it looked and supported me[/caption]
While I generally like the design of this bra, I did feel a bit top heavy with the padding in so swiftly removed them.
While I’d usually dread an underwire bra, the Mollie style was pleasantly comfortable to wear.
It also offered a lot of support and the pretty lace detail was a bonus.
The bra does feel a bit bulky compared to a nonwired one, but otherwise it ticks all the boxes.
It loses a point for not being the cheapest of the bunch.
Rating: 4/5
Curlady, Push Up Bra, £11.99
This bra has been doing the rounds on TikTok from women like me with a larger chest size.
With over 163,000 units sold and a solid rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 from 12,000 reviewers, I had to put it the Curlady bra to the test.
Those who have tried the bra describe it as ‘buttery,’ ‘jelly,’ and ‘so comfy,’ and ‘supportive,’ despite having no underwire.
Naturally, after years of searching for a bra that lives up to these claims, I was sceptical, especially considering it cost just under £12 when most bras suited for me are £30 or more.
So when it came in the mail, I was quick to rip off the bra I had on and try it.
And I can honestly say, the reviews were right, it’s so soft I forgot I was wearing a bra and yet it still kept them upright without digging into my skin.
Is the nude colour I picked the most attractive? Probably not, but after trying it I can safely say I’ll be buying other colours.
Rating: 5/5
