For those with large busts, the thought of wearing a strapless bra can be daunting. After all, the straps are what provide the necessary lift and support in a bra. And for some brands, that's still the case — but after trying on a dozen strapless bras myself, I can tell you it's definitely not true across the board.
As someone who wears a size 44D, I need a strapless bra to stay put, feel comfortable, and look invisible under my open-shoulder dresses and tube tops. The following strapless bras passed my anti-slip jumping jack test, and offer the right amount of coverage for people with large or heavy breasts. I also spoke with Kimmay Caldwell, creator of Bra Confidence & Comfort, who shares her expertise on what to look for in a strapless bra and how to find the best one for your needs.
To learn more about our favorite bras we've tested, see our guides to the best sports bras for large busts and best bralettes for large busts.
ThirdLove 24/7 Classic Strapless Bra
This bra gets the hard-won top spot because it stayed put during all of our jumping jack tests, is exceedingly comfortable for a strapless bra, and has a non-slip silicone grip that ensures it stays put through dancing and sweating. If you don't believe us, believe the thousands of five-star reviews.
- Convertible detachable straps
- No-slip grip on the top and bottom edge
- Memory foam cups
- Double-layer back
- Can’t find any
This strapless bra from ThirdLove was the most comfortable and supportive one I tested. Since I wear a 44D, I'm always a fan of a bra that has round, wide cups and thick band — and this bra has both. Its band also has wings that created a flattering, smoothing effect around my torso. And unlike most bras that have just three rows of hook-and-eye closures, this one has four.
When I did the jumping jack test, my bust didn't move at all. In fact, it almost provided the compression and support of a sports bra. The band didn't shift, nor did I feel any spillage, so you could definitely wear this on the dance floor at a wedding and feel secure.
Inside, the bra's no-slip silicone grippy lining ensured that the bra stayed in place just beneath my shoulder blades. The foam inside the cups was just the right amount for me, as it didn't add any bulge or create any push-up effect.
It's worth noting that ThirdLove offers this bra in half-cup sizes —which isn't something you see very often — and it comes with removable straps that you can hold onto for when you want that extra support and lift (although you really won't need it). It's considerably expensive at $72, but worth the investment if you want a high-quality, convertible strapless bra you can wear for years.
Vanity Fair Lingerie Beauty Back Strapless Full Figure Underwire Bra
This budget-friendly pick has a lace detail on its center gore and is made with a stretchy combo of nylon and Spandex.
- Affordable
- 5 rows of hook-and-eye closures
- 4-way stretch fabric
- Small wings
I wore theis Vanity Fair bra with my favorite strapless dress, and it kept my chest in place with the lift I needed for a flattering finish. I like how soft and stretchy the fabric is, and it even allowed for some breathing room so I wasn't totally constricted.
The cups are lightly lined with just enough fabric to encapsulate my entirety of my breasts. It also came with straps, should you want to wear it that way. The built-in silicone prevented any gaps between my skin and the bra. My bust did shift a little in this bra during jumping jacks, but I still call it suitable for daily movement. Would I wear this bra to a workout class? Absolutely not, but it'll work under a simple tube top.
I wasn't a big fan of the wings as they were a bit thin and didn't create that smoothing effect that I expect from my bras. Still, at just $25, it's an affordable option for larger busted individuals who need ample support and aren't as concerned about back bulging.
Cacique Comfort Bliss Lightly Lined Multi-Way Strapless Bra
You can wear this bra seven different ways, including without straps, and its full coverage will have you protected from spillage or drooping.
- Breathable fabric for those who run hot
- Wide wings
- Hard underwire
This bra comes from Lane Bryant's intimates line, Cacique. It passed the jumping jack test with flying colors, and I even wore it all day to a theme park. It never rolled down once, despite the fact that I went on lots of turbulent rides. It's described as being lightly-lined and full coverage, and that is exactly what it delivered. It feels smooth and soft with lightly padded cups, so it's ideal for warm weather.
My favorite part of this bra is its band. It stays perfectly in place, thanks to the wide underwire and grippy lining. Its wings are also lined with the same silicone strips to help keep them in a fixed position. And as someone who runs hot, I loved how light and breathable the materials felt. I wasn't left feeling sweaty and gross after I took it off.
Even though underwire is a bit thick and compressive, it gets the job done supporting my bust. The spare straps can be worn up to seven different ways when you need it to function as a regular bra.
Curvy Kate Luxe Strapless Bra
If you want to avoid looking cone-shaped, this bra helps create a more rounded look. The underwire is protected by a padded layer that stays in place with a silicone strip.
- Soft, padded cups
- 4 hook-and-eye closures
- Ventilated fabric
- Ribbed cup detail makes it look less smooth
An underwire bra is typically a must for those of us with large breasts, because we need the extra support and stability. This strapless bra has a firm, non-poke underwire that works to lift while creating a more rounded shape.
I liked the four rows of hook-and-eye closures on its wide band and the comfortable, breathable fabric that let me move around without restriction as I went about my day. This bra passed the jumping jack test and my bust stayed firmly in place. However, if you plan to do significant physical activity in this bra, it won't have as much support as more padded styles.
My only complaint about this bra is the texture on the outside of the cup. It has these hard boning lines, which adds some dimension instead of creating a smooth look. It isn't too noticeable in a black tube top, but you could still see the lines clearly through a thin T-shirt.
Fantasie Aura Strapless Bra
The lightweight, smooth material of this molded bra feels supremely soft. The cups are layered with foam and it has supportive side boning in addition to its underwire.
- No-slip silicone strips
- Gel padded closure
- Comfortable fabric
- Only 3 hook-and-eye closures
The smooth, stretchy microfiber fabric made the cups of this bra feel like a second skin. These cups were only lightly lined, which I was initially skeptical about, but this turned out to be enough to keep me covered.
The underwire in this bra definitely felt noticeable, but not to the point that I was uncomfortable. And its anti-slip silicone strips worked to keep it in place, both during the jumping jack test and throughout a regular day of wear.
I did find that the wings were a bit small on me, and it only has three row hook-and-eye closures, which didn't offer as much of a smoothing effect compared to other options — not a deal breaker, I just prefer a wider band.
Dominique Taylor Lace Strapless Bustier
This lacy bustier can be worn as lingerie or as a practical option for low-back halter tops and dresses. Its boning also helps smooth back bulges.
- Can be worn on its own or as an undergarment
- Lightly lined
- Large wings
- Expensive
- Lace may irritate sensitive skin
I'm new to wearing bustiers, but I've never felt more confident as I did wearing the Dominique Taylor Lace Strapless Bustier. This was a different take on the traditional strapless bra, as it had extra fabric to create a corset-like fit. On the underwire bra itself, I felt it did pretty well in terms of keeping my bust supported, although it didn't have much padding.
Although its cups are thin, the firm construction meant my bust barely moved during the jumping jack test. That's even without a no-slip lining on the interior.
Its wings, despite being thin, were large and snug enough to support my bust. The four row hook-and-eye closure also had a barely-there feel and allowed for some give on the lowest level. While I really did like this bra, $82 is pretty expensive (unless you plan to wear it often).
Torrid Bombshell Everyday Strapless Push-Up Bra
Choose this strapless bra if you want to create a lifted look beneath a sweetheart neckline. It pushes you up with its dense padding, and importantly, it won't slip down.
- Plenty of padding
- 4 rows of hook-and-eye closures
- Wings stretch out over time
I don't wear push-up bras often because I already have a pretty big chest, but some necklines look better with a bit of lifted cleavage. That's exactly what this bra from Torrid did for me. For only $29, it's a good value on a bra.
It has heavily padded cups, with most of the padding being towards the bottom of the cup to give the desired push-up effect. The rest of the cup is pretty padded, too. I liked the no-slip silicone grips inside as it allowed the bra to adhere to my skin and not move around during the jumping jack test. Just keep in mind that because it's so heavily padded, it's important to choose the right cup size. Otherwise, you'll be at risk for spillage.
My only gripe was that its lace wings were a bit too stretchy. This feature is meant to give it more room to close around the back, however, the stretch made the sides slightly more flimsy than I would have liked. It's definitely not a deal breaker, but it's worth noting, especially if you're looking for something that's more firm all around.
Curvy Couture Smooth Strapless Multiway Bra
Available up to size 44H, this bra features contour cups for shaping and subtle push-up pads for lift.
- Push-up underwire cups
- Silicone lining along the top edges and wings
- Cushioned band
- Two sets of removable straps
- Four rows of hook-and-eye closures
- Band runs a bit small
- some may feel it has too much padding (especially for a larger bust)
This bra had just the right amount of padding inside — not too thick, not too thin. I was able to squeeze the cup and feel the foam, but my fingers weren't sinking into it. The padding is thicker towards the bottom, which provided the lifted look I was after.
Its underwire was very comfortable and didn't dig into my skin while I wore it. On its band, the wings were thick and lined to create a smooth lines and add extra support. These wings played a pivotal part in keeping it the band in place alongside the four rows of hook-and-eye closures.
The only qualm I had with this bra was that the cups were a bit flimsy. They didn't stick to my skin at the top of my chest as much as I would have liked it to, so there was some slight gapping. My bust moved slightly more in this bra during testing, so I'd hesitate to wear it with a low-cut top.
Still, this didn't impede the bra's ability to stay up, and underneath a high-neck blouse it would be more than fine. It costs $62, but because it comes with straps and offers ample support, you'll be able to lower its cost-per-wear in no time.
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