Fashion

The Bra Wars

Some women are just blessed with good breasts.

For the rest of us—there’s a war going on.

Women have been fighting the battle of the bad bra for far too long. The problem is simple, many women have trouble finding the right fit. To help beat back the bad brassiere, we are here to provide a road map to the good, bad and ugly choices.

Spanx Bra-llelujah! Racerback - $62

The “It Girl” Bra

This is truly one of the most unique bras I have ever seen. It comes from the amazing people who made wearing undergarments cool. Spanx recently launched a line of bras with their trademark stretchy fabric. The idea is comfort—and this bra is comfortable. In fact, it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing a bra. I think we’re so used to being bound and strapped in that we forget a bra doesn’t have to hurt. It does, however, have to lift. Although the straps on the Spanx bra are not adjustable, there is a surprising amount of support. Ladies, if you’re a full-figured gal, don’t jump up and down just yet, as the dreaded back fat will not be tamed by this bra. The Bra-llelujah is best for women with up to a C cup (or a small D) and minimal back fat.

Enell Sports Bra - $64.00

A Return To The Girdle

This bra was one of Oprah’s picks—so of course I bought one immediately. It’s marketed as the sports bra for well-endowed women.

When ordering the Enell Sports Bra, I took all of my measurements as instructed by the website. Unfortunately, when the bra arrived, I was a bit disappointed. The Enell straps you in with 11 hook-and-eye closers—that’s right, eleven! I might as well have wrapped myself in a corset. I felt like a stuffed sausage in this bra. A wide band of elastic encases your ribcage for a stifling fit. I hear there are lots of women who adore this bra, but I’m just not one of them. To me, the Enell is a throwback to a 1960s girdle with little give … good design but uncomfortable.

Champion Style #CH6242 - $42.00

The Best Friend

I want to marry this bra! Although it’s designed to be worn as a sports bra, I found it to be so versatile I wear it almost everyday. It’s made of a thin stretchy material that looks like a tank top. The straps are made with adjustable Velcro—I set my straps and haven’t touched them since. The Champion has an underwire, thus it’s a great pick for a full-figure or large cup size. And in case you wonder, the best benefit of this bra is what you don’t see—it hides every bit of back fat! Comes in 4 colors.

Gilligan & O’Malley Lace Underwire Nursing Bra by Target - $16.99

The Fake-Out Bra

I bought this bra by accident. I was looking for a bra that could fit a full figure, larger cup and not look like my grandmother’s bra. The G&O bra is comfortable, pretty and gives great underwire support. Plus, the price is right. I wore it for a couple of weeks before I noticed the plastic clips on the straps. Turns out I bought a nursing bra and didn’t even know it! A few months later I got pregnant—was it the bra?