Women have been wearing bras, formally known as brassieres, for hundreds of years in one form or another.
A more recent innovation is the strapless bra, which gives women the freedom to explore a wider array of wardrobe choices.
If you do not already have one, check out our top picks for five of the best strapless bras on the market today.
We also explain the different types of strapless bra that you can find.
If you want to check out the pros and cons of strapless bras, please scroll down to the section below.
Or if you just need help finding one that fits perfectly, please read on for our strapless bra buying guide below.
Top Picks
Maidenform Smooth Strapless Bra
Maidenform Smooth Strapless Bra
Ultimately comfortable and stays put
This Maidenform strapless bra is our pick for being the best strapless bra. It is seamless and uses a laminated microfiber wing to provide a secure fit and stop any unsightly back bulges. There are strips of silicone on the bone channels to prevent slippage while the molded cup’s foam incorporates a thin mesh for superior shaping and uplift. Hand washable, the seamless, tag-free Maidenform is manufactured from both nylon and spandex, providing the ultimate in comfort without showing through your clothes or falling down. Available in black, body beige and almond, the convertible straps of the Maidenform ensure versatility in sizes 34A to 38D. For a bra that stays put and is completely smooth and bump free under your clothes – this is it!
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Fantasie Molded Strapless Bra
For all round support at the top, bottom and sides
With microfiber wing panels to offer extra support, this Fantasie Bra features molded foam cups for smooth, seam-free natural shaping. The firm, supportive fit of cotton-filled cups feels soft against your skin while the foam molded underwire adds shape rather than size. The perfect seamless accessory is ideal for fitted clothing and the two position removable straps make this convertible strapless bra multipurpose. Made from a polyester/nylon/spandex blend, the Fantasie is available in black, nude and white in band sizes of 30-42 and cup sizes B-G.
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Nubra Strapless Backless Bra
Easy to wear and allows you to alter the look of your cleavage daily
For a fit unlike any other, the Nubra uses two silicone cups, a skin friendly adhesive and a front closure to enhance fullness and cleavage while giving freedom and comfort from a lack of straps as well as side wings. The revolutionary Nubra sticks to your body and becomes almost a part of you. It can be positioned in a variety of ways to give maximum cleavage. These self-adhesive, backless strapless bras are easily cleaned with soap and water and are available in sizes ranging from B to D cup. The adhesive regenerates after cleaning, so just position them where you want, press on and you’re away again. Better than any breast augmentation, the flesh-colored Nubra guarantees a perfect fit every time.
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Lilyette Convertible Strapless Bra
Guaranteed to stay in place
Boasting the best fit and security of any other strapless bra on the market today, this Lilyette convertible strapless bra is essential for the full figure woman. The seamless smooth shaping and luxurious soft fabrication promise to stay in place thanks to a patented Stay There Power Band, no matter what the activity. Made from lycra and nylon, this adaptable everyday bra can convert from strapless to normal straps to halter or criss cross for maximize use. Available in sizes ranging from 34B to 42 DD and available in black, body beige and white, this strapless bra is the perfect solution to summer’s versatile tops and winter’s strapless gowns.
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Glamorise Complete Comfort Strapless Bra
Wire free and strapless designed for the fuller figure
This Glamorise Strapless Bra is a lace-trimmed bandeau style bra with shirred elastic on the top and bottom to ensure that it stays in place. It is available in black, white and blush, and was designed to flatter fuller figures ranging from size 34-48 with both flexibility and comfort. Featuring molded, adjustable wire-free cups that fit all women size B, C and D, this nylon/polyester/lycra combination strapless bra utilizes a three column, five row hook and eye back enclosure to keep the bra secure.
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Types of Strapless Bra
Convertible strapless bras
This strapless number comes with straps that are detachable. As well as being able to use straps in the normal position, they can also often be positioned in a halter neck or criss cross style.
Plus size strapless bras
Larger breasted women can find it problematic to find bras that do the job, especially in the strapless varieties. Even finding a sexy bra with straps can be a job, so to find one without straps can seem impossible. Look for bras that have wider hems as this means there will be more support to keep the bra from slipping. You will also need underwiring to effectively cup your breasts and keep them in place while also producing a firmer silhouette. Strapless bras can be ideal for plus size women to help them feel more natural and to avoid the distortions caused by thick straps pulling ‘everything’ up.
Backless strapless bras
A backless strapless bra is the answer when you want to wear a tiny top or evening gown where the material is hardly there. They are especially popular to create a natural looking cleavage without the hint of a bra in sight. There are no straps, no backs, and no seams. So what on earth is there? Just two self adhesive cups with a clasp in the center. You just position this amazing invention in a number of different ways for a number of different looks, press down to stick onto your skin and cinch together with the clasp to create cleavage. Position high for fuller looking breasts, position low for a more natural look. They are easy to remove and clean and the regenerating adhesive means they can be worn over and over again.
Strapless push up bras
Coming in a number of designs, the strapless push up bra has two main features – it is strapless obviously and it changes the shape of your breasts. Its intention is to deepen your cleavage. Self adhesive bras do this via a clasp that when shut pulls the breasts together. Fabric bras do this via padding on the sides that pushes the breasts together. Newer styles achieve the push up factor via polycarbonate padding that is shaped like a hand and holds the breasts for support. They are ideal for women with saggy breasts.
Padded strapless bras
For women with small breasts, the padded strapless bra can offer the answer. It uses padding to achieve the appearance of a larger chest size. It also offers authenticity to this larger bust as how can a large chest that is not held up with straps be anything but real? Padding can also be used to protect your modesty when the weather turns cold, to provide for a smoother silhouette or to give extra support.
Bandeau strapless bra
And of course we can’t forget the strapless bandeau bra, to which this site is dedicated. Made from a band of material that is usually seamless and claspless and put on over the head, there are many fun and flirty styles to choose from for every chest size.
Pros & Cons of the Strapless Bra
Every woman should have a strapless bra in her wardrobe. They are essential when you need support without wanting to show off bra straps, perhaps when wearing an evening gown or a top with spaghetti straps. See through straps on bras are another option, but they are never as invisible as you would like. And unless you are small chested, don’t even think about going braless. A bra is needed for modesty and to improve shape and cleavage.
On the downside they are typically more pricey than normal bras and can leave women feeling bare and exposed. If you choose to wear one, don’t feel self conscious – be confident with your sexy new look. As they are designed to form fit the women who wear them, designing a practical bra has been a challenge for manufacturers due to the variations of women’s shapes and sizes. Often either too big or too small, some women tend to fall in between available sizes and the bra does not provide the correct fit. This results in the bra slipping down or falling off entirely. See our buying guide below to ensure this doesn’t happen to you. Some strapless bras can also be uncomfortable due to the boning and elastic required to hold them in place. Check out our top picks above for those tried and tested for comfort.
Strapless Bra Buying Guide To Find The Perfect Fit
A correctly fitting strapless bra should be horizontal across the chest and not ride up in the back. The bra should be firm but comfortable and not dig into the chest or breast areas. The underwire should lie flat in the front against the sternum and the cups should enclose the breasts with a smooth line where the fabric at the top of the cup ends. The nipple must be centered in the cup and the breast should not bulge out over the tops or sides. The back of the strapless bra should not ride up but remain parallel to the ground and support the breasts with the band around the rib cage. And, the wearer should be able to breathe and move easily without the bra slipping or falling down.
Don’t miss out …
… on these wonderful bras. They have come on a long way to ensure your comfort and modesty. Don’t keep them for special occasions – buy now to feel sexy and free every day.
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Hi, I'm Chloe and I write this Bandeau Bra blog. I love the fact that this type of bra is so comfortable and with all the new funky and flirty designs coming onto the market, your choices are endless!