Summer and its promise of less clothing coverage is fast approaching. This is certainly exciting for our sun-deprived extremities, but it’s not the best news for a particular undergarment that’s often worn well past its prime: our bras. Soon we will no longer be able to hide our timeworn unmentionables under layers of Heatech, turtlenecks, and sweaters — all while ignoring the plain fact that they’re just not giving us the coverage and support we need anymore. Ladies, it’s time to buy a t-shirt bra.
It’s the perfect summer underpinning that keeps everything in place while simultaneously ensuring that nothing looks out of place. The ideal version of this bra has minimal-to-no-hardware or frippery for thin fabric to catch on, shows no trace of itself underneath clothing, and, like the t-shirt, it’s comfy-casual. We know that there are about eighty million different types of boobs out there — our friends at ThirdLove offer a whopping 78 sizes for all these ta-tas, and show no signs of stopping — so we’ve done our homework to suss out the best of this style for many a breast type. (Nursing moms: we didn’t forget you.)
Ahead, t-shirt bras that have the internet saying hallelujah — and will take you and your boobs through the rest of summer covered, supported, and comfy (without a trace).
Welcome to Hype Machine, our hit-list of the top reviewed products across the web — according to a crowd of die-hard shoppers. Call this your 4-star & up only club, with entry granted by our devoted-to-the-goods shop editors.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Lively The T-Shirt Bra
The key to this bra’s success is its adaptability. The front-adjusting straps make finding your perfect fit easy while the back J-hook allows for you to convert it into a racerback style as needed. Warning: once you arrange Lively’s T-Shirt bra (32A – 36DDD) exactly how you want it, you may never take it off again.
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 293 reviews on WearLively.com
What They’re Saying: “I absolutely love this bra. It’s comfortable and hasn’t stretched out funny after wearing it for several months. It fits perfectly, stays in place and I love the shape it gives me. I also like the clasp in the back to help hide straps under certain cuts of shirt backs and extra support. I would highly recommend this bra.” – Katie-Lyn B., WearLively.com review
Lively The T-Shirt Bra, $, available at Lively
Maidenform Comfy Soft Full Coverage Underwire Bra
Considering this t-shirt bra’s ultra-soft fabric and supportive cups to give you a little lift right where you need it, it’s no surprise that you’ll find the term “go-to” popping up across its glowing reviews. Part of Maidenform’s Comfort Devotion® collection — which is literally a collection devoted entirely to bringing you and your girls comfort — this full-coverage underwire bra (34B – 42DD) is something you’ll actually want to wear on the daily.
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars; 582 reviews on Maidenform.com
What They’re Saying: “This is my new ‘go-to’ bra; it fits well, the lining is SO soft, and it looks great (i.e., invisible!) under my clothes. It is softer than, and every bit as comfortable and attractive as, a bra I’ve purchased at a high-end department store, but costs about half the price.” – JMixx, Maidenform.com review
Maidenform Comfy Soft Full Coverage Underwire Bra, $, available at Maidenform
Bali Comfort Revolution Seamless Shaping Wireless Bra
The best feature of Bali’s Wireless Bra (S – XL) is its targeted support with knit-in zones and 4-way stretch fabric. Extra points for the foam cups to add shape and the lightweight material to keep you cool and dry in that summer sun.
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars; 1,331 reviews on Macys.com
What They’re Saying: “This is just a perfect and comfortable bra. The fabric is of high quality and feels so soft and silky against the skin. It provides full coverage and has nice light lift pads to give you a natural lift. The bra gives great support without any binding wires. The straps feel soft against the skin. I really like how it smooths out the back and sides of your body so you can wear this bra under a t-shirt without showing any bulges. This bra not only gives you great support but you will feel confident and comfortable while wearing this bra. I highly recommend it!” – Hendrika, Macys.com review
Bali Comfort Revolution ComfortFlex Fit Seamless Shaping Wireless Bra 3488, $, available at Macy’s
Natori Pure Luxe Underwire T-Shirt Bra
Multiple customers cited perfect fit, top-notch comfort, and luxurious feel in this fanatically-reviewed Natori Pure Luxe t-shirt bra. More than one reviewer declared the slightly-higher price more than worth it, so spectacular is this unlined bra’s quality and fabrication.
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars; 835 reviews on Nordstrom.com
What They’re Saying: “[Natori’s] new ‘Pure Luxe’ fabric is luxurious and super comfortable. The quality of this bra is top-notch and with proper care will maintain it’s shape, elasticity, and last for years. This bra style looks fabulous under all fabrics, not just cotton tees, but knitted sweater fabrics, nylon fabrics, and linens.” – Nantucket90, Nordstrom.com review
Natori Pure Luxe Underwire T-Shirt Bra, $, available at Nordstrom
Spanx Bra-llelujah! Full Coverage Bra
Many an evangelical customer was thrilled to report that Spanx’s Full Coverage Underwire Bra (32B – 38DD) smoothed lady lumps and lifted the girls in a physics-defying way. We expect nothing less from the original conquerors of VPL.
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 194 reviews on Nordstrom.com
What They’re Saying: “I now own two of these as they are truly the best. The soft stretchy back and straps make for a total lack of lumpy back fat under smooth shirts. I am totally spoiled by this bra now and can’t handle any others. … Just enough oomph to make my 35-year-old (and breastfed two babies) boobs look awesome.” – Tessa248, Nordstrom.com review
SPANX Bra-llelujah! Full Coverage Underwire Bra: 32B – 38DD, $, available at Nordstrom
ThirdLove 24/7™ Lace Back T-Shirt Bra
The t-shirt bra doesn’t have to be un-sexy. With lacy accents dancing down the straps. ThirdLove’s universally praised, lightly lined Lace Back T-Shirt Bra (30A – 48I) has all the trappings of fancy lingerie with the smoothness and support of an everyday style. If you still want a little va-va-voom in your day-to-day wardrobe, this is the bra for you.
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars; 2,143 reviews on ThirdLove.com
What They’re Saying: “This bra has the prettiest lacy design that makes feeling sexy in it an absolute. The perfect fit and soft fabric are not lost to the sexy design. I bought it in black and skin tone.” – Lori, ThirdLove.com review
ThirdLove 24/7 Lace Back T-Shirt Bra, $, available at ThirdLove
Warner’s Cloud 9 Wire-Free Contour Bra
For those of us that require as little hardware as possible, Warner’s Cloud 9 wire-free bra (34A – 40C) offers anchoring, contoured support with nary a trace of metal. And never fear — as evidenced by the review, the support is very much still there.
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars; 1,268 reviews on Amazon.com
What They’re Saying: “I was nervous that no underwire would make the ladies look like flattened pancakes, but this bra makes me look incredible.” – Kathryn Florence, Amazon.com reviewer
Warner’s Warner’s Womens Cloud 9 Wire-Free Contour Bra, $, available at Amazon
Bravado Designs Body Silk Wire-Free Nursing Bra
There’s a good chance that if you’re nursing, you may actually be living in t-shirts these days. Bravado’s nursing bra (XS – XXL) got high marks for support and functionality in a wide range of sizes, and it comes with removable inserts for nip protection.
The Hype: 4.5 out of 5 stars; 46 reviews on BareNecessities.com
What They’re Saying: “I bought one of these before my baby came, and ended up buying 2 more — this is the only bra I wore the entire year I nursed. Now that we’re done nursing I’m trying to find a non-nursing bra that is just like this one, minus the wider straps and clip-down cups.” – Aldia, BareNecessities.com review
Bravado! Body Silk Wire-Free Nursing Bra, $, available at Bare Necessities
Aerie Real Sunnie Full Coverage Lightly Lined Bra
Aerie’s lightly lined Real Sunnie Bra (30A – 40DD) is one of the highest-rated bras out there, with extra high marks for its outstanding support, comfort, and coverage. Normally priced at a (still-reasonable) $44, it’s on sale right now for $27, which is about the best deal in town for such a functional, hard-working boulder-holder.
The Hype: 4.7 out of 5 stars; 312 reviews on Aerie.com
What They’re Saying: “I cannot imagine a better bra than this one! I had been wearing a bra one cup too small for the past year and it was such a relief to get a bra fitting into this one. Incredibly comfy and soft… I even love the sparkly straps. It’s the perfect touch!” – Stefani, Aerie.com review
Aerie Real Sunnie Full Coverage Lightly Lined Bra, $, available at American Eagle Outfitters
Wacoal Underwire Contour Bra
With over 1,000 reviews, this plus-size Wacoal bra (30D – 40DDD) got high marks for simplicity and support, especially from bustier customers. Our takeaway? This breathable padded bra is going to stay put no matter what the day serves up.
The Hype: 4.6 out of 5 stars; 1,227 reviews on Nordstrom.com
What They’re Saying: “My daughter recommended this to me as being very comfortable, as we are both large-breasted. She was right. It’s pretty basic-looking and supportive. I don’t notice that I’m wearing it, so that’s great, too!” – LifeCoachShari, Nordstrom.com review
Wacoal Underwire Contour Bra, $, available at Nordstrom
Hanes Convertible Seamless Wire Free Bra
We read that Marilyn Monroe would wear a bra to bed, presumably to lessen the effects of gravity and help keep the girls aloft. While the jury is kinda out on whether or not this is actually effective, if it is your personal choice, we’re here to make sure you have the best bra for it. Hanes’s unlined Convertible Seamless Bra (XS – XL) gets accolades for both daytime wear and pajama-friendliness.
The Hype: 4.2 out of 5 stars; 3,082 reviews on Amazon.com
What They’re Saying: “This fabric is stretchy and soft and comfortable and fit me wonderfully and I love it so much. … I could even sleep in it, which is crazy because sleeping in all my old underwire bras always felt like punishment for my boobs. I’m gonna buy a million of these and throw all my other bras out.” – Lauren, Amazon.com review
Hanes Convertible Seamless Wire Free Bra, $, available at Amazon
Just because you’re wearing a t-shirt doesn’t mean you can’t have a little cleavage, right? Maidenform’s plunging, padded Lift Demi Bra is your best best for the more revealing tees in your collection.
The Hype: 4.4 out of 5 stars, 423 reviews on Macys.com
What They’re Saying: “A perfect fit for 15 years! I bought my first Custom Lift bra back when I was an A cup. Fifteen years and two cup sizes later, I just placed an order for eight of them. No other bra I’ve tried fits like these. They are invisible under clothes — even tops with very deep v- or scoop-necks — and are so comfortable that I usually forget to take them off at night and end up sleeping in them.” – brasserie, Macys.com review
Maidenform Custom Lift Satin Demi Bra, $, available at Macy’s
Fruit of the Loom 2-Pack Unlined Underwire Bra
For some bra-wearers, the presence of any padding is a major no-no. Fruit of the Loom’s unlined cotton style (34B – 42DD) got rave reviews from folks in hotter climates that require breathability from their undergarments. The super-low price point means that you should keep a couple of these in the rotation, but the comfort and coolness can’t be beaten.
The Hype: 4.3 out of 5 stars; 2.379 reviews on Amazon.com
What They’re Saying: “It’s a ridiculously humid August in Honolulu, and anyone wearing a foam bra must be carrying an air-conditioner on their shoulder like a boom box. These cotton bras are really comfortable, even if they get as soaked as my polos and tees. It’s what cotton is good at sopping it up. But these also provide support for a C-cup while I walk, fast, about 5-6 kilometers per work shift. This seems hard to believe without them being heavily engineered, but the underwire seems to do the trick.”
Fruit Of The Loom Unlined Underwire Bra, $, available at Amazon
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