admin Photos: Courtesy of brands; Artwork: Brooke Frischer/Fashionista
Ever since the pandemic, I’ve been anti-discomfort in my wardrobe, which has most affected my undergarments — specifically, my bra tendencies. And I’m not alone.
As a 34C, I’ve always found the functional garment to be uncomfortable and not fulfilling the promise of vanishing under clothing. My bra preferences, then, tend to be dictated by whatever my outfit that day necessitates. More often than not, I’m wearing a simple baby tee or white T-shirt, praying my bra will be undetectable beneath.
It’s a promise we see constantly in the bra market, that you won’t be able to see it underneath a T-shirt. Your undergarments shouldn’t distract from your planned ensemble or cause discomfort that throws a wrench in your plans. So, determined to find out which so-called “T-shirt bras” actually live up to their names, I decided to test and compare nine of the best-selling ones.
For this experiment, I took my measurements with a rolling tape and compared that to each brand’s size guide online, but several brands (like Cuup and Chantelle) offer personal one-on-one fit consultations, either online or in-store, to find a perfect match. These can be helpful to determine your bra size, which, it’s worth noting, can fluctuate frequently (and vary by brand). Once I acquired all nine T-shirt bras, I commenced non-stop wear, from dawn till dusk; some I even wore to sleep (unnecessary, but a true telling point).
Ahead, I broke down which T-shirt bra can truly do its job, based on visibility, comfort and variety in shades and sizing. They’re not ranked in any particular order, but only two bras have the distinction of receiving two 10/10s. Read on to meet your chest’s next best friend.
Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt Bra, $52
When her brand launched in 2019, Skims founder Kim Kardashian said the team spent three years formulating the Fits Everybody collection — and it was clearly worthwhile, considering the products are often sold out (and duped). Beloved by many and having gone viral a few times over, the Fits Everybody T-Shirt bra boasts thoughtful details: a flexible underwire that feels like nothing, a seamless bonded neckline that sits flush against the skin, lightly-padded molded cups, an extra-thick band with adjustable straps, and an anti-bulge scooped back that effectively prevents any gaps or digging for “buttery soft support”. The soft polyamide-elastane blend makes the material well-suited for long wear.
Visibility: If you can match your skin tone to one of its nude shades (or get close to it), the bra can appear close to invisible — though, the hardware (strap adjusters and hooks) did create indentations and bumps at the back of my semi-sheer Intimissimi top. 7/10
Comfort: The brand didn’t lie about its “buttery soft” material and “flexible” underwire, which make all the difference when wearing this bra all day long. However, compared to the other bras I tried, the hardware definitely makes this a more traditional style that will hold the breasts up and in without feeling too tight. 8/10
Sizing: The Skims Fits Everybody T-Shirt Bra is available in cups A-H and bands 30-46.
Cuup The Scoop Micro Bra, $78
Cuup has been pushing the boundaries of intimates since its creation in 2017 — and revolutionary it is. Having previously tried and loved its unlined mesh offerings (which offer a natural feel that can be a bit nippy), the padded Scoop style is a lesson in fit and form, with its silky-smooth microfiber and flexible underwire that creates a fit so seamless, no one would ever know what’s beneath your T-shirt.
Visibility: Every design detail lends to an ultra-smooth finish, like cups that blend into the straps and a triple hook-and-eye closure that sits completely flat. 10/10
Comfort: I was most surprised by how comfortable the side panels were, hugging my torso in a firm but cozy fit, without digging or riding up. 9/10
Sizing: The Cuup Scoop Micro Bra comes in cups A-H and bands 30-44.
True & Co True Body Lift V-Neck Bra, $58
True & Co’s True Body collection offers wire-free support in a silky-soft nylon-elastane-blend fabric that contours to the body. It’s more like a fitted bralette with removable padding than a traditional bra. It’s available in several shapes — I tried the V-neck style, to pair with low-cut shirts — and boasts wide adjustable shoulder straps (roughly twice the width of what you might find elsewhere) meant to prevent slipping.
Visibility: Not everyone might appreciate the removable molded pads (which often go askew in the wash), but I personally love the coverage, natural perkiness and smooth lines this type of padding offers. (If you’re looking for more of a boost, look towards a push-up style like Savage X Fenty’s below.) 10/10
Comfort: If you’re not opposed to a bralette, True & Co is perhaps the utmost comfiest option: The fabric feels like stretchy silk that is both cooling and breathable and its edges are bonded, so seams vanish under the thinnest of T-shirts. 10/10
Sizing: The True & Co True Body Lift Bra comes in sizes XS-XL, with standard (A-D) or full cup (DD-F) options.
AnaOno Trish Molded Cup Bra, $49
If you’re looking for security as well as undetectability, consider AnaOno’s Molded Cup bra. Specifically designed for recovery from surgical breast procedures such as mastectomies, implant reconstruction, FLAP reconstructions, lumpectomies and more, the brand celebrates chest inclusivity. It aims to instill confidence in the wearer and offer them comfort via an ultra-soft band to aid in scar-healing or shaped cups to follow the natural shape of the breast.
Visibility: All the edges of this bra completely disappeared under my fitted but lightweight tops. I loved the shape it created, providing a slight lift that’s less dramatic than a push-up. 9/10
Comfort: Although I have not undergone surgeries, I did wear this bra to bed when my breasts were feeling sore, and found it to be compressive but not uncomfy — truly, they’ve never felt more held in place, in all the right ways. 10/10
Sizing: The AnaOno Trish Molded Cup Bra is available in sizes XS-XXL (band sizes 30-40); the brand suggests its Molly Bra for A-B cups.
Commando Butter Comfy Curvy Bralette, $72
True to its name, Commando’s Butter Comfy Bralette boasts invisible edges (signature to the brand) and stretchy fabric (21% elastane) that allow it to move with your body. The dropped, weighted hem prevents rolling or bunching up, and the modal fabric made from beech trees is so comfortable, I can sit at my computer all day in this bra and forget it’s on. It’s the ultimate sleep and loungewear bra.
Visibility: While the edges do vanish, this style — which, at the end of the day, is still a bralette — doesn’t have padding, which did allow for faint nipple outlines. The traditional underwire is replaced here with a thick, sturdy waistband that, while comfy for me, likely won’t offer much support for larger cup sizes. 6/10
Comfort: It feels more like an unfussy sports bra that you can throw on and forget about. 9/10
Sizing: The Commando Butter Comfy Curvy Bralette is available in sizes XS-XL, for sizes 30C-38D.
Savage X Fenty Core Microfiber T-Shirt Bra, $50
Rihanna’s highly successful intimates label has earned many, many fans, and its bestselling T-shirt bra follows archetypal rendering: wide side wings that offer ample support, a tailored fit, lightly-padded underwire cups that vanish under every top. Aesthetically, the adjustable logo straps and rose gold X charm at the center are just as sexy without a T-shirt — thank you, RiRi.
Visibility: Perhaps this is more of a personal fit issue issue, but the cups didn’t sit completely flat against the neckline, creating a slight (but visible) indent under my shirt. I wish the brand offered online fit or measurement consultations beyond its size guide. 5/10
Comfort: As far as wearability, I didn’t have any complaints of discomfort, but I was more aware of this bra compared to some others I tried in this experiment. In other words: wearable, but not the bra I’d pick for, say, a long flight or walk. 6/10
Sizing: The Savage X Fenty Microfiber T-Shirt Bra is available in cups A-H and bands 30-46.
Love, Vera Soft Wireless T-Shirt Bra, $45
A somewhat newcomer to the intimates scene, Love, Vera has quickly become one to watch — and I understand the hype. Constructed into a completely smooth, shield-like silhouette (as opposed to visible dual cups), the brand’s Soft Wireless T-Shirt Bra has lightly-molded padding that creates the perfect curvy shape. (No uni-boob here.) Plus, the higher-than-usual cut where the cups meet the straps does a great job of preventing armpit spillage; instead, it provides that held-in feel all over, like a gentle, supportive hug.
Visibility: The bandeau-like silhouette creates a seamless finish beneath a tight top, while lightweight-but-strong shoulder straps sit smoothly without slipping. 10/10
Comfort: The brand’s “infinity edge” seams and “flexible gel” wiring make this bra virtually undetectable underneath tops, plus super comfy — I could’ve worn it to exercise. (In fact, I did wear it to yoga several times.) A second skin bra, for sure. 10/10
Sizing: The Love, Vera Soft Wireless T-Shirt Bra is available in sizes 32A-44D.
Chantelle C Jolie Memory Foam T-Shirt Bra, $78
The Parisian brand has captured the hearts (and curves) of many since 1846, including Brie Larson who revealed she wore one of its bras (undetectably) on the set of “Captain Marvel.” If it’s good enough for Carol Danvers, it’s certainly worth trying. While I didn’t book an appointment with the brand (available for free online), I was pleasantly surprised to find it fits true to size and gently melted to my body upon strapping in.
Visibility: I was apprehensive of the lace waist band, but it’s bonded with a velvety backing and really did vanish under my white tee. 8/10
Comfort: I often forgot I was wearing this bra. But I also loved the subtle shape the lightly-padded cups offered, without being too noticeable — great for daily wear. 9/10
Sizing: The Chantelle C Jolie Memory Foam T-Shirt Bra runs in cups A-G and bands 30-38.
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