'I Swapped All My Uncomfortable Bras For These Bandeaus'

Everyone knows it—bras are uncomfy. But if you’re someone who prefers a bra with lots of flexibility and room for your boobs to breathe (bye boob sweat!), you should consider a bandeau bra. Spoiler alert: It often doesn't feel like a real bra.

When wearing a bandeau bra, you can usually rest assured that you won’t have to worry about any wires poking out or straps digging into your shoulders (though you can find some rarer options with those two features if you want).

If you're ready to add one to your bra drawer, here's what to look for to make bandeau bra shopping a little easier.

What should I look for in a bandeau bra?

There are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for a bandeau bra in addition to looking at their customer reviews.

Support

You shouldn’t go into the process of buying a bandeau bra expecting a lot of support as they're similar to bralettes in that they are tightly fitted to stay up. "The compression from the stretch material and amble coverage of the entire bust is what keeps the bandeau bra up,” explains Kimmay Caldwell, a former bra fitter and undergarment educator at HurrayKimmay.com, a blog about bras and self-love. She recommends trying to find something that is “small enough around to stay up and full enough in the bust to encompass everything.”

However, if you’re wanting a bandeau bra with more support, Jené Luciani Sena, bra expert and bestselling author of The Bra Book suggests looking for one that has a wider band and is made with spandex. Lastly, “you can also look for one that’s lined with silicone on both the top and bottom, so that it doesn’t slide around on the body or slip down,” Sena adds.

Style

Bandeau bras come in several different styles you can choose from depending on what you’re looking for. However, according to Caldwell, wider bandeau bras are the best at remaining in place. Additionally, some are equipped with removable pads or ruching between cups, she says. However, don't expect the bra to separate your boobs like one with underwiring would, says Caldwell.

Comfort/Fit

Bandeau bras typically do not follow standard bra sizing. “Unfortunately, most bandeau bras come in simple sizing like small, medium, large, and so on," says Caldwell. "Therefore, if you have a smaller band size and fuller bust it can be tricky to get a great fit for both the part going around your torso and your bust." Fortunately, bandeau bras are usually made with stretchy material that's able to accommodate several sizes and coverage needs, explains Caldwell.

Just make sure the bra is actually stretchy. “The fabric has to be on the stretchier side as there are no clasps or hook-and-eye closures, so you need to be able to stretch it to get it on the body,” says Luciani.

Ready to start shopping? Here are some of the best, most highly-rated bandeau bras for large and small breasts.