The Best Bra Alternatives for 2024 That Every Girl Should Know

What should you wear instead of a bra? Or more importantly, is it OK to not wear a bra?

Don’t let these questions weigh on your mind any longer. I’ve covered all the best bra alternatives that every girl should know.

First, the essential answers.

I hate wearing a bra, what can I do?

You’re not alone. During the pandemic, lots of women were stuck at home and we quit wearing bras. The freedom was fabulous.

When the time came to go out in public again, we didn’t want to deal with pokey underwires and straps that fall down. Therefore, we switched to bra alternatives. These include:

Bandeau or tube bra

Here there are no straps to worry about and you still get a little support. It’s the perfect solution for a strapless dress.

Bralette

It’s kind of a bra but comfier. There’s no underwire and everything is loose and lightly supportive.

Bodysuit

It’s like Spanx but for your upper half. Bodysuits aren’t just for dance class anymore. The stretchy material clings and compresses to keep the girls somewhat secure and out of sight.

Camisoles

It’s an undershirt, but prettier. There’s no pressure on the chest, either.

Corset, bustier, or torsolette

You might think of it as Renaissance day wear or something for cosplay. Before there were brassieres, there were corsets and bustiers. They lift and compress to give you an hourglass figure.

Nipple covers and pasties

Available in silicone or disposable formats, these keep the headlights out of sight. Perfect if you want to be more discreet wearing a bodysuit or for when you have a deep V top.

Wrap or chest binder

If you’ve seen Mulan, you’ve seen a sarashi or chest wrapping cloth. It takes practice to get the chest binding thing down pat. Happily, there are ready-made chest binders that look like sports bras without the cup support.

You’ll see examples of each of these categories in the reviews below.

But we heard that going bra-less would make us sag. Is this true?

No, going braless might actually help you prevent sagging. A study showed that wearing a bra weakens the pectoral muscles. Going bra-less forces the muscles to firm up. (1)

Moreover, not wearing a bra won’t alter the shape of your breasts (2).

In the end, the only advantage to wearing a bra is providing support for your neck and back.

Now, are you ready to find a bra alternative? Here we go:

Best Bra Alternatives

Kurve Seamless Bandeau Tube Top

It’s a stretchy tube that comes in a lot of different colors. It’s like a bra that doesn’t feel like a bra. All you have to do is pull it on – there are no straps to adjust. It’s ribbed and provides a light amount of compression so that it doesn’t slide around.

The bandeau is made from sleek stretchy fabric (a nylon/spandex blend). It may be hand wash only, but at this price, you could get several and rotate between them.

Also, it’s made in the USA and comes with a quality guarantee. Choose sizes ranging from extra small to extra-extra-large (39 DD).

REORIA One Shoulder Cutout Front Backless Bodysuit Top

If you’ve never worn a bodysuit, there’s something you should know. It snaps closed in the crotch. Therefore, while wearing it, you could go without a bra and underwear all at once.

The top comes in various colors, all of which are soft and stretchy. The only one that might be challenging if you go bra-less is white because it’s sheer.

On the bright side, the double-lined fabric slims the silhouette. It can be worn underneath a blouse or on its own. And the keyhole design with one shoulder bared is unique and cute.

Unfortunately, it’s hand-wash only. But it comes in sizes from small to 2XL (37-inch bust).

MANGOPOP Deep V-Neck Long Sleeve Top Bodysuit

If you’re looking for healthy bra alternatives in the wintertime, why not try a long sleeve bodysuit? It’s cozy and with all those other layers you’re wearing, no one can tell if you have a bra on or not.

The super soft fabric is a rayon/spandex blend. Thankfully, it’s machine-washable in cold on the delicate cycle. But please don’t throw it in the dryer.

It comes in various colors in sizes up to XXL.

Calvin Klein Women’s Modern Cotton Triangle Wireless Bralette

If you’re looking for something cool and lightweight, this is a good alternative for a bra in the summer. It’s made of a silky fabric blend consisting of cotton, modal, and elastane for a little stretch.

So, if it’s almost a bra, what’s the advantage here? Besides the breathable fabric and minimal coverage, the cups are spaced far apart. Talk about good ventilation!

It’s not a pullover – it has a hook and eye closure – but at least there’s no underwire. It’s also machine-washable.

Choose from several different colors in sizes up to XL (DD).

Amazon Essentials Women’s Slim-Fit Camisole

What about bra alternatives for a small bust? A slim-fitting camisole is ideal. The tailored design smooths the outline to hide nipples but doesn’t bind or pinch anything. The scoop neck is low enough that it can serve as an undershirt. But the style is pretty enough that it can be worn on its own.

The fabric is a jersey cotton blend with a little stretch. It can be machine-washed.

frawirshau Plus Size Black Corset Sexy Bustier

What are the best bra alternatives for large breasts? A vintage-style corset with bustier is sure to uplift the chest while enhancing an hourglass figure. It’s not just for dress-up at Halloween anymore. You can wear it underneath clothing for everyday occasions, too.

It consists of silky fabric that’s laced up the back. It has plastic boning for extra support. And reviewers suggest replacing the lacing with paracord for more strength.

The style fits sizes from small (32-inch bust) up to 6XL with a 50-inch bust. Of course, it’s hand-wash only.

NIPPIES Nipple Covers

What about bra alternatives for a backless dress? The simplest option is to wear reusable silicone nipple covers, AKA pasties. This popular brand is made in Taiwan and sold worldwide.

The nipple covers are designed to be invisible under the fabric. With tapered edges and a matte finish, they blend right into the skin.

Moreover, the sticky material stays stuck to the skin for up to 12 hours even if you sweat.

All you have to do is hand wash them with a little soap and water and let them dry before wearing them again.

VICETONE Strapless Adhesive Reusable Silicone Push-up Bra

This strapless, reusable silicone “bra” gathers and lifts the breasts just like a push-up bra. But if you don’t want cleavage, just don’t close the front clasp. They can serve as nipple covers instead.

But don’t ask me how, but the silicone really does stick to the skin even if it gets sweaty. Furthermore, it’s not painful to remove like bra tape and adhesive-based pasties can be.

XUJI FTM Trans Zip-Up Elastic Chest Binder Bamboo Tank Top

If you’ve ever wished your breasts would disappear, now you can make them go away temporarily. Chest binding has been done for centuries in different cultures. Up until recently, the only option was to wrap the chest with a cloth like the Japanese sarashi.

Now, fashion companies that cater to trans and non-binary people offer comfortable pre-made chest binders. Some look like sports bras and others are long like tank tops. Some pull over while others have hook and eye closures or zippers.

Truth be told, people who have had mastectomies or top surgery benefit from chest binders, too. It helps protect them while they recover.

And actors and cosplayers appreciate chest binding, too.

On the downside, a chest binder shouldn’t be worn for more than 8 hours per day and never for sleeping. But on the bright side, they come in sizes that suit almost everyone (and some brands will make custom-fitted models).

This one is a crop top made from a super soft bamboo viscose fabric with a touch of polyester. It sips up the front like a vest so it’s super easy to don and doff.

JAPANESE KIMONO SARASHI

Before there were bras, there were wraps. Japanese women have used the soft, lightweight sarashi cloth as a chest wrap. It may also be worn around the belly for support during pregnancy.

Is there a way to firm the breasts so that I don’t need a bra?

Now that you’ve seen all these bra alternatives, you might still have doubts. Will you sag too much? Will it be obvious that you’re not wearing a bra?

You know, it’s too bad that fashion has decided what a shapely figure looks like. Even worse, it changes from time to time. Some cultures appreciate busty, well-rounded figures. In others, it’s common to have dangly breasts and no one looks twice.

If you’re worried about going braless, here are some exercises to firm up the tatas.

Push-ups are the classic chest-firming workout. However, not all women have the upper body strength at first to do them. It may take time to build up the muscle. Start with the next exercise instead.

The plank is easier than a push-up and it builds core strength like nobody’s business. Not only will it help your pectorals firm up, but it also tightens abs.

If you’re shaking and struggling to do a plank, there’s no shame. Try a cobra pose instead. You’ll lay on your stomach, tuck in your elbows, and put your hands flat on the floor by your shoulders. Then start to lift your head, neck, and shoulders from the floor and hold the position for a few seconds.

A tougher variation of the cobra pose is the medicine ball Superman. Lay on your stomach with your arms outstretched and lift a dumbbell or a medicine ball a few inches off the floor in front of you. It’s harder than it looks!

One of my favorite exercises is the dumbbell chest press. It’s even more awesome for the body if you lay on a Pilates ball. The unstable surface requires more muscle engagement. While you’re there on your back, do the dumbbell fly, too (3).

There are many other exercises you can do to build up your chest muscles and keep the girls from drooping. Just imagine how toned your arms are going to look.

Is it fashionable to go braless?

Don’t take it from me. Fashion Month promoted the braless look in its fall/winter 2022 edition.

80% of women wear the wrong size bra

At least that’s what I’ve heard. If your brassiere is uncomfortable, of course you’re going to want to look for alternatives.

Bra sizes go up and down depending on the time of the month and the season. Your measurements today might not be the same as they were 6 months ago even if you haven’t gained or lost a pound.

If you decide to stick with bras for a while longer, maybe it’s time to shop for some new ones. But don’t go off the old size. Measure yourself again or have a bra fitting professional do it for you.

Once you’ve done the swoop and scoop together the girls into the cups, close the bra, and see if you can still stick a finger under the band. Then adjust the straps. If anything digs or pinches or if the fabric looks dimpled, move on to the next bra.

If you have a big bust and hate underwires, I hear you. Happily, there are wireless bras that provide good support. Try the Playtex 18-hour bra.

Conclusion

I hope I helped you find the best bra alternatives today. It’s perfectly possible to be sexy and comfortable at the same time.

If you have a favorite solution for going braless, I’d love to hear it Feel free to leave me a comment below.

Sources:

1. https://www.hunimed.eu/news/advantages-disadvantages-wearing-bra/ The advantages and disadvantages of wearing a bra, published June 16, 2017

2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/going-braless/ Is It Bad to Not Wear a Bra? published July 19, 2021

3. https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/breast-firming-exercises 13 Breast-Firming Exercises, Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, Fitness — By Nicole Davis — Updated on July 24, 2018