Bra fitting advice by Celine the Bra Doctor
Why are wire-free bras becoming more popular? Should I be wearing a wire-free bra? If you’ve ever asked yourself or someone else one of these questions, this blog is for you!
Does it surprise you to know that wire-free bras have become increasingly popular these days? Even though it may seem that almost every bra on the market has underwire and at least some kind of padding, there has been a marked increase in demand for bras without underwires. At least, that’s a trend I can say is very true for our customers at Now That’s Lingerie. We’ve recently added a new brand to our roster, Royce Lingerie, because this UK-based company specializes in wire-free bras. Royce bras are perfect for every day, but they also have specialty bras for mastectomy, post-surgery, nursing, sports and more. And again, these Royce bras are ALL wire-free, with styles in an inclusive size range of A to K cups.
A lot of women I speak to seem to want to abandon their underwires because they’re “sick of them” and they’re “uncomfortable“. I won’t try to say that underwires are for everyone; some women don’t enjoy wearing them, and that’s fine, because there’s a wide range of other wire-free options available. But I hope women are making sure that if they do switch to wire-free bras, it’s just as important to ensure you’re wearing the right bra size. If your size isn’t right, then you won’t be optimally comfortable, no matter whether you’re wearing underwires or not. And truly, I’ve met lots of ladies who I have even converted from wire-free to underwired bras – a key example to show that you can be comfortable in any bra, as long as your size and style are right for YOU.
When purchasing a wire-free bra, there are many things to consider, but most important are your needs and reasons for wanting to wear a wire-free bra, especially if you’ve worn underwired bras for years. I receive lots of questions about wireless bras from women, so I’m sharing some of them with you below to help steer you in the right direction. Which describes you best? (Contact me anytime with your bra fitting questions – I’d love to help you!)
I wear a DD cup, and I’m fed up of the red marks I get whenever I wear underwire! Will a bra without underwire be better for me?
Serenade Grenier Soft Cup Wireless Bra By Grenier Lingerie
It sounds like a new bra size would be better for you! If you’re getting red marks on your body from wearing your bra, whether from digging or friction, you are most definitely not wearing the right size. Of course, it may seem like the underwire is the culprit, but the fact is that a comfortable underwired bra in the proper style and size for you would be as good an option as a wire-free bra. If you do decide to go with a wire-free bra, make sure you get one with full support to secure your generous bust.
Bra Doctor Recommends: 9265 Lace Tisha Wireless Bra by Le Mystere, 8579 Serenade Wire-Free Lacy Full Support Bra by Grenier Lingerie, 971 Darcey Pinstriped Wire-Free Bra with Lace by Royce Lingerie
I’m pregnant and all of my underwires seem to be digging into me! I’m so uncomfortable. Should I switch to a wire-free bra until after my baby is born?
Congratulations! Welcome to the pregnant woman’s chaotic world of ill-fitting clothing and lingerie. I always suggest a full support wire-free bra to my pregnant friends and customers, because your size may change often, and a wire-free bra will reduce any potential pressure on your mammary glands caused by too-tight underwires. However, make sure you are wearing the right size, because it’s no good to wear a wire-free bra that’s too small and squishes you, either!
Bra Doctor Recommends: 8503 Wire-Free Lacy Bra by Grenier Lingerie, 5660 Perfect Body Moulded Seamless Wireless Bra by Naturana, 821 Charlotte Wire-Free Semi-Sheer Full Support Bra by Royce Lingerie
I just had a mastectomy on one breast and need a comfortable bra that will allow my scars to heal, and to be able to wear a prosthesis too. What do you recommend?
Georgia Moulded Wire-Free Mastectomy Bra with Pockets by Royce Lingerie
A wire-free bra with inside pockets, lined inside in breathable fibers like cotton or bamboo should definitely be at the top of your list. Usually I recommend wearing a slightly lined or padded bra to minimize any possibility of your prosthesis showing, and helps even out your shape.
Bra Doctor Recommends: 6150 Les Essentiels Wire-Free Cotton Bra with Pockets by Elita Lingerie, 886P Georgia Moulded Wire-Free Mastectomy Bra with Pockets by Royce Lingerie, 5800 Full Cup Mastectomy Bra with Pockets by Naturana
I am having breast enhancement surgery and my doctor recommended a specialty wire-free bra to wear post-surgery. Is this absolutely necessary?
The jury is still out on this one, believe it or not! It is quite difficult to get a consensus among plastic surgeons on this topic. Some have their patients wear a cotton wrap/bandeau just to cover the incisions. Other surgeons say to wear a wire-free bra post-surgery, but there is even a debate on whether a sports bra will compress the breasts too much. Some doctors even allow their patients to wear underwire within a short period after recovery. Ask your surgeon or a doctor you trust. Overall, it seems that there is a middle ground. I suggest wearing a comfortable, moderately supportive wireless bra after a breast augmentation, because it may help reduce jiggle, which can in turn feel pretty uncomfortable when your breasts are swollen.
Bra Doctor Recommends: 1006 Silver Post Surgery Wire-Free Front Opening Bra by Royce Lingerie, 8595 Full Support Wire-Free Bra by Grenier Lingerie, 6459 Essentiels Cotton Wire-Free Full Figure Bra by Elita Lingerie
I have a large bust and need a wire-free bra that will support me when I exercise. Should I wear a bra with another sports bra on top for extra support?
Impact Free Wireless Sports Bra Full Support By Royce Lingerie
I don’t recommend doubling up on your athletic bras! One fully supportive bra designed for sports and for larger busts should suffice! Look for seaming on the cups to shape your breasts and reduce bounce. I really like the Royce Impact Free Sports Bra because in addition to a wide hook and eye closure in back, the back is also reinforced with a cushioned Velcro panel and the straps are cushioned and wide to comfortably deliver support.
Bra Doctor Recommends: Sports Bra by Change of Scandinavia, S826 Impact Free Wireless Cotton Sports Bra by Royce Lingerie, Moulded Sports Bra by Naturana
I feel most comfortable wearing a bra when I sleep. Is it normal to wear a bra to sleep?
Every woman is different. Some ladies feel like wearing a bra to bed helps reduce the squishing together, which can be uncomfortable especially for bigger breasts, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that (as long as the bra fits, wear it!). I’ve also heard a few women say that they wore a sleep bra to prevent the sagging of the skin between their breasts. Sure, that can certainly help! If you are going to wear a bra to sleep, I definitely don’t recommend a bra with underwire – a wire-free bra will offer you better circulation and superior comfort. (PS.. I’ll share a beauty tip with you – a great way to keep your between-breast area looking firm as long as possible is to sleep on your back so your breasts don’t squish together, and moisturizing always helps too!)
Bra Doctor Recommends: 6859 Essentiels Microfiber Wire-Free Full-Figure Bra by Elita Lingerie, 208 Sleek Simplicity Microfiber Crossover Bra by Bra Doctor Lingerie, 8503 No-Wire Lace Full Support Bra by Grenier Lingerie
I am very petite (I’m an A or small B cup) and have no real need for bras, except that I don’t like when my nipples show through my tops. Is there such thing as a padded bra without underwire?
Elements Of Bliss Wire Free Bra By Warners Lingerie
Absolutely, and they aren’t all extremely padded either. You can get a nice wire-free padded bra like any of the styles from the Elements of Bliss collection from Warner’s, not too padded, perfect for petites who don’t want to have too much padding, because these bras will help keep your nipples invisible under your clothes. But you can also try a wire-free bra without padding first, because often this will help minimize the visibility of your nipples too.
Bra Doctor Recommends: 2003 Elements of Bliss Wire-Free Bra by Warner’s Lingerie, 207 Light Luxury Wire-Free Cotton Crossover Bra by Bra Doctor Lingerie
I’m nursing, but I don’t want to wear one of those big scary bras while I nurse! Do you have any styles that you can suggest to me?
Recently, I recommended the Lauren nursing bra by Royce to a full-busted friend of mine, and when she tried it on she was impressed not only with how flattering the fit was, but also how comfy she was! She couldn’t believe that a bra that comfortable could make her feel like such a sexy mama!
Bra Doctor Recommends: 839 Lauren Pinstriped Wire-Free Nursing Bra with Lace by Royce Lingerie, 822 Charlotte Wire-Free Drop Cup Nursing Bra by Royce Lingerie
I’m an A cup and want to make my small breasts look bigger, but I don’t like underwires. What styles should I try?
You can get an incredible push-up and add a size to your bustline with some padded push-up wire-free bras. Some of them come in ultra-fun prints, like the retro polka-dot Star Secret padded bralette by Blush.
Bra Doctor Recommends: f3495 Push Positive Soft Wire Push-Up Bra by Calvin Klein, 2060 Fall in Luxe Wire-Free Seamless Bra by Warner’s Lingerie
I hope the answers to these popular questions gave you some insight into how convenient wire-free bras can be! I think it’s fine to wear underwire, as long as your bra is the right size and you’re feeling comfortable. It’s your choice to go wire-free, and if you do, you can look forward a wider range of wireless bra sizes, styles and colors available for you more and more often in the coming seasons. And yes, you can definitely wear a wire-free bra and get comparable support to an underwired version.
Do you enjoy wearing wire-free bras? Tell us by commenting below, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube!
Celine the Bra Doctor
bradoctor@nowthatslingerie.com
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21 COMMENTS
Lonnie
12 years agoI used to wear almost all underwired bras until Celine(Bra Doctor) started encouraging me to try some wireless bras. One of the first I tried and still use(it’s my favorite) is the 8579 Serenade. I love the comfort yet great support it gives. On top of that the lace on the cups makes me feel sexy. It is a very pretty and supportive bra. It was great advice!!!!!!!!!
admin
12 years ago AUTHORThanks Lonnie,
I’m so glad to have been able to help you! I really think that lots of women would also be pleasantly surprised to try a supportive wire-free bra and discover that it’s comparable in comfort to an underwired one! 🙂
Lonnie
12 years agoIf they work physically like me everyday, I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to wear a full support non underwire. You sold me on that and I wouldn’t go back to wearing underwires for my line of work.
admin
12 years ago AUTHORI agree, Lonnie. For women who move around a lot throughout the day and exert themselves physically, I do suggest a wire-free bra as an alternative to underwire.
Kathie Gallardo
11 years agoIn addition to comfort there are many reports that underwire bras restrict lymphatic health, drainage. Please include that in your web site information. Thank you for the rest of the article which is very good.
admin
11 years ago AUTHORHi Kathie, thanks for your comments. It is true that underwired bras CAN restrict lymphatic health, but it is my opinion that this is due to the fact that most women who are actually wearing underwired bras are wearing sizes that are too small for them, which causes the underwires to dig into their breasts and sides and thus can restrict the normal circulation of lymph within the body. Keep in mind that even a wire-free bra that is too tight/too small on a person can also restrict this circulation, even though there are no underwires. However if the bra is fitting properly, whether there is underwire or not, then there should be no constriction of tissues or fluids within the body. In many previous bra fitting blogs you can read about here, we’ve mentioned the importance of never wearing a bra that cuts into you, because of this particular reason. Thank you for sharing with us! 🙂
Lillie
8 years agoHi I have always word word bras I have been wearing a 36i and now I’m going to try a 38g with no word. I’m very short and have very large greats. I dont want them to say anymore than they are. But I’m tired of wearing wire bras and getting that red line. I am 31
Lillie
8 years agoHi i have always wore wire bras I usually wear a 34i but today I’m switching to a 38g no wire. I’m concerned because I have large breasts and I don’t want them to sag but im tired of the red lines I’m 31. Sorry auto correct messed up my previous comment.
admin
8 years ago AUTHORHello Lillie,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
I do understand your concern with switching from underwire to wireless bras. I would suggest you getting a full support bra which will support the breast tissue and relieve stress and pressure from your shoulders. I do however have a question. Is the increase in size measurement due to weight change because you are able to get 34I cup sizes in wireless bras. Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great day. Celine
Jane Dekovitch
8 years agoFirst, thank you for having not just wireless bras, but actually pretty wireless bras. Between a job where I am physically active, I’ve also broken my ribs a couple of times and underwire bras are physical torture so I stopped wearing them years ago. Finding pretty bras that are wireless has been a huge problem. I’ve had stores just flat out tell me to “underwires are all we carry besides sports bras just to deal with the pain.”
I’ll be placing an order after the holidays!
admin
8 years ago AUTHORHello Jane,
Thank you for your lovely comment. We write so that people are informed about their many options, and we’re glad you stumbled upon this article so that you know there is a solution for you. If you ever want any recommendations for which wire-free bras would work best for you, please feel free to contact us.
Pat Nichols
8 years agoI have large breasts and recently changed to a non wired bra after being told I had 4 enlarged axillary lymph nodes. For 11 months I have suffered on a daily basis awful pain all over one or both breasts. I have been for many tests and no one could find the reason as to the pain. I eventually got out my old world bra last week to try it again and have suffered no pain since! So there is something a wired bra is giving me that a non wired doesn’t. So ladies beware, if you have large breasts and suddenly change to a non wired bra!
admin
8 years ago AUTHORHello Pat,
I hope all is well.
Thank you so much for contacting us and sharing your experience with us and I am very happy that your discomfort is gone and you are more confortable in what you wear. It is true that wirefree bras are more confortable than ones with underwires. In general if someone purchases an underwired bra and one of the two breasts is even slightly bigger than the other, the person would in fact feel some discomfort, even pain. I also encourage women who have deeper cups to wear full support wirefree bras in order to get maximum comfort. Sincerely, Celine
Amy
8 years agoFor those who are skeptical about wirefree bras – I am 39 and have been having a lot of problems with cyclical breast soreness (sometimes they would be so sore I couldn’t be touched without pain – it hurt to wash myself in the shower.) I had a mammogram in September after I noticed a thickening in one breast that concerned my OB/GYN nurse practitioner. Thankfully, the mammogram was totally normal. The breast radiologist who came in to see me after the mammogram and ultrasound asked me if I primarily wore underwire bras, and he also asked “do you have problems with soreness?” which I hadn’t mentioned. When I said yes, he nodded and said “try switching to wire-free bras or just not wearing one at least five days a week.” He explained that he hears a lot of complaints from larger-breasted women (I’m a D cup) who wear only underwire bras, and he’s also heard from a lot of them that switching to wirefree helped.
I work in an office where going braless isn’t really an option, so I did switch to wire-free bras and it has made an unbelievable difference. I no longer get sore before my period and the lumps/thickening in my fibrocystic breasts has lessened tremendously. If anyone is having similar problems, I HIGHLY recommend going wirefree to see if that helps.
admin
8 years ago AUTHORHello Amy!
Thank you very much for sharing your story. We’re sure that there are women who will read this and take a trip to their doctor if they are experiencing similar problems. Furthermore, women will know about a potential solution.
-The NTL Team
Stephanie
8 years agoMy bra is hurting my ribs and making my breasts ache – wireless or not. What am I doing wrong and what should I get?
admin
8 years ago AUTHORHello Stephanie,
Thank you for contacting us.
If your bra is hurting your ribs, it can be one of two things. It can be the size of the band that is too small or your skin can be sensitive to the nylon or polyster from the underband. Given the description of the issue it seems that it is the band. What size are you wearing and which hook to you close your bra in the back? Looking forward to your response. Have a great day. Celine 1-855-521-4244
Bexinin Cambelina
7 years agoHello,
I’m used to wear underwire bra (C cup 32/70) as I found underwire bra provide the ideal support that I needed. I had tried all sort of brand however, finding the right bra size is very difficult for me n sometimes confusing. Some brand had measure me B 75 , some D 85 n the most hilarious E 32. Mostly others brand measured me C 32/70/75. I don’t like underwire bra because of these, the worst that wearing wirefree bra not only that I does not feel any support n this making me more uncomfortable for me to wear (i feel more comfortable when not wearing any bra) as non of the size fit me at all. I am not particularly big breasts, one day I tried sport bra n just love it. They comes with sizes S, M,L, XL n I’m usually in between size S n M. I just love the sport bra as I can easily fit n feel the support I always wanted n most important that I don’t hv to keep on trying the bra until I get the right size.
Buy a bra for me is like treasure hunt, to hunt a perfect fit bra it’s just tiring. I had to test wear all the bras in the shop n only found 2 that fit n varieties color n design become restricted.
My questions is, is there any research in between underwire bra vs wirefree bra vs sport bra? Like for example wearing them in long run, which provides better support n lift (prevent sagging) or which will lead to cancer?
Do you suggest my conditions is better that I switching all my bra to sport bra?
admin
7 years ago AUTHORHello Ms Cambelina,
Thank you for contacting us. I hope all is well.
There is a lot of documentation regarding bra fitting and as far as answering your question, I will do so as best I can. First and foremost not all bras are made the same. There are too many factors that you need to take into consideration such as fabric, elastics, underwires etc. Underwires are suppose to circumvent or contour the breast tissue to shape it, if the underwires poke the skin, apply pressure on the sides or center, breastbone or center gore, the size of the cups need to be changed. Most women go through multiple bra changes during their lives. This is due to weight gain, pregnancy etc. The best bra is one that supports and leaves no marks. The bra can have underwires or have very good support. In general sports bras are made to support the breast tissue during physical activities, it is not always recommended to wear this type of bra all day long because sports bras are made a little tighter than regular bras.
I hope this helps. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions. Have a great day. Celine 1-855-521-4244
Jenylyn Smyth
5 years agoBest wirefree bras hands down: Cottonique! Plus, they’re hypoallergenic and made from pure organic cotton. Even if I wear them the entire day, I don’t feel any pain or irritations from the usual underwired bras. Do check them out because I highly recommend their brand.
admin
5 years ago AUTHORHello Jenylyn,
Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
– THE NTL TEAM