My Favorite Everyday T-Shirt Bras

SIZING NOTES: Since my breast reduction surgery in 2022, I’ve settled into a pretty reliable 34D bra size. I have more options than I used to, but I still need supportive bras. For that reason, most of the bras I recommend here are targeted to women with larger cup sizes.

Also, I want to point out that a lot of the styles I’m sharing here are part of the Friends & Family Sale at Bare Necessities. Unfortunately, when I try to link the exact items on their site, it redirects to the home page, but you may want to search for them there, if you want to get 30% off.

Wacoal Embrace Lace T-Shirt Bra

at Nordstrom // at Zappos // at Saks // on sale at Bare Necessities

This is my most worn everyday bra. It’s supportive, it has really good good lift and shaping, and the molded cups prevent any unfortunate show-through. The lace detail dresses it up a little bit so I still feel like I’m wearing pretty lingerie, and it comes in a wide range of sizes.

There’s really nothing not to love about this bra, except is a little pricey and it doesn’t come in a ton of colors. Still, I’m willing to pay the price for everything it has to offer. I always keep at least two in beige and one in black in my rotation. It comes in a good range of larger cup sizes, from at 30D/32C to 38G/40DD.

Chantelle Basic Invisible Smooth Support T-Shirt Bra

at Nordstrom // at Zappos // at Bloomingdale’s // at Saks // on sale at Bare Necessities

This bra is a newer discovery, and I only have one of them at the moment, but it’s pretty close to the shape and style of the Wacoal Embrace Lace T-Shirt Bra without the pretty lace detail. I like how the straps look a little more finished if they are exposed when wearing a tank or wide neck shirt. This bra comes in some smaller sizes than the Wacoal; sizes range from 32B to 38E/40D

Freya Idol Moulded Balcony Bra 

at Nordstrom // at Macy’s // at Amazon // on sale at Bare Necessities

This was my favorite everyday bra when I was at my largest. It has more support than the Wacoal and Chantelle t-shirt bras, and it gives a really nice shape to the girls. It’s almost minimizing, without being a minimizer. (I have never liked minimizers; they seem to flatten me out and make my shape look odd.) This bra comes in several “nude” shades for darker skin tones, and sizes range from 28D to 38G. There are tons of cup sizes in the 28 and 30 back sizes, which is hard to find.

Wacoal Comfort First T-Shirt Bra 

at Nordstrom // at Shopbop // at Macy’s // at Zappos

This bra has memory foam cups that conform to the natural shape of your curves, and the smooth back straps don’t leave indentations or create any lines underneath your clothes. It’s very soft and comfortable against the skin, but it isn’t quite as supportive as the ones above. It comes in a wide range of sizes from 32A to 38DDD.

Soma VANISHING 360 Perfect Coverage Bra

at Soma

This bra is designed with Soma’s 360 smoothing technology and vanishing edges to ensure no unsightly lumps and bumps under your t-shirts or stretchy knits. The way it’s cut in the back really helps eliminate those bulges under the arms. It also has flat hooks at the hook-and-eye closure, and elastic straps that adjust in front! I wish every bra had that feature. It comes in a wide variety of colors, and sizes range from 32C/34B to 40G/42DDD.

Warners This Is Not A Bra Cushioned Underwire Lightly Lined T-Shirt Bra

at Amazon // at Kohl’s // on sale at Macy’s // on sale at Bare Necessities

This bra is the most affordable bra I’ve found that gives me good coverage and support. It has a cushioned underwire area to prevent digging and poking, which is pretty miraculous! I wish I’d known about this bra sooner. I would definitely have worn it a lot in the months following my surgery, when I was still sensitive around my incisions. It also has those convenient front-adjustable straps, but sizes are limited to 34B – 40C/38D.

Maidenform One Fab Fit Everyday Full Coverage Racerback Bra

at Macy’s // at Kohl’s // at Bare Necessities

This is the bra I wear when I need the t-back feature. It has a nice shape to it, and it doesn’t create lines underneath your clothes. Plus, I think the back design is so pretty!

My Favorite Strapless Bra

Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra

at Nordstrom // at Bloomingdale’s // at Saks // at Zappos // on sale at Bare Necessities

There is no such thing as a comfortable strapless bra, but this one is about as good as it gets. I wore it when I was a 34DDD, and it was tolerable for a few hours at dinner or an event. Now that I’m a 34D, I could wear it all day. It creates a nice shape, and it has grippers that help it to not slide down, as long as you fasten it tight enough.

This bra also has removable, convertible straps so you can wear it 5 ways: traditional, strapless, halter, crisscross back, and one shoulder. It comes in a wide range of sizes, from 30D/32C to 44G.

My Favorite Sports Bras

Panache Ultimate High Impact Underwire Sports Bra

at Nordstrom // at Amazon // on sale at Bare Necessities

This is the only bra I’ve found that gives me enough support for running, while also giving me the look I like under clothes. I love how this bra shapes and separate the girls, as I really detest the “uniboob” sports bra look. It also has the J-hook in the back that allows you to convert it to a racerback style, so I like it under my racerback tanks. Plus, it gives you more support when fastened that way.

Wacoal Simone Seamless Underwire Sports Bra

at Nordstrom // at Zappos // on sale at Macy’s // on sale at Bare Necessities

This is sports bra I wear most often right now, for walking and weight lifting. I like the shape it provides, and it’s comfortable and easy to fasten. You can also make the straps criss-crossed in the back, for better support and fit under racerback tops, but I’m not coordinated enough to maneuver my way into it when it’s configured that way, so I wear it as shown above. I like that it comes in some fun colors, and it runs true to size.

My Favorite Wireless Bralettes

True & Co. Body Lift V-Neck Bralette

at Nordstrom // at Amazon // at Bloomingdale’s

Sometimes I don’t want to wear a full-on bra but I still want to look decent walking around in front of friends and family, and that’s when I grab one of these bralettes. If you like to sleep in something with light support, these are great for that too!

ENBLISS Bralette

at Soma

This is the Soma version, and I like it almost as well, but I feel like I get a little more coverage from the True & Co. bralettes. I have some of each and wear them interchangeably.

My Favorite Shapewear

Okay, moving on to shapewear! There are basically three levels of shapewear — smoothing, shaping, and sculpting.

• Smoothing shapewear has light control, to help you look sleek under your clothes. These are generally lightweight and comfortable enough for all day wear.
• Shaping pieces have medium control, and they help smooth the appearance of lumps and bumps.
• Sculpting shapewear has the most support and compression, and it is designed to sculpt and reshape the body for the most flattering fit.

I don’t wear shapewear every day, but I almost always wear something under dresses, and sometimes even with pants and jeans if the outfit seems to need some extra smoothing or shaping.

FIT TIP: If you are having issues with your shapewear rolling down in the waist, or rolling up in the legs, or creating more lumps and bumps than you started with, I recommend sizing UP. I often size up one or two sizes in shapewear. It shouldn’t feel constricting. If it’s the right fit, you should be able to wear it comfortably all day.

Wacoal Body Base Shorty

at Macy’s // at Nordstrom // at Amazon // at Shopbop

These lightweight smoothing shorts are my favorites for under white pants and  jeans, and I also wear these under casual dresses that don’t require extra support.

The waist doesn’t roll down, and the legs stay in place, plus the free cut leg doesn’t create a visible line through my jeans.

Spanx OnCore Mid-Thigh Short 

at Spanx // at Nordstrom

These shorts are what I wear when I want more shaping and sculpting, mostly under fitted dresses or jumpsuits. They have the most powerful compression that Spanx offers, with booty-enhancing pockets, fully-bonded front-panels for a tabletop flat stomach, and edge-bonded side panels for squeeze-free slimming. There is also a high-waist version of these, but I haven’t tried those. I wear these shorts in the size medium.

Spanx OnCore Open Bust Mid Thigh Shaper Bodysuit

at Spanx // at Nordstrom // at Zappos // at Macy’s

When I want all-over body smoothing and sculpting under a body-con dress, I wear this bodysuit, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been willing to go through the trouble. I can usually make do with the shorts and a slip (see below.) But this is a good piece to have in your arsenal for those rare occasions when you absolutely need it. I recommend sizing up an extra size in this; I wear the large.

My Favorite Underwear

We’re in the home stretch! This section isn’t nearly as long as the other two, but I have a few different options I want to share with you here.

Hanky Panky Original Rise Thong

at Nordstrom // at Bloomies

I detest VPL (visible panty lines) and these are the most comfortable thongs I’ve found. I wear them under all of my pants and jeans. The exception is white pants or denim, in which case I wear the Wacoal Body Base Shorty.

HINT: Hanky Panky is usually included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, which happens in July. That’s when I like to stock up. Also, these are one size fits all, so that makes it easy!

Natori Bliss Cotton Blend Briefs 

at Nordstrom // at Bloomies

When I want regular cotton undies, these are my first choice. They’re just comfy and easy. I wear these to sleep in, and I often wear them under shorts. For some reason, I find thongs uncomfortable with shorts, and I don’t seem to have the same issue with panty lines as I do with jeans. These also come in full briefs, if you prefer more coverage. These are also usually included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and I wear the medium.

Soma Vanishing Edge Microfiber Modern Brief

at Soma

When I want more coverage than a thong, and I don’t want to wear the shaping shorts, these provide a seamless look without riding up. They have grippers at the leg openings, which helps them stay in place. If you find they still create some lines around the leg opening or the waist, try sizing up. I usually buy the medium, but I might start buying large.

Chantelle Soft Stretch Seamless Hipster Briefs

at Nordstrom // at Bloomies

These are my newest discovery, and I like them better than the Soma Vanishing Edge Modern Brief, but they’re more expensive, especially considering that you can often find the Soma undies on sale. Buying the pack of 5 is more economical than buying singles, but definitely order one to test them out first.

These are super stretchy and comfortable, and they stay in place without the grippers, which can be annoying when you’re pulling them up and down. These are also O/S (one size fits all).

Thigh Society The Cooling

at Thigh Society

I love these for anti-chafing shorts when you don’t need compression. I wore them under all my dresses when we were touring Italy last summer in 100-degree weather, and they were the perfect solution. They come in several different lengths, and tons of colors and sizes.

You can wear them with or without actual underwear underneath. I usually wore them over my underwear so I could re-wear them without washing, although they wash up easily in the sink and dry in a couple of hours. Once again, size up to prevent rolling. I wear the M/L in the 5″ shorts.

How to Properly Care for your Foundation Garments

It is important to take good care of your foundation garments, so they provide you the best support and shape for as long as possible. Here are a few tips for caring for your undies.

photo credit: Soma

1. Washing bras by hand is ideal, but I don’t wash anything by hand, so I use the delicate cycle on my washing machine and cold water for all of my foundation garments. I separate my bras from the rest of my clothing in a lingerie bag, to ensure they don’t get caught on anything.
2. Also with bras, fasten the hooks so they don’t snag, and shorten the straps to avoid stretching out.
3. Never wear your bra two days in a row. Allowing it a day to “rest” gives the bra elastic time to refresh and rebound, which helps prolong the life of the band and your bra.
4. Hang bras and shapewear to dry. The dryer eventually breaks down the elastane, so you’ll end up needing to replace bras and shapewear more often. (I do put my underwear in the dryer, but not bras and shapewear.)
5. Store your bras properly. Storing your bras with one cup folded into the other creases the cups and warps the underwire. Instead, cascade them against each other in a row. This will help your bras maintain their shape, and keep them organized.

Stay In Touch

If you liked this post, be sure you’re signed up for my email newsletter. In addition to my most recent blog posts, you’ll receive exclusive newsletter content like special sales, my newest favorite finds, and an occasional peek behind the scenes — all delivered right to your inbox.

I would also love for you to join my JLS Fashion Insiders Facebook Group! This is a friendly place to discuss all matters of fashion and style with other women, share your outfits, get advice, and stay up to date on all the happenings in our community.