Bust out of your bra rut... to look younger and thinner in minutes!
THWART UNDERBOOB WITH A BALCONETTE
Tightening straps is the first line of defense for minimizing sag—but when the bra’s cups are too small, the underwire has no grip, so any physical movement causes the bra to ride up, says Jené Luciani, author of
The Bra Book. The result? Underboob. To avoid it, she suggests going up a cup size and opting for a balconette bra. “This style has an extra panel of fabric beneath the cups that acts like a shelf to ‘prop up’ the bust, combatting sag while containing breasts comfortably inside.” This bra’s balconette base offers ample lift while the fuller coverage cups leave enough room to ensure breast tissue doesn’t spill out in any direction. Plus, the bra features a sweetheart neckline that reveals a hint of cleavage. First pick: Playtex, $25 (OneHanesPlace.com, Body Revelation Underwire Bra in Nude; sizes 36B–44DD)
SMOOTH BACK FAT WITH A TANK BRA
Ugh! You find a bra that lifts in front, but when you turn around? Lumps and bumps in the back. “Bras rely on back-band tension to hold up breasts, and that tension can cause the band to squeeze the back so rolls form above and below it—on even the smallest of women,” says Luciani. For a gorgeous look coming and going, try a tank-style bra. The full back spreads the tension, maintaining support in front while eliminating rear-view rolls. It takes a lot to impress us— especially at this price point. But this bra’s stretchy yet sturdy tank-top back acts like a shaping camisole, instantly smoothing out any back rolls. Plus, the molded underwire cups give the perfect amount of support in front. First pick: Shapeez, $79 (Shapeez.com, The Tankee Short in Nude; sizes run in letters equivalent to 30A–46DD)
LIFT A SAGGY BUST WITH MOLDED CUPS
If you’re over 40, odds are you battle some degree of sag. And while the causes vary—breast-feeding, weight fluctuations, gravity—the results are equally confidence-sapping. The secret to lifting boobs
(and your spirits)? A bra with molded cups. “Breasts automatically conform to the shape of the preformed cups, creating the illusion of a round, perky shape,” says bra expert Jené Luciani. And a bra with a band that’s at least 4 inches wide offers extra support and lift, which in turn makes the waist look tinier! We worried molded cups might add bulk, but surprise: These cups magically make breasts look as they lift and shape! And when breasts aren’t sagging down, the body takes on more of an hourglass silhouette. Plus, the thick straps provide support without putting pressure on the shoulders. First pick: Vanity Fair, $40 (VanityFairLingerie.com, Beauty Back Minimizer Full Figure Underwire in Damask Neutral; sizes 36C–44DD)
NIX QUAD BOOB WITH 3-PART CUPS
It’s so frustrating: We fall in love with a frilly bra that looks pretty in the store. But when we put it on, the flimsy fabric and skimpy design do little to keep “the ladies” contained, and we’re left with spillover that creates two additional lumpy “breasts” mid-chest! Luciani’s advice? Opt for a bra with “3-part” cups. “Not only do they come in pretty designs but each cup has a side panel that works like a sling to add extra support, as well as a center panel that gives breasts a rounded shape and a stretchy top panel that prevents spillage.” There’s nothing “granny” about this bra! The unique design shapes and supports, and the thin double lining has just enough stretch for breasts to sit naturally in the cups. Plus, the sexy lace trim along the top and on the straps is feminine and flirty! First pick: Lilyette by Bali, $25 (OneHanesPlace.com, Minimizer Underwire in Body Beige; sizes 34C–42G)