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DD might be the UK's average cup size, but the struggle to find a good bra for big boobs is REAL, ppl. “Finding a comfortable bra that is not frumpy and unattractive can be a challenge at the best of times, but particularly for fuller-busted women," says Priya Downes, founder of lingerie brand Nudea. And I couldn't agree more – I'm a fashion editor with a 34F cup size, and I feel like I've been on an endless bra search for half my life.

NGL, working in fashion and scrolling past the prettiest, daintiest wisps of lacy triangle bras and bandeaus on the daily, knowing I'll never be able to wear them, does hurt just a little. Throw in back pain, angry red marks and a lifetime restricted to thicker-strapped dresses and I'm whipping out a tiny violin for myself every time I'm underwear shopping. That's why I've made it my mission to test and collate all the DD+ bras on the market RN that are both pretty and supportive at the same time.

Luckily, while some styles are legitimately off the menu for DD+ gals thanks to the likelihood of painful bouncing or nip slips, there are myriad brands out there catering to bigger busted ladies. New-gen lingerie brands like SKIMS and Dora Larsen have got the technical stuff covered alongside aesthetics, while oldies-but-goodies like M&S are improving their fit all the time.

How to measure your bra size:

But, first up, make sure you've got your size right before browsing this edit. Because, according to Boux Avenue, a whopping 81% of you are wearing the wrong cup size.

After being fitted hundreds of times with different results depending on the store, I turned to Nudea's measuring tape. It cleverly measures the underband using a slider fastening and each individual cup size separately.

Nudea The Nudea Fit Tape®

But if you don't want to order a measuring tape, look to your existing underwear for clues as to whether the cup size is right. Priya has given us some excellent pointers here:

"The best piece of advice for fuller busts is to ensure your underband fits correctly as it does all the hard work supporting the bust, not the straps. It should feel snug against your skin, resting in a straight line across the back with no digging in or riding up," she explains.

So, once you're confident about your *actual* size, browse my edit of the 13 best bras for big boobs here. (And, while it's not great for the environment, you can always order two and send one back, eh?)

The 13 best bras for big boobs to shop now:

Best bra for big boobs

Autograph Tivoli Mesh Wired Plunge Bra F-H

From M&S' iconic Autograph line, this bra is first on this list for so many reasons. The high-apex cuts create the comfiest, most supportive fit (no nip slips here) and sit close to the skin for true invisibility beneath tight clothes. I also love the sporty stretch-mesh and logo-embossed straps tempered with the sultry satin trims.

Notes on the fit: This bra fits true to size

Sizing range: This design is available in cup sizes F-G.

Best balcony bra for big boobs

NO SHOW Moulded Unlined Balconette Bra

Skims features heavily in this edit because, well, Kimmy K might just be the queen of lingerie in 2024. From the label's 'No Show' collection, this bra does exactly what it says on the tin: it's undetectable beneath clothing. This is all down to the ultra fine stretch-mesh, moulded seams and wide underband.

Notes on fit: This bra is on the smaller size simply because of its half-cup balcony cut. This is of course great for cleavage and uplift, especially on unlined styles, but if you're looking for something fuller-cupped, the Demi design has your back.

Sizing range: This design is available in cup sizes F-H.

Best lace bra for big boobs

Ann Summers Sexy Lace Planet Padded Plunge Bra

Ann Summers is one of the best places to go for DD+ bras and plus-size underwear, and all with a delightfully affordable price tag. At just £15, you might doubt how supportive this bra can really be, but with over 3,300 five-star reviews, we'd say it more than delivers. Coming in 12 different colourways, it's this scarlet red hue that caught our eye and delivers on the brand's trademark sexy aesthetic.

Notes on the fit: This bra fits true to size

Sizing range: This design is available in cup sizes A-H and band sizes up to a 44.

Best strapless bra for big boobs

Smoothing Strapless Bra

Yes, another Skims style for y'all. This one is a foolproof strapless bra for big boobs – the ultra-wide wings and internal gumming ensure it stays put, but you can always add the removable straps should some extra support be needed. This comes in a decent array of nudes for every skin tone.

Notes on fit: This bra is on the smaller side which helps everything stay put, but watch out for any boob bulge.

Sizing range: This design is available in cup sizes A-F.

Best unpadded bra for big boobs

FITS EVERYBODY Unlined Demi Bra

This is one of my favourites – as an F cup I always wear unlined bras, but I've never come across one that offers such incredible lift. Skims has nailed it yet again with this clever 360 stretch fabric: it's a whopping 24% elastane, way more than your average lingerie, and it really works!

Notes on fit: Because this bra is knitted with so much stretch, you need to make sure it fits *just* right or you'll get serious boob bulge. If in doubt, size up.

Sizing range: This design is available in cup sizes A-H.

Best comfy bra for big boobs

The Boss Full Cover Bra - Bare 07

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I've worn this bra every single day during pregnancy – and bought three in total as my cup size has shot up through the trimesters – because it is so darn comfy. If you're a no-fuss-no-frills gal who just needs a bra that feels light as air and holds everything in, Nudea is the place to go.

Notes on fit: We now go by Nudea fits on all lingerie, because the brand's ingenious measuring tape is the best in the biz. This bra fits true to size but is also forgiving if you're a little smaller than the cup – excellent news if your breasts fluctuate through your cycle.

Sizing range: This design is available in cup sizes B-GG.

Best affordable bra for big boobs

M&S Collection Wild Blooms Minimiser Full Cup C-GG

M&S has always been the place to go for quality lingerie on a budget. This gorge bra rings in at less than £20 and ticks both the 'pretty' and 'practical' boxes. Because the lace-trim is sewn on to the body of the bra, if you have very sensitive skin you might want to give this one a miss. For most DD+ gals, though, this is a bargain – we'd add both the black and sexy scarlet colourways to basket.

Notes on fit: This bra fits true to size, with full-cup coverage and wide straps.

Sizing range: This design is made with big busts in mind and only available in cup sizes F-H.

Best sexy bra for big boobs

Rosie Silk & Lace Wired Minimiser Bra (C-G)

I have sworn by Rosie Huntington Whiteley's lingerie for the best part of ten years. If, like me, you're basically allergic to itchy lace and uncomfortable thongs, the model's elegant, old-world-luxury approach to undies is the one. When I tested this bra I was obsessed with the lustrous silk panelling and marvelled at how comfy it was – despite looking so pretty.

Notes on fit: This style is true to size but there's very little stretch in the satin, so there's little room for fluctuations without spillage.

Sizing range: This design is available in cup sizes C-G.

Best high-apex bra for big boobs

Dora Larsen Florrie Lace High Apex Underwire Bra

If you're fussy about sexy undies and you've some cash to splash, branch out from Rosie to fashion editor-favourite Dora Larsen. I fell instantly in love when I first tried out the brand – every piece is comfortable but sultry, and the colour-blocked lace was a game-changer at the time (you know, before every brand under the sun started copying poor Dora).

Notes on fit: This style is forgiving of monthly fluctuations or poor measurements because of those high apex cups. They're supportive, invisible beneath clothing and they create nice cleavage – three ticks.

Sizing range: This design is available in cup sizes A-G.

Best T-shirt bra for big boobs

Padded microfibre plunge t-shirt bra

Boux Avenue's Solutions collection is a dedicated range of well-fitting basics that's been two years in the making. The result is an affordable lineup of undies that solve your staple wardrobe woes; like this smoothing T-shirt bra that looks invisible beneath jersey tops and silky blouses.

Notes on fit: This style is a little on the large side due to its lightly padded cups.

Sizing range: Choose from a wide range of cup sizes – we're talking A-G, baby.

Best wireless bra for big boobs

Full support lounge bra

Another winner from Boux Avenue's Solutions collection is this hella comfy lounge bra. It's designed without any uncomfortable wiring but is miraculously still just as supportive for DD+ busts.

Notes on fit: This one fits a little large but because the non-wired cups are more flexible, you can get away with subtle fluctuations.

Sizing range: As wireless bras are traditionally less supportive, this is a special style aimed at DD+ busts – it's only available in cups E-G.

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Abigail Southan is our Senior Fashion Ecommerce Editor and has five years' experience as a writer and editor in the industry. Abigail has a BA in History from the University of Bristol and an MA in Fashion Journalism from Central Saint Martins. Abigail currently covers all things style and shopping across titles including Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Esquire and Red. On a daily basis, she helps readers buy better with how-to-wear guides, first-person product reviews and deep dives into the latest trends. Previously, Abigail has worked for The Sunday Times’ Style and Fabulous magazine as their first ecommerce writer and was a founding editor of Sun Selects. She has also written for Net-a-Porter, I-D, Man About Town, Wonderland and 1 Granary, and has interviewed the likes of Paris Hilton, Dua Lipa and Christopher Bailey. You can follow Abigail on Instagram at @abigailsouthan.  

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