Best Support Bra for Full Figured & Plus Size Women [2024 Review]

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​I’ve found and reviewed 3 bras that are supportive and comfortable, specifically made for full figured women. Before I dive into these reviews, let’s quickly discuss what it means to be full figured. For undergarments, full figured is defined as having breasts that are D cup or above.

​My Pick for the Best Full Figured Supportive Bra

This is different than being plus sized, which takes your cup and band size into account. If you want my final vote (without all the reading), the ​ Elomi Women’s Plus Size Matilda Underwire Plunge Bra with J-Hook wins for Overall Best ​Support Bra for Full Figured Women.

​It really focuses on catering to different sizes within the full figured spectrum by customizing certain elements of the bra, based on your size.

​Elomi Matilda Underwire Plunge Bra

Elomi Women’s Plus Size Matilda Underwire Plunge Bra with J-Hook is made specifically with full-busted women in mind. The cup sizes begin at D and ends at JJ. The band ranges from 32 to 46 but still includes a wide range of full figured women.

Elomi is designed with plunging cups. Even with a lower center, it still doesn’t sacrifice comfort and coverage. It has a 3-part cup that gives most of its support in the side panels and the stretchable mesh material on top that keeps your boobs from spilling out.

This Elomi bra offers the most flexibility out of the three I recommend. It can adapt to your shape and be adjusted in almost every part. Similar to the Panache, this bra does not have padding.

It has rounded and curved underwires that hold the bra to your skin at all times, assisted by adjustable straps with built-in J-hooks for an instant racerback.

Highlights
  • ​Full coverage plunge cups
  • ​32 – 46 band, D – JJ cup
  • ​Hook and eye closure at the back
  • ​Adjustable, convertible straps
  • Three-section cups
  • Elasticated neck edge for easy fit

​Wacoal Women’s Plus Size Red Carpet Strapless Bra

You’d think strapless bras wouldn’t be able to keep up the weight of full figure busts, but the Wacoal Women’s Plus Size Red Carpet Strapless bra proves me wrong. Plus, with straps that can easily be hooked on, this strapless bra can instantly convert into a halter, racerback, one shoulder, or normal bra!

This bra has cups that are sized from B to G, and it also caters to women with varied band sizes from 30-44. Even though the name states it’s for plus sized women, it also includes sizing for full figured women.

The cups are seamless, contoured, and stretchable to accommodate any size and go unnoticed underneath tops. A cushioned underwire sets the bra in place (while feeling like a pillow, not a poking stick) as it’s enclosed with a three-hook fastening at the back.

This particular bra also has silicone grips at the top that assist with keeping it in place. The grippiness of the silicone is a nice feature of this bra that helps to set it apart from the other bras I recommended above.

Plus, since this can be worn as a strapless bra, having that additional support for full figured women is important!

Highlights
  • ​Full coverage cups
  • ​30 – 44 band, B – G cup
  • ​Hook and eye closure at the back
  • ​Strapless, convertible design
  • Silicon grips for heavy duty hold
  • Seamless, stabilized sides, back

​Panache Women’s Envy Stretch Lace Full-Cup Bra

​The Panache Stretch Lace Full-Cup Bra is made especially for full figure women. Their full coverage cups are sized from D to K. Additionally, the band sizes range from 28-38. This is exactly what a full figured bra should do, because it provides something full-busted women with small ribcages, along with plus sized women.

In terms of the other criteria, this bra gives much coverage with four section cups that offer support underneath the breasts, lifting powers at the sides, and some lacy covers in front and on top.

The cups are not padded, which can be seen as a perk, especially for women on the larger end of the breast size spectrum.

Another reason this bra stands out is for the underband. For sizes GG through K, the underband is reinforced and created to be stronger, which provides more support.

There are 2 hooks in the back for sizes D-G, and 3 for GG and above. When it comes to creating a bra tailored for different bust sizes, Panache goes above and beyond with this specific bra.

Highlights
  • ​Full coverage cups
  • ​28 – 38 band, D – K cup
  • ​Hook and eye closure at the back
  • Adjustable shoulder straps
  • Four-section cups
  • Cradle and power mesh wings

​Features to Consider in a Supportive Bra

It starts with looking for the best features of a support bra. You don’t go buying for a new smartphone without looking into its specs first, right? Why shouldn’t you do the same with your bra? ​Whether you’re full figured or curvy, you might want to include these in your criterion:

Graphic image of a blue bra that explains that the best supportive bras for full-figured have minimal padding, full coverage cups and wide straps

Comparing Support Bra for Full Figured Features

Bra Cup Design Padded? Structure
Elomi Matilda Full-coverage with four panelsUnpaddedWired
Wacoal Red Carpet MoldedLightlyWired
Panache Envy Balconette, four-sectionedUnpaddedWired

​Full Bust Sizes

​One of the most important things to know about a full figure woman is what the term means in the language of the lingerie industry. It isn’t always the same as full coverage or plus size, as many are led to believe. In the simplest sense, a full figure means you have a D cup or above.

Pink underwired lace bra with adjustable and wide straps on a pink background

For many full figure women, however, a D cup isn’t enough to carry and hold in the weight of their breasts. D used to be the default maximum cup size that mainstream brands offered, but bras with full bust sizes are made by more and more brands nowadays.

With selections that reach H, and sometimes even up to K, you should find one that matches your breasts without feeling squished.

​Plus Size Options

​Knowing the difference between plus size and full busts is important. Yes, apparently, they don’t mean the same thing. While full figure bras are indicated by the letter in your standard bra size, plus size refers to the band or the number in the other half of it.

Not all plus size women necessarily have full figures but there’s a greater tendency that some have big breasts as well. For women who are both plus size and full figure, bra cup sizes need to be D or above, and band sizes 38 or higher, as seen in the best push up bras for plus size.

If this applies to you, it’s important to note this because some brands offer just one or the other. Many more have extended their selections, though, and some bands even provide smoothing benefits for all unwanted bulges.

Thank the trends and body positive movements! Fulfilling the right measurements for both will ​prevent your bra and its straps from sliding down as it gives in to the weight of your breasts.

​Coverage

​Full figure women have plenty more to hide. With big busts, coverage is almost never a matter of debate when it comes to support bras for their body type. This means bras should be labeled full coverage, or cups should reach at least an inch above the nipple if they’re a plunge or low-neck type.

​Non-padded Cups

​Women with big busts don’t need any more help from bras to make their breasts look bigger. Most don’t want it as well. Soft cups or no pads at all are much more preferable if you don’t want the extra volume, which you don’t need anyway.

Front view of a purple full-coverage lace bra on a pink background

​Underwire

​To make up for the lack of support in the non-padded cups, underwires usually saves you with the necessary assistance. This is especially useful for women who have large, sagging breasts. So you know the underwire wouldn’t poke you or be uncomfortable, it must be built into your bra in a shape that matches your natural breasts.

Related Questions

What Type of Bra Gives the Most Support for Full Figured Women?

Bras with wires offer the best support for bodies with full figures. The wire shapes the breast tissue to shift the weight closer to the front and upward.

How Should a Bra for a Full Figured Body Fit?

A bra should not have loose straps, cup gaps, or band wrinkles on a full figured body. To ensure that the bra can adequately cover and support the breasts, these features must fit snugly against your body.

What Do You Wear for a Full Figured Body?

If you have a full figured body shape, try to dress in waist-cinching dresses, A-line skirts, high-rise jeans, and tailored tops. You may also consider shapewear and wired bras for a more contoured fit.

What Is a Full Coverage Bra? (Don't Buy Your Grandma's Bra!)

​Conclusion

Making sure you find a bra with the features mentioned above will help to ensure your breasts are supported, especially when you have D cups and larger ones. When looking for a supportive bra to hold in your assets, take a look at these recommendations!

   

Allena is the Founder and Editor of The Better Fit, a platform dedicated to empowering women with practical advice on bras and fitness, inspired by her own revelation of the widespread issue of incorrect bra sizing. Her expertise and tips have been recognized by major publications such as Cosmopolitan, Better Homes & Gardens, Insider, and NBC, making her a trusted voice in women's wellness and lifestyle.