9 best bras for 2026 and beyond
Featured in this article
When you find the best bra, you'll just know. Like finding the best jeans or the best coat, when you find ‘the one’, you'll struggle to want to wear any other bras. But considering everybody is different in so many ways, the best bra for one person may not be the best for someone else. It's all about personal preference.
Finding a bra from one of the best lingerie brands is no mean feat – no matter how many reviews you read prior – because in reality, there's no way to really know which style is best for you until you try them out for yourself. Which is why the best way to find the bra for you is to have a fitting (either IRL or online) and get testing for yourself. But hunting one down that not only fits like a glove but also induces confidence can seem totally daunting, so we're here to help give you some recommendations of the ones we always come back to year after year. And of course they just so happen to be from all the best lingerie brands out there – including Lounge, Boux Avenue, Pour Moi and Calvin Klein, to name a few.
So we've curated a full edit of the best bras for your every need. From bras for small boobs to the best bras for big boobs, we've got it all.
What are the different types of bras?
Most of us tend to have a few good bras to rotate between; a push-up bra when we need a little boost, a strapless bra for off-the-shoulder or bandeau necklines, a sleep bra to (you guessed it) snooze in, a couple of the best shapewear bras for extra contouring, and a sports bra for when we fancy raising our heart rates.
T-shirt bras are probably the most common for everyday wear, but if you're wearing something backless you'll definitely need a few of the best sticky bras, backless bras, and/or nipple covers too. Breastfeeding? According to new mums, these nursing bras are game-changing.
More extensively, there are different shape cups and linings to consider too. There are plunge bras, balcony bras/balconette bras, padded bras, unlined bras, half-cup bras/demi bras, full-cup bras, bandeau bras, minimiser bras and front-fasten bras. Whew! Our recommendation? Try as many as possible and decide which one suits your shape best.
| Meet the expert: | Katie Weir, bra fitting expert @weirwonderful. |
If, after seeing all these wonderful bra styles, you're still confused as to which style will suit you best, bra fitting expert Katie Weir is here to help. Giving a few guidelines based on your cup size (anything above a D cup is generally considered ‘big’ and below a C is considered ‘small’ in the lingerie world), so you can get an idea of which styles may suit you.
If you believe you have smaller boobs, Katie suggests, “for a little more projection, smaller boobs may like a moulded plunge bra or moulded balcony to sit flush against the top cup. But it is still as important to get the correct fit and have a firm back band as smaller boob don’t necessarily need as much construction to a bra in order to hold up the breast tissue, BUT the right fit can completely change your silhouette and posture."
And when asked about key styles for bigger boobs, the self-proclaimed confidence cheerleader continued, “If you are fuller busted and looking for more lift, look out for balcony bra shapes or half cup bra shapes as this really helps to lift the breast tissue up towards your collar bones and feature side support as this help to lift and forward project a heavier bust. Thicker straps and a wide back band can also offer more support and comfort for everyday bras, especially if you are above a DD cup, the back band support is essential at any size as this is where 80% of the lift comes from."
And Katie Weir's top tip to finding the best bra for 2026 is, "get a professional bra fitting with a brand or expert who has knowledge across a wide size range.” So consider this your reminder to book in a bra fitting, pronto.
How we tested the best bras
We've made a conscious effort to get as many people on the Glamour team (of various shapes and sizes) to test the bra styles you'll see featured in this guide. Combining our own personal reviews with that of other customers – plus calling out pros and cons, as well as other specifications – we've managed to narrow our selection down and provide you with 11 styles we genuinely rate. You're sure to find your new best bra.
Why you can trust us
First things first, everyone who tested the best bras has boobs and we all wear a bra daily. Sure, some people may choose to go sans bra, but we all wear one *most days, so over the years, between us we have tested hundreds of different styles that suit our different bodies and fluctuating cups – because with sizes even changing at different points during a monthly cycle, it can even be important to swap to certain styles depending on what your needs are. And considering that means multiple bras are worn across each month, no wonder we managed to find all find key styles that are, in our opinion, the best bras you can buy in 2026. Or ever.
*bras most definitely not worn after a long day at work, during some periods, if it's too hot/too cold or if we simply just don't feel like it that day.
Which bra brand is best in UK? Find our thoughts below.
How often should I replace my bra?
The fact is, you should replace your bra when it no longer feels supportive or comfortable. However, it's suggested to have a bra fitting every 6-12 months as boobs can change frequently over the year, so this may determine when you add new bra styles to your collection. But it's definitely a sign that it's time for a change when the fabric has started to fall apart, or wires are beginning to poke out. Also, the more you wash your bra, the faster it'll need to be replaced which is why it's important to use a lingerie wash bag in your machine (if yours is machine washable, alwasy check the label) and is can make sure it doesn't get too damaged in the wash.
How can I measure my bra size at home?
We've got an entire guide if you're wondering how to measure your bra size yourself. Wearing the wrong bra size can actually cause some genuine physical problems, but it can be rectified in minutes. So we'd recommend you check out our tips or go for an IRL bra fitting, pronto.
Which type of bra is best for daily use?
T-shirt bras (like this super-soft Barely-There Plunge Bra from Lounge Underwear) are often regarded as the best underwired bras for daily use, but if you favour comfort, wireless bras are also great. Whatever your boob size. They're the perfect middle ground between an underwired bra no bra at all, offering support where you need it but remaining so lightweight that you forget you're wearing lingerie full stop. We've revealed some of our favourite soft-cup bras below, but other brands like Heist Studios and Spanx remain firm faves too.
How many bras should I own?
You'll need a few everyday bras that you can wear on rotation, plus a few "special" bras like stick-on bras for tricky outfits, sexy lingerie for date nights etc, and tonnes of nursing bras if you're breastfeeding. It's up to you how many you choose to own as the best part about owning one of our best styles is that it's hard to beat so you may just want to own it in several different colours instead of having different styles.
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