The Best Minimizer Bras | My Preferences and Reviews

First some general advice to find the bra that fits you best.

Make sure that before you go bra shopping you know your size. Understanding bra sizes is important when finding the right brassiere (which is just another word for bra :). Of course every woman knows there is a distinction between band size and cup size. No need to explain that. But what is important is knowing how to correctly measure these sizes. It seems that the majority of women do not wear the correct bra size which also lead to problems as back fat showing. If you are not sure about your size go to a specialty lingerie store or another specialist and find out.

Also, if you haven't measured for a while, make sure to do this again before buying new bras. You might have lost some pounds, or gained. Your breasts might have altered a bit. Just to be sure, make sure to know your actual size. More info on how to measure further on this page.

Go for bras with adjustable straps. Not all bras have this feature but it is a crucial part of a well fitting minimizer. Also padded straps are a must for a minimizer bra. The padded straps will improve comfort and avoid pain straps digging into the back or shoulders. Minimizer bras should not be too elastic. When the cups are too elastic they will lose support over time. Also the center gore should not stretch because otherwise the bra does not keep its shape.

Only 10% of the support from your bra should come from the straps, the rest should come from the band..

I mostly have a 36 DD(D) size and have tried many different models. To me next to the reducing abilities, smoothness and comfort are important.

The Bali 3562 and the Lilyette 921 are my favorites. The are very comfortable by holding my breasts in place and keeping them there. I couldn't do without them and don't want to think back at the time I didn't wear them when I was constantly readjusting myself.

Seamless in the summer
In the summertime I prefer to wear smooth seamless T-shirt bras. The light padding and smooth cups make these are ideal to be worn under cotton and other thin materials.

The Oprah bra
Personally I don't like the renowned 'Oprah bra', the Wacoal slimline seamless minimizer. For me it's too thick and big, almost not feminine enough.

Popular and relative cheap minimizer bra brands are Underscore, Bali, Olga and Lilyette. Wacoal and Chantelle are more expensive brands.

Among the best minimizer bras are the models of the Lilyette and Wacoal brand. The Wacoal minimizer bra has been showcased on the Oprah show as a favorite and comes in sizes up to 40DDD.

Lilyette minimizer bras are much cheaper (sometimes up to 50% cheaper) and have a great value for money. The Lilyette models are available up to size 42DDD.

Lilyette is my favorite brand because of the price value ratio. They are perfect for my body.

A colleague of mine prefers Wacoal bras. She says she rather pays a little more for the bra she likes best. I do think this has to do with the fact that our sizes differ. Every woman is built differently. For her size (40 DDD) she is best served with Wacoal bras.

Below are some of my favorites and best reviewed minimizer bras.

I think Lilyette is the best brand when it comes to these kind of bras. Below are my two most beloved models.

I think a perfectly fitting minimizer bra is a godsend because it allows us to wear tailored button down shirts without worrying about the buttons popping open.

Padded or well shaped and fitting straps are a must because the weight of a big sized bust can cause discomfort as a result of straps irritating the skin.

Also for ladies with a C cup or even slightly smaller these bras can be a great solution to fit even better in a certain blouse or other clothing.

With this bra fitting calculator
you'll be able to determine your plus size bust bra size. There are only 3 easy steps and you can also find out what other women with the same size are wearing.

Wearing extra large shirts or blouses does not add to further reducing your curves. Instead this works contrarily.

Measure your bra size again if you haven't bought bras in a while. For example after pregnancy and or breastfeeding but also weight chances influence bra size.

The lightly lined cups of the Perfect Fit underwire bra from Olga Curves gives you natural shaping and a smooth silhouette under close-fitting tops. The comfort straps are adjustable..

This bra comes in sizes: 34C, 34D, 34DD, 34DDD, 36C, 36D, 36DD, 36DDD, 38C, 38D, 38DD

Many women complain about poking wires giving a hurtful feeling and sometimes even bruisers. Mostly when this happens the cups are too small.

Another much heard complaint are squeezing straps. This commonly is caused by a too large back size. Going back at least one size will probably solve this problem.

I don't like the 'Oprah bra' because it feels so hard and firm. I prefer more soft and smooth bras but of course thats just my personal choice.

As I don't wear Wacoal bras myself I am not able to review them. Below are a few of the most popular, bestselling and top rated models. I would love to hear from you about what you think of your Wacoal bra?

Minimizing bras are bustline reducers designed to bring down your curves and let your bust look flatter. They can make your bust appear a whole cup* smaller and help your clothing fit better. (* sometimes even up to two cups)

These bras work by rearranging and compressing the breasts to a more comfortable shape. More exactly, they are designed to redistribute the breast tissue down and to the sides of the cup. The shape of the cups push some of the breast tissue into the under the arms area.

At the same time the bra's center front has a more firm and straight shape than normal bras. These bras are actually the opposite of push up bras which are made to push breasts forward and up. With normal bras the center panel is situated flat against the breastbone but this is not necessary for minimizers. They are a great way of making you control your bust shape and adjust it when you feel it is necessary.

This bra minimizes without compression and is made of embroidered stretch mesh with lace trim. 3-section underwire cups are lined with mesh, and support and shape the breasts.

Lace trim on top of cups is also lined with mesh for modesty. Support slings inside cups provide additional support to the breasts. Center gore is made of durable fabric for anchorage and support. Lace trim adorns sides of bra. Wings are made of durable, long-lasting fabric. Leotard back minimizes back fat and provides additional support. Built-up, cup-centered shoulder straps provide additional support and anchorage. Shoulder straps are adjustable in back with same-color metal hardware.

There aren't that many great front closure minimizers available. A good one was the Glamorise 1235 but this model has been discontinued by the manufacturer.

My niece, who lives in the UK asked me if I knew where she could buy my favorites online. To be honest I don't know.

There is this company, Nordstrom, but their shipping rates are over 20 dollars. Then there is the Maidenform company but as far as I know they don't have Lilyette, Bali or Wacoal in their assortment. And then there's Figleaves.com with standard delivery costs of only £5.50 to any destination worldwide. They do have the Wacoal brand as well as some other brands I am not familiar with.

Ordering on eBay.com
I think (don't pin me down on this because I am not entirely sure) that the best option would be to look on eBay.com for your favorite brand. Sometimes my brands are available on eBay.co.uk but mostly not. When you have found the bra you want, check the shipping rates to the UK. Some sellers have rates similar to those of shipping within the United States.

How to measure for a good fitting bra? The Herroom website offers videos, tips, a checklist and calculator and many more great resources to find out which bra fits you best.

For example, when you raise your arms and your breasts do not stay into the bra cups you should probably go up a strap size.

There's great advice on; smooth fitting cups, straps, cup fabric, the center panel, underwires and the optimal uplift.

Tomima Edmark, lingerie expert, explains everything you need to know about the perfect bra fit. Also check out Tomima Edmark's Expert Bra Fit Checklist

Bra sizes are different by country. Your US size in a UK bra won't fit. The bra size converter can be used to convert your bra size to all international bra sizes.

The best minimizer bras are both elegant or sexy and functional at the same time. Wearing these bras with detailed embroidery and beautiful finishing touch will make you feel sexy.

Q: Are there other bra solutions to reduce breast size?