Like shopping for the perfect pair of jeans, finding the right T-shirt bra is no easy feat. You need one that’s the perfect size, has the right strap width, doesn’t squeeze or gape, and is supportive. And once you’ve ticked all of those boxes, you usually end up holding something that looks like it could have lived in the back of your grandmother’s closet for decades. Fine, t-shirt bras aren’t exactly strut-your-stuff lingerie, but they can still be comfy, seamless, and cute. For something you spend more than half of your day in (during normal times) the least you can ask for is a bra that you don’t have to constantly adjust and fidget with and won’t show under a shirt. Even better if you can forget it’s there entirely.

Best T-shirt bras at a glance

• Best racerback: Lively The T-Shirt Bra ($45)
• Best bralette: Cosabella Evolution Bralette ($75)
• Best unlined: CUUP Scoop Bra ($79)
• Best for small breasts: Pepper Mesh All You Bra ($50)
• Best for big breasts: Savage x Fenty T-Shirt Bra ($45)
• Best for half-cup sizes: Third Love 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra ($72)
• Best wireless: Knix WingWoman Contour Bra ($60)
• Best lightweight: On Gossamer Next to Nothing Micro T-Shirt Underwire Bra ($44)
• Best with convertible straps: Montelle Intimates Wireless Convertible T-Shirt Bra ($54)
• Best set: Lively No-Wire Push-Up Bra Trio ($90)
• Best luxury: Natori Pure Luxe Underwire T-Shirt Bra ($74)
• Best affordable: Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Lightly Lined Memory Touch T-Shirt Bra ($24)

What to look for in a T-shirt bra

According to intimate apparel expert, Dora Lau, t-shirt bras changed how we build bras. “Before, every bra had seams and were visible under smooth fabrics. T-shirt bras are made with a molded pad and molded fabric so it’s very smooth, and it has a wire for support.” When picking out the right t-shirt bra for you, Lau says to first examine the shape of the cup. You want to see that there is enough depth so that it allows the breast to fall into the cup without compressing it. Use your hands and stretch the cup, noticing the amount of stretch–too much and you won’t get enough support. Additionally, the wire is another big function of the support and should fall right under the breast. Straps should have some stretch, but it should be controlled stretch. And, a good t-shirt bra will also have at least three rows of hooks and eyes for adequate adjustability.

Jenny Altman, a bra expert, emphasizes that fit is essential. “For a good t-shirt bra to do its job, the cup needs to be a perfect fit. If you’re spilling over the cup at all, you’ll be able to see that through your t-shirt.” When putting it on, Altman recommends doing the “scoop.” “When you put on your t-shirt bra, lean forward and scoop each breast into place. This will really help in getting all of the side/back spillage into the cup where it belongs (hey, we’ve all got some!).”

Other things Altman advises to look for include a smooth back and sides (look for a wide back and wide wings) for that hidden bra look. Color-wise, anything in the nude color family will blend better with your skin tone and disappear under your clothes, especially a white tee. Think pale pink, pale gray, or even a lilac, she says.

Finally, hand wash your t-shirt bras when they have any sort of molding or padding in the cups. “If you use the washing machine and/or dryer and the molding dimples, they’ll never appear smooth again.”

Best T-shirt bras

Best racerback: Lively The T-Shirt Bra — $45.00

Coming in six different color ways to suit any style, this MVP t-shirt bra is soft but supportive, flattering yet functional, and is the perfect every day go-to grab, ideal for all breast shapes and sizes. It has lightly padded cups and a scalloped lace back that converts to a racerback so you can wear it multiple ways depending on your outfit top. A flexible underwire adds extra comfort.

-Material: 85% nylon/15% spandex

-Sizes: 32A–38DD

-Colors: Jet black, plum, smoke, toasted almond, umber, warm oak

Best unlined: CUUP Scoop Bra — $75.00

Instagram favorite bra brand, CUUP, does not disappoint when it comes to styles that can be worn with t-shirts. This unlined option has a rounded neckline, seamless construction, and molded cups that extend into the straps so you have smooth lines under your tees. The buttery soft fabric also lends to the barely-there feel, while still providing coverage. And the lightweight underwire won’t dig into your skin even when you’re moving around.

-Material:83.5% polyamide/16.5% elastane

-Sizes: 30A–44H

-Colors: 6 core and 8 limited edition colors

Best bralette: Cosabella Evolution Bralette — $79.00

With three levels of hook and eye closures on the back for ultimate adjustability, this wireless bralette is a t-shirt bra classic. The padded cups, smooth microfiber fabric, and clean stitching keep the bra nearly invisible under even the tightest of tees. There’s a sheer panel at the front and a hook and eye back closure.

-Material: 85% polyamide/15% elastane

-Sizes: 32A–36D

-Colors: Black and nude

Best for small breasts: Pepper Mesh All You Bra — $50.00

Are you a proud member of the Itty Bitty Bitty Committee? If so, Pepper makes bras just for you. Specifically designed for AA, A, and B cups, this brand bestseller is ultra-flattering (read: no annoying bra gaps), and made to suit those with smaller boobs, because a cute bra shouldn’t discriminate. This mesh bra has an underwire, lightly lined cups, convertible straps, and a design to help hug and lift your curves.

-Material: 94% polyamide, 6% elastane

-Sizes: 30AA–40B

-Colors: Black, sienna rose, buff, tuscan, cocoa, pride

Best for big breasts: Savage x Fenty T-Shirt Bra — $45.00

When it comes to versatile but sexy lingerie, Rihanna can do no wrong. This t-shirt bra comes in a whole host of sizes ranging from A to H, so everyone can experience the comfort first hand. The buttery soft cups are made with a moldable foam, so they will shape to your breast shape as you wear them. The power mesh back adds support, and there are fun details like a center front keyhole and rose gold tone hardware.

-Material: 74% nylon, 26% elastane

-Sizes: 30A–46H

-Colors: Black, brown sugar nude, honey nude, daisy yellow, blue river

Best for half-cup sizes: Third Love 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra — $72.00

Third Love’s 24/7 classic t-shirt bra comes in cup sizes A–H, as well as half-cup sizes so there is a wide range of options to fit all bodies. The cups have a thin memory foam, and the hook and eye closure is foam-padded and tagless. The micro jersey is soft on the skin, and the straps are pleated to prevent slippage, so you won’t constantly have to pull up your straps throughout the day.

-Material: Nylon/spandex

-Sizes: 32A–44H, including half-cup sizes

-Colors: 6 classic and 4 limited edition colors

Best wireless: Knix WingWoman Contour Bra — $60.00

Wires just not for you? This wireless option from Knix boasts the barely-there-under-a-tee qualities of the other bras on the list, but also a plunging neckline and molding foam cups for increased comfort and no mid-day adjusting. There’s also extra side coverage to help prevent unwanted sideboob.

-Material: 72% nylon/28% spandex

-Sizes: 0–8++ (28A–48H)

-Colors: 16 colors

Best lightweight: On Gossamer Next to Nothing Micro T-Shirt Underwire Bra — $44.00

If you like a barely there feeling bra, this Next To Nothing t-shirt bra takes comfort to a whole new level, says Altman. The cups have a soft fabric with four-way stretch. The bra “has adjustable narrow straps, an elastic band, t-shirt cups, and a U back and light foam padding to give you nipple coverage without any extra bulk in the cup.”

-Material: Nylon/spandex

-Sizes: 32A–36DD

-Colors: Black, champagne, orchid bloom, sage mist, kiwi

Best with convertible straps: Montelle Intimates Wireless Convertible T-Shirt Bra — $54.00

Wire-free, this convertible, versatile t-shirt bra is made with a microfiber fabric and comes in a variety of colors and can support up large cups, too.  Adds Altman, “Soft molded foam cups give you coverage while multi-position convertible straps can be worn classic, halter, or crisscross (tank top win!).” Double-layer wings also provide support and smooth look.

-Material: 85% nylon/15% spandex

-Sizes: 30B–42C

-Colors: 7 colors

Best set: Lively No-Wire Push-Up Bra Trio — $90.00

Prolong laundry day a little while with this three-pack of t-shirt bras. They’re push-up and wire-free, and the mesh wings add breathability. “The gentle padding at the bottom of the cup gives a naturally fuller look for sizes A-DDD,” says Altman. “The J-hook turns the straps into a racerback so you can pretty much wear this smoothing bra under everything.”

-Material: 77% nylon/23% spandex

-Sizes: 32A–38DD

-Colors: Jet black, toasted almond, smoke, plum, rich olive

Best luxury: Natori Pure Luxe Underwire T-Shirt Bra — $74.00

With an ultra-smooth fabric and contoured cups, this bra will sit comfortably on your body and hidden under a t-shirt. The cups have a contoured underwire and a nice, stretchy fabric. The thin straps have a nice lace detail for those days where you want to wear a tee but still feel fancy.

-Material: 86% nylon/14% spandex

-Sizes: 30C–38DDD

-Colors: 7 colors

Best affordable: Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Lightly Lined Memory Touch T-Shirt Bra — $24.00

This Calvin Klein bra has clean lines, good coverage, and a hook-and-eye closure. The band provides support but lies flat, and the cups have memory foam to hug your curves just right. The bra comes in sizes 30B-40D and a variety of colors.

-Material: 72% nylon/28% elastane

-Sizes: 30B–44DD

-Colors: 16 colors

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