Bandeau Bras are basically a cross between a strapless bra and a boob-tube (remember when they were in vogue?!).
The best bandeau bra is a comfortable (and often seamless and wireless) option that you can wear under strapless (or strappy) tops. The right bra on those occasions where you don’t want to go bra-less – either because you want a smooth silhouette or you want a little bit of light support!
In a hurry? Here are some of the best bandeau bras on the market:
- NON-PADDED TUBE BRA: Add this comfortable seamless strapless plus size plain bandeau tube top base layering bra for large bust to your base layering underwear top collection - One Size fits U.S. sizes 2 to 8 - One Size Plus fits U.S. sizes 10 to 23
- Comfortable material: main material is lace and spandex, lining material is modal and spandex, it touches soft and comfortable, giving you nice wearing experience
- Design: lace patterns on the front makes the no pads tube bra pretty and cute, strapless design makes it easy to put on and take off, the neckline position has tiny rope loops, which lets you install shoulder straps (not included) by yourself
- Full soft coverage cups, thicker premium material with closer woven stitching. Offers better support
- Silicone gripper elastic on inside of cup sides and top edge of the back prevents slippage,keep this bra firmly in place
- Smooth seamless fabrication
- Bandeau styling with underwire support
- Material: made of fabric, this breathable, comfortable and lightweight material is for many times wearing, seamless bandeau bra has removable pads that is soft and works well in providing protection
- Basic and easy matching: several colors for your choice, soft bra is always the basic style for daily wearing, its simple color can match with clothes well; Warm note: please allow slight size errors due to manual measurement.
Guide to Buying the Best Bandeau Bra
Before purchase, make sure a bandeau is the right choice for you, and that you’re looking at the option that will fit you best (and make you feel confident and comfortable all day!).
What is a Bandeau Bra?
Depending on the option and brand you go for, it looks just like a strip of cloth – so what’s the big deal?!
For one it’s incredibly versatile – and underwear that can be repurposed as outerwear! Have a top or dress with a deep v-neck but don’t want to wear another full layer underneath? Bandeaus are perfect – they offer support and the coverage you need to fill in that v a bit!
They’re ideal for wearing under strapless dresses or tops where you want to feel a bit more secure, want a little nipple coverage and a smooth look, or want to eliminate rubbing or chafing with looser tops.
They’re also fab for wearing under a top where traditional bra straps would ruin the look – think pretty strappy vests and dresses, or even dungarees!
Fit
A bandeau bra is an easy-to-wear slip on bra, with no back or front closure. Some come padded and some come with pockets for you to insert your own pads if desired.
It should be snug, but never too tight – this can cause the elasticated top and bottom bands oto dig in uncomfortably, and give you a lumpy outline under clothing.
As a rule of thumb, you should be able to pop two fingers between your body and the band, with a little (but not too much) stretch.
Comfort
The only way to know for sure if the bandeau you’ve bought is the right fit is to try it!
Don’t remove labels until you try it on, and make sure you pay attention to how you feel. Move around, bend and stretch – make sure it doesn’t slip down at the top, or rider or roll up at the bottom.
If you are bigger boobed and don’t get the support from your bandeau bra, but want that under/outerwear look of the bandeau consider a Halter Neck Bra instead.
Best Bandeau Bra Reviews
Let’s take a look at my five favourite bandeau bras and see how they compare:
Pros
- Great blend of value and quality!
- Extensive range of colours
- Full cleavage coverage.
- Incredibly comfortable
Cons
- Limited sizing - one size fits to Uk14 & 1 'Plus Sized'
- No built in support.
- Hand-wash recommended
- No straps
This is a great value three pack of back to basics, simple bandeau bras. They’re also truly useable as outerwear, with a simple, seamless look and great cleavage coverage – you could even wear this as a top on its own!
The colour choice is fab. There’s the basics – black, white, nude and grey. Then there’s any colour you might want – from brights, to pastels, and even neons! It’s a great layering piece.
Reviewers report they’re really comfortable to wear, and great for post breast surgery too. They’re also great (handy hint!) for slipping down over your tummy to cover up growing baby bumps – before you’re at the maternity clothes stage!
The downsides reported were that there isn’t a lot of support offered – however this is often the way with even the best bandeau bra. The sizing is limited too – there’s a one size option which should fit up to a UK 14 top size, and a one size ‘plus’ option for larger busts.
Best Bandeau Bra for layering under clothes, small to medium busts, total breast coverage.
Pros
- Pretty and feminine.
- Loops inside mean you can add your own straps for more support
- Amazing value.
- Comfortable & stretchy
Cons
- Limited colours.
- Only offers light support compared to bra
- Recommended for smaller busts.
This lace bandeau bra is really pretty, and looks great as a cover-up under a more formal work or ‘going out’ outfit too! They can really look cute under a shirt with the top few buttons open, giving just a hint of lace!
Made from a lace/spandex mix they wash well (as we’ve said before we’d always recommend putting your small pieces and delicates in a special laundry bag to prolong them – we love this great bumper pack) and although the colours are limited (you can choose from black/white/nude and black/white/grey) all your basics are covered.
The brand recommends these as best for smaller busts – however used with bra sizes up to 36DD have reported finding the medium size a good buy!
These lace bandeau bras consistently receive good reviews for comfort, fit and security too. As a bonus there’s also loops on the inside top band for you to add your own straps if you wish, making this a great versatile option.
Best Bandeau Bras for wearing under smart/work clothes, smaller busts.!
Pros
- Elasticated for stretch.
- Silicone grip for extra security/no roll downs!
- Semi-structured ‘cups’ to prevent monoboob
- Gentle support.
Cons
- Functional over ‘pretty’.
- Limited colour choices.
- No moulded/padded cups.
This seamless bandeau bra is a great balance of value and quality and comes in either a single, double or triple pack in a combination of neutral colours – black, grey, nude and white.
These strapless bandeau bras are made of a stretchy, soft polyamide/elastane mix. They have soft, semi-structured, and totally seamless cups – the gathered elastic shaping means the dreaded ‘monoboob’ can be avoided! It’s also really secure, with the double feature of an elastic top and bottom band, and non-slip silicone ribbing on the interior for.
Users comment on the quality of this brand, and the secure fit – it’s even been reported as good for gentle exercise. The comfort is second to none and they wash well and dry quickly.
Sizing is small – XL as opposed to regular bra sizes (as is the way with most wireless bandeau bras) and a medium fits a 36D. Users up to an EE cup have reported wearing this bandeau in comfort.
The cups are seamless but not padded, and there’s no option to insert pads if you like a moulded cup.
Best Bandeau Bra for low/medium impact activity (disco dancing etc), bigger busts too!
Pros
- Underwired structure prevents monoboob
- Order a smaller size than you need for best fit!
- Offers light lift for larger boobs
Cons
- Not great for bigger boobs can lead to Ru Paul Boob! (just google that lol)
- Not many colour options
- Large breasted ladies felt it was bra made for small boob women
We’d go as far as to say that a black bandeau bra, Nude Bandeau bra and a white bandeau bra should be staples in every girl’s bra collection- and this Bandeau Bra Top is a great contender for that spot!
This is one of the only makes of underwired bandeau bra we could find to review. All our wearers loved how it this supportive bandeau bra provides smooth support all the way around with Rhonda’s soft stretch ahh fabrication.
The underwires and knit in targeted support provided a light lift in this full coverage, stay-in-place style of bandeau bra.
All our customers have said this bra will prevent the dreaded ‘monoboob’ and smaller breasted ladies complemented the shape it gave them.
However our larger boob reviewers did complain of a whole new BOOB – several felt it seperated and squashed the boobs into a rather odd shape. One wearer named it the Ru Paul S2E2 Boob! And from the pictures honestly thats a look to be avoided at ALL COSTS!
For fit all the customers say size it down for a better, more secure fit. And whilst the soft, shaped underwired cups give some lift dont expect it to give you a push up bra look that a more structured strapless bra would give.
So this is the best underwired bandeau bra we have come across for smaller boobs. If you are a plus sized bra wearer please let us know if you find a better plus size underwired bandeau bra out there!
This is the best bandeau bra for reducing that ugly bra bulge, and eliminate the dreaded traveling strapless bra that starts up here, but never seems to stay there.
Best Bandeau Bra for small boobed ladies, bigger boob but perky ladies who don’t need the lift.
Pros
- Great variety of colours.
- Fantastic value.
- Stretchy with gently shaped ‘cups’
- Removable pads.
- GIves smooth silhouette under t-shirts & tops
Cons
- Functional but not pretty.
- Sizing comes up small.
This padded bandeau bra pack includes three great value, no-frills bandeau bras in a breathable, comfortable and lightweight cotton/polyamide mix material.
There’s a useful selection of colours, staple neutrals of black/white/grey and black/white/nude with a more colourful option of black, navy and purple. The ‘cups’ are gently shaped with a centre seam to avoid monoboob, and the elasticated top and bottom bands are secure and comfortable.
These padded bandeaus are great for wear in warmer weather due to the breathable material, and can be quickly and easily washed and dried. Sizing does come up small, and as these go by dress size in the sizing chart it’s best to go up a size for comfort, and to avoid the bands digging in.
These do offer limited support, but the bandeau bra’s pads give a smooth silhouette. The padding is stiff when the bandeaus are brand new, but users report they soften up and mould to your shape after a couple of washes and wears.
Best Bandeau Bra for great value, wearing on warmer days and giving you a perfect silhouette under t-shirts and tighter fitting tops.
FAQ about Bandeau Bras
HOW SECURE ARE BANDEAU BRAS?
Just as secure as your normal bra if you buy the right size! Most options have secure elastic top and bottom bands, and some include soft silicone ‘grip’ on the interior to prevent slippage.
WHEN SHOULD I USE A BANDEAU BRA?
For wear under strappy or strapless clothing, for ‘outerwear’ as a cute cropped top, for comfort under loungewear – they’re an incredibly versatile addition to your underwear collection!.
ARE BANDEAU BRAS SUITABLE FOR ANY BUST SIZE?
They certainly are! Just go for an option with a more structured fit and thicker material if you have a bigger bust, and consider a version with gathered and shaped ‘cups ‘ and a centre seam to avoid getting a monoboob!
You can also look at the Underwired Bandeau bras for a more supportive bra. However if you are larger breasted we advise trying a strapless bra or freedom bra instead.
ARE BANDEAU BRAS EASY TO GET ON AND OFF?
They can be slipped on and slip off which some wearers may not like – however the elastic in bandeaus generally means they’re easy to pull on and off.