Bra extenders are a great way to get a longer life out of bras that have become too tight through the band. You get them as 1, 2, 3 or 4 hook options to fit different bras. To use them simply attach it to one end of the back fastening on your bra then put it on and do it up as normal.
You can get a huge selection of colours – black bra extenders, white bra extenders, multi packs of bra extenders in a range of colours! You can even get perforated bra back extenders for sports bras.
In a hurry? Here are our pick of the five best bra extenders: :
Guide to Buying the Best Bra Extenders
Bra extenders seem pretty straightforward, but pause and make sure you’re purchasing the right item for your needs!
Do you need a Bra Extender?
The band of your bra should be snug to keep everything well-supported – ideally you should be able to fit two fingers between the band and your skin. But don’t mistake the proper fit for being too tight.
Your bra band should not be higher at the back than under the breasts. If the cup glides up when you stretch your arms so that your breasts start to ‘creep’ out underneath, the band of the bra is too big. Breasts should never escape from a bra at the top, bottom or armpit!
If the bra extender makes your bra band too loose, chances are you don’t need one. However if your bra band is digging into your skin, but your cup size hasn’t changes, it can be a great buy to avoid having to replace perfectly usable (or favourite) bras!
Number of Bra Hooks
It’s best to buy a set that has multiple sizes of bra extender, ranging from 1-hook bra extenders to 4 hook bra extenders. Sure, you can use a four hook bra extender in a two hook bra in a pinch, but you’ll find it much more comfortable, and less fiddly, if you use the right size of extender!
Comfort
The only way to know for sure if the bra extender 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. Try on your bra back extender with a few different bras too.
Best Bra Extender Reviews
Let’s take an indepth look at five of our best bra extenders.
Pros
- Great blend of value and quality!
- Most popular colours and sizes.
- 100% Cotton, with exastic for flexibility.
Cons
- Limited Colours.
- Smaller hooks don't fit all brands of bra.
These are a back to basics, simple pack of your basic bra extenders, in the two most common sizes – two hook and three hook. Made from soft cotton for comfort, the pack includes extenders in white, black and skin tone, and extends the back of your bra by up to 2 inches.
Buyers report that they’re a great mix of quality and value, but the three hook bra extenders were a little too widely spaced for certain UK brands of bra – Marks & Spencer bras, George bras and Ann Summers bras with three hook fastenings were named here (although the two hook bra extenders fit fine on two hook bras from the same manufacturers!).
One point that wearers repeatedly made is that these are best for fairly tight back bands when you really do need the full two inches of extension, as the elastic does have a large amount of ‘give’ in it – for this reason users didn’t recommend this particular pack for use with sports bras.
However for less that £5.00 they’re an absolute bargain for a pack of six, in all the colours you need to get started.
Best bra extenders for: Tighter bras, everyday (not sports) use.
Pros
- FABULOUS selection of colours!
- Amazing value.
- Durable and wash well.
Cons
- Three hook bra extenders too widely spaced for some UK bra brands.
- Colours may not be to everyone's taste.
- No elastic, so less options for fit.
This really is a bumper back and at under £10.00 at the time of writing is great value! This pack of two hook bra extenders and three hook bra extenders includes 36 extenders in all the most common underwear colours plus some more unusual ones too!
Made from soft cotton they wash well (we’d always recommend putting your small pieces and delicates in a special laundry bag to prolong them – we love this cute cactus print option!) and there’s likely to be a colour option to match most of your existing bras.
These bra extenders don’t have an elastic section like some other options, so although they will extend your back band by up to 1.5 inches be aware that there’s no extra stretch!
One complaint from wearers was that the hooks on the three hook bra extenders in the pack are slightly too widely spaced for some bras, however users report you can just hook the first and third hooks of your bra on to the first and second hook of the extender without any loss of comfort or security.
However the general consensus was that this was a great bra extender starter pack, a ‘handy addition’ to anyone’s underwear drawer and perfect for all the pretty and colourful bras on the market!
Best bra extenders for: Lovers of colourful undies!
Pros
- Elastic panel for stretch.
- Useful colour selection.
- Breathable mesh for comfort.
- Quality brand and construction.
Cons
- Some 'give' in the elastic, not ideal for high-impact sports.
- Limited colour choices.
- Perforated panel may not suit all bra types.
This great value six pack of two and three hook bra extenders incorporates a stretchy, perforated panel that makes them ideal for using with your favourite sports bra for low to medium impact exercise.
Available in the stable colours of white, black and nude, these extenders can stretch up to three inches. Although this isn’t ideal for higher-impact activity for low impact movement it will allow you a good bit of flexibility and comfort, without uncomfortable straps digging in.
Users comment on the high quality of this brand, and that the extenders are quick and easy to wash and dry. The colour selection is limited, and they do look a bit utilitarian going for comfort and over matching with pretty undies!
However they’re great value (under £5.50 at the time of writing) and a great option if you’re pregnant or your weight fluctuates a lot, and you may need various amounts of stretch at different points.
Best bra extenders for: Low/medium impact activity, fitting well with sports bras, pregnancy and weight fluctuations.
Pros
- Selection of sizes.
- Durable and well made.
- Popular colours.
- Secure, non-slip fit.
Cons
- Limited options for coloured bras.
- Non-stretch.
This is another great value pack which allows for those bras you might have with a wide back band and a four hook closure. The pack also doubles up on the most popular size of two hook bra extenders, so you’ll never find yourself caught out!
Coming in the common colours of black, white and nude these extenders are non-stretch, but will securely expand the band of your bra by up to two inches. They’re also great quality, and wearers report they feel comfortable and secure to wear.
If you’ve got bras that are a little too tight that deserve a new lease of life then this could be the perfect option for you.
Best bra extenders for: Wider back bands, bras that are only a little tight.
Pros
- Great variety of sizes and styles.
- Fantastic value.
- Stretcy for your changing extension needs!
Cons
- Limited colour options.
- A lot of 'give' in the elastic so fit may not feel so secure.
This pack includes a useful selection of elasticated bra extenders, from one to three hook fastenings in black, white and two nude shades. Made from non-allergy polyester they’re comfortable and and be quickly and easily washed and dried.
The inclusion of the one hook fasteners means that these are a great option for smaller busted ladies who may have trouble with bras fitting due to a wide back – it’s generally smaller sizes which use a fastening of this type.
Again the issue with the hooks being set too wide apart for some bras on the three hood bra extender is mentioned, however this can be worked around as before by missing out a hook.
These are great value too, at under £5.50 for the ten pack of fasteners.
Best bra extenders for: Smaller busts, most bra extenders for your buck!
FAQ about Bra Extenders
HOW SECURE ARE BRA EXTENDERs?
Just as secure as your normal bra! they fit with the existing hook and eye fastening on your bra.
WHY MIGHT I NEED A BRA EXTENDER
If you’re between sizes, if you’re weight has fluctuated, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding (or even hormonal – some women find their breasts swell during their menstrual cycles) or if you’re post-surgery.
How many inches will a bra extender add?
On average a bra extender will add 1-3 inches to the size of your bra band. Some models with elastic panels may add a little more.
RE BRA EXTENDERS EASY TO USE?
They’re super easy to attach to your bra, just hook the extender on to the eyelet of the back band, slip on your bra and fasten!