Top Picks for Minimizer Bras: Best Minimizer Bra

It often seems the grass is always greener on the other side, even with breast size. Many large breasted women want to go down a few cup sizes, and of course smaller breasted women are looking for ways to enhance their breasts. What some people don't think about are the potential negative repercussions of having large breasts. They can be very painful for women's backs, necks, and can cause shoulder pain from the straps digging into the skin. A properly fitting seamless minimizer bra that optimally support the breasts can decrease pain while reducing the appearance of the bust size.

The cups are shaped in such a way as to spread out the breasts, so that part of the breast tissue is pushed out into the the area under the arms. They claim to reduce the the appearance by one to two cups sizes, depending upon brand.

Proper sizing is THE most important part of finding the best minimizer bra!

Having padded straps is a huge advantage for a minimizer bra. It will reduce the pain from the straps digging into the shoulder area. Bali bra minimizers do a great job at this. A few Lilyette bras are very comfortable, don't “dig” and are great minimizer bras.

Look for ones with a center gore that doesn't stretch so that it will maintain its shape and fit. Wacoal bras do an excellent job with this.

Look for ones that have more of a rounded cup, so you can maintain your shape and not have that harness/sports bra uniboob going on.

Look for ones with adjustable straps. Surprisingly, not all bras have this necessity. Adjustable bra straps are an integral part of a well-fitting bra.

Look for bras that minimize from side to side, as well as top to bottom. This four point compression provides the best minimizing results as well as the ability to maintain the natural shape of your bust.

Look for a seamless minimizer bra. They really do make a big difference aesthetically.

You will need cloth measuring tape.

Band Size

Measure the area just under the breasts. Expel the air from your lungs to get the best measurement. You want this final measurement to be even, so if you get an odd number, round up to the nearest even number. If you get an even measurement, this should be your band size. However, you might discover the next size up fits better, for example, if you get 32", you may want to go up to 34". Remember to write the number down.

Cup Size

Now measure the circumference of the area from your back to around the fullest part of your breasts. Hold the tape horizontally and make sure it's flat on your back and kept uniformly horizontal to the floor. Your arms should be down at your sides. Round up to the nearest number, and again, write it down.

Calculate your bra size:

Subtract your band size from you cup size. As a rule of thumb, each inch difference is equivalent to one cup size.

Example: If your band size measures 40” and your cup measurement is 44", then you will subtract 44”- 40”= 4. Your proper bra size is then a 40D.

For more information on bra sizing, please visit my hub: How to Determine Bra Size

See Table below for conversion chart.

Wacoal bras are simply top of the line in terms of attractiveness, seamlessness, functionality, and comfort. Naturally they've been in the spotlight lately as Oprah has declared them her favorite minimizer bras. I was a fan way before Oprah declared her love for Wacoal bras, and I can tell you they are hard to beat.

Wacoal Elegance Hidden Wire Minimizing Bra

This is an all around, great to wear everyday bra. It's something you would be happy to be seen in as it's very attractive, has lacey cups, minimizes up to one inch, and is VERY comfortable. It looks great under clothes, is a seamless bra, doesn't create that in between breast mini trampoline other bras do. It provides a nice contour of the breasts, a nice silhouette, and doesn't create that abhorrent uniboob look. It's a little more spendy at about $60. The material doesn't readily stretch out, so it continues to minimize and offer support for a long time. I've purchased other bras that quickly loose their shape, and therefore functionality, so I'm bra shopping again just a few weeks later. This Wacoal bra is really a good investment.

Wacoal Slimline Seamless Minimizing Bra

I have this one as well. This Wacoal bra is not quite as attractive as the Wacoal Elegance, but it is tied with my Bali Passion for Comfort Minimizer as the most comfortable bra I own. Plus, it looks fantastic under clothes, no kidding it really is a seamless bra. You can easily wear white halter tops and not see the bra underneath. I can literally go for a little jog and my breasts stay in place. They don't spill out the sides, look round, and the straps feel great. The only negatives about this bra are the price, and the straps got stretched out sooner than I would have liked. I prefer the Wacoal Elegance straps for this reason. But, I've purchased another few of these because this is still a near-perfect bra.

My favorite Lilyette minimizer bra is definitely the

Lilyette Women's Minimizer Bra #427

This is the best mix of comfort, attractiveness, price, and durability. It's very soft AND supportive at the same time. Some of the better minimizers have less than soft material over the cups, making them somewhat uncomfortable to wear all day. The last Lilyette minimizer bra I loved was discontinued and I was worried I'd never find one that compares. This one certainly does.

Bali Women's Passion for Comfort Minimizer Bra

This is my newest favorite. It just seems to hit in all the right places, minimizes without feeling squished, is soft, and doesn't have a pattern that shows through your clothes. The straps actually stay in place and don't readjust themselves all day long. It's true to size as well, I know my bra size and this one really seems to be right on the money. I actually went to a specialty store once to get fitted for the “right bra”. I walked out of there after spending an ungodly amount of money with a bra that HURT. This one fits like I wanted that specialty store bra to fit. The only negative is the cups are elastic and will stretch over time. But, I have stocked up on a few of these in fear they will be discontinued. This is my favorite Bali Bra minimizer and is tied for comfort with my Wacoal Slimline Minimizer.

Bali Satin Tracings Minimizer Bra:

I've had quite a few of these Bali bra minimizers. I used to prefer the Bali Women's Passion for comfort, but this minimizer bra has become tied for first place.. My absolute favorite part about it are the comfortable straps. It purport to reduce appearance by 1 ¾ of an inch, I will say it works well. No doubt about it, the price is right, it's very inexpensive. I used to have problems with the straps stretching out, but I bought one recently and haven't had the same issue. It seems they've made some improvements! I highly recommend it for its comfort, minimizing ability, and price.

The following are signs you've not met your minimizer bra soul mate... take heed!

• Your breasts have no shape, you look like you're wearing a harness
• You can't see the individual breasts- you just have one big shelf going on up there.
• Your blouses don't look smooth, either because of obvious seams or lace, or because your breast tissue is popping out of the bra.
• It doesn't pass the "bounce test." Granted, we're not looking for a sports bra here, but if you have large breasts, you want to feel like you can run to hail a taxi cab without feeling self-conscious. Do a little jumping around the dressing room.
• No matter how you adjust it, the bra feels uncomfortable. This just doesn't cut the mustard, ladies. Even if you think it's the proper fit and you look great, if it's not comfortable... don't fool yourself, you won't wear it!