At the risk of stating the obvious: there’s a lot to think about when you’re growing a baby.
Not only do you have to get your head around the fact that you are growing a whole human, but over the course of nine months, your hormones are fluctuating, and your breasts are also changing.
Finding a good-fitting bra isn’t easy at the best of times, let alone when you’re pregnant. But that’s where the best non-wired maternity bras help to fill the void.
“Maternity bras are non-wired bras specially designed to focus on a woman’s needs when she is pregnant or breastfeeding,” explains Alexandra Cracknell, senior designer at Dorina. “The body goes through many changes both during and after pregnancy, so comfort and support are paramount for any maternity bra.”
Best non-wired maternity bras at a glance
What’s the difference between a maternity and a nursing bra?
Nursing and maternity bras differ from your bog-standard bra. “The key difference is that nursing bras are specially focused on the additional needs during nursing,” Cracknell says. “Nursing bras should include easy-release clips on the straps to ensure that the breast can be accessed single-handed.”
Nursing bras will usually have an inner panel, sling or elastic strap which keeps the outer cup connected to the main bra frame. This can provide more support and comfort. “Nursing bras also sometimes have inner pockets in the cups; this offers the additional benefit of holding nursing pads in place,” Cracknell adds.
Maternity bras often include additional hooks and eyes to allow for more adjustment than a standard bra. Most are usually non-wired, too.
Why are maternity bras wire-free?
“Non-wired bras are normally recommended during pregnancy; this is due to the changes the body is going through,” explains Cracknell. “Not only does the breast become larger and more tender, but your rib cage also expands.”
When should you start wearing a maternity bra?
There’s no set rule, according to Eleanor Gray, brand and communications executive at Pour Moi. “Many women switch to non-wired styles in the first trimester as they begin to experience breast tenderness, whilst others wait until their wired bras start to feel restrictive,” she says.
In other words? Listen to your body and make the switch as and when it feels right. To help, we’ve compiled a guide of the best tried and tested non-wired maternity bras.
How I Tested
The best non-wired maternity bras offer something for all, which is why, when testing, I made sure I looked for inclusions to suit every body, whether it’s bras that offer seamless support, products that are best for bigger busts or options that start at a reasonable price point. I also tested some designs that can be worn from bump to baby and beyond, to make sure you get the most for your money. After two weeks of talking to experts and reviewing a range of non-wired maternity bras, these are the top ten that made the cut.
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John Lewis Evelyn Nursing bra
Best: Overall
You know a non-wired maternity bra is worth its weight in gold when you riffle through your underwear drawer to find it on repeat. I’m not sure what John Lewis’s designers have done to create the Evelyn Nursing Bra, but what I do know is that it delivers on all fronts.
The moulded cups give you shape, support and a smooth look under your T-shirt, while the next-level soft fabric, which is a blend of recycled polyamide, polyester and elastane, feels second skin.
The A-frame drop cup, easy-to-unhook-and-clip-back-on feeding clasps and the fact that it’s suitable for most sizes score this non-wired maternity bra bonus points. If you’re struggling to find a wireless maternity bra, this is it.
Buy now £22.00, John Lewis
Mabra The Sculpt Bra
Best for: A seamless fit
Marbra’s The Sculpt Bra is silky, smooth and seamless. It may lack wires (which is always a plus if you’re looking to prioritise comfort during pregnancy), but the super-soft plunge design of the cups more than makes up for the lack of support. Plus, due to its seamless nature, it gives a smooth appearance under clothing.
Crafted from OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100-certified material (which, in layman’s terms, means it’s free of harmful substances), the brand says it’s made for all-day comfort - and in testing, I found this to be true. Even after a busy 9-5, I never wanted to take this bra off, which, in my view, is strong praise, indeed.
Buy now £38.00, Mabra
M&S Jasmine lace non-wired maternity bra
Best for: Lace design
This Marks & Spencer’s non-wired maternity bra is so much more than a run-of-the-mill piece of lingerie. It comes with a super soft yet sturdy, delicate lace formation, scalloped detailing around the cups and a softer-than-it-looks non-padded design.
But M&S never just does one thing really well. Instead, this bra ticks the pre- and post-partum boxes as this non-wired maternity bra can also be used if you’re breastfeeding or pumping, as the discreet nursing clips unhook so you can nurse easily at home or on the go — and all at just £10.
Unsure what size to go for? Head into your local M&S store and make use of the brand’s free bra-fitting service for the perfect fit.
Buy now £10.00, M&S
Renue Maternity Nursing Bra - Dusty Pink
Best for: Style
If you’ve ever felt frustrated that you couldn’t find a non-wired maternity bra that looks good and does good, then allow me to introduce you to Renue The Label’s Maternity Nursing Bra.
Available in a pretty in (dusky) pink colourway, plus a failsafe black and white offering, the brand launched the maternity offering in a bid to fill the gap in the market for the style-led and modern mum. And it’s clear to see why.
The stylish wireless bra, which goes from a 30A to a 40H, feels more like loungewear you’ll want to be seen in. It’s designed to fit your body through each trimester — including the fourth, as it’s designed with drop-down cups and an extendable hook-and-eye design. Made from contemporary Tencel Lyocell, which makes up 92 per cent of the bra, the fabric offers clever natural antimicrobial and temperature-regulating benefits, too. It ticks a lot of boxes.
Buy now £37.95, Renue
Boux Avenue Ribbed seamless bow embroidered bralette
Best for: Loungewear
For maternity wear that doesn’t look like maternity wear, look to Lounge, who has created this non-wired bralette that’s the epitome of soft.
Granted, this is not strictly a maternity bra (this means you won’t find special features like drop down, cross over cups or extendable hook-and-eye fastenings), but these are design details you won’t necessarily need prenatally, anyway.
Either way, at seven months pregnant, I’ve found myself reaching for this cute colourway. Made from super soft 93 per cent polyamide and seriously stretchy 7% elastane, whether you’re WFH or lounging from home, the softly padded cups offer enough support without feeling restricted.
Kitted out with bows, AKA the print of the season, and finished off with scalloped detailing, it’s a pretty and comfortable choice.
Buy now £24.00, Boux Avenue
Next Black/White/Pastel Rose Nude Pad Non Wire B-G Nursing Cotton Blend Ultimate Comfort Bras 3 Pack
Best for: Multipack design
Why buy just one maternity bra when you can get three? Next is the king of multipacks, including, it turns out on their maternity offering. This trio of non-wired maternity bras can be worn before and after birth, as once you’ve unclipped the cup, you’ll find a clever A-frame design.
This means it comes with a built-in ‘sling’ that wraps around the top, side and bottom of your breast. Some wearers, including those with larger busts, can find this style more comfortable.
This three-pack also has an extendable back with four hook-and-eye closures to choose from. So one purchase will do a good job at fitting your growing body over the course of nine months.
Buy now £40.00, Next
Pour Moi Love To Lounge Lace and Modal Rib Non-Wired Bra
Best for: Lounge bra for larger busts
If there’s one company that knows how to do bras for bigger boobs — and do it well — it’s Pour Moi. The brand prides itself on its belief that the same bra should look just as good in a G cup as it does in a B, and it’s evident to see this in its products.
Just take a look at this lightly padded lace and modal non-wired maternity bra. Seriously soft, luxuriously lacey and backed with a more than average three-in-a-row hook-and-eye design (which offers extra support for larger busts), this bra can be worn as a racer back or H-back, depending on the vibe you’re going for.
Buy now £30.00, Pour Moi
Primark wireless nursing bra
Best for: Budget
Dressing a growing bump and welcoming a baby into the world can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. Priced at £10 for two, Primark’s wireless nursing bras cinch the title for being the most pocket-friendly.
Made from a soft cotton blend and available in a wide range of sizes, these non-wired maternity bras are breathable and kind to your skin. They also come with handy clasps at the top, which you can pop open with ease if you’re breastfeeding or pumping.
Coming in a classic grey and black colourway, adjustable shoulder straps and the usual hook-and-eye closure at the back, these seamless options make wearing a bra feel easy and oh-so cost-effective. A bargain if ever there was one.
Buy now £10.00, Primark
George at Asda Maternity Grey Comfort Bras 2 Pack
Best for: Comfort
The best non-wired maternity bras don’t have to be anything fancy. After all, when you’re growing a baby, comfort is all that matters. And on those days when comfort is king, these maternity comfort bras from George at Asda are all you need.
Lightly padded? Tick? Removable cups? Tick. Drop-down clasps? Tick. These non-wired options fit the bill completely. I also love the fact that they give the look and comfort of a bralette, but come with hook-and-eye clasps so you can easily take them on and off, rather than battling to pull them over your head.
Size-wise, these maternity bras are listed in alpha sizing, so XS is equivalent to a UK 4-6 and a 2XL would fit a UK 24-26.
Buy now £16.00, George at Asda
Bravissimo Nursing Comfort Bra
Best for: range of sizes
Ranging from 30DD - 40L, Bravissimo has proved that there really is a bra for every bigger bust — and so there should be. This non-padded option might not come with all the lacey design details, scalloped edging or fancy frills, but what it does come with is so much better.
Putting functionality over fun, comfort comes first with this piece of soft-touch jersey underwear, which is specifically designed to be worn all day and night if needed.
Feature-wise, Bravissimo’s nursing comfort bra is for those with bigger boobs. It comes with nursing clips and drop-down cups, and an inner side sling, which can offer up some added support when feeding a hungry little one.
Buy now £40.00, Bravissimo
Verdict
With its drop-down and soft moulded cups, John Lewis’s Evelyn Nursing bra combines style and function, making it the best non-wired maternity bra for every trimester. Of course, every bra in this guide offers up something slightly different. But I think the department store’s Evelyn Nursing bra has something for most people.
