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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Georgie Darling

Best push-up bras for a brilliant boost

“A push-up bra? I haven’t heard that phrase in years!”

“Years” may be a slight exaggeration. But there’s a high chance you’ve spent a good chunk of recent history ignoring your underwear drawer in favour of a nice, comfortable bralette or, if you’re lucky enough, going entirely bra-free. After all, Zoom meetings tend to stick above the shoulders.

But, as we venture into the sunshine in fresh clothes to visit new places and different countries, there’s a fair to reasonable chance you’ll need a new push-up bra to match.

The best push-up bras deliver their promise without too much pain. Sure, the push-up bras of the past may have left you wounded with red, indented shoulders and a constant feeling of needing to take a deep breath but the best push-up bras of 2023 take a new direction.

New and improved designs combined with sleek colourways, stylish details and gentle support ensure you’ll feel more boosted than ever without waving goodbye to comfort.

Now, sing it with me: “Defying graaaaavity!”

Best push up bras at a glance:

Calvin Klein Push Up Bra - Sheer Marquisette

Best for: overall

Sure, everyone’s familiar with Calvin Klein’s soft, jersey matching sets but you shouldn’t sleep on the brand’s wired bras, either. This push-up demi bra hits the ideal midpoint between comfort and style with structured cups and subtle detailing all over.

Its convertible shoulder straps allow for cross-back or strapless wear and its underwire support keeps you feeling comfortable throughout the day. Pair it with the just-as-delicate matching briefs or thongs if you’re looking to keep the matching CK theme going.

Buy now £48.00, Calvin Klein

Pour Moi Romance Moulded Plunge Push Up Bra - Emerald/Black

Best for: aesthetic

Pour Moi’s Romance Moulded Plunge Push Up Bra was moulded using the same method as its best-selling Lyla bra, promising all of the same comfort with a slightly more luxe design. Just as romantic as its name suggests, this beautiful bra comes with swirling graphic lace and dusky-rose colour contrast.

Its inner mould enhances your shape while the underwire lifts and supports. Unlike many push-up bras, the soft edges and stylish details of this bra ensure no red marks when you take it off, either.

Buy now £30.00, Pour Moi

Savage x Fenty Floral Lace Push Up Bra

Best for: feeling sexy

Rihanna’s ground-breaking lingerie line knows no limits and its recent eco-friendly fabric update makes Savage x Fenty an unmissable addition to your underwear drawer. It’s hard to beat the Barbadian singer’s label if you’re looking for fun colours or designs and the vast majority of pieces are available in a huge range of sizes, too.

The Floral Lace Push Up Bra comes in black and lilac, with padded memory foam cups and a cute, subtle rose gold-tone X charm in the centre.

Buy now £10.00, Savage x Fenty

Wonderbra Ultimate backless push up bra in black

Best for: backless dresses

There’s a good reason the Wonderbra name has been around for decades - this brand is hard to beat in the world of push-up bras. The Wonderbra Ultimate backless option ticks all the boxes when it comes to the typical push-up bra but also takes things one step further with a backless design.

While it may not look like the most comfortable underwear item to wear, you’d be surprised when you slip it on. Its extra-long straps provide subtle support from the side while its extra-low back allows you to wear all kinds of tops and dresses that you may have previously disregarded.

Buy now £48.00, ASOS

Marks and Spencer Lace Wired Push-Up Bra

Best for: budget

The M&S Collection brand is an ever-popular choice for anyone searching for a comfortable, budget-friendly, high-quality bra.

It features a full padded cup for total support with a little added stretch so you’re never left struggling to breathe. Its beautifully delicate material and neutral colour make this an essential piece.

Buy now £10.00, Marks & Spencer

Dorina Fiesta Satin Push Up Plunge Bra

Best for: feeling bold

The Dorina brand launched back in 1968 and has been producing incredibly well-fitting lingerie ever since. Those decades of experience ensure not just a stylish bra but also a comfortable one, with thick, adjustable straps to give your shoulders a break and a sleek design to match. This fiery red lace trim may make this bra hand-wash only but its impressive design, look and feel will ensure it’s worth the hassle.

Buy now £22.00, ASOS

Curvy Kate Boost Me Up padded push up bra

Best for: bigger busts

Curvy Kate has been a long-standing favourite in the bra industry and the Boost Me range takes it a little further. This line, designed for bigger busts and starting from a D cup, promises a serious boost with all of the comfort needed for supporting a larger bust at the same time.

Think: wider, adjustable straps, sufficient underwire support and specially designed cups to push without any surrounding struggle. Its jet-black shade makes it a staple choice for all kinds of occasions.

Buy now £30.00, ASOS

Sloggi WOW Comfort padded bra

Best for: everyday wear

Household name for your grandma? Not so much any more. Sloggi bras provide the best of both worlds: an upward push to stand proud against all of the highest-ranking push-up bra brands and the comfort of one you'd wear by choice around the house.

Simple yet supportive, this plunge neck bra is one you'll wear on days when you want that extra push but also under high-neck tops purely for its comfort levels. Say goodbye forevermore to pinch marks and that digging-in feel with the brand’s seamless "Zero Feel" feature.

Buy now £20.07, Amazon

Boux Avenue Strapless plunge push up bra

Best for: strapless push up bra

Boux Avenue‘s strapless plunge push up bra has hundreds of five-star reviews for a reason. The padded design all but defies gravity, pulling your bust upwards without any hesitation. Available in black and white, it fits seamlessly under all kinds of necklines without giving away its presence whatsoever.

It’s also one of the most popular from the brand, with nearly 600 positive reviews praising its shape (great for both smaller and larger busts), confidence-boosting abilities and impressive cleavage.

Buy now £24.00, Boux Avenue

Intimissimi Mia Silk Super Push-Up Bra

Best for: affordable luxury

You know what you're getting with an Intimissimi bra and that's effectiveness and a confidence boost to match. A little more expensive than your everyday push-up bra, you'll likely save this one for special occasions. It's one that definitely deserves to be appreciated up close with its 95 per cent silk fabric that's soft to the touch and feels great against the skin, too.

The push-up effect is kind of a given when you're shopping at Intimissimi but this particular design does all the work for a seriously impressive look.

Buy now £49.00, Intimissimi

Savage x Fenty Ribbon Writing Push Up Bra

Best for: bright hues

From a distance, Savage x Fenty’s Ribbon Writing Push Up Bra just looks like a pretty, pink and red push-up bra. Get a little closer and you’ll see its fairly obvious “bite me” text over one cup.

A bra that’s basically designed to be appreciated (while providing all of the necessary support and function), this vibrant push-up bra comes with a hefty, plunge-boost design and adjustable straps. It’s another push-up bra that’s available in a large range of sizes. Pair with the just-as-beautiful ribbon lace bottoms for the full effect.

Buy now £50.00, Savage x Fenty

Rigby & Peller Marie Jo Avero Push Up Bra

The late Queen Elizabeth II famously shopped at Rigby & Peller - and if that isn’t a testament to its luxuriousness, we don't know what is. The brand’s ‘Marie Jo Avero’ push up bra comes in a range of covetable colours, from hot pink to pistachio. Treat your cleavage to maximum comfort with the bra which features a sweet gingham design, floral straps and a supportive underwire.

Buy now £113.00, Rigby & Peller

Verdict

You probably already have some CK underwear in your wardrobe but, if you're looking for a comfortable-yet-effective boost, you'll want to add the Calvin Klein Push Up Bra to your collection. This stylish push-up bra effortlessly does the job while looking beautiful at the same time.

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