Finding a bra that supports, looks chic and flatters from all angles is like the holy grail of the lingerie world. I have owned many bras over the years that look good from the front, but then I’ll catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror and see unwanted lumps and bumps at the back, or I’ll opt for a more supportive style and feel like I'm wearing a rigid piece of armour all day. Finding one that truly does everything I need it to do has been a never-ending search, but then I tried the Leonisa Back Smoothing bra from Amazon and all that has changed – it's honestly one of the best bras I’ve ever worn.
Price: £65
Band size: 34-40
Cup size: B-D
Padding: Light
Wired: Yes
I wouldn’t normally buy underwear from Amazon, but after reading some of the many rave reviews online, I had to give it a go. I love a soft bralette as my most comfortable bras for home, but I needed a good everyday bra to look after my chest while I was at work or doing the school run, and this piece seemed to fit the bill. The bra has quite an understated and modern design, and offers full coverage with underwired cups, a wide back and side band and firm yet breathable fabrics that promise to smooth all over.
I liked the design of it as soon as it arrived, and it looked and felt great on, too. I have worn it multiple times over the last couple of weeks, and I’m happy to report that this lingerie staple lives up to all the online hype – I’m actually wearing it as I type this, and I genuinely have zero complaints.
It looks after my bust brilliantly, but the thing that has impressed me the most is how sleek and neatly it sits under my clothes. I have popped it under tight T-shirts and vest tops, and it has been invisible, and also works wonders to smooth over any problem areas that I’d normally worry about – it hides away and cancels out overhang at the back as well as any bulges around my sides and underarms. It’s like a mini piece of shapewear for my bust, but without feeling restricting or overly firm to wear, putting it up there with the very best bras for back fat.
While testing it out, I wore the bra for a full day before washing and wearing again, and I thought about the fabric, shape, support and overall comfort.
Shop the Leonisa Back Smoothing Bra
I tried the black colourway and loved the sexier vibe to it. The glossy fabric adds glamour, and it's perfect for wearing under darker tops and dresses.
This warm beige tone will work under every fabric without showing through. It's a little less chic than the black iteration, but it's great for everyday wear.
This one will be perfect for wearing under a crisp white shirt and will add a fresh and breezy vibe to your underwear drawer.
Leonisa Back Smoothing Bra Review
Leonisa Back Smoothing Bra: Comfort & Fit
The smooth and lightly padded cups provide plenty of coverage without completely covering up my chest or sitting too high over my cleavage. That means I can wear the bra with a lower-cut vest top and don’t have to worry about fabric peeking out the top. It lifts and supports my boobs well and gives them a gentle lift and boost, and it has kept them under control all day, including a power walk to my morning commuter train.
The wider side panels and back straps contain a fine layer of power mesh that acts in a similar way to the best shapewear but without feeling very hard or restricting. They really do work well to pull in and smooth over from all angles while still letting me move around freely. The side panels are much deeper than anything I'd worn before, and I had expected them to feel rigid, but the fabric is flexible enough that I barely notice them, and the stretch material works brilliantly to add a sleekness to my sides, even when I'm sitting or bending over. The back and side bands sit where they are supposed to as well - they don't roll up or gather, so I don't ever need to readjust my bra throughout the day.
The shoulder straps can actually detach from the front, so you can switch it up to a crossback style to suit different styles of dresses and tops, which is an added bonus.
It’s also very light and breathable – I tested the bra out over the last few days of summer, and it wasn’t overly sweaty or tight to wear against my skin.
Leonisa Back Smoothing Bra: Style
The bra is very plain and fuss-free, but the glossy black fabric adds a modern feel that also looks a little bit sexier than some other full coverage bras that I've worn before. I like how simple it is, and the lack of lace or frills means that it's very easy to layer under a tighter top without showing through. The small gold tag at the front adds a hint of glam, too. Although the back band is wide, it doesn’t look frumpy – this bra manages to sit right in the middle of practical and pretty.
I tried the black style, but it's also available in fresh white and a soft beige colour.
Leonisa Back Smoothing Bra: Care
The only very small downside to this bra is that it's hand-wash only, which isn’t unusual for a bra that contains an underwire. The polyamide and elastane fabric washed well, though and dried impressively fast. It looked and felt just as good the next time I wore it, and the structure held up well.
Leonisa Back Smoothing Bra: Verdict
This bra has ticked all of my lingerie boxes, and I really can't fault it. I love the gentle amount of lift it gives to my chest, while also providing plenty of support and hold so it doesn't matter how busy I am or how fast I'm running for the bus - my boobs always feel under control.
As well as taking care of my bust, the wider straps at the sides and back work wonders to banish any unsightly bulges or lumps, to look very sleek and neat under my outfit. It looks good and feels great to wear, and it's fast becoming my favourite day-to-day bra.
