Comfort is the new buzzword, with many of us now spending our days working from home - and it means a lot of traditional items of clothing have lost their place in our wardrobes.
Underwired bras might be one of the items that no longer feature high on your list of daily essentials. Let's face it - slippers on, leggings instead of jeans, and a nice soft bra in place of the old strappy contraption you might have once worn to the office.
It's also true that wellbeing is higher up on our agendas, with a focus on health, improving our immunity, and keeping an eye on fitness.
Of course rest and sleep play a huge part in this, and while we're spending our days in loungewear, that's transitioning into evenings spent winding down from stressful waking hours juggling work, children, homeschooling and housework.
It's no wonder then, that M&S found sleep related searches more than doubled on their website in 2020, and womens sleepwear sales were up over 150% online.
For 2021 they've added a versatile new item to their collection that works across the lockdown day, and into the night.
The new Flexifit sleep bra is intended to offer gentle support to your body whilst you rest - but the soft, comfortable fabric offers a fit that allows you to wear it during your work from home day as well.
The breathable Flexifit fabric moves with you, and a cleverly designed ‘invisible’ internal frame offers enough support without the discomfort of an underwire.
I tried the bra overnight and found it to be supportive yet so discreet I actually forgot I was wearing it. Layered under my usual sleepwear, it added just enough support to feel like I could continue wearing it during the day in the same way as a normal bra - unlike some of the soft crop top style bras which don't quite match the coverage or support of a bra for daytime wear.
Another useful option for this bra would be during recovery from illness or surgery, when wearing a normal bra feels like an effort, but you would still wish to be covered up and have a bit of dignity with people looking after you or being seen by medics.
Having tried many different styles of soft bra over the years - including some post natal options - this is one of the best I've found for meeting in the middle between comfort and coverage, with just enough support. So good I bought it in the other colour (it comes in both navy and grey ).
To chose my size (in lieu of being able to shop in person at the moment) I used the online size guide, and it worked out true to size.
Soozie Jenkinson, Head of Lingerie Design at M&S comments; “Staying well and healthy has never been more important and getting a great night’s sleep can help maintain wellbeing.
"Using our exclusive Flexifit 360 degree stretch fabrics, already loved by customers in our loungewear and underwear, our talented technologists and designers have worked closely with Loughborough University to craft a modern bra, in a breathable fabric which is gently supportive and incredibly soft against the skin.
"Hidden within our dress sized sleep bra, you will find a discreet internal frame designed to provide gentle support throughout the night. This innovative pull on bra top is a perfect piece to layer under lounge or sleepwear and is designed to support women whilst asleep.”
Shop the full range of M&S bras here including their non-wired bras and other styles suitable for sleeping in.
