Gorgeous lingerie gets plenty of time in the spotlight (who doesn’t get excited about pretty little bits of lace?), but the plain-nude bras people wear day in and day out are really the backbones of the intimates world. After all, what do you wear more often: a nude bra or a lace corset? For that reason, I figured it was time to highlight the best bras out there using the ultimate test—evaluating how they look under a form-fitting white T-shirt.
I tried a plethora of basic bras and narrowed my favorites down to five standout picks. I think it’s safe to say that the five winners ahead are officially the best bras to wear underneath white T-shirts if I do say so myself. The best part is that the winners weren’t all the most expensive ones either, so you don’t have to worry about them all being out of reach. Scroll down to see how the bras actually look under a tee and pick the perfect bra for you.
Pictured: La Perla Studio Invisible Wire-Free T-Shirt Bra. Similar style: La Perla Second-Skin Stretch-Jersey Bra ($72). What it’s great for: The bra provides a lot of coverage, which makes you feel like everything is held in place. The underwire-free style feels close to wearing nothing at all. The cut is ideal for V-neck T-shirts.
Pictured: Cosabella Soire New Demi Cup Bra. Similar style: Cosabella Soire Confidence Demi Bra ($89). What it’s great for: The balconette style is ideal for scoop-neck tops. Removable pads let you decide on a level of cleavage. The curve of the cups is pretty, making it a good choice if you need to wear nude undergarments but want something a little more special.
Pictured: Victoria’s Secret The T-Shirt Demi Bra. Similar style: Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Full-Coverage Bra ($47). What it’s great for: It can convert to a racer-back style, which is great for your going-out tanks. The style comes in a Brandied Peach color for darker skin tones. There’s minimal graduated padding, which gives a little lift without feeling too fake. There are no tags to irritate your skin.
Pictured: Only Hearts Second Skins Underwire Bra ($46). What it’s great for: It’s perfect if you want a little more shaping than a bralette. The underwire gives nice support without making your breasts look bigger. It’s very lightweight, making it feel almost like you’re wearing nothing.
Pictured: Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Wirefree T-Shirt Bra. Similar style: Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Modern Full Coverage T-Shirt Bra ($46). What it’s great for: The material forms to your shape so the bra is contoured to you. The padding is just thin enough to make sure your nipples don’t poke through without adding too much bulk. It’s the most comfortable of all the bras I tried.
