Tips to Achieving a Supportive Strapless Bra!

Strapless Bras for GG+ cups is not the unicorn many people assume it to be. It IS possible for cupped, underwired, strapless bra for those with large, heavy breasts - with a bit of planning and our Marei Strapless Bra Pattern. Here are our top tips to maximize the lift and support in a strapless.

Tip 1

Longline. If your pattern isn’t already a longline, make it one. Having the bra band end at your natural waist means the band physically cannot slide down. Even those of us with a bit of protruding belly, the waist is STILL the smaller than the hips and booty. This is working with gravity - instead of against it. So lengthen or shorten the longline as necessary.

Tip 2

Taller and stronger underwires. Strapless bras lacking, well, straps, means we need to make up for the lack of vertical tension. Using a taller (and stronger) underwire helps in this regard.

Tip 3

Wider and firmer upper band elastic. Due to the longline design and lower back, the upper band needs to be quite firm to maintain tension - much more than a standard underwired bra. This also means that the bottom band (which ends at the natural waist) doesn’t need to be as tight - creating more comfort.

Tip 4

Boning. Bones are generally used to stabilize and/or prevent wrinkling and in the case of a strapless bra for larger cups, is NOT optional in the cups or cradle. While boning in the band can help reduce/eliminate wrinkles and prevent band curling, its main function is to bolster the fabric and increase support. Cup bones help maintain the overall cup shape as well as increase support.

Tip 5

Strapless bras are heavily reliant on the fabrics and support structures within the cup. As such, thin/drapy/sheer materials commonly used in other lingerie should be avoided in the cups (unless as fashion fabric) - particularly for dense and/or heavy breasts.

Tip 6

Due to the Longline nature of the Marei Strapless, you may need to fit your torso shape in addition to the wireline, cups, etc. Those of us with a bit of protruding belly may need some extra space in front. Those of us fortunate to have flat stomach may need to reduce the wing drop to “neutral or zero”. Both alterations are included in the Marei Instructions.

Tip 7

Over engineer. If you have large/heavy breasts and the bra pattern offers additional options to increase support - do it. Extra cup boning? Check. Heavy Duty Fabrics? Check. Spiral bones in the cradle? Check.