Buying guide for Best adhesive bras
With a strapless shirt, halter top, or backless dress, it can be a challenge to find the right bra, especially if you don’t want the straps or underwire to show. For these outfits, an adhesive bra is an excellent option.
Adhesive bras are usually completely strapless and backless, but they stay in place and offer support thanks to their adhesive cups. Most allow you to control how much your breasts are pressed together so you have control over the “push-up” effect and how much cleavage shows.
There’s a lot to know about adhesive bras before you purchase one. For example, some are disposable items for one-time wear while others are reusable, allowing you to reactivate the adhesive for repeated use. Selecting the appropriate type, size, color, and material are all essential to making the right purchase. In this buying guide, we provide information and tips to help you find the right adhesive bra for your needs, and we offer our product recommendations as well.
Key considerations
Bra type
Silicone stick-on bras
Silicone stick-on bras are the most common type of adhesive bra. They have a soft feel and typically don’t show through clothing. They are reusable and easy to clean. However, a silicone stick-on bra does not offer much support, and as such, it may be most suitable for small busts.
Fabric stick-on bras
These bras feature contoured cups made of material and side flaps with adhesive. Because an underwire is often included, fabric stick-on bras tend to offer more support than silicone stick-on bras. This makes them ideal for medium and larger busts, though people who dislike underwires may find them uncomfortable.
U-plunge backless strapless bras
These bras are similar to fabric adhesive bras in that they have contoured cups and underwire, which provides more support. The neckline is U-shaped.
Laced backless strapless bras
These bras are similar to silicone and fabric stick-on bras, but the cups are connected by a series of laces. You can tighten or loosen the laces as much as you like to create your desired support and push-up effect.
Adhesive breast lift tape
Adhesive breast lift tape is used the same way that traditional pasties are used, and is usually placed over the nipples to conceal them. You can also use the tape strategically to lift your breasts. If you have large breasts and require additional support, adhesive breast tape is a great option to pair with another adhesive bra.
Size
Adhesive bras are available in the bra cup sizes of A, B, C, D, and DD. Unlike a traditional bra, however, they typically don’t have band sizes because there is no strap across the back. The lack of a band size can make it more difficult to find the right size, particularly if your breasts are larger.
It’s usually best to go up a cup size to ensure that an adhesive bra will fit. Silicone styles are typically the most forgiving in terms of size, though some people don’t care about getting an exact fit as long as the front of their chest is covered.
If your adhesive bra doesn’t come with packaging for storage, place it in a zippered plastic bag to keep it clean between wearings.
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Features
Color
Adhesive bras are available in nearly all standard colors like white, black, and nude. You can also find some in pale pink. If you’re wearing the bra with light-colored clothing, white or nude is your best bet. For dark-colored clothing, a black adhesive bra is often preferred.
Clasps and lacing
Some adhesive bras feature individual cups that attach at the center front of the chest. A bra with a clasp at this point allows you to adjust the amount of cleavage that shows with a dress or top. Some bras feature lacing rather than a clasp, which you can adjust to press your breasts closer together for deeper cleavage.
Thickness
The majority of adhesive bras are fairly thin so they don’t show through clothing yet still provide coverage and support. Other adhesive bras have some padding to create a push-up effect or just to help the bust appear larger.
Low cut
Most adhesive bras feature a low cut meant to help expose cleavage, but some styles are cut lower than others. If you have a dress or top that’s particularly low cut, note the cut of any adhesive bra you consider.
Reusable
Some adhesive bras are only meant for a single use; after you wear and remove the bra, the adhesive isn’t sticky enough to be used again. Other bras feature an adhesive that automatically regenerates and becomes sticky again. After the bra is washed and dried, the adhesive is ready for another use.
Most reusable adhesive bras can be worn four to five times, but some high-end styles can be worn 25 times or more.
DID YOU KNOW?
Don’t use alcohol, bleach, or other harsh products to clean your adhesive bra. These products can degrade the adhesive so the bra no longer sticks to the skin.
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Accessories
Shapewear: Flexees Maidenform Shapewear Hi-Waist Brief
For the sleekest look in a tight dress, pair your adhesive bra with shapewear to smooth any bulges or lumps. The silicone elastic waistband of this Maidenform shapewear prevents roll-down, and the two-ply construction offers serious shaping power.
Thong underwear: Maidenform Dream Lace Thong
If you’re wearing an adhesive bra to avoid lines showing through form-fitting clothing, you may also need thong underwear to prevent visible panty lines. This pair from Maidenform is a favorite because the elastic lace band doesn’t dig into the skin, making it comfortable to wear.
Adhesive bra prices
Inexpensive: The most affordable adhesive bra solutions cost between $8 and $18; most are silicone stick-on bras or adhesive tape. These don’t offer a great amount of support and are best suited for wearers with small or medium busts. Many bras in this price range cannot be reused.
Mid-range: Mid-range adhesive bras are usually silicone stick-on bras from $16 to $25. Because they offer more support, they work well for medium busts and are typically suitable for at least four or five uses.
Expensive: The priciest adhesive bras, costing between $25 and $55, are usually fabric stick-on bras. They offer good support and may be suitable for larger busts. These styles are also reusable.
Avoid applying an adhesive bra to irritated, broken, or sunburned skin. The adhesive could exacerbate an existing skin condition.
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Tips
- Apply your adhesive bra to clean, dry skin. Residue from lotion, deodorant, powder, or other skin care products could interfere with the bra’s ability to adhere.
- To put on a bra with adhesive cups but no side wings, apply each cup separately. Once they’re securely in place, clip them together by connecting the center clasp.
- To put on a bra with adhesive wings that wrap around the sides, place your breasts inside the cups first. Lean forward slightly, and carefully press the wings to your sides to make sure they’re firmly attached.
- To remove an adhesive bra, simply peel it off. It doesn’t hurt like removing a bandage, and you don’t have to worry about any adhesive being left behind on your skin.
FAQ
Q. How should I clean my reusable adhesive bra?
A. After you remove the bra, rinse the cups with warm water and a few drops of mild soap. Use a sponge to scrub away any residue left behind in the bra’s adhesive to make sure it’s ready for the next wear. Allow the bra to dry overnight on a flat surface with the adhesive side up. Once it dries completely, it will be sticky again.
Q. Are adhesive bras waterproof?
A. Some adhesive bras are waterproof so you don’t have to worry about them getting a little bit moist. That doesn’t mean you should expose them to water or other moisture for a prolonged period, however, because the adhesive can eventually start to break down. That said, some adhesive bras aren’t waterproof at all, so any exposure to moisture would cause them to start slipping.
Q. How should I store an adhesive bra?
A. Store the bra in the packaging it comes in. Many come in a plastic box or sleeve that protects the bra from dust, lint, and other debris.
