The Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Underwire Bra won for the best strapless bra overall, according to our rigorous testing.
But the data doesn’t lie, and 2 weeks of vigorous testing revealed undeniable results: The Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Underwire Bra is hands down the best strapless bra overall. Based on feedback from a panel of five testers with diverse bra sizes, the Wacoal bra outperformed four other popular bras in the most important categories of comfort and fit.
Even the lingerie experts I consulted for this article highly recommended the Wacoal bra. Iris Clarke, founder and owner of Iris Lingerie in Brooklyn, described it as a “very strong bra” and one of the few strapless bras she confidently recommends to clients. Caralyn Mirand Koch, model, undergarment expert and founder of the #ProperlyFittingBraClub, said it’s “one of the best strapless bras on the market when fitted correctly.”
Ahead, all you need to know about this highly rated bra.
Best Strapless Bra Overall
Extremely Secure Fit And Remarkably Comfortable Design
Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Underwire Bra
Sizes: 30B – 44I | Colors: Roebuck, Sand, Black, Brush | Underwire: Yes | Removable Straps: Yes | Return Policy: Free returns within 60 days
Best For:
- All-day comfort
- Body-skimming attire that requires a perfectly fitting bra design
- A wide variety of sizes and a versatile design that includes removable straps
Skip If:
- You’re on a budget
- You prefer a wireless bra
Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra Features
Personally, I was skeptical that any strapless bra would pass my fit and evaluation tests (more on that in my in-depth review here), but the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Underwire Bra proved that a strapless bra can strike a balance between comfort and functionality. Constructed with sturdy underwire, smooth foam cups, grippy silicone and a cushioned band, the Wacoal bra has a barely-there feel that the testers and I appreciated.
Constructed with sturdy underwire, smooth foam cups, grippy silicone and a cushioned band, the Wacoal bra has a barely-there feel.
To dig in to the data: Four of the five testers gave this bra an 8 or above for comfort on a 1 to 10 scale, where 1 was the least comfortable and 10 was the most. That earned the Wacoal bra the top spot of the five we tested.
“This is the most comfortable strapless bra that I’ve ever worn, hands down,” said our size 34D tester. “It has a great fit overall; I wore it with a strapless dress on vacation and not once did I want to rip it off,” commented a size 32C tester, adding that the fabric didn’t feel itchy against her skin. Our 36DD tester wore it to multiple cocktail parties and “barely even thought about it all night,” describing it as “surprisingly comfortable.”
That said, the Wacoal did not work for everyone. One tester, who wears a size 30D, found this bra to be “so uncomfortable” that she “literally could not wear it for more than 5 minutes.” She noted the metal wiring at the center of the bra felt like it was crushing her sternum. It’s possible she would have benefited from a larger-size band. To that end, Holly Powell, owner of the Pencil Test, a bra store in Portland, Oregon and Renton, Washington, said this bra tends to fit “very tightly” and she often recommends people “sister up” in size—meaning you should buy a band size larger and cup size smaller than you usually wear. In this case, our 30D tester may have experienced better results in a 32C.
The band fit of the Wacoal bra was stellar—of the five bras tested, this was the only one that stayed in place for all five testers as they twisted their torsos and raised their arms up and down multiple times. Additionally, due to its solid fit and comfort level, testers adjusted this bra minimal times while wearing it for a full day: Two testers adjusted it zero times, and the most adjustments any tester made was four. By contrast, reviewers fussed with other bras 15-plus times.
The Wacoal also easily molded to the shape of three of the testers’ breasts without gaping or spilling, and held up all five testers’ breasts as they bent over. Additionally, the middle of the bra rested flat against the breastbone for four testers.
Fit complaints were minimal. “There was a small gap, or bubble, of empty space in the top of the cup, but it wasn’t so big that it was noticeable,” said the size 34D tester. “I wore a thin turtleneck over it all day, and it looked great. In fact, it made my chest look perkier overall.”
The size 34DDD tester reported this bra “fit better than any strapless bra I’ve ever (ever!) worn.” And the size 32C tester noted the bra “isn’t so tight that it causes any spillage or back fat,” describing it as “a great fit overall.”
Unlike other popular undergarment companies—for instance, Calvin Klein and Lively—Wacoal offers its strapless bra in a wide range of inclusive sizes, from 30B to 44I. That makes it easier for people with various breast shapes and sizes to find their fit. For fuller-busted folks, Koch recommends the Elomi Women’s Strapless Bra, available in band sizes 32 to 44 and cup sizes DD to J. They are owned by Wacoal, and their sizing is just as inclusive as Wacoal’s, Koch explains.
How Does The Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra Compare?
The Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Underwire Bra outperformed others we considered in comfort and fit—the two most important criteria—earning it an uncontested place as the overall winner. Additionally, Wacoal is available in a wider range of sizes than others (30B to 44I), making it a solid pick for many body types. However, the Pour Moi St Tropez Strapless Bra showed a slight edge in aesthetics as well as requiring fewer adjustments throughout the day, plus it is significantly less expensive than the Wacoal ($40 versus $72). My recommendation: If your budget allows, go for the superior fit of a Wacoal. If not, the Pour Moi is your second-best bet.
How I Tested The Best Strapless Bras
Forbes Vetted assembled a panel of five women that included myself to test strapless bras. The panelists represented a range of body types and sizes, from 32C to 34DDD. Before testing began, Laura Henny of the Rack Shack in Brooklyn performed professional bra fittings on each tester to determine their correct size.
Once sizing was determined, testers received the bra and evaluated it with a number of tests performed during a 2-week period. These tests, which were created based on research and feedback from the experts, encompassed the following criteria:
Fit: Testers rated the bra’s fit with four tests. They first evaluated whether the band stayed in place as they twisted their torso and moved their arms up and down three times. Then, they observed whether the cups conformed to their natural breast shape without gaping or causing spillover. Following that, they tested whether their breasts stayed in the cups as they bent over once. Finally, they noted if the middle of the bra rested flat against their breastbone.
Comfort: The comfort evaluation was similarly rigorous, with testers determining comfort level based on four assessments. First, they reported whether the underwire or seams poked into their breast tissue. They also noted the feel of the fabric: Was it itchy, stiff or uncomfortable in any way? Additionally, they logged how many times they adjusted the bra (pulling it up or down) over the course of a day. Finally, they reported how comfortable the bra felt after wearing it all day on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely uncomfortable and 10 being extremely comfortable.
Aesthetics: To check for the overall aesthetic appeal, testers wore the bra underneath a thin shirt, stood in front of a mirror and reported whether they noticed the bra.
My Expertise
For this article, I interviewed five veteran bra experts to learn what makes a great strapless bra and what styles were worth testing. These experts included: Iris Clarke, founder and owner of Iris Lingerie in Brooklyn; Caralyn Mirand Koch, model, undergarment expert and founder of the #ProperlyFittingBraClub; Holly Powell, owner of the Pencil Test, a bra store in Portland, Oregon and Renton, Washington; Laura Henny, owner of the Rack Shack, a lingerie shop in Brooklyn; and Preeti Arya, assistant professor of textile development and marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
What Is Wacoal’s Return Policy?
You can return your Wacoal strapless bra for a full refund (minus the cost of shipping and delivery) if you send it back within 60 days of the original ship date, according to the company website. The bra must have the original tags attached and be unworn, unwashed and free of any odor. Orders sent back after 60 days can be returned for a merchandise credit.
What Fabric Is The Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Underwire Bra Made Of?
The bra is made with a blend of nylon and spandex, with underwire and a silicone lining on the top and bottom edges. Silicone is a common feature in strapless bras, which helps the band grip your skin, says Powell. Of course, avoid this type of bra if you have a known silicone allergy.
Does The Wacoal Strapless Bra Come With Straps?
Yes, the bra comes with adjustable, removable straps that match the color of the bra. There are four places on the bra where you can insert and hook the straps, providing multiple ways to wear it—such as racerback or one-shoulder—if you choose to wear it with the straps.
There are four places on the bra where you can insert and hook the straps, providing multiple ways to wear it.
