With a straight neckline, wide-set straps, and demo-to-full coverage cups, we have compiled a list of the best balconette bras to help you choose the right one for yourself. They are suitable for everyday wear and work well with deep plunging necks. So, no more worrying about your bra straps peeking out of your favorite outfit or inadequate coverage because balconette bras offer a proper fit and coverage. This bra type was popularized by Marilyn Monroe back in the day. It accentuates your breasts’ natural shape with optimal comfort and support and provides you with a defined cleavage. You can easily wear these with any outfit, and they help accentuate the fitting of your attire. With various colors, materials, and sizes available, you can explore our list to learn more. We have reviewed several products to ensure premium quality, breathability, and comfort.
10 Best Balconette Bras
1. Best Comfortable:Playtex Balconette Bra
You can be sure that this balconette bra will not let you down with its four-way TruSupport— longer back for extra back support, fuller cups, higher sides for extra side support, and hidden underwire for added support. Crafted with 83% nylon and 17% spandex in the front, its back comprises 68% nylon and 32% spandex. It has hook-and-eye closure for a customized fit and extremely comfortable cotton-lined straps, which alleviate pressure on the shoulders. The cups are lined with ultra-thin foam to give a smooth and shapely look without any embarrassing show-through in clingy knits. It has an open balconette neckline which adds to its versatility so that it can be worn with any outfit, including a V-neck style. Easy to clean, this bra should be hand-washed. Pros
Adjustable straps Wide-set straps Gives a sleek look Various colors Elegant jacquard trim
Cons
Fabric may not be adequately stretchable Some may find the cups large and slightly pointy
2. Best Lightly Padded: Rosme Grand Collection Balconette Bra
The classic-themed balconette underwire bra is an elegant choice that is suitable for both special wear and everyday wear with its lightly padded material that comprises 66% polyamide, 24% cotton, and 10% elastane. The underwire runs up into the bra straps, which are wide, giving maximum support. The straps pull up the underwire without pressing against the chest, thus creating the balconette effect, and are not visible even with wide and deep necklines. The material of the lightly foam-padded cups is stiff enough to retain its shape, contouring the bust. The straps are padded and adjustable, giving adequate support to both small and large-busted women. Pros
Comfortable hook-and-eye closure Available in different colors Flattering look Comfortable to wear all day Non-digging straps
Cons
Straps may be wide for petite body frames Underwire may feel slightly uncomfortable
3. Best Breathable:Wingslove Balconette Bra
Designed with feminine, soft, sheer mesh, this unlined ½ shelf cup bra is both charming and elegant. The non-molded and unpadded cups made with stretchy mesh, underwire, and adjustable straps give your bust gentle support and show off the natural curve of your body. The facing material comprises 93% nylon and 7% spandex, while the band material is 82% nylon and 18% spandex. Made of breathable fabric, this balconette bra is extremely lightweight and comfortable so that you hardly feel as if you are wearing anything. It features a hook-and-eye closure for a customized fit and a bowknot decor in the central panel. The adjustable straps also allow for a customized fit and relieve pressure on the shoulders. It is recommended to hand wash and hang dry this bra for longevity. Pros
Beautiful lace-trimmed cups All day-long comfort Provides good coverage No slipping out Available in several colors
Cons
Size might run small May not suit those with pierced nipples
4. Best Full Coverage:Delimira Seamless Balconette Bra
Designed for women with larger busts, this balconette underwire bra with light lines gives you a flattering and natural shape. Made of 82% polyamide and 18% spandex, the fabric has added stretch, hidden underwire, shaped cups, and adjustable straps to give you optimum support and comfort. The material is smooth and soft, provides full coverage, and is comfortably form-fitting. Lightly padded cups ensure good support without being bulky. While the straps are wide set and adjustable for comfort and a customized fit. The smooth design of this bra makes it completely invisible under clothes. It is available in various sizes and up to 44 inches in band size, making it perfect for bigger women. Pros
Padded straps Provides all-day comfort Ideal for wearing under T-shirts Suitable for everyday wear True to size Non-digging straps
Cons
Limited colors to choose from Underwire may feel uncomfortable
5. Best Elegant:Dobreva Balconette Bra
Get a flattering, feminine shape with this balconette bra that has a hidden sling that gives a comfy push-up effect without the discomfort of padding. The underwire cups lift and support the breasts, while the double-layer mesh cups made of soft and breathable 82% polyamide and 18% spandex are very comfortable against the body. The balconette neckline gives this bra a very feminine look and allows you to wear it with wide and deep-necked clothes. The straps are convertible and can be used either in cross-back or basic style. It features a hook-and-eye closure for an adjustable and customized fit. Pros
Elegant lace trim Non-digging straps Stretchable fabric Various colors
Cons
Cup size may run small for heavy breasts Some may find the material slightly see-through
6. Best Lace: Wacoal b.tempt’d Ciao Bella Balconette Bra
The beautiful and feminine lace balconette bra is just right to wear under square-neck tops and features a corded floral lace overlay and an adorable sheer, contrast bow accent in the front center panel, along with a dramatic scalloped trim neckline. It’s crafted with 86% nylon and 14% spandex, and the lining of the cut-and-sew foam cups is 100% polyester. It features adjustable double rouleau straps at the front and adjustable stretch straps with a hook-and-eye closure at the back for a customized fit. It comes with fishnet wings and a stretch fishnet band lined in mesh, as well as an underwire for additional support. This balconette bra should be hand-washed and hung to dry. Pros
Does not ride up Available in different colors Ideal for deep-neck outfits Flattering look Durable
Cons
Lacy details may make it less suitable for T-shirts Some may find the straps digging
7. Best Contoured:Maidenform Love The Lift Push-Up Balconette Bra
Flaunt your curves with this awesome push-up balconette underwire bra. Its open neckline accentuates your natural shape and won’t peek out of your favorite tops. The cups are contoured to give adequate support and shape with medium push-up padding along the sides and bottom of the cup. Its elastic under band offers extra support, and the center panel is wide and arched for comfort. The sides and back feature elastic at the edges for a better fit, while the seams at the side have boning for additional support. Its elastic straps are wide set and can be converted in multiple ways— traditional, halter, criss-cross, strapless, or one-strap. It features a coated metal hook-and-eye closure for a customized fit. Crafted with 81% nylon and 19% spandex, it’s recommended to hand wash this bra. Pros
Adjustable and removable straps Flattering fit Available in different colors Embroidered details True to size
Cons
May not be suitable to wear under T-shirts Some may find the underwire digging on the sides
8. Best Customized Fit:Panache Clara Balconette Lace Bra
Crafted with 74% polyamide, 18% polyester, 8% elastane, and a touch of exquisite lace, this full-cup bra lifts, supports, and shapes your bust. The lined bottom cups and a stretch lace top give an attractive rounded shape and full coverage. The GG to K sizes features a 15mm strong under-band elastic and special Powermesh wings for additional support. This balconette underwire bra comes with adjustable straps, which have a plush backing on 18 and 21mm straps for extra comfort and a customized fit. It features hook-and-eye closure for an adjustable fit and can be hand-washed. Pros
Provides a smooth look Four-section bra for good support Wide range of colors Non-digging straps
Cons
Lace fabric may feel itchy Some may experience size issues
9. Best Closure:Bali One Smooth U Balconette Bra
The all-around smoothing and supportive balconette bra offers four-way support— extra back support, fuller cups, extra side support, and an underwire. It comes in bigger sizes so that women of all sizes can comfortably use it. Crafted with 79% nylon, 16% polyester, and 5% spandex, its stretchable material gives good comfort and support. Its smooth cups give your bust a beautiful shape, and its open balconette neckline allows you to wear all kinds of tops and dresses without your bra showing. It features a hook-and-eye closure and comfortable, non-slip straps that can be adjusted for a customized fit. Pros
All-day comfortable bra Non-digging straps Flattering design Does not ride up Available in various colors
Cons
May feel like a minimizer bra May not be machine-washable
10. Best Lightweight:DKNY Superior Scalloped Lace Balconette Bra
Crafted with 86% nylon and 14% elastane, this open-neck balconette bra is incredibly comfortable and supportive. You can wear tops or dresses with wide or plunging necklines without worrying about your bra peeking out. It has an all-over lace overlay which gives it a contemporary and exquisite look. This bra features lightly padded foam cups that provide a proper contour and shape to your bust. It has comfortable and adjustable straps for a customized fit, and its hook-and-eye closure gives it more versatility and a personalized fit. Easy to maintain, it’s recommended to hand wash this bra. Pros
Lightweight Suitable for everyday wear Feels soft on the skin Available in six colors
Cons
Material may pill over time Size may run small
Now that you have been through our review of the 10 best balconette bras, here are a few tips to keep in mind while choosing one so that you get maximum support and comfort despite less coverage, and are able to wear it even with low-cut dresses.
How To Choose The Right Balconette Bra
The cups
As a balconette bra doesn’t give full coverage and only covers the lower half of your bust, the most important thing that you need to worry about is spillage. If your bust is not fully contained or the top edge of the cup is cutting into your breasts, it usually means you have to go for a bigger cup size. Of course, you need to first ensure that your breasts are adjusted and positioned properly into the cups. If there is gaping between your bust and the top of the cups, it means the cups are too big. Also if there is a gap between the band below your bust and your body, it again means that you have to go up a cup size.
The straps
Wider set straps are a distinguishing feature of balconette bras, which means they are prone to slipping off your shoulders if they are not a perfect fit. If they do slip off, it’s usually because the band size is too small. Again, if the straps of your bra are cutting into your shoulders, it’s usually because the band is too tight. Adequate support is not possible when the band is too big, and you end up tightening the straps to make up for that. Ideally, you shouldn’t be able to fit more than a finger beneath the strap, and the straps should lie snugly against you.
The band
The band is responsible for giving maximum support to your bust, and needs to be a perfect fit, otherwise it kind of defeats the purpose of the bra. The band should lie level all around your body, and ideally you should be able to fit 1 finger below the band at the front, and 2 fingers below it in the front. Otherwise, you should either loosen the hook and eye closures, or opt for a larger band size. On the other hand, if the band tends to ride up at the back, you need to choose a smaller size.
The gore
The gore, which is the panel in the center between the 2 cups, should lie flat against the skin. If the gore does not lie flat but instead sits on the breast tissue, or if there’s a gap between the panel and your skin, you should go for a bigger cup size.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is a fashion enthusiast who reviews clothing and beauty products. Her analytical research skills help her suggest great products to her readers. In this article, Poulami lists the best balconette bras of different designs and colors. These bras are of premium quality, provide good support, and are suitable for all kinds of dresses. Poulami’s detailed description of each bra will help you understand each product minutely. Moreover, the handy buying guide at the end will help you choose the right product. Recommended Articles :
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