Forget Victoria's Secret, here's some ACTUAL size-diverse lingerie

Finding a good bra

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Finding a good bra is difficult.

The more you require from your intimates, it becomes even harder. If you’re big-busted, want sustainable materials, need a front-closure, larger band size and care about how it’s made, then it becomes an almost insurmountable task.

The truth is that a lot of the sustainable and ethical plus size options out there are usually wire-free or pull-over crops. There are are some cups and underwire options too but these just aren’t as common (yet).

Bra sizing can be fickle. The under-bust sizing seems simple enough, but measuring breasts and cup size sometimes doesn’t match up to the fit of the bra. I know that there’s a lot of conversations around how buying online makes finding the right fit more difficult.

NPR has a really cute zine that is available to download and talks you through the steps to measure your bra size which includes helpful tips about fit like below.

Illustration by LA Johnson, NPR

There’s also this measuring tool where you can just punch in the measurements and it’ll calculate the size. If you feel unsure, you can also reach out to brands directly and see what they recommend.

When I was younger, I’d always reach for lacy gel-padded push up bras because my idea of sexy was constrained to the media I consumed. I felt pressure to adhere to the male gaze.

I own lacy nylon heavy bras which sit in the drawer, unworn. I own cotton alternatives which I did wear for a very, very long time. With my larger band to smaller cup ratio, my size is available (almost) nowhere. And although I wouldn’t consider them an ethical option, you’ll find up to a 44A at Marks and Spencer (they do international shipping to some places). Unfortunately, that size is only available in 7 fairly plain designs.

I’ve noticed that my body image and idea of sexiness is no longer constricted to just the way I’m perceived and external messaging. My sexiness and confidence is also not wholly dependent on what I’m wearing. There are times when I’m wearing comfy shorts and a stained top and even though I may not want to veer outside, I still feel embodied and confident.

These days, I prioritise comfort.

Personally, compressive cropped styles for me have been a game-changer. I don’t reach for traditional bras anymore and the sensorial experience of bamboo jersey is much nicer than synthetic materials.

Below is a mix of bra recs, from comfort-driven cropped bras to lace to more sustainably minded materials. Plenty of new brands added to the directory this week.

What kind of bra do you prefer? What options do you want to see more of in ethical fashion?