The Seven Best Backless Bras for Baring a Little Skin

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Buying a low-back or strapless bra is not something you want to leave until the last minute, when you’re packing for a destination wedding and suddenly realize every bra you own is visible with your back-baring dress. While some are comfortable going bra-less in such a situation, it’s not for everyone. Luckily, there are options ranging from supportive underwire bustiers to minimalist sticky bras or boob tape to keep you feeling supported even in a next-to-nothing outfit. Buy one now, and save yourself from a crisis later.

“If you find a low-back bra, bustier, or actual bra, it’s possible you’ll get the lift and support you crave,” Jessica Pfister, vice president of Le Mystere, tells Bazaar. “However, if you’re using adhesives, have natural and un-enhanced breast tissue, are over a C cup, or have very full or pendulous breasts, you need to go into this understanding that, at best, you will get a natural support level akin to a bralette type of bra.”

Back in 2019, Kim Kardashian posted a tutorial online showing how she applies body tape in lieu of a bra, but the process can be labor-intensive, not to mention sticky. Adhesive cups are best for outfits that, in addition to a low back, may be sheer or have cutouts. But if it’s mostly the back you’re concerned about, thanks to technological and design advancements, there are now more supportive bras that can still be hidden. Bustier styles with a thicker band are especially capable of keeping you secure while still offering a low-back silhouette.

With support preferences varying so much from individual to individual, one tip from Pfister is to make sure to check reviews, especially if you’re shopping online and can’t try on a bra before you purchase it. “Try to find feedback and images, if possible, from someone with a similar size,” she says. “Real-world feedback is priceless.” Ahead, shop the best low-back and strapless bras, reviews provided.

Noemi Backless Bustier

If you’re wearing a strapless dress with a low back, this bustier will stay in place, offering support without the worry it may slide down or fall off. This style is great for brides who don’t want to fuss over their clothes on the big day.

Sizes: 32–44 band, A–F cup

Materials: Body: 100% polyester. Back: 69% nylon, 31% spandex.

Colors: White, ivory, black

What reviewers are saying: “Great for big boobs! Very supportive and comfortable for a strapless bra, way better than the usual ones that slip down or bunch up in back. I’m a 36 DDD and sticky bras are a joke for my size, but this beauty lets me wear low back and strapless dresses perfectly.”

Breast Tape

For dresses that make any bra at all tricky to pull off, sticky tape can be a smart alternative to help keep everything in place. This waterproof tape can be used in sweaty situations—like on the wedding dance floor.

Sizes: NA

Materials: Nylon with medical-grade adhesives

Colors: Black, dark brown, caramel, cream

What reviewers are saying: “I am 34D and I’ve always had issues wearing dresses that require no bra. I went a little bold for myself and bought a dress for a wedding I was attending as a guest that was backless. It was tight enough where my boobs were mostly in place, but gave me side boob. Last minute thinking, I ordered this tape as a last-ditch effort with no time to spare. Not gonna lie, it took me a while to get it to where it looked decent, but voila!”

Invisible Solutions Plunge Low-Back Bra

Choose this bra for your backless and plunging attire. Though it’s not entirely backless, it works well with back cutouts or styles that dip down to mid-back. Additional features include light push-up padding, hidden underwire support for a natural lift, and smoothing material that is nearly invisible under clothes.

Size range: 32–38 band, B–F cup

Material: Body: 83% polyamide, 17% elastane. Wing: 40% polyamide, 60% elastane. Cup lining: 100% recycled polyester.

Colors: Marzipan, ganache, black, praline

What reviewers are saying: “I wear a 34DDD and I’ve never been able to wear a plunge top or dress because the bras just never really held me together. For once, this bra is true to size and holds everything in. I love it.”

Future Foundation Backless Strapless Bra

Pfister says a low-back bustier bra is her top backless bra pick for ladies with super-full, heavy, or dense breasts. “You are going to get incredible support, shaping, and lift,” she tells Bazaar. “However, this can only be used if the back is low but not nonexistent. This can also not be used under a super-thin material, as the boning will show through.”

Sizes: 32B–38D

Materials: Back: 71% nylon, 29% spandex. Cup lining: 100% polyester. Front: 77% nylon, 23% spandex. Lining: 100% nylon.

Colors: Au natural, night

What reviewers are saying: “I didn't think a backless strapless bra existed! I love wearing this with my low-back halter tops! It is so incredibly soft and shapes me perfectly. This bra gives me the perfect lift, and unlike other strapless bras, it stays in place and doesn’t slip down. I would recommend sizing up on band size. Highly recommend this bra, I wish I found this sooner!”

Suit Your Fancy Plunge Low-Back Mid-Thigh Bodysuit

For all-over smoothing, a backless bodysuit is the move. It guarantees support and is a convertible design, offering multiple silhouettes: crisscross, halter, narrow back, and racer-back.

Sizes: XS–XL

Materials: Body: 51% elastane, 49% nylon. Gusset: 80% nylon, 20% elastane.

Colors: Very black, champagne beige, cafe au lait, linen

What reviewers are saying: “It lifts where I need a lift and smooths where I need it smooth. The plunges in the front and back make it very versatile. I can wear it with lots of different outfits.”

Nipple Cover

Nipple covers are the perfect backless bra solution for A-to-firm-C or enhanced breasts that just need a bit of coverage, Pfister explains. “These covers do not offer any support or shaping, but prevent unwanted nipple show through,” she says. “Silicone versions of these covers offer a small amount of breast roundness for more conical breast shapes, as the padding from the gel rounds your areola a bit.”

Pro fit tip: “Nipple covers are typically only available in one size,” Pfister says. “Make sure to line up your nipple to land in the middle of the cover, to allow full coverage of your areola. This will offer the smoothest look.”

Sizes: Small (A–C cups) and large (D+ cups)

Materials: Silicone

Colors: Caramel, coco, crème, espresso, hazelnut

What reviewers are saying: “This solved all of my problems. I wear them often, sometimes with my little bralettes to keep the girls from poking out. Other times, to hide the color from showing through a white shirt. And, more often than not, I wear them with no bra for a backless or deep-plunge dress. They are great, I have very sensitive skin, and I have no issues taking them off or wearing them for long periods of time.”

Push-Up Deep V-Neck Backless Bra

Somewhere between an underwire bra and a bustier, this low-back design has convertible straps to allow you to wear it in multiple ways. The ultra-low-back detail works well with cutout or low-back dresses and tops.

Sizes: S–XL

Materials: 88% nylon, 12% spandex

Colors: Black, tan, white

What reviewers are saying: “Purchased for a couple of low back bodysuits. It works so much better than my strapless bra that slides down. It’s not super padded or push-up, but it provides great coverage for the nipples. It’s not too thin.”

Why trust Harper’s Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

You Might Also Like

• 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora

• The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine