17 Comfy Sleep Bras That Deliver 24/7 Support
The feeling of ripping your bra off after a long day of doing, well, anything is nearly unmatched. So it may come as a surprise that undergarments like sleep bras are out there—and built to give you that same sweet, just-unhooked feeling while simultaneously delivering round-the-clock support.
Sleep bras are exactly what they sound like. They’re the ultra-cozy wireless styles you wear “for extra support while lounging or sleeping,” Sapna Palep, co-CEO of lingerie retailer Journelle, tells Glamour. Anyone can wear a sleep bra, but Palep says people with larger breasts could benefit most from the lightweight structure, especially when tossing and turning at night. (Sleep bras are also perfect if you have a habit of passing out 20 minutes into a movie and hate having to change mid-slumber.)
Our top picks:
- Most Supportive Sleep Bra: Wacoal B-Smooth Bralette, $36
- Best Cooling Sleep Bra: Harper Wilde The Bliss Bralette, $45
- Best Cotton Sleep Bra: Parade Vintage Soft Triangle Bralette, $32
- Best Sleep Bra for Large Breasts: Boody Body EcoWear Shaper Bra, $20
- Best Plus-Size Sleep Bra: Glamorise Off-Duty Plus-Size Wire-Free Bra, $43
- Best Sleep Bra for Side Sleepers: Hanes Women’s Cozy Bra, $11
- Best Sleep Bra for Pregnant Women: Hatch The Essential Pumping Bra, $78
While comfortable sleep bras share some of the most loved qualities of wireless bras and bralettes—like lightweight coverage and a second-skin feel—they’re typically way more minimal in design. There are no removable pads, pinching clasps, or overly strappy structures to be found. Frilly and flirty fabrics also tend to take a backseat. “It’s all about stretchy, breathable materials,” Cora Harrington, lingerie expert and author of In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie, tells Glamour. Cotton racerbacks (a.k.a. sports bra look-alikes) are pretty popular, but if you run hot and tend to get night sweats, Harrington recommends bamboo or modal options, which can be more cooling and gentle on sensitive skin.
A sleep bra may not be a lingerie must-have for everyone, but it doesn’t need to be relegated to those eight hours in bed either. You can totally wear one throughout the day, whether it’s under a chunky sweater or peeking out from a breezy dress. Before we dive into the best styles to shop, let’s answer some of the most common questions surrounding sleep bras.
Is it beneficial to sleep in a bra?
“There is nothing wrong with sleeping in a bra if it is comfortable,” says board-certified ob-gyn and fertility specialist Lucky Sekhon, MD. “It can help to sleep in a bra if you are experiencing soreness due to hormonal changes or breastfeeding—the compressive support can help lessen the discomfort as it immobilizes the breast,” she adds. And, on the flip side, sleep bras can also help those who are weaning off of breastfeeding. It’s also important to note that some people need to sleep in bras as a result of certain health conditions.
“Certain health conditions, such as breast lymphedema or breast pain (mastalgia), may require wearing a compression or supportive bra at night to manage symptoms or prevent exacerbation of the condition,” says board-certified plastic surgeon, Ira Savetsky, MD. And in such cases, following the advice of your doctor is crucial. Dr. Savetsky also notes that those with naturally large breasts or anyone recovering from breast surgery can benefit from sleeping in a bra. “For individuals with larger breasts or those who have had breast surgery (i.e., augmentation, mastopexy, reduction) surgery, wearing a supportive bra while sleeping may provide comfort and help reduce breast movement during sleep, which can potentially prevent discomfort or pain,” he says.
What is the best sleep bra?
“The key factor to finding a bra for use at night is finding the right balance between comfort, and support,” says board-certified plastic surgeon, Anna Steve, MD. “Many women opt to wear a sports bra, or another non-underwire alternative, as sleeping in an underwire bra can be uncomfortable, especially for side or stomach sleepers,” she says. Soft, stretchy, bras with no underwire are the way to go. “Sleeping in a tight bra that applies pressure on the skin can cause disruption to sleep and breast/skin irritation," says Dr. Sekhon. "Some sleepwear tops come with a built-in bra, these are great for comfort and especially for nursing,” she adds.
Dr. Savetsky also recommends soft-cup bralettes. “A soft-cup bralette, typically made of soft, stretchy fabric, can be a comfortable option for sleep, as it provides light support without underwires or rigid cups, allowing for freedom of movement during sleep,” he says. He also gives sports bras, seamless bras, and sleep-specific bras the stamp of approval. “Some brands offer specific sleep bras that are designed with comfort in mind, typically made of soft, breathable fabric, and may have features such as a wireless design, wide straps, and a comfortable band,” he explains.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, keep reading to explore and shop 17 of the best sleep bras below.
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