An Introduction to the Bra That Made Me Not Hate Wearing Bras

One thing about me is that I will never be wearing a bra unless strictly necessary — i.e., if I’m wearing a white T-shirt to the office (you’re welcome, coworkers). Otherwise, this is a bra-free establishment. When I got my hands on EBY’s new Balconette Bra, though, I couldn’t help but wonder: Was the problem simply that I wasn’t wearing the right *kind* of bra?

With a technologically advanced design inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge (true story), this bra is entirely seamless, underwire-free, and has wide, smoothing wings with flexible ridges that mold to the shape of your back and ribcage. Do I wish I wasn’t wearing a bra at all when I wear this? A leopard can't change its spots. But for me, this is noticeably less annoying and better-fitting than other bras out there, enough so that I'm getting rid of half the bras in my top drawer and replacing them with this. Here’s what else I like about it.

Why I'm wearing the EBY Balconette Bra...

• Wireless design. This is basically a single, laser-cut piece of fabric with molded cups, the smallest bit of padding at the bottom, and an extra-wide band. Together, that creates all the hold and lift of an underwire, without the discomfort. Plus, it doesn't ride up, one of my biggest pet peeves with underwire bras.

• Material. The material is soft, a little stretchy, and doesn't leave marks on my shoulders or back when I take it off. It’s not sweat-wicking per se, but after wearing this on a hot day I didn’t feel overly sticky. 

• Versatility. I’ve worn this underneath a tight white tank, a short-sleeved bodysuit, and a white button-down shirt, and it was basically invisible underneath all of them. The J-hook converts this into a racerback, which also came in handy with that tank top.

• Aesthetics. The balconette style is super flattering. I’m never going to have a lot of cleavage (that’s just not my lot in life), but this bra gave me noticeably more lift and definition than my other “real” bras.

• Sizing. Okay, here’s my one flag. This comes in alpha rather than numeric sizing, so you can’t pick your exact band and cup size, and the size range simply isn’t as robust as those with traditional bra sizes. I typically wear a 34B and initially ordered a size S; the band fit nicely, but the cups were way too big. I exchanged it for a size XS, and the cups fit perfectly but the band is a little more snug than I prefer when worn on the last hook. That said, this bra does have some stretch, so the band is forgiving enough to still feel comfortable for me.

Sidenotes...

• $68, EBY

• Available in sizes XS-XLDDD and two colors: Nude and Flamingo.

• The Nude shade is currently out of stock in most sizes, but you can sign up for alerts on restocks.

• Every EBY purchase supports the brand’s mission to provide microloans to female entrepreneurs around the world. EBY doesn’t manufacture products in sweatshops, and their factory upholds the Women’s Empowerment Principles developed alongside the United Nations.

More lingerie I'm buying from EBY...

The sheer, breathable bralette Skimm’rs love…

We’ve written about this bralette a few times before, and it always becomes a top seller. This is made of sheer, breathable mesh to keep you cool, and the seamless design is completely free of hardware. It offers more lift and support than other pullover bralettes like it. All in, another great choice for people who can’t stand bras but don't want to go totally braless. ($46)

Buy it

A bralette with more support...

The Sachet Bralette is like a hybrid between the Balconette Bra and the Sheer Bralette. It’s also a pullover style and has a mesh back, covering those cooling and comfortable bases. But the body is made of that super-smooth Balconette fabric, and it has molded cups with removable padding for really good shape and support. ($56)

Buy it

A seamless thong to buy in bulk…

This has all the makings of the perfect everyday thong: It’s made of seamless nylon and spandex (the ideal anti-VPL fabric) and has a silicone lining to prevent sliding around. The gusset is lined in 100% cotton, a must for breathability and overall hygiene. I’m planning to get this in a handful of bright colors and prints, because I’m a big proponent of the all-black-everything-except-your-underwear theory of dressing. ($17) 

Buy it