Diamonds are a girl's best friend but bras are certainly not, and that's why finding even a stick-on bra is hard work. Even the best bras have their issues, and all these years we've had to deal with hard wires, tight constrictions and sore boobs. Let the girls roam free, that's what we say.
However, coming back down to reality, bras are kind of necessary in certain situations, especially if you're looking for the best support bra for your boobs. They're also helpful in covering up the nipples, and look adorable, especially with the variety of cute bras that are available to buy.
But what if there was a creation that kept all the helpful stuff about bras, without all the painful elements? Enter the stick-on bra.
Closer's best stick-on bras at a glance:
Best stick-on bra overall: Backless Stick On Underwired Bra, £12 on Karen Millen
Best stick-on bra for backless dresses: Ann Summers Stick On Backless And Strapless Bra, £15 on Ann Summers
Best invisible stick-on bra: CatoFree Push Up Invisible Bra for Women, 2 Pack, £16.99 on Amazon
Some of you may cower away in fear at the term 'stick-on bra', but do not be afraid, readers. Just because you had a bad experience where your stick-on bra began to fall off whilst dancing to the macarena at a wedding doesn't mean it'll happen again. Similar to strapless bras, stick-on bras are life-changing if you get the right type for you.
Do you want a stick-on bra that's as non-visible as possible? How about a stick-on bra that lifts and defines? We've got it all right here, with top-quality products that you wish you'd tried sooner. As well as our buyer guide on the best stick-on bras to buy online, we've got an FAQ section to answer your burning questions on the world of adhesive bras.
SHOP: The best stick-on bras to add to your lingerie collection
Best stick-on bra overall
karen millenwww.karenmillen.com
You'll notice the stick-on bra industry tends to focus more on functionality than looks. However, the Karen Millen Backless Stick On Bra comes in four gorgeous colours. As well as this, it is the only stick-on bra on our list that is underwired if you prefer the structure of one.
Pros
- Good quality fabric
- Supportive underwire design
- Sizes up to E cup
Cons
- Some reviews say it may slip after wearing it for a long time
Best stick-on bra for backless dresses
ann summerswww.annsummers.com
Ann Summers knows how to make a bra, and the brand's stick-on bra is no exception. Little elements to this stick-on bra really show how much care went into designing it. There are little pads inside each cup to protect your nipples, and each bra comes with a swatch tester kit to check for sensitivity or allergies before use.
Pros
- Soft comfortable material
- Hides well under all clothing
- No side tabs or fiddly bits
Cons
- The front clasp may not be suitable for bigger busts
Best invisible stick-on bra
amazonOur top pick for the best stick-on bra would be the CatoFree Invisible Bra from Amazon. It possesses all the elements one could dream of for a stick-on bra. Pushing up abilities thanks to its clasp system, skin-friendly silicone adhesive, 100 per cent cotton material and a seamless appearance under clothing thanks to its micro-edge design. It's basically the empress of all stick-on bras.
Pros
- Excellent adhesion to the skin
- Slight push-up for a boosted effect
- 100% soft cotton material
Cons
- Some reviews say the front clasp may not be as reliable as others
Best silicone stick-on bra
amazonOh yes - CatoFree appears on our list again, and for good reason. This version is 100 per cent silicone inside and out, which is best if you're wearing very thin material over your chest or have sensitive skin. The silicone texture blends into the skin surrounding it flawlessly. This bra also has a deeper V shape, ideal for low-cut shirts. It doesn't lift as much as the original above but still accentuates your cleavage thanks to the central clasp.
Pros
- Nude colour means it's easy to disguise if you have a lighter skin tone
- Comes with nipple stickers too
- The silicone material is seamless under clothing
Cons
- No darker skin-toned bras available
Best plunge stick-on bra
john lewiswww.johnlewis.com
If you wear a plunging shirt or dress, you want your cleavage to be spectacular. Like recently-got-a-boob-job, I'm-20-again-spectaular. Often people think this can only be achieved with a wired conventional bra, but John Lewis' U-Plunge Stick-On Bra proves otherwise. The seamless moulded cups push upwards and inwards, whilst the adhesive tabs on the side provide strong support.
It's important to note that the U-Plunge review is either five-star rave reviews or one-star complaints. Nothing in-between. Therefore, it may be a case of trying it out and seeing if the design works for you.
Pros
- Excellent push-up for a strapless bra
- Adhesive won't budge
- The seamless moulded bust is undetectable under clothing
Cons
- May feel uncomfortable under the bust after long periods of wear
Best lace-up stick-on bra
windsorwww.windsorstore.com
Everyone has seen the classic lace-up bra on the interwebs, but did you know there was a stick-on version? Feel like a Georgian Bridgerton-esque corseted woman and cinch those boobs. Now, that's what I call a customisable cleavage. Scalloped edges mean the bra can sit flush with any sized chest.
Pros
- Natural cleavage enhancer
- Will fit a wide range of bust sizes
- Scalloped edges mean the bra is undetectable under clothing
Cons
- The toggle at the front may irritate the skin
Best hypoallergenic stick-on bra
ebaywww.ebay.co.uk
Having sensitive skin can be an absolute drag, but don't let that stop you from exploring the stick-on bra world. If your skin is even too sensitive to handle medical-grade silicone, then you'll want the Hypoallergenic Adhesive Bra from Fashion Forms. Made from 100 per cent medical grade, non-woven rayon, you can rest easy knowing you won't have a skin reaction in the middle of an outing.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic and waterproof
- Made of non-woven rayon
- For those who prefer boob tape to stick on bras
Cons
- May not be suitable for larger busts
FAQs
How to make a stick-on bra sticky again? / How to clean my stick-on bra?
If you have a silicone-based stick-on bra and it's lost its stickiness, it's probably due to the fact that there's too much build-up of your skin's oil on the adhesive surface. All you need to do to fix this is wash the whole bra under warm water with soap and it'll be as good as new. Also bear in mind some stick-on bras will only be single-use, whereas others may last 20 to 30 wears if reusable. This depends on how well you take care of the adhesive surface, such as covering it with a plastic cover when not in use.
Can I recycle my bra?
With the average British woman owning 20 bras yet only regularly wearing five, it’s little wonder that a staggering 19 million bras end up going into landfill every year. The lingerie brand Nudea have a recycling scheme, ‘Bra-cycle’, to encourage customers to recycle their old and ill-fitting bras as well as to highlight the importance of shopping responsibly.
Bras cannot be easily recycled as one unit, and you can't pawn them off to charity shops either. However, Nudea breaks down your old bras into plastic, fibre and metal elements so that they can be individually recycled and reused.
According to their website, this new scheme (recently launched with TerraCycle® via their Zero Waste Box™ solution) only asks that you fill in their online form with how many bras you want to recycle, and you receive further instructions on posting it out. This can include regular bras, strapless bras, and of course, stick-on bras.
Plus, you’ll receive 20% off Nudea products as a result so you can up your underwear game and find a sustainable bra designed with fit, support and style in mind. Win, win.
Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for Closer Online, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her “dupe queen”, as there’s not a product in the world she can’t find a cheaper alternative for.