Which ThirdLove Bra Is Best?

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About 15 months after my baby was born, I started the journey of the great transition: finding new bras to fit my newly transformed breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Though my son had weaned long ago, I still wore the same nursing bras that got me through the fourth trimester and beyond. They were part of my everyday routine—even if their function wasn’t—and finding “normal” bras to wear felt challenging.

Part of my struggle involved a changing body; my chest grew tremendously during and after pregnancy. Once I started to wean, my larger-than-average breasts eventually began to shrink, and I was left with what looked like two deflated balloons that lacked symmetry and fullness. Despite these changes, I was still rocking my ill-fitting nursing bras because they had become a part of my “mom uniform,” meaning the foundational pieces I rely on day in and out to accomplish countless tasks and carry children from sunrise to sunset; give me a pair of workout leggings, a tank top, and a ball cap (and a great bra!), and I am set for the day’s work. As good as this uniform was to me, I recently started to turn a new page of parenting (where I go to dinner sometimes and see people aside from my husband and sister in person!), and I realized I needed an upgrade in the bra department.

ThirdLove wasn’t totally new to me because I had previously heard about their nursing bra, but as I learned more about the brand’s sizing model, I realized their non-maternity products might be just what I needed to fit my fluctuating body. Their approach to fitting is unique because they offer half-cup sizes, producing over 80 sizes from a 30- to 48-inch band and an AA to I cup! This inclusive sizing is ideal for the postpartum body—for the human body—and speaks to their commitment to offering customers the correct bra shape and size for their unique frame.

While browsing their inventory, my initial thoughts were: What bra will complement my physically demanding parenting schedule? And do I want a bra with or without an underwire? Because when it comes to what I want to put on every day, I need something comfortable, supportive, and, most importantly, something that doesn’t just fit but fits well.

To find out which bra is best for the long days of mom-ing, I compared ThirdLove’s bestselling 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra to their newer Form 360 Fit Wireless Bra. Of course, no bra is going to be an instant hit if it doesn’t fit properly (according to their site, 80% of women have the wrong bra size!); thankfully ThirdLove has an online fit quiz that asks a few questions based on your body type and preferences to help you find the right size and style of bra. (They also use real models to show you how the products truly fit, which is appreciated.) You’ll describe the fit and feel of your current bra (too tight around the band, straps slipping down or digging into the skin, cup gaps on one or both breasts, etc.), as well as your ideal fabric, texture, and bra style. If you don’t know your current band and cup sizes, prompts will walk you through taking your measurements. (It might be helpful to have a tape measure on hand regardless to ensure you provide accurate information, especially if it’s been a while since you purchased a bra.)

After completing my quiz, I found out I am a size 36C½ and was recommended the Form 360 Fit Wireless Bra above others, but I was also curious about the popular T-shirt-style model. Both get the job done, but each offers a different experience.

24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra

Fit and style

Upon first trying on the 24/7 T-Shirt bra, I immediately felt supported but not overly constricted. The soft jersey fabric is light, and the thin memory foam cups have a second-skin feel. There’s no extra padding and just a bit of underwire to help keep things in place, so while I still felt the bones of the bra, the rest was barely noticeable.

What I did notice was how this bra transformed my body in actual clothing (it may be boring athleisure, but still). I didn’t realize the disservice I was doing to my silhouette by wearing worn, stretched-out nursing bras every day, reinforcing that a well-fitting bra does make a big difference; this bra makes my breasts look fuller, perkier, and more even. The balconette style offers medium coverage with less cleavage, which I like, so this bra is great for boat-neck tops or anything that cuts a bit lower. Admittedly, I am not a T-shirt gal, but I can verify that the smooth edging of this bra delivers on the brand’s promise not to show through clothing. However, it should be noted that the straps are positioned wider on the shoulders and may peek out on the sides more easily in tank-style tops, so just keep that in mind.

Speaking of the straps, another feature the brand is known for is its accordion-style straps that give extra support without painfully digging into the tops of the shoulders. My previous bras did this, and out of habit, I still found myself fidgeting with them, though they mostly stayed in place without causing deep crease marks.

Adaptability

The 24/7 T-Shirt bra maintained its form throughout the day without bunching up underneath the cups or cutting into my sides. Because one of my breasts is smaller than the other, I had to regather and reposition the same side from time to time, but taking the brand’s advice to add an insert only on the lacking side will hopefully help with the asymmetry moving forward. (Pretty clever, right?)

As a busy mom, I am moving and bending and reaching and being pulled on much of the day versus sitting in one place, but there was still minimal spillage considering all the movement. I think this could be attributed to the increased coverage of this style bra as opposed to a pushup or plunge-style bra, but regardless, it was nice that everything mostly stayed in place. Overall, I can say with confidence that this product can be considered comfortable for a bra, but I was definitely ready to take it off by bedtime (no one actually wants to wear a bra 24/7, after all). 

Form 360 Fit Wireless Bra

Fit and style

By comparison, the Form 360 Fit Wireless Bra is far less noticeable and more comfortable for everyday wear. The stretchy construction and built-in padding create a true-to-you mold that is still supportive and snug in all the right places.

I love that ThirdLove applies its precise-fit sizing model to most of its products regardless of whether the band has a wire. The Form 360 Fit comes in a range of sizes from XS to 3X, with variations like M+ and M++, so it can be tricky to know where you fall. After taking the fit quiz, I selected my band and cup measurements to receive my suggested size—and this is where I made the mistake of not going off their recommendation and, instead, choosing the size I thought I was in this bra style. That was a wrong move on my part, and here’s why.

ThirdLove ensures this bra won’t fold up underneath or give you a uni-boob when wearing the proper size. I opted for a size smaller than suggested, and my first impression was, “Wow, hello, cleavage!” This is because the great support of this bra lifts the breasts and requires enough room in the cups to separate them. When I try to situate my breasts farther apart, the underneath band doesn’t lie flat and will sometimes ride up, or the cups will fold over. All of these irritations result from the wrong size, and likely, sizing up will remedy the fit error. (ThirdLove’s 100% fit guarantee makes returns and exchanges quick, simple, and free for 60 days after purchase.)

Another thing to note is that I see the lines of this bra through certain tops if that’s something you’re bothered by. Additionally, it will probably give you more cleavage than the T-shirt-style bra.

Adaptability

No matter the minor sizing issue, this bra is so comfortable and easy to wear. With thin straps and no wiring or tags, I really do forget I am wearing the Form 360 Fit during the day and even into the evening. Because there’s less to it, I mess with it less, which is why it’s my preference over the 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra. 

If you’re looking for a mid-point between a bralette and a “real bra,” the Form 360 Fit Wireless Bra is an excellent option for everyday use. However, it doesn’t hurt to have the tried-and-true 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra on hand for the days you need a little extra shape and support (like heading to brunch with other grownups!). Combined, these two products will give you the foundation for dawning your daily uniform, too—whatever that looks like or requires.