Strapless bras have come a long way, and these days there are some very reliable options if you’re looking for a strapless bra that actually stays up. They’re getting comfier, and the size range is becoming more and more inclusive, so that plus size women and women with fuller figures can actually find a bra that works.
While strapless bras are getting better at providing support, when it comes to bigger sizes, it’s still not easy to get great shaping or uplift from a strapless bra.
One of the ways to get more support and to be able to expand the number of bra shapes you can wear with clothes that have tricky necklines is by wearing a bra with clear plastic straps.
A bra with clear plastic straps can be handy under halter or T-back tops or dresses, or under some kinds of tank tops. Bras with clear straps can be a happy medium between letting those bra straps show and be an eyesore, and going completely strapless.
Wacoal Women’s Plus Size Red Carpet | Elomi Women’s Plus Size Maria Underwire Strapless Bra | Goddess Women’s Plus Size Adelaide Underwire Strapless Bra | Delimira Underwire Convertible Strapless Bra | WingsLove Women’s Strapless Full Figure Bra |
Smooth Cup | Seamed Cup | Seamed Cup | Seamed Cup | Smooth Cup |
Band Size: Up to 44 | Band Size: Up to 48 | Band Size: Up to 46 | Band Size: Up to 46 | Band Size: Up to 44 |
Check Pricing | Check Pricing | Check Pricing | Check Pricing | Check Pricing |
Curvy Couture Smooth Strapless Multi-Way Bra Style | Lane Bryant’s Lightweight Multi-Way Strapless Bra | Freya Deco Moulded Strapless Bra | Vanity Fair Women’s Beauty Back Strapless Underwire Bra | Straps Galore |
Smooth Cup | Smooth Cup | Smooth Cup | Smooth Cup | |
Band Size: Up to 44 | Band Size: Up to 46 | Band Size: Up to 38 | Band Size: Up to 44 | |
Check Pricing | Check Pricing | Check Pricing | Check Pricing | Check Pricing |
Bra manufacturers don’t produce bras with built-in clear plastic straps, so if you’re looking for such a bra, you’re going to be in the market for a multi-way or convertible bra. While some of my picks in my strapless bra article were convertible, there were some really nice bras I left off the list. Here are my top 9 picks for a plus size bra with clear plastic straps (or convertible). Note that while all of these bras are billed by the manufacturer as bras that are designed to be worn strapless, not all of them really do that well without straps.
I’ve found a convertible bra, it doesn’t come with clear straps!
Most multi-way bras don’t ship with clear plastic bra straps. Luckily for you, there are plenty of manufacturers out there who make reliable transparent straps. If you do need a set of straps that do some heavy lifting, I would look for straps that are 12mm or wider in size (around half an inch). Braza and Divas both produce straps that are well-rated.
Make sure to measure the length of the strap that goes with the bra to ensure that you buy a plastic strap that is long enough to suit your needs.
Wacoal Women’s Plus Size Red Carpet Strapless
If you only buy one convertible bra, I hope it’s this one. This is the most secure-feeling strapless bra that I have ever donned. I wrote a full review on it here so I won’t repeat myself. It converts to halter, criss-cross, and of course, one shoulder, so it would make a great pairing with clear straps.
Elomi Women’s Plus Size Maria Underwire Strapless Bra
This is probably my controversial pick of the day. I looked at this bra when I was trying to come up with some good strapless picks, however it didn’t make my list because the cut and sew style cups just did not have enough structural power on their own to provide reliably good shaping/support past an F cup.
As a multiway though, this bra works. It’s got two sets of loops on the back band so that you can choose which width you’d like to attach the straps. It’s one of the rare strapless/multi-way bras that gives you a shape other than the standard moulded/rounded look. This makes it a great option if you’re fuller on the bottom and worried about gapping. Some may not like it though because it’s a tad on the pointy side and the seams can show through lightweight clothing.
Goddess Women’s Plus Size Adelaide Underwire Strapless Bra
Goddess’ Adelaide bra reminds me a lot of Elomi Maria, but with an improved, slightly less pointy shape. The cups do come up pretty darn high though, which means this shape isn’t as compatible with different chests. It still falls prey to the same support issues the Maria has as a strapless bra. As a multiway for bigger cup sizes though (They go up to an L), it’s surely worth having a look.
Delimira Women’s Underwire Ultra Support Convertible Strapless Bra Plus Size Multi-Way
In case you’re looking for a budget multiway that will work, I’ve included this bra on the list. This is one of those ones that doesn’t do well as a strapless, but becomes a little more worthwhile once you add straps to it. The cups aren’t bulky and come up pretty high, so it can work for breasts that aren’t that full. It is a cut and sew style though, so the seams of course will not necessarily work for everyone.
If you’re looking for an affordable smooth cup multi-way that works well as a strapless, check out Delimira Women’s Full Figure Underwire Contour Multiway Strapless Bra Plus Size which I reviewed previously.
WingsLove Women’s Strapless Full Figure Bra Underwire Multiway Contour Plus Size Bra Red Carpet
Another budget option (though slightly more expensive) is Wingslove’s Strapless Full Figure bra. You can tell from the name and style exactly who they are trying to emulate here. I stand by my conviction that you get what you pay for when it comes to bras, but judging by the reviews for this bra, it’s a good middle of the road option, as it’s one of the best rated convertible bras in its price range.
Curvy Couture Smooth Strapless Multi-Way Bra Style
This probably the most versatile of the strapless bras I’ve feature today. The smooth multiway by Curvy Couture allows you to arrange your straps in the standard styles and features multiple loops on the back band. What sets this bra apart though is the fact that it’s got loops near the inside edge of the cups in the front and boasts 7 different style possibilities. This means you could potentially wear this as a halter under a top without much fabric and still not have the bra straps show. Pretty neat!
Lane Bryant’s Lightweight Multi-Way Strapless Bra
This bra is easily their best strapless bra on offer. The Lane Bryant Strapless bra at the moment is available in your standard black and ‘nude-ish’, but also comes in a beautiful ‘sparrow’ shade and a color they describe as ‘elegant animal neutral’. This bra boasts very light material that creates a smooth look under the clothes, with less bulk than what you would usually expect in a strapless bra.
Freya Deco Moulded Strapless Bra
This is another one of those bras that performs well as a multiway, but leaves much to be desired in the bigger cup sizes as a strapless. Once you get to F/G, the bra struggles to maintain its shape. The cups aren’t structure well enough to reliably hold up a heavy breast.
The multiway strap options, including two sets of loops on the back of the bra, may be the Deco’s saving grace. If you’re a smaller size, the Deco might work for you as a strapless, but if you are F+, I’d only buy at if you love the Deco shape but need it in a multiway configuration.
Vanity Fair Women’s Beauty Back Strapless Full Figure Underwire Bra
Vanity Fair Women’s Beauty Back Strapless bra is a bra I wish came in my size. While it does accommodate plus size, the cup range sadly ends at a DD. This makes it a good option for plus size women with smaller breasts, a (still) very underserved part of the bra market. This bra would also likely work well as a strapless.