The Best Underwire Shape for Wide-Set Breasts

Best Underwire Shape for Wide-Set Breasts featured photo

If you’ve been blessed with a unique pair of spaced boobies, finding a good underwire bra can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. It should push your boobs in and up, but it also needs to be comfortable and supportive.

To make the most of your underwire bra, paddings and front closures are essential design elements to look for.

The best underwire shape for wide-set breasts should conform to your rib cage’s natural curve. One of my favorites is the Vanity Fair Minimizer Bra because it provides comfort and support. It also works well for smoothing out bulges on the sides and back, as well as shaping the boobs.

Not all breasts are the same, though. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Thankfully, there are many great underwire bras on the market that cater to different sizes, needs, and tastes. I got you covered!

What Are Wide Set Breasts?

Wide-set breasts, also known as side-set or butterfly-shape, are characterized by a significant gap between the breasts, with the bulk of the breast tissue concentrated towards the sides. This particular breast shape is caused by either breastfeeding, weight loss, genetics, or as a result of reconstructive surgery.

To determine whether you have wide or close-set breasts, lay three fingers or more on your sternum while braless. If you can fit three fingers in between without touching your breast tissue, best believe that you have a wide-set breast.

It’s sometimes called “east-west breasts,” except that east-westers often refer to the outward direction of the nipples. Wide-set breasts, regardless of size, typically have nipples that point forward.

Women with wide-set breasts can go through the trickiest of situations, such as:

Half empty cup. Because your breasts tend to spill to the side, the breast tissues don’t entirely fill the cups. This can leave gaping at the center. Underwire bras with paddings or front closures can push the beasts together, eliminating the gap.

Side spillage. Your breast tissue can push against the outer borders of the cups, causing some side spillage. This can look unappealing and make you feel too self-conscious. But, you can always find bras with side support or side panel to bring the breast tissue to the front.

Lack of cleavage. This is common in women with small breasts that are wide set. Again, because most of the breast tissues are set on the side, they can leave you with a noticeable gaping at the center, giving you little to no cleavage at all.

Look for underwire push-ups or plunge bras. It doesn’t have to be super padded. Just make sure the push-up bra or plunge bra is comfortable. Front-closure bras can also help push the breasts closer to create cleavage.

What Is the Best Underwire Shape for Wide-Set Breasts?

Simply put, the best underwire bras for wide-set breasts should follow the natural curve of your rib cage.

Bra underwires are typically made from metal, resin, or plastic. The main purpose of the underwire is to provide support and shape to your tatas. They are essentially cantilevers, bringing your boobs up and in, filling the cups, and can eliminate the need for straps.

Different bra styles use different underwire shapes. Balconette and full cup bras, for example, have a ‘J’ shape wire that mimics the natural shape of the root of the breasts. For additional lift, most plunge or push-up bras include banana-shaped underwires or rocker wires.

Underwire bras with bigger caps often have stronger wires. They provide adequate support for widely-spaced breasts but without discomfort.

My Top Picks

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Fabric Type: 78% Nylon, 22% Spandex
  • Wash Type: Hand Wash Only
  • Features: Hook and Eye closure
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Fabric Type: 60% Recycled Polyamide, 40% Polyamide
  • Wash Type: Hand Wash Only
  • Features: This bra features chantilly lace for a sexy feel
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Fabric Type: 77% Nylon, 23% Spandex
  • Wash Type: Regular Wash
  • Features: Clasp closure
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Fabric Type: 80% Chinlon, 20% Spandex
  • Wash Type: Regular Wash
  • Features: Fully adjustable straps
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Fabric Type: 63% Polyamide, 31% Cotton, 6% Elastane
  • Wash Type: Regular Wash
  • Features: Hook and Eye closure
View On Amazon →Read Our Review
  • Fabric Type: Shell: 84% nylon, 16% spandex
  • Wash Type: Regular Wash
  • Features: Hook and eye closure at back
View On Amazon →Read Our Review

Best Overall: Vanity Fair Minimizer Bra

Vanity Fair Minimizer Bra

When it comes to holding wide-set breasts together, you need comfort and good boob support. The Vanity Fair Minimizer Bra would be a good option for a full-figure underwire bra. If you’re big-busted and they are side-set, saggy, and heavy, you’ll love this underwire bra.

It boasts a 4-way stretch fabric that molds and takes out any bumps and bulges at the back and sides. In short, it won’t give you any rolls. With its 2-ply cups, it’s super supportive, and flattering, and gives your girls a nice silhouette.

Another thing I love about the bra is the straps. They don’t dig into your shoulders. That said, the bra cups may be visible under sleeveless dresses or tops. But hey, that’s better than being constantly conscious about back and side spillages!

Pros:

  • Super comfortable and supportive
  • Smooths any lumps and bulges on the sides and back
  • Molds the boobs

Cons:

  • Cups can be visible under sleeveless dresses and tops

Best Design: Victoria’s Secret Wicked Balconette Bra

Victoria's Secret Wicked Balconette Bra

Balconette bras are a wonderful choice for giving wide-set breasts the support they need while keeping the cleavage up for a show. However, most of them are just plain, which some women find uninspiring to wear.

The Victoria’s Secret Wicked Balconette Bra may be one of the prettiest bras I’ve ever seen. It’s sexy and seductive, but this spicy red, lacey bra is more than meets the eye. When it comes to giving your boobs a lift, it works like magic.

It’s non-padded yet it pushes your boobies up—all thanks to the comfortable underwire element. One thing I don’t like about this push-up bra, however, is that the cup sizes run small. Fit may be a little too snug so you might want to up your cup size.

Pros:

  • Pushes the breasts up unpadded
  • Supportive and comfortable
  • Comes in a sexy, lace design

Cons:

  • Cups run small

Best Push-Up: DotVol Women’s Front Close Bra

DotVol Women's Front Close Bra

The lack of cleavage is one of the most common challenges that women with wide-set breasts face. When shopping for the best bras, you want to look for two elements: low-cut and front closure. The DotVol Women’s Front Close Bra has both to give your boobs a lift to create a nice cleavage.

I love everything about this plunge bra. The lace details are cleverly placed on the plunging neckline, giving it a very feminine touch. It also boasts thick adjustable straps and nice back support. The front clasp of the bra also makes it easy to put on and take off. At the same time, it helps you pull the breast closer.

It’s seamless and offers a safe, natural shape while keeping your boobs in place, all thanks to its molded no padding dual-layered design. Plus, it’s super lightweight. This push-up bra tends to run small though so you may want to size it up.

Pros:

  • Plunging neckline and front closure helps push the boobs up
  • Seamless and lightweight
  • Thick adjustable straps boost support
  • Easy to wear and take off

Cons:

  • Runs small

Best for Shallow Boobs: b.tempt’d Future Foundation Contour Bra

b.tempt'd Future Foundation Contour Bra

Shallow, wide-set boobs make it trickier to find the best bra styles that fit and flatter. But you know the right bra keeps you girls in mind? The b.tempt’d Future Foundation Contour Bra.

This simple, seamless plunge bra has lightweight stretch foam cups that conform to the natural contours of your breasts. It will fit your boobies like a glove, sparing no gaps. One of the features I love about this bra is the racerback style and front closure. Both elements push your breast tissue forward, minimizing the gap.

This front-closure bra style also makes it easy to wear and take off. It’s supportive, comfortable, and makes you feel like you’re not wearing a bra. However, it tends to be too snug so again, size it up!

Pros:

  • Lightweight, comfortable, and supportive
  • Hugs and enhances the natural contours of your breasts
  • Pushes the boobs up
  • Easy to wear and take off

Cons:

  • Too snug

Best for Big Busts: Elomi Matilda Plunge Bra

Elomi Matilda Plunge Bra

Have you seen a plus-size bra that is actually sexy? The Elomi Matilda Plunge Bra is one of the best bras for our big-busted besties, it’s comfortable, supportive, and it minimizes.

This dainty bra gives you the option to turn the straps into racerback straps using clips. It’s a smart trick that the brand shares but it’s also a crucial design element of the bra. It also features thick, sturdy straps for added support, while the support panels minimize spillage.

The bra features mesh to hide the nipples, although some colors also look too see-through. In this case, you may go with the other colors.

Pros:

  • Comfortable, supportive, and minimizes the boobs
  • Has a racerback clip option
  • Lightweight and sexy

Cons:

  • Some colors look too see-through

Best for Shaping: Wacoal La Femme Contour Bra

Wacoal La Femme Contour Bra

Comfortable and supportive. Simple yet chic. The Wacoal La Femme Contour Bra could be a great option if you’re looking for an underwire bra that pushes up and shapes the boobies.

Its seamless underwire design and stretch foam contour cups accentuate your form while giving support and coverage in all the right places. One of the things I love about this push-up bra is the decorative gore and embroidered lower frame. Plus, the low-cut plunge helps draw attention to the cleavage.

However, the bra cup size might run a tad small, and the band may feel a little tight. But once you find your perfect fit, it feels like a glove—it’s not too big, too heavy, or too light. It’s just right.

Pros:

  • Comfortable and supportive
  • Pushes up and shapes the breasts
  • Seamless with chic embroidery accents

Cons:

  • Cup size might run small

FAQs

What Is the Best Bra Style To Lift and Separate Large Breasts?

The best bras for wide-set breasts should provide comfort and support. You can lift large, wide-set breasts with bras featuring a front closure, plunging neckline, or supportive cups. All these elements can help push your breast tissue up and together. They can also provide you with a comfortable fit.

Conclusion

Wide-set boobs often require a specialized bra with design elements and features that address the unique challenges of this breast shape. So, I scoured the internet to find bras that women who are blessed (yes, because they are beautiful too!) with side-set bosoms, love.

Our favorite is the Vanity Fair Minimizer Bra mainly for being super comfortable and supportive. We love that it smooths any lumps and bulges on the sides and back—no more rolls with this! It also pushes up and in and molds the boobs and looks flattering on all breast sizes.

If you’re looking for something sexier, more simple, or chic, we have a range of bra selections to suit your taste and fit. We hope you find this helpful in finding the best underwire bra and don’t forget to share it with your girlfriends. Good luck!

Michelle Jackson
Michelle Jackson