The 14 best bras for all cup sizes and styles, from everyday T-shirt bras to strapless bras that actually stay up

CUUP's signature mesh bras are eye candy, and the best part is they don't just look good: they work wonders. Its full coverage bra is known to fit well across sizes, from the smallest to the largest cups. With mesh and no padding, it's very comfortable and breathable. 

CUUP offers five bra shapes, and we recommend all of them (especially the Demi Bra and Plunge). I've grown attached to my CUUP balconette in an unhealthy way. It stays invisible under my clothes and ridiculously comfortable since it molds to my body. If we had to choose an alternative, we'd go for Natori's underwire feathers bra that has a track record of good support and excellent fit for all. 

Lounge bras are for the days where only comfort matters. If you're walking around in a robe or full sweats, then it's probably the perfect time to wear a lounge bra. Andie started off as a swimwear company that expanded to intimates after collecting extensive feedback and research. The whole line of intimates is Insider-approved, but we're especially fans of the tank bralette. It's made with a buttery soft fabric and seamless design that works perfectly under T-shirts. My guilty pleasure is wearing it on its own. 

We're also a fan of the Harper Wilde lounge scoop that uses ribbed fabric instead.

As wonderful as bras can fit and feel, they can carry a hefty price tag that's not realistic for everyone. If you want a bra that fits great without breaking the bank, Hanes offers some classic options that are usually less than $15. The cozy pullover bra is a great example of an affordable option that's made to be comfy and adaptive. Its fabric flexes to fit your body, and its unlined cups are naturally flattering and seamless.

Comfortable everyday bras are important, but so are the ones with embellishments like lace details, cutouts, and sparkles that make you feel irresistible. But it's not just these details that matter; we like when they're built to last. La Perla is a heritage brand made by women for women, with pieces crafted to elevate.

We also love the Embroidered Heart Unlined Bra from Love, Vera and the intricate Full On Glam longline bra from Gooseberry Intimates.

A T-shirt bra is one of the comfiest types of bras to exist. This is the quintessential bra that everyone needs. It's usually lightly lined and cut to be seamless beneath a T-shirt.

We think Spanx has the best T-shirt bra for anyone (and shoutout to the brand for its innovative nursing bra). The bra's entire design is about comfort. Rather than using a hook closure, this pull-on bra smooths on so gently. Its thick band around your ribs gives a comfortable fit and flattering shape. Instead of an underwire, Spanx just uses padding and its patented dig-free straps.

Aerie's Real Sunnie Blossom Bra and ThirdLove's 24/7 Classic T-Shirt Bra are also cult-favorite T-shirt bra options.

Bigger busts need different things, namely a supportive structure that feels comfortable and not restrictive. For that reason, the same ultra-lightweight bralette that works for smaller chests may not be as good for a larger chest. French-designed Chantelle is a favorite. The underwire foam cups give plenty of support while the bra overall maintains a clean silhouette that disappears under most clothes. Some fans especially love that the bra keeps their breasts perky and lifted on top of everything else.

Pepper makes all its bras as a love letter to small chests. After experiencing too many ill-fitting bras, Pepper founders Jaclyn Fu and Lia Winograd created a brand that makes bras designed for small breasts across all shapes and sizes. Pepper's cup sizes stop at B, but don't get sad if your cups are C or larger. Bra sizes are ultimately a measure of volume, meaning there are sister sizes. If you wear a 34C, for example, a 36B can also fit.

We could rave about all of Pepper's bras, but we're fans of the Mesh All You bra. The bra feels like it molds to your body after a few wears. At the end of a long day, taking off your bra can feel like a necessary step to release tension, but this bra is so comfortable you hardly need to.

Black and red bras get plenty of praise. And while it's true they're timeless and flattering colors, nude intimates are underrated. If you're looking for a bra to perfectly blend with your skin, Nude Barre is the best place to go. The lightweight bralette comes in 12 shades of nude. Its V-neck gives it extra versatility, working well with anything from wrap dresses to casual T-shirts.

Bra companies often use models that aren't too diverse across age or body type. AnaOno is a brand that celebrates differences, especially for those who are older or have had chest surgeries, like mastectomies. After her breast cancer surgery, CEO Dana Donofree found that most bras didn't work for her. AnaOno was created to redesign bras to be more inclusive of all chest sizes and experiences. 

The Rora front closure bra is one of the most popular, but the brand also offers bras for those with implants, unilateral post-mastectomies, and more.

Whether you do light yoga or intense interval training, a bra fitted for your movement is crucial. When it comes to activewear, there is no brand more classic than Nike. Nike's medium support Swoosh bra is the best standard sports bra. It's made with wide, supportive straps and a wicking material to keep you cool. 

If you're doing something that's not high impact, Athleta's soft Warrior Longline Bra is perfect for yoga and dancing and is long enough to be comfortably worn alone. Lululemon's High Support Bra is the best for high-intensity workouts, like running.

They may not be what you usually think of when it comes to bras, but stick-on bras and nipple covers are essentials. If you don't have any on hand, you'll find yourself scrambling last-minute the moment you need them. What makes a quality stick-on bra or nipple cover is the strength of the adhesive. It should last without also damaging your skin when you take it off. NuBra's seamless cups are especially good for backless tops and dresses. 

Alternatively, Booby Tape makes killer nipple covers, and Victoria's Secret's backless bra is not to miss.

If you're like me and have been scarred by too many ill-fitting bras, then bralettes are probably your saving grace. I switched to almost exclusively wearing bralettes years ago, and things have never been better. 

The power of the Skims bra is in its capacity for stretchiness, comfort, and ridiculous softness. I initially thought my Fits Everybody Crossover bralette looked way too small, but when I went to put it on, it slipped on easily and fit well. 

The practically seamless True & Co. Triangle Lace Racerback and lacey Cosabella Allure Plunge Bralette are similar pull-on bras with fan followings that prioritize comfort with stylish details.

If you love versatility, then you need this Wacoal bra in your closet. It's lauded as a phenomenal strapless bra, and it comes with straps that let you convert it to a T-shirt bra. It's not just the foam cups and well-placed underwire that makes this bra a knockout, it's the three-hook closure and silicone-lined edges that give this bra its staying power and great fit.

Lively's strapless bra is another favorite. It's made just like the Wacoal option except that it has a deeper cut and uses mesh as the main fabric. If you tend to wear tops with a lower necklace or appreciate a more breathable fabric, Lively's option is for you.

The purpose of a push-up bra is to level up the overall perkiness. When a pushup bra is doing its job right, it makes your chest look lifted without slipping or digging into you. Soma's push-up is a classic bra to keep in your closet. It has the shape of a T-shirt bra but works wonders with its incredible lift and cut that works with most necklines. Plus, while some push-up bras have an issue with things slipping out, Soma's fits like a glove.

It doesn't just help to buy the right bra. You also need to know how to use it. Here are some tips.

• If your bra has hooks, start with the loosest hooks. It's common to start with the tightest hooks and save the extra rows in case you gain weight or need a looser fit. Start with the loosest hooks instead and allow the bra to mold to your body. Slowly start using the tightest hooks after the bra has stretched. 
• Know what shapes you like. Bras come in all different types, so it's important to know what shape you like your bra to be in order to find the right one. For example, if you like bras that don't show up under V-neck shirts, look for plunge cuts over balconettes.
• Know how much support you want. Some bralettes are like a loosely draped cloth around your chest while other bras keep everything in place with an iron grip. Know what you prefer and which feels best to you.