The 6 Best Sexy Lace Bras Built for Busty Gals

Mar 08, 2020

With our sights set on warmer days, it's time to turn our attention from snuggly separates and pajama sets to more delicate lingerie buys designed for romantic nights. But for those of us who wear a size C-cup or greater, lacy come-hither styles that pull double duty to be supportive and sexy feel like a fantasy. Ladies with larger chests have historically felt ignored by the lingerie industry, but that's changing thanks to an increased brand focus on inclusivity. “Larger sizes have been traditionally overlooked by retail brands, or are offered in a handful of options that are comfortable but not beautiful," explains Ra'el Cohen, Chief Creative Officer of ThirdLove, a label that has built its name on foundation pieces for a wide range of sizes.

It turns out that well-endowed women might be bypassing a surprising selection of bras designed to highlight their assets. “Lace bras are a great option for fuller-busted girls,” explains lingerie expert Jenny Altman. “Lace stretches and molds to your shape, [where] molded cup bras either fit in the cup or they don’t. This means if you’re larger in one cup than the other, one style will fit both boobs. If you gain or lose any weight and your breasts change, the lace will still fit.” And it turns out that there is a slew of flirty options created with bigger chests in mind. “Many full-busted women are convinced that they need a pad or a contour cup for lift so they don’t always look for a lace bra,” explains Alicia Miller, fit expert at Chantelle. “Lacy and seamed bras are actually some of the most supportive bras out there and can provide better shaping for full tissue than a typical T-shirt bra.” Keep reading for our favorite laced-out bras.

Fleur du Mal Fuller Cup Lily Embroidery Plunge

“Having a full bust doesn’t mean you have to hide what you have,” offers Altman. Reach for this alluring demi by Fleur du Mal to pair with anything from low-cut dresses to a simple white tee. The fuller-cupped iteration of their best-selling Lily style manages to tame your ta-tas with seductive floral embroidery and a bit of hard-working underwire.

Cosabella Savona Curvy Longline Bralette

Getting a little assistance and volume is just as important for gals with fuller girls, according to Altman. But look for options that continue to hold you in as they hold you up, like this wireless lace buy that feels soft and comfortable as much as it supports.

Lively Lace T-Shirt Bra

If you’re hoping to spice up your everyday go-to, look for a tried-and-true style that features femme touches. “[What makes a good lace bra] is understanding what the best bra is for a larger chest and then enhancing it with lace,” explains Michelle Cordeiro Grant, founder and CEO of Lively. Your wardrobe basic doesn’t have to be boring, but it does need to offer strong, extra wide straps for lift and support, she said: “A supportive inner sling will help keep you in all the right places, and a wide sporty band offers the ultimate comfort and holds to the body.”

Le Mystere Sophia Lace Bra

When you’re in need of a little extra something to keep you in place, opt for a full coverage bra fashioned with mesh sides and memory foam cups for flat, controlled sides, and a perky silhouette that doesn’t pucker. “This bra looks so sexy under the guise of an awesome support bra,” Altman raves. “Memory foam cups mold to you for softness, and the scalloped lace is flattering and always lays smooth.”

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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

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5 Money Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Friendships, According To Experts

Because of this, Dunlap thinks "it's best to avoid loans if possible." Should you decide to move forward with helping out a friend who's in a bind, make sure you're both in agreement about repayment and what to expect moving forward. West says "having clear terms" or "gifting a small amount if you can afford it" is like "buying their friendship insurance." The latter is something Dunlap agrees with because it "helps prevent resentment if they can't pay you back as planned." Plus, she feels it also "keeps the loan within an amount you're okay with potentially losing."

4. Lending Money Is A Slippery Slope That Can Lead To Distrust And Resentment

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It's amazing how money can lead to a friendship breakup if boundaries aren't created or respected. "Money is a sneaky little devil who can push everyone’s buttons. It can cause resentment if one person feels taken advantage of or someone’s 'casual loan' becomes an epic saga of unpaid IOUs," West says. Not only that, but Dunlap knows "money can strain relationships between friends and family by highlighting differences in how we value it, expect to use it, or feel about sharing it."

Friends and family members shouldn't take each other's kindness for granted, but human nature is fickle at times. That's not an indicator that someone you love is a "bad" person, but they may feel like you owe them your time and money. However, Irwin says this isn't "de facto that that person is entitled." Still, Dunlap is more than aware how this can play out. "For example, it can lead to resentment if one person is always the one picking up the tab, while another might feel uncomfortable or indebted because they’ve been helped financially," she says.

On the other hand, it can show up a little differently in families. She adds, "Issues like unequal inheritance or constant requests for financial help can lead to deep emotional tension. Money can also become a tool for power imbalances, where one person feels in control and the other feels dependent, and that can mess with trust and respect."

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When certain negative patterns show up in relationships, it can make people decide to take a step back from being available. "And once distrust settles in, it’s hard to shake; nobody wants to be 'that friend' who’s forever dodging a Venmo request or getting side-eye from relatives at every family BBQ," West points out. How many times have you built up a wall with the people you love because of repeated unreliability or the expectation that you're supposed to help them whenever they ask? If you didn't hesitate to think of a moment, you're living proof that distrust can affect even the closest relationships.

Dunlap says, "When money becomes a main factor in a relationship, it can overshadow the connection, making it difficult to maintain genuine trust and understanding. You can avoid this by having open conversations with friends and family about your financial situation. Clear communication can help keep the focus on the relationship, not the money."

5. You Can Worry You're Not A Good Friend Or Family Member For Setting Money Boundaries

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Worrying about how other people feel can keep us from setting boundaries. There's a difference between being an empath and a people pleaser, but it's easy to blur the lines. You can absolutely empathize with someone's hardship while knowing you're not in the position to lend the amount they may be looking for. I'm a huge fan of saying that two things can be true at once — because they can.

Irwin says you need to "address the conversation head on" if a friend does ask you for a loan. Your response may depend on if their ask was "emotionally-charged or "in an uncomfortable environment," but Irwin doesn't recommend ignoring it. If you're not in the space to respond, here's what she suggests saying in a "timely" fashion:

"Hey, I need time to think about this. Let me get back to you."
"We can help you, but here are our boundaries."
"We see and understand you, but we're unable to help because we're trying to pay off debt or save for _______."

Yes, Financial Boundaries Are Essential

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Don't think you need to create financial boundaries for yourself and your friends? Think again. West says, "Establishing some ground rules is a lifesaver—think of it adding airbags to the friendship. Setting boundaries early on, like when you’re still in the happy, non-monetary part of the relationship, can protect both sides if things get sticky."

Here's how she advises you proceed with creating boundaries:

Keep it light and be honest; you’re not making a prenuptial agreement here, just letting them know you’d like to avoid “financial fireworks” later.
Say, “I’m your friend, not your ATM.” It’s funny but helps set the tone that your wallet isn’t a free-for-all.
Set a gift cap, such as, "I'm happy to chip in for brunch or a birthday, but let’s not get into home-loan territory.”
If you do lend, draw up a repayment plan. Think of it as adulting with a side of accountability to avoid “accidentally” becoming their financial fairy godmother.
Limit talk of big financial choices unless you’re genuinely invested together. After all, nobody needs to know how much their friend spends on avocado toast or scented candles, let alone home renos.
A little humor and some boundaries go a long way. You’ll save yourself a lot of awkwardness and keep the friendships intact, one “non-loaned” dollar at a time!

Alexander Grey/Unsplash

Tori says, "It's so important to have transparent conversations about money, set clear boundaries, and ensure that relationships are prioritized in any money exchange." Here are a few things you can try:

Communicate about your budget with a “gratitude sandwich.” Say you’re invited to an outing—a dinner, or a sports game—that isn’t within your budget right now. You can respond with the “gratitude sandwich.” The “pieces of bread” are positive, and the “meat” is the money thing you’re scared to say. Thank that person for the invite, let them know it’s not within budget right now, and then offer a cheaper alternative, reassuring them that you’d really love to see them. Offering an alternative reminds that person that declining their invitation isn’t about them, and you still care about them. In doing so, you prioritize your budget AND your relationship in the process.When in doubt, remember that no is a complete sentence. You don’t need to overcomplicate things, and sometimes a simple “no” is all you need.
Set expectations early. When planning trips with friends, discuss the budget and how costs will be split upfront. Having these conversations ensures that everyone is on the same page and helps avoid any misunderstandings. It creates a supportive, stress-free environment where everyone can enjoy the experience together without any added worries!

The Final Verdict:

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Once you've weighed your options and considered what you need, you can decide to loan your friend money. However, Irwin wants you to consider being formal about it. "You can absolutely draft a promissory note or loan agreement so that your friend knows how serious you are about your boundaries. If you want, you can also put an interest rate on it," she says.

It's not to hurt your friend's feelings, but it is a boundary you can put in place so they think to themselves, "This is truly a loan because I'm borrowing money with the intent to pay it back," Irwin says. It could change the dynamics of your friendship, but it's more about being "purposeful about the language being used" so you and your friend can both move in the "right direction," according to Irwin.

If the idea of creating a 'loan agreement' sounds icky to you, Dunlap wants you to seriously consider it as "an extra bit of protection." She says all you need to do, again, is "try setting up a simple contract to outline repayment terms" because it "can help both of you stay on the same page and avoid misunderstandings down the road."

Her ultimate piece of advice? "Only lend what you're comfortable giving and potentially losing, and keep open communication to maintain trust and respect in the relationship."

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