Does this bra make my boobs look smaller? I put the Berlei Minimiser Bra to the test. Here's what I thought...

When you think of full-coverage bras you probably imagine something plain and boring, especially if you are shopping for DD+ cup sizes. However, here's a bra that's both attractive and supportive. It claims to make your boobs look smaller too.

I am always on the look-out for the best bras for big busts. There are plenty of styles that do the job, but when it comes to looks, the majority of them are more practical than glamorous. When I came across the Berlei Beauty Minimiser bra I was impressed by the design and colours available, so I decided to put it to the test.

I wear a size 32FF or 34F bra, depending on the brand. This particular style isn't available in a 32" back, so I opted for a 34F and found that it fitted perfectly. It's important to know the signs of a well-fitting bra to ensure you get good support without any discomfort.

Although I'm not unhappy with the size of my boobs, there are times that I wish they looked a little smaller (under certain tightly-fitting tops or button-front blouses that gape at the bust) so I set about finding the best minimiser bras for the answer to this problem.

The majority of the styles that I found were either plain and practical t-shirt bras or bralette style sports bras. I wanted to find a more glamorous option that was both attractive and made my boobs appear smaller - the Berlei bra promised to deliver.

Berlei is a well-respected bra brand that has been at the forefront of women's lingerie since 1917, so their designs are considered to be innovative and of high quality. With an RRP of £45, this bra is at the top end of my budget so the results had to prove it was worth the extra spend.

I wore the bra for a week, under a variety of tops and while doing various activities. I considered how it looked, the level of support and comfort it provided and whether it made my bust look smaller - here's what I thought.

Berlei Beauty Minimiser Bra

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Shape & Design

The cups are constructed in two parts - the main section is made from a single layer lace fabric with a bonded smooth lining, and the upper part of the cups is made from a sheer stretchy fabric with a lace edge.

The centre gore of the bra is 9.5cm wide and sat comfortably flat against my ribcage. The under wiring sits in a smooth casing. The front of the straps are wide, trimmed and lightly padded, the back straps are elastic and have clasps to adjust the length.

Tiny ribbon bows adorn the front of each strap and centre. The back panels are plain and made from a double layer of firmer stretch fabric. The bra fastens with 3 hook and eyes, and there are 3 rows to ensure a perfect fit.

Support & Fit

This bra fitted well, completely covering my boobs without any overspill. The extra stretchy sheer panel at the top of the cups will work well if you have uneven breasts. The firm back panels held me securely in place. The moulded cups provided a medium amount of support, which was ok for general wear, but I felt the need to hold onto my boobs when I ran down the stairs!

Comfort

This bra was comfortable to wear for approx 5 hours. After that time I could feel the under wiring started to dig in and the lace trim on the straps begun to irritate on my shoulders.

Function

When it comes to looks this bra ticks all my boxes. The combination of lace and sheer cups looks pretty and feminine and the added bow details are a nice finishing touch. I also love the deep burgundy colour, I think it's a classier alternative to a vivid red. The cups were supportive and compressed my boobs into place, which made them appear smaller when compared to wearing a plunge or balconette bra.

Care

This bra is hand wash only and I don't think it would last as long if you were tempted to pop it into the machine. I washed it by hand and didn't see any changes in appearance or function.

Verdict

This is a great looking bra, made from pretty lace and semi-sheer fabrics, that provides full-cup coverage and has a minimising effect, making your boobs look slightly smaller. I wouldn't choose to wear this bra everyday as it wasn't as comfortable as other styles but I would definitely wear it for a special occasion or night out.

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