Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra Review: The answer to all your wardrobe dilemmas

Looking for a multiway bra that’s comfortable enough for all day wear? Allow us to introduce you to Victoria’s Secrets Lightly Lined Strapless Bra. Managing to feel both sexy and functional, it's one of the best bras I've tried - and I've tried a LOT. I’ve put it through its paces with real-life testing to give you the confidence you need to take the plunge (pun completely intended).

I have tested a wide range of bras, from dainty bralettes to full-on push-up styles, to find the very best bra within each category. I’ll be spilling the beans on how comfortable they are to wear, how they look and whether they’re worth parting with your hard-earned cash.

Keep scrolling to see if the Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra is the one for you.

SHOP NOW: Victoria’s Secret Sexy Illusions Lightly Lined Strapless Bra, £45

First impressions

For a functional bra, I was really impressed by just how sleek this looks. It’s all thanks to the silky fabric, heart-print silicone lining on the inner back band and signature ‘V’ hardware nestled into the plunging neckline. 

Also worth mentioning is that it’s one of the lightest bras I’ve ever tried, which bodes well for something I’d be wearing for a long period of time. The fabric is thin (you can see through it when you hold it up to the light) but offers enough coverage to keep everything under wraps.

What is the shape and appearance like?

The demi cups are smaller than my other bras, but that’s one of the reasons this bra is such a good buy. The cups sit low under tops, meaning you can confidently wear this bra with various different necklines. 

On first glance, this bra comes in a wide and varied range of nudes. But when I delved a little deeper, I was disappointed to find that the majority of the nude shades were still geared towards lighter skin tones. In fact, only one of the nude shades is shown on a black model on their website. Hopefully Victoria’s Secret will expand its range of nudes across the entire collection in the future. 

How comfortable is the Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra?

Normally with a strapless bra this form-fitting, I’d be worrying about it digging in and creating unsightly bumps and bulges around the top of the cups or across my back. This is where the silky, lightweight fabric and smooth raw-edged wings really came into their own. The back strap is wide, but sits flat on the body for a second-skin effect, and creates nice smooth lines under your clothes. 

How supportive is the Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra?

When I first put the bra on, my bust felt a little squished, but a speedy scoop in each cup and the problem was solved. The balcony style and underwiring provides plenty of lift and creates a reasonable amount of natural-looking cleavage – perfect if you’re planning to wear yours with a low-cut blouse or wrap dress. As the name suggests, the padding is only light, so this might not be for you if you’re looking for a more dramatic boost. 

What are its unique features?

Patented non-slip cups and band 

I’d usually be looking forward to unclipping my strapless bra at the end of the day, but I didn’t feel that way with this one. The inside of the cups are coated with a slightly adhesive fabric, with a stickier silicone criss-crossed along the underside of the wings. 

Combined with the tight-fitting band, this helped the bra to stay in place, with no painful pinching (many strapless bras use boning to keep them up) or irritating slipping, which is why we think it's up there with the best strapless bras. 

5 ways to wear

We love a multi-tasker, and the Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra can be worn in an impressive five different ways.

For everyday, keep the straps on and wear in the style of a traditional bra. Go strap-free for bandeau dresses and spaghetti strap tops, or cross over at the front to camouflage your bra under a halter neck. Criss-cross the straps at the back for racerback tops or keep just one strap in place to complement an asymmetric neckline without compromising on support. 

What are the washing instructions?

As mentioned above, the straps are fully removable, so you could always take them off first if you’re worried they might get misplaced in the wash. To maintain the shape and quality of your bra, clean on a cool hand wash only. Once washed, reshape the cups and lie flat to dry. 

Is the Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra good value for money?

The Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra has all the sex appeal you’d expect from the brand, but still feels grown-up. It’s the quality that justifies the price tag, rather than the label. 

Is the Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra true to size?

I’d read plenty of reviews on the Victoria’s Secret Lightly Lined Strapless Bra before it arrived and one recurring gripe was that the underband was too small. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn’t agree. It is tighter around the band than your average bra, but I found the snug fit a comforting indicator that this is a bra that won’t budge. 

Bras are designed to be worn on their loosest clips when you buy them, with the idea being that you can tighten them when the elastic begins to give through wash and wear. If you’re starting off on the tightest setting, you’re limiting the lifespan of your undies. 

Not sure how to measure bra size? Our how-to guide should come in handy.