The Best Bras to Wear While Traveling: Advice from a Bra Specialist

When traveling, it’s important to consider a variety of bra types and styles to bring with you to wear on your trip. As someone who spent over 5 years working as a bra specialist, I’m here to heavily encourage you to wear a bra as much as possible, especially in stressful situations such as traveling. Here we’re going to discuss the importance of bras and the best bras to wear while traveling.

While there’s been a push recently claiming that it’s unhealthy for women to wear bras, I’ve seen the research from both sides and personally believe that it’s crucial to wear bras as much as possible. I’ve seen some real horror stories up close throughout my time working with women to pick out bras, and from my own personal experiences, this is the heart of it:

During periods of high stress, emotionally, mentally, or physically, and especially during periods of major change in our bodies, it is imperative to have proper support for your breasts. For instance, if you’re in a time when you are gaining or losing a lot of weight, if you are pregnant, if you are breast feeding, or if you are in any other situations that may cause your body to fluctuate drastically, that is the most important time to provide support to your breasts with a bra, as that’s when your body is most susceptible to change. Without proper support in these instances, your breasts can start to sag very quickly.

I’ve seen women who didn’t wear bras while they were breast feeding who instantly regretted the results and what happened to their breasts afterwards, but it was too late, and there was no going back. So, while it’s definitely not as stressful on your body as having a baby, when you are traveling, it’s always a bit of a stressful time. So, it’s important to keep your breasts well supported with the right bra, IE the best bras to wear while traveling

When I go on my adventures, personally, I pack a bra for every occasion. I find that either a well-shaped and supportive sports bra or a comfortable wireless bra is ideal for those days when I’ll be on the move a lot- whether it’s at the airport to go throughout different countries or on a train to go throughout different cities. I find that these bras are also great for days when I’ll be going on long walking tours. For casual days out abroad, I either recommend a wireless bra and/or a comfortable demi bra.

For the days when I want to be a little more dressed up, I’ll bring a pushup bra, and I’ll also bring a strapless bra for any outfits I’ll wear that don’t have straps or that would show my bra straps. 

And, lastly, to sleep in, I’ll wear a light sports bra. Yes, I know most people hate sleeping in bras, but I just can’t sleep without them. Please don’t ever sleep in a bra that has a wire, though. It’s both more comfortable and healthier to sleep in a wireless bra.

All in all, however, if you’re packing light and just can’t seem to pack the full list I mentioned: a light sports bra, a well-shaped and supportive sports bra, a wireless bra or two, a demi bra, a pushup bra, and a strapless bra … that’s okay! Instead, the generic go-to travel bra of choice would then just be a nice, well-shaping wireless bra. If you don’t have a good one in your drawer already, I swear by the Body by Victoria Wireless Bra from Victoria’s Secret. Their VS Bare Infinity Flex Bra is also amazing, in my personal opinion. It is made to morph to your shape over time, and it’s incredibly light and comfortable. While wearing these bras, I can even forget that I have them on.

It’s also imperative to wear a bra that is your correct size! Did you know that most experts will tell you that 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size!?!? That’s a ridiculous amount. My best advice to you would be to ensure you are fitted wherever you are purchasing your bras from, as the sizes are NOT consistent between stores. I never buy a bra without trying it on either.

As a bra specialist, I used to be required to tell people that the right size was, “whichever they felt most comfortable in”, and while this is generally true, it’s not always. I’ve seen women be a size 34C and put on a 34DD and say, “See? It fits!” when it clearly doesn’t. I’ve seen women measure at 36D and try to squeeze into a 34B while saying, “There! It’s comfortable.” Just because they feel like they should be that size- generally because society shames them otherwise and/or because that’s the size they’ve always worn, and they refuse to change it up. But the reality is that our bodies are always changing, and we should keep up and get regular fittings every time we get a bra. You do want it to be comfortable, right?

But, if you’re not comfortable getting a fitting done in a store (which can be done over your regular clothes, FYI), then at least attempt to do it yourself at home. All you’ll need is a soft measuring tape, and it will really help make sure you’re comfortable in and with the best bras to wear while traveling.

How to Measure Your Bra Size

Before you begin, be sure that you are wearing a basic demi bra. You shouldn’t be in a push up bra, and you shouldn’t be in a sports bra either.

From there, you can measure the area immediately over top of your breasts (and under your armpits) all the way around. This will be your band size. If you’re not quite sure if it’s right, measure immediately underneath of your bust, over your rib cage, and add a 5 to whatever number you got (only if you measured under your bust). This number will be your BAND SIZE (the number in your bra size- 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, etc).

For example, when I measure above my breasts, I get a 34. That’s my band size.

When I measure under my breasts at my rib cage, I get a 29. When I add 5, I get my band size, 34.

Next, measure the fullest part of your bust (across the nipple line all the way around your body). When I do this, I get 37.

Finally, take the number you got at the fullest point of your breasts (in my case 37) and subtract your band size from it (in my case 34).

If the result is 1, then you are an A cup.

If the result is 2, then you are a B cup.

If the result is 3, then you are a C cup.

If the result is 4, then you are a D cup.

If the result is a 5, then you are a Double D cup, etc.

So, based on my measurements, I wear a 34C.

You can watch the guide video I did on this for VIVA GLAM Magazine & Fashionisers.com here. Or, like I said, I think it’s important to get measured when you are shopping for new bras, as you don’t want to pick up the wrong size and be uncomfortable.

All in all, whatever bra works for you, works for you! But if you’re looking for my advice on the best bras to wear while traveling, I’d recommend a really comfortable yet shaping wireless bra or a demi bra if you’re more into a traditional bra shape.