The recent fine weather and holidays in the sun mean we want to whip off our long sleeves and parade around in sundresses and vest tops. But along with wobbly tums and flabby arms, our latest body dilemma is the dreaded back fat – those rolls of flesh that get pushed into prominence by an ill-fitting bra.
Research by Sainsbury’s reveals that back fat is now one of our top body hang-ups. Luckily High Street stores have created figure-fixing bras to target this troublesome area. But which are truly effective? We asked size 16, 36DD model Brenna Glazebrook to put seven to the test.
Smoothing back T-shirt bra
Retailer says: ‘The bra has a higher back and side panels, which smoothes your figure and gives you a sleek silhouette. This bra also has bonded seams so there’s no VBL.’
Brenna says: ‘This was comfortable and supportive. The shoulder straps didn’t pull because the wider strap offers much more support. The seamless back smoothed out my flesh and makes this perfect to wear under slim-fit tops.’
Smoothing voluptuous Bra
Retailer says: ‘This bra has amazing back-smoothing technology that helps to eliminate lines and bulges for the perfect silhouette. A deeper side wing gives ultra comfort and support.’
Brenna says: ‘The wide scooping bra cups and thick side panels help to compress my usual back bulge. The colour, lace and delicate satin stripes are surprisingly pretty for figure-fixing underwear. A point off for the scratchy lining inside the back strap.’
Back smoothing Bra
Retailer says: ‘This has smoothing back panels made from a microfibre fabric for a sleek look. Side-boning adds shape and support and it has deep side wings.’
Brenna says: ‘The middle of the back strap rode up, so the sides dug in slightly and created small rolls of flesh, but the high-cut side reduced arm bulge. A comfy fit, this felt sexy but practical — a good every day bra.’
Comfort Bra
Retailer says: ‘This front-fastening full-cup bra has extra back coverage for a smooth and streamlined shape. Padded straps make the bra comfortable and it’s finished with a lace trim.’
Brenna says: ‘The straps aren’t adjustable, which is essential for bigger busts, and the material is so thick you’d boil during summer. My cleavage has been flattened to my chest and the whole thing is so unsexy it feels like I’m wearing a granny’s vest. And it has still given me a bulge of fat under my bra.’
Comfort devotion bra
Retailer says: ‘Super-soft fabric wings smooth your back by sitting on the skin rather than digging in to it. A leotard-back design means the straps meet more to the middle of the back rather than to each side, creating a bigger surface area for firmer support.’
Brenna says: ‘A pretty every-day bra in a very soft fabric. Surprisingly, even though the shoulder straps were quite thin, they didn’t dig in too much or create unsightly lumps. But it didn’t give as impressive results as some of the more smoothing styles.’
Bra-llelujah! Lace underwire contour
Retailer says: ‘The first bra with an all-hosiery back to keep you smooth. So comfortable, you’ll forget you have it on.’
Brenna says: ‘Wearing it there’s not a lump or bump in sight! The straps make it look like a maternity bra, but it’s so