The best supportive swimwear styles for bigger busts - according to a bra expert
Bikini season is here, but for many women with bigger busts, finding the right swimwear can be a tiresome and fruitless task.
With so much swimwear only available in generic, letter sizing and seldom made with larger chests in mind, it can often feel near impossible to find the perfect, actually stylish and sexy, well-fitting swimsuit – especially if you're larger up top than you are down below.
And what often happens when you've not got a swimming costume that fits well? You don't feel confident or comfortable, and truly, life is too short.
So, to help get our facts straight and find the swimsuit brands that truly care about your boobs (and making them look banging in a bikini), I spoke to Katie Weir (Weir Wonderful), a professional Lingerie Expert, to give us the 411.
After years of swapping high street triangle bikini sets for bigger tops and smaller bottoms, Katie discovered cup-sized swimwear at age 19 and hasn't looked back since.
Now, her mission is to ensure that every woman is educated when it comes to her lingerie and swimwear buying decisions. Because who wants to feel miserable at the beach? Not us.
Read on for all of Katie's big boob-friendly recommendations – and some tips on finding the best styles to suit you, too. shop £25 (save £12)
'Many swimwear styles look cute but lack shape. It's the underwired designs that'll offer the lift and support you need to defy gravity.
This Sapphire Seas design by Curvy Kate shows that big bras aren't boring, featuring a gorgeous electric blue design that sparkles in the sunshine (and fits all the way to a K cup!)
The scooped neckline offers support with less coverage so that you can feel the warmth on your décolletage, while the bandeau style gives K cup ladies the chance to wear swimwear without the straps for minimal tan lines.' shop £37
'The best way to boost your bust for cleavage on the beach is with a balcony bikini style – this shape lifts all your breast tissue from the bottom of the cup into the top cup for Bridgerton-style cleavage!
This Jet Set style from Curvy Kate is a simple black bikini designed with foam lined, underwired cups for lift and shape, making it ideal for any comfortable beach day. Fastening at the back with a clip and with fully adjustable straps, it can easily be adjusted for the perfect fit.' shop £90
'Whether you're winter swimming or just love a more covered look, this full coverage swimsuit with a chic floral print is a total must.
Panache's Grace Long Sleeve Zip Front Non Wired Swimsuit which supports your bust and offers moderate coverage to the bust and arms. For added support you can wear your bikini under or feel the gentle lift of the non-wired shape.' shop £60
'Curvy Kate offers slightly sexier fits when it comes to their swimwear, and this Ziptide swimsuit is just this and more, bringing you the ultimate little black swimsuit without the wires.
This fully-lined swimsuit uses quick-drying swim fabric for support and comfort, while the secure zipper front offers a sporty feel with adjustable coverage. It's even got versatile straps that allow for multi-way and a supportive racer-back position!
The size range (S-XXL) fits from a 30DD/E to a J/JJ cup making this range inclusive and supportive without the wires.' shop £64
'If you want the longest pins on the Promenade, you need an adjustable leg style like this one from Curvy Kate.
The Holiday Check Swimsuit features drawstring details to lengthen the leg, ruching the fabric so that it hits just above the hip for an 80's feel. You can also loosen them for more coverage.
Many bikini bottoms and swimsuits now feature drawstrings for versatility *adds to wishlist*.' shop £32
'This one goes out to all the ladies who thought they couldn't wear a triangle bikini: A string bikini that supports and offers coverage without the fear of nip slip!
The Ibiza Bikini is THE string bikini for summer, available from DD/E cup all the way through to J/JJ cup. It features thicker straps to ensure the weight of your bust is distributed better for less pull on your neck.
You decide the coverage with the ruched cup details – from full to Love Island coverage, whatever matches your vibe. You can even do a kriss cross neckline or upside-down triangle, making this string bikini so much more than your average string bikini.' shop £42 (save £23)
'Designed to make you feel supported but still sexy, the Adella Calypso is the fuller figure swimsuit you want on your roster, available in a selection of colourful prints. More Trending
This curve-friendly style features twist detail plunge cups that have been lined with supportive mesh and feature a concealed underwire for great uplift and shape.
Better yet, the lightweight control mesh lining in the front offers a subtle smoothing effect, while ruching detail gently defines your waist for a snatched look that looks as good as it feels.'
'Too many of us let our body hang-ups hold us back, but this is your reminder: Wear the damn bikini. Be in the pictures. Rock the bikini-and-denim-shorts combo. Make the memories.
If you're not sure what size you are or how something should fit, don't guess. A professional fitting (yes, even virtually!) can transform how you shop and how you feel.
I offer virtual bra and swimwear fittings to help you find your perfect holiday wardrobe – no stress, no tape measure, just expert advice and a lot of support.' – Katie Weir.
Book your virtual bra fitting with Katie Weir here.
Ready to find your perfect fit? Book your virtual bra fitting with Katie Weir now and enjoy your breast life this summer.
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your views in the comments below
MORE: I thought I was a 36D – until a bra expert told me I was way off (and totally changed how I shop)
MORE: Introducing Selfish Supps – The first female-founded sports nutrition brand now available at Boots
MORE: Faux the sun-kissed glow with these tried and tested cream bronzers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
12 minutes ago
- Metro
Ken Doherty on Jimmy White classic matches, big nights out and moving gestures
Ken Doherty and Jimmy White first met in a ranking event in January 1991 and will do so again in August 2025 at the Saudi Arabia Masters. The two snooker icons are still battling away on the professional tour with the Irishman now 55 years old and the Whirlwind picking up wins at 63 years old. They have been drawn to face each other in the opening round in Jeddah on Friday, an awful long way from their first match at the Mercantile Credit Classic in Bournemouth over 34 years ago. Doherty is looking forward to it, but admits he would prefer not to be facing his old mate. 'He's good pal of mine so I would have rather played somebody else, but you can't help but get excited about playing someone like him,' Crafty Ken told Metro. 'We've had some wonderful matches over the years and it's a match that gets the juices flowing.' The Darlin' of Dublin remembers that first experience of the Whirlwind in Bournemouth, but more so their first clash in a final, a year later at the Rothmans Grand Prix. 'I know the first big final we played was the Grand Prix at the Hexagon in Reading, he beat me 10-9,' remembers Doherty. 'We had a wonderful match, amazing occasion. I remember I made a century (117) to go 9-all and didn't get much of a chance in the decider. 'The place was absolutely packed. You can imagine what the Hexagon was like, close to London and he always had a big crowd following him anyway. It was on the BBC, it was wonderful, my first big ranking final. We've had some great matches over the years.' Doherty's memories of White go back a long way before they were at the table together, with a teenage Dubliner given the task of sorting out the Whirlwind's dressing room at the legendary Irish venue Goffs. 'I remember when I worked at Goffs as a 14-year-old,' said Doherty. 'I used to have to clean out his dressing room at times. That was part of my job, as well as being an usher and getting Alex Higgins a vodka and orange juice when he would ask for an orange juice, you know?' Asked what he would have to clear out of White's dressing room, Doherty chuckled: 'Oh, well…that's another story. You wouldn't know! You could go in there and it would look like it wouldn't have been touched and you'd go in another day and you'd think a bomb went off.' They became rivals on the table and friends off it, but the wildly popular Londoner was a hero for Doherty as a youngster. 'Without a doubt,' he said. 'Alex Higgins firstly, then Jimmy White. He would have been a hero to a lot of the players who took up the game in the 80s, because he was on the television, burst onto the scene, was so attractive to watch, went for his shots and was so exciting. 'You were always gunning for him to win the World Championship in all those six finals that he lost. It was heartbreak for a lot of fans, including myself.' On those early meetings as professionals, Doherty recalls: 'I was in awe of him, just to play him you were nervous, you had to pinch yourself.' The Whirlwind had a rock and roll reputation in his partying days, but his popularity also came through his kind nature, which Doherty has experienced over the years. 'We became friends and he's been very good to me and even my son,' explained the 1997 world champ. 'He moved to to a school not far from Jimmy in Surrey to board and he was only allowed out at weekends. 'I didn't even ask him and Jimmy said to me: 'Look at weekends, if you're taking your son out, rather than go all the way back to Sheffield, stay at my house. There's a room up there for the two of you, you're welcome any time. That room is yours.' 'I'll never forget that, you know, he was extremely good to me. We always have a great laugh together.' Doherty has no shortage of tales about the great laughs he has had with White, but there is one that stands out thanks to the Whirlwind's superstar pals. 'You talk about rock and roll lifestyle, this was one of the greatest nights,' remembers Doherty. 'We'd played a tournament in China and we were going from the north down to Hainan and we had to be there for the Sunday for the opening ceremony. I'd lost on the Tuesday and he rings me in the hotel room on Wednesday and says: 'Alright, son, what you doing now? I got a call from Ronnie Wood, you fancy coming to see the Stones with me on Macau Island on Saturday night?' 'I said: 'On Saturday night? Jim, I'd love to but if we don't go to the red carpet opening on Sunday we'll get a 500 quid fine.' More Trending 'Jimmy goes: 'A monkey? A f***ing monkey? It's the Rolling Stones and you're with the Whirlwind of London Town, mate!' I thought for a minute, I said: 'Yeah, what am I thinking? Let's go to Macau!' 'So he took me to the Rolling Stones and we were all VIP at the front of the stage and I was in Ronnie Wood's dressing room, Keith Richards comes in, I have a photograph of the four of us. It was one of the best nights of my life. 'We got to Hainan Island on the Monday instead of the Sunday, got beat again early, as you can imagine after being on the beer with Jimmy over the weekend. I got back from the tournament in Hainan and there was the fine, 500 quid in the post. It was the best 500 quid I've ever I've ever spent. It doesn't get any better than that.' MORE: Kyren Wilson ends Ali Carter fairytale in brilliant Shanghai Masters final MORE: Zhao Xintong opponent reveals surprise strength of 'the future of snooker' MORE: Ali Carter talks Shanghai Masters bonus, Zhao Xintong future and Ronnie O'Sullivan clash
Metro
12 minutes ago
- Metro
Beaded bags are all the rage right now - and these are a few of our favourites
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more From cute phone straps, to luxurious Labubu charms, statement accessories are well and truly having a moment. And with this in mind, it's no surprise that many of us also seem to be swapping out the classic crochet crossbody we're used to taking on our holidays for something considerably more eye-catching. Enter: beaded bags. Always complete with intricate detailing, a beautiful beaded bag is guaranteed to instantly elevate the look and feel of any evening outfit you wear on your travels this summer. And best of all, there are so many different styles and aesthetics to explore. Feeling inspired to get a little glitzy? From retro-inspired shoulder bags adorned with eclectic and colourful designs, to classy cream and pearl embellished clutches that would work well as a glamorous hen do or honeymoon accessory, these are the beaded bags we're seriously swooning over this summer. With its eye-catching and oversized floral adornment, and chic boxy shape, this wristlet feels suitably elegant for a wedding or formal event. Designed to drape daintily around your wrist, It's made up of tiny uniform glass seed beads, and comes in five different colours – navy, peach, gold, copper, and silver. BUY NOW FOR £48 Despite sticking to a relatively neutral colour scheme, this elegant bag still makes a statement with its intricately beaded design that's been beautifully accented with delicate floral embellishments. Surprisingly spacious, it's the perfect bag for balmy evenings spent exploring the local town. BUY NOW FOR £59 This pretty and preppy little bag pays homage to vintage glamour with its boxy shape, and uniform beading in a pretty mosaic pattern. Handcrafted with a delicate mix of royal blue and pearl-like acrylic beads, it's a dazzling option that'll instantly elevate a simple white summer dress or linen co-ord. BUY NOW FOR £45 Perfect when paired with any kind of white outfit, a sparkly silver clutch is a hen do essential for any bride-to-be. This one has a simple yet seriously shimmery beaded design, and comes with a totally detachable chain strip – meaning it can easily double as a clutch. BUY NOW FOR £35 Every single item in this stunning Lily & Bean beaded collection is expertly crafted by hand – and each bag can even be customised to include your name or initials. Boasting a clean and crisp silhouette, and a statement lemon and floral design, it's a bag that's more than worthy of accompanying you on your Euro summer travels. BUY NOW FOR £175 (WAS £250) It feels a bit pointless to lug a proper bag around with you for the evening when you're only bringing your phone, hotel keycard, and some local currency. Perfectly sized to fit those essential items, this retro-inspired wooden beaded phone bag is a great alternative – and its long strap makes for easy styling across the body. BUY NOW FOR £22 Available in a range of different food and drink designs, The Fiona is boldly and intricately embellished with a mix of glass beads and acrylic sequins. Much-loved amongst lovers of playful maximalist accessories, this espresso martini version feels really chic – but the mushroom motif is arguably still the most popular option. BUY NOW FOR £88 Embellished with blue and sandy coloured beads in a mix of different shapes and sizes, this bag is beautifully textured – and the subtle shell-themed design adds to its overall beachy and bohemian feel. A cute yet versatile clutch, it's surprisingly spacious inside, and also comes with a handy detachable metal strap. BUY NOW FOR £59.99 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: From M&S to bestselling Sambas — here's everything our shopping expert's buying this weekend MORE: Fat Face drops new summer range — these are the items I'm adding to cart MORE: Cult Beauty announces 2025 advent calendar — here's everything we know
Metro
43 minutes ago
- Metro
'I bought painting a for £35 - it was the find of a lifetime worth £50,000'
Art blogger Robjn bought more than 30 paintings during a 'trolley dash' at an auction house in the east of England back in 2020, hunting for lost treasures. Among his finds, he was particularly excited to pick up a painting by Vera Cunningham — which came bundled with another piece, a sort of by-product — for just £35. But on the latest episode of the BBC's Fake or Fortune, Robjn was stunned to discover that the so-called 'by-product' is actually a forgotten original by Frances Hodgkins, worth around £50,000. 'I did wonder if it was the painting of a schoolchild when I first saw it,' he told Metro. 'I didn't really think much of it, just shoved it into an air-conditioned barn, and it went into my storage area to be forgotten.' The picture in question is almost certainly a missing painting called October Landscape, once exhibited at London's Lefevre Gallery in 1943. It later became part of the Hertfordshire Pictures for Schools collection — an initiative aimed at displaying real works by real artists in schools, rather than reproductions or prints, to encourage a post-war generation to appreciate art and make it accessible to all children, not just the elite. Robjn writes a blog about the paintings he's purchased from this collection and had previously attributed the piece to Vera Cunningham, describing it simply as a 'garden scene.' Later, he received an email from a reader who insisted the painting was actually by Hodgkins and urged him to investigate. Luckily, Robjn took their advice. Fake or Fortune, hosted by Fiona Bruce and renowned art dealer Philip Mould, follows members of the public who suspect they might be sitting on a hidden treasure. It's a total lottery — some leave disappointed, while others, like Robjn, discover they own a valuable original, in this case, by one of the most revolutionary female artists of the 20th century, whose work was once exhibited alongside that of Pablo Picasso. Here are five top tips for any budding art dealers out there courtesy of Fake or Fortune's own Phillip Mould… The back can often tell you more than the front – I'm talking about labels, I'm talking about auction history, what people might have inscribed or written on something. That's one of the ways that you can be led to an interesting artist. Was your great-granddad known to have collected art? Was he someone with an eye? Or did he just pick up what was closest to him and bang it on the wall? I know it's an obvious thing to say, but all contributors have normally gone online and Googled the artist before they get to us. If you've got an artist's name or a potential artist name, look to see other works by that artist. Just use your own eye, compare what you're looking at with what you're seeing on the screen. Be aware that fakers will sometimes base a work exactly on a known painting in the public domain. Ask yourself that question, 'Am I actually being duped by a replica of something that the Faker or a faker has seen?' Get advice from someone who knows or ask a regional auction House. Regional houses are now doing better than they ever have before. You could always walk something around to a regional auction house and get a view. They might or might not be able to tell you the answer, but you're looking at people who've seen so much that they carry wisdom. Finally, once you think you might have something interesting, there is, of course, another way to find out, and that is to contact Fake or Fortune. For now, though, Robjn is adamant that his rare gem isn't for sale. In fact, it's not even on the wall. 'It's sat behind a pile of other pictures,' he says, slightly sheepish. 'The problem with buying things at auction is it's quite addictive. You find other pieces that interest you, and you just bounce from one level of interest to the next. So somewhere, behind a load of artists of the period, she's there — on the floor.' 'My walls are starting to resemble that old-fashioned Stella Artois ad set — just pictures everywhere. But it'll go up, eventually.' We're joined by Mould, who describes Robjn as a 'discerning hoarder'. 'You're not myopically hoarding, but you do it with discernment, and you have a great eye.' He tells Robjn. 'The reason that Robin has so many pictures is because he is a buyer who will take risks online and end up with just one painting in a knot, but a clutch.' As we speak, no one knew Robjn had embarked on such an extraordinary adventure — he hadn't told a soul about the discovery or the journey it took to get there. Authenticating the painting required an international team of investigators. Though largely forgotten in the UK, Hodgkins has seen a resurgence in her native New Zealand, where Mould notes she is considered 'one of their most important artists of the mid-20th century.' It was there that a copy of the painting was sent, and a team of experts confirmed emphatically that Robjn's find is indeed a genuine Hodgkins — and the long-lost October Landscape. Despite having uncovered many treasures in his time, Mould called this discovery particularly thrilling. 'I was licking my lips to get involved with an artist who already really excited me. This was bold and head-turning, technically skilled, clearly old — and all of that put together means I'm interested.' The process took weeks, but Robjn was so busy finishing a book about the Pictures for Schools scheme that he joked, 'A bomb could have gone off outside my house and I wouldn't have cared.' More Trending Even as the show's conclusion approached, Robjn remained cautious. 'I'm a pessimist by nature, so if you start with the idea that it's never going to work out, then you're never going to be disappointed,' he says. 'Since filming, I've forgotten about it, really. For many viewers, the show is all about wealth — but I bought the painting in 2020, and I've got to the end of this journey. To have it authenticated after trying for all those years is worth more than the value.' View More » Fake or Fortune? continues on August 11 at 9 pm on BBC1. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Strictly star investigated over drug use on show 'also suspected of drinking' MORE: Inside Jay Blades' career as The Repair Shop host charged with two counts of rape MORE: Chloe Ayling: 'The email that made me realise why people doubted my kidnapping'
