My Experience with the Maidenform Backless Bra

Since mentioning the Maidenform backless bra here on Wardrobe Oxygen, Maidenform invited me to try their Breakthrough Backless Bra. And you know me, I am going to provide you with an honest review of my experience with the backless bra from Maidenform and how it works for large busts.

My Experience with the Maidenform Backless Bra

As someone who has lived her life with large breasts, I am used to being disappointed with innovative new bras that claim to lift, shape, and support all busts, including a large bust. I felt that the claims of the backless bra by Maidenform being great for breasts of all sizes would be too good to be true. I hate to say that yet again, I was disappointed.

Maidenform Backless Bra Review for Large Busts

The Maidenform backless bra arrived this weekend. It is a molded cup bra and as soon as I saw the wide yet shallow cups, I had a feeling it wouldn’t work for my breasts. Molded cups don’t work for all shapes of large breasts, especially if those breasts are natural and have some age; many molded-cup bras are made to cover, but not support and lift.

The second concern was the straps – all elastic, and very narrow. Now narrow straps are great for sleeveless and tank styles of tops, but those of us with large busts know they often don’t provide enough support. Being all elastic also means they will eventually stretch out.

The Maidenform backless bra looks like a classic bra in front, but the straps attach under the arms where the bottom/side of the cups are located, instead of on a back band. No rubber or adhesive to keep the bra in place, no weird gizmos, just a little bit of useless silicone on the underside portion. The bra goes on like a backward vest, over each arm.

On me, the Maidenform backless bra sat away from my body because of the size of my bust. When I tried to lift and place my breasts in each cup, they just slid down so they were hanging below the underwires. I moved my arm to readjust the cups and the strap slid down my arm. Went to slide up the strap and my breast fell out of the cup. I bent over and the entire bra pulled away from my body. Stood up and I now had breasts under the bra, and straps hanging down my arms.

Oh gosh, imagine if I actually left my bedroom in this contraption! I suppose this backless bra would work if you were very very thin with sharp protruding shoulders and shoulder blades and had very very small breasts. Anyone else… don't waste your time or your money on the Maidenform backless bra.

Since the launch of the original Maidenform Breakthrough Backless Bra, Maidenform has come out with a range of different backless bras. However, from a quick glance at the Kohl's website which has an extensive collection of Maidenform backless bras, the reviews aren't the best.

What really stuck out to me about online reviews for the Maidenform backless bras is how the adhesive doesn't hold up to heat and humidity. As someone who was looking forward to such a bra to wear with all the backless styles of sundresses, I feel that most folks who desire a backless bra want it for outfits worn during heat and humidity. Maidenform admits that the adhesive doesn't work with perspiration, and summer equals perspiration, at least here in the Washington DC area.

Also, since receiving the Maidenform backless bra from the company, Maidenform has updated its marketing to state that the bra is not designed for anyone larger than a D cup. Yet, most of the negative reviews for backless bras from Maidenform are from those with C and D cup breasts. This means that while they may consider it functional for those up to a D cup, the backless bras are really only successful on A and B cup bodies.

Maybe I am an anomaly and others with large busts have had success with the Maidenform backless bra. Especially if you have a cup size larger than a C I would love to hear from you in the comments. Did the Maidenform backless bra work for you? Which style did you try? Because even though this backless bra was a mega fail for me, I am willing to try another style of backless bra for large busts. Who knows, your recommendation may be the next bra review that I share on Wardrobe Oxygen!