I haven’t always had big boobs. When I was seven, I electrocuted myself so badly my chest exploded (no exaggeration!) and as I lay in the hospital bed, a doctor asked if I wished to take skin from my bottom to cover the huge scar between my breasts. My busty mother and grandmother both gestured to their chests and asserted that it was a waste of time as I had these coming in.
Off-the-shoulder top, £133, viveh.com
I doubted their predictions as I navigated university with a pert pair of 32C boobs that sat practically under my chin. I would wear necklines with ties in any formation and low-back dresses and tuxedo jackets without the need for a bra. Ah, the freedom of youth.
Asymmetric top, £45.99, mango.com
Now I’m 34 and with a very full 34DD bosom, that liberty is over. Whether my boobs have moved a few inches down my chest or are bigger and more affronting to passers-by, my need for a bra is now greater.
Halterneck top, £35.99, zara.com
I have found this incredibly hard. I am young, work in fashion and favour glamour and the odd sexy neckline, but the lingerie industry has not kept up. Until now.
Bandage-strap bodysuit, £19.99, zara.com
When I first read that M&S had a bra you can wear 200 ways, I was sceptical. I have tried so many ‘solution’ items that claim they will sort all your underwear needs. All have fallen short. Or, in the case of one stick-on bra, fallen off my body onto the floor.
Cross-neck top £40, reiss.com
My décolletage is my favourite body part, hence my predilection for a fancy neckline. But this can be tricky. I often find a strapless bra ends up sitting round my waist by the end of the day, pulling my bosom with it. Being an hourglass body shape, my waist is much smaller than my bust and hips, so dragging those babies down robs me of my shape.
One-shoulder dress, £45.99, mango.com
And so to the M&S Wired Multiway Push Up Bra (£24), which comes in sizes 32A to 38DD. I tried it with just about every neckline possible and am such a convert that I removed the Skims alternative (£68) from my online shopping bag. You can clip the straps (it comes with five) to 15 eyelets along the front and side of the cup and eight along the back. You can wear it as a halterneck, one strap, in a cross shape across your chest or your back, strapless or simply as a T-shirt bra. It is comfortable and even the clear plastic back strap doesn’t cut in. Plus it now includes removable padding, which I imagine has allowed for some multiplication magic, doubling the previous model’s 100 ways to wear it to the new and improved 200.
Slant-neck vest, £40, reiss.com
It’s made from supportive polyamide, polyester and elastane, and unlike other solution bras I have tried it actually holds my boobs up. It isn’t necessarily ideal for a quick change – it can take a minute to attach the straps where you need them – but once you are plugged in you are good to go and it will withstand even the most energetic of dancing!
Three more super-supporters
1 The Nood Lift & Shape stick-on bra (£49 for four, clubllondon.com) is amazing if you’re wearing a low-front or backless dress and held all day at a summer wedding. Make sure you remove it with oil or you will lose skin in the ripping off.
2 If you need an everyday strapless bra, the Skims Bandeau (£30, skims.com) is beyond comfortable, comes in a range of skin-tone shades, and holds my boobs higher than most similar styles I have tried.
3 For eventwear without bra-strap or knicker lines, I recommend Next’s all-in-one (£44, next.co.uk), which won’t move when you do!
BUSTING MOVES
Influencer Karen Williams caused a social-media stir while showing off M&S Wired Multiway’s combinations
1 Crossover back: offers good support and works well with crossed back, racerback and halterneck styles
2 Backless: has a choice of clear plastic or white straps
3 Push-up: great for low-cut necklines
Hair and make-up: Alice Theobald at Arlington Artists using Olaplex and Hourglass.
