Do you sleep with a bra on? We found 8 breathable ones that won’t poke you all night

American actress Halle Berry once said in an interview with InStyle magazine: “If you don't want your boobs to hit your knees by the time you’re 30, always wear a bra, even to bed.” She’s been doing so since she was 16. 

Of course, whether a woman wears a bra when she sleeps is a personal choice. Some women find it a hassle – why bother when you can let loose all night? 

I used to be one of those women. But as I entered my third trimester of pregnancy and my breasts grew, I started needing more support. That was when I discovered the benefits of wearing a bra to bed – and yes, they go beyond Berry’s belief that it prevents sagging.

Dr Bertha Woon, a general and breast surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital and the founder of Bertha Woon General & Breast Surgery, said sleeping with a bra on can provide comfortable support, facilitate better sleep by keeping the breasts together, and offer protection for the nipples throughout the night.

For nursing mums, a nursing bra with pads protects the nipples, which tend to be sensitive after giving birth.   

“For women recovering after breast surgery, wearing special post-operative bras to bed with compression can reduce post-operative pain and reduce the need for painkillers,” Dr Woon added. 

When it comes to selecting the right bra, Dr Woon said what matters more is what women feel comfortable in. Her advice is to look for a bra with a soft, breathable material, a seamless design, and which offers support appropriate to one’s breast size. 

In my search for bras to sleep in, I discovered lingerie brands that offered bras comfortable enough to toss and turn in. Specifically, bras that are wireless, made of a soft and flexible material, ideally designed without back hooks (or with barely-there hooks), and which still provide good support. Here’s what I found:

1. PERK BY KATE

The brand: Local lingerie brand Perk by Kate has a wide range of intimate wear, designed to accommodate women of diverse sizes and life stages, including maternity needs and breast cancer survivors.

The bra: Harper Full-cup Padded Bralette

A close alternative to a conventional bra, this is an option for women who feel that a double hook-and-eye closure still offers better support and fit, and who still love their lace and pastel colours. 

The bralette is made of a soft, comfortable material that’s stretchy enough to double as a pullover bra – just leave it hooked all the time. 

The full-cup design provides ample breast support, and there’s a range of eight colours, including blush pink, light blue, and sage green.

Sizing: XS to 3XL

The unique size guide features 16 distinct sizes, including subsets like M (Full) and M (Curvy), depending on your underbust circumference and cup size.

Price: S$69, available at the Perk by Kate website.

2. LOVEMERE 

The brand: Lovemere is a homegrown Singaporean brand that designs intimate wear for mothers, including a variety of well-fitted nursing bras for breastfeeding mums. 

The bra: Chloe Dream Love Organic Bra

The bra has a crisscross front, and a racer-style back. The stretchable design offers coverage and support for fuller busts without the need for an underwire while allowing mums to easily pull back the bra for convenient nursing.

The thick cotton is soft and moisture-wicking but may be best for those who sleep in air-conditioning The hot and humid weather may inevitably lead to a sweaty cleavage during sleep.

The bra comes in five colours, including beige, brick red and dark green. 

Sizing: S to XL

Price: S$32, available at the Lovemere website.

3. I’M IN

The brand: Established in 2015 in Singapore, I’M IN creates lingerie for petite Asian bodies, with designs suitable for Southeast Asia’s hot weather. Think non-slip, strapless bras made of breathable sweat-wicking material. 

The bra: I’M IN X HAZELLE Air-ee Scoop Neck Seamless Pullover Bra

This bra is part of a collaboration with YES933 radio deejay Hazelle Teo. The bra pulls on easily and has a silky soft material that’s sweat-absorbent. It is also seamless and wireless.  

The bra straps are adjustable, offering options for regular, crossback, or halter styles. And for those who prefer the freedom of going strapless, the straps are also removable.

The back of the bra features I’M IN’s signature “IMINXX air dots”, said to provide better ventilation and prevent sweat from pooling around the area. 

Sizing: XS to 2XL

Sizes seem to run slightly smaller so size up if you prefer a looser fit for comfort. Women who are more well-endowed may find it tough to appreciate this bra – even the larger sizes seem to support smaller cups better. 

Price: S$39.90, available at the I’M IN website.

4. CHALONE

The brand: Another Singaporean intimate wear brand, Chalone focuses on stylish and sensual lingerie and nightwear. 

The bra: Good Night, Sweet Dreams, Beautiful Sleeping Bra

Made of a sweat-wicking mesh material, the bra is part of Chalone’s Good Night, Sweet Dreams sleep collection tailored to Singapore’s hot weather. 

The material is cooling on the skin, but it can be slightly itchy as the mesh is not completely smooth.  

The thick sides provide coverage and support. And the seamless pullover style – no hooks or adjustable straps – makes it easy to slip on the bra.  

Sizing: M to 4XL

Price: S$49.90, exclusively available at Chalone at #01-30 Millenia Walk. 

The brand: Uniqlo is known for its everyday wear for Singapore folks and includes a range of bras, underwear and pyjamas. 

The bra: AIRism Wireless Bra Ultra Relax 

Featuring soft, thin fabric and sweat-wicking technology, this relaxed wireless pullover bra made of Uniqlo’s signature AIRism is designed for comfort, whether you have the air conditioning on full blast or rely on just a fan. 

Despite its thinness, the bra provides ample coverage and support for bustier women while offering comfort throughout the night. Its latest design update includes fixed padding and wider side support, which means better peace of mind and more coverage while you sleep. 

Sizing: XS to 3XL 

Price: S$29.90, available in stores and at the Uniqlo Singapore website.

6. TRIUMPH

The brand: Triumph is a well-established Swiss lingerie brand that carries a wide variety of bras for various occasions. 

The bra: Fit Smart Non-wired Padded Bra 

The bra is made of a lace material that provides a four-way stretch, making the fabric adaptable to the shape of your chest. The lace is also lined with a soft and smooth fabric for sleeping comfort.

The bra offers good coverage and support for the well-endowed without the need for an underwire. The noticeably stronger support along the underbust area gives the boobs a slight lift.  

Sizing: S to XXL 

Price: S$109, available in their stories and on the Triumph Singapore website.

7. SLOGGI

The brand: Sloggi is owned by Triumph International and features a line of bras and underwear that prioritises comfort for everyday activities. 

The bra: ZERO Feel Bralette

The wireless, seamless bra is part of Sloggi’s ZERO Feel collection and is made of lightweight silky-smooth fabric. It comes in fixed sizes and is designed to be flexible and stretchable, moulding to your chest and underbust the more you wear it.  

Despite it feeling “braless”, the bralette provides good coverage and support and should keep your breasts comfortably snug throughout the night. 

Sizing: S to 3XL

Price: S$64.90, available in their stores and at the Triumph Singapore website

8. VICTORIA’S SECRET

The brand: Despite the name, it’s no secret that Victoria’s Secret is well-known for its sexy lingerie. 

The bra: T-Shirt Lightly Lined Lounge Bra

The wireless bra is part of Victoria’s Secret’s T-shirt Bra collection – everyday bras designed to provide comfortable support and a smooth line under your clothes. 

The soft, breathable but thick material makes wearing a bra throughout the night a comfortable, if slightly warm, experience. It’s best for those who sleep in an air-conditioned room.  

Sizing: 30AA to 44G

Price: S$65, available in their stores and at the Victoria’s Secret Singapore website.