Whether or not you believe going out tops are dead, you are definitely going to find yourself in situations where a traditional bra won’t do. From plunging necklines to backless dresses, sometimes the cutest clothes are the hardest to wear without risking a nip-slip. Well, not anymore. Boob tape can create a customized bra for any outfit, offering more lift and cleavage than a regular bra without the slipping and sliding of a strapless bra.
Using boob tape takes a bit more finesse than strapless bras or backless bras, and not all tapes are created equal. We tested 14 of the most popular boob tapes to see which ones actually kept us secured. We gave each tape to two testers—one with an A-C cup size and the other with a D+ chest—and had them wear them for two weeks for at least three hours straight. Each tester evaluated the ease of application, the support, the look, comfort, and the removal process. Read on for the best boob tapes that earned a permanent spot in our bra wardrobe.
Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Value: Best Longwear: Best Sweat-Resistant: Best Size Range: Best Shade Range:
Best Overall
Lively The Solution Tape
Shades: 3 | Length: 16.4 feet | Width: 2 inches | Materials: Cotton, spandex
Tester one: 36B cup | Tester two: 38D cup
Whether you are looking for a tape to give you a major lift or minimal coverage, this boob tape can do it all. Our B-cup tester wanted something to cover her nipples, and this provided the exact coverage she was looking for without moving around, causing irritation, or being noticeable under clothes, even at the end of a 12-hour wedding.
“I cannot stress enough HOW much jumping I was doing at this wedding while wearing these and how sweaty I was and they looked just like they did when I had put them on at noon,” said our B cup tester. Our D cup tester needed more support, but she appreciated how well the tape lifted her chest without being cumbersome. Best of all, the tape was easy (and painless) to put on and take off, and both testers had a ton of the roll left afterward.
Best Value
VBT Breast Tape
Shades: 4 | Length: 16.4 feet | Width: 2 or 3 inches | Materials: Cotton, spandex
Tester one: 32C cup | Tester two: 32G cup
Out of all the tapes we tested, this one offered the most complete kit. In addition to a roll of tape, you get breast petals, silicone nipple stickers, and double-sided tape to help you solve any fashion emergency, making the set a great value. While the boob tape was slightly painful to remove, you can use the nipple covers for extra protection.
Thanks to how easy it was to apply—it didn’t get stuck to our fingers and we were able to slightly adjust it if we didn’t place it right the first time—it’s great for first-time boob tape users. Plus, it remained invisible under our clothes—even white shirts—and it didn’t shift or unpeel while wearing. Compared to other boob tapes we’ve tried, the material felt softer, lighter, and didn’t make our skin clammy. Our C and G cup chests felt supported and comfortable—what more could we ask for?
Best Longwear
Kmboobies Boob Tape
Shades: 3 | Length: 16.4 feet | Width: No Listed | Materials: Cotton, spandex
Tester one: 32B cup | Tester two: 32DD cup
For those occasions where you really need a strong hold tape that will support you all day, we recommend Kmboobies Boob Tape. Take our DD tester, for example. She spent the day commuting back and forth from Brooklyn to Manhattan, and the tape did not move at all. Not even a corner lifting. Plus, it kept her tube top from slipping down. We also appreciate how the tape comes in various skin tones.
“I would recommend this to my brown and black girlies, especially because there are shade ranges that actually match and blend with our skin tones without having the limitation of either the lightest nude or black,” said our tester. Considering the adhesive's strength, we worried the tape might be hard to remove, but it actually was fairly pain-free and didn’t leave our skin irritated or covered in residue.
Best Sweat-Resistant
Nue Breast Tape
Shades: 4 | Length: 16.5 feet | Width: 2 inches | Materials: Cotton
Tester one: 36C cup | Tester two: 34DDD cup
Anyone who has tried an adhesive bra knows they don’t do well with sweat or water. Nue’s Breast Tape to the rescue. The tape is sweatproof and waterproof, and we can confirm that we didn’t notice any slipping or sliding during wear. The tape itself is very soft, light, and flexible, making it easy to put on and super comfortable to wear. In fact, our DDD tester forgot she had it on, and said it offered more support than other tapes in the past. It was slightly painful to remove—soaking it in oil helped—but it didn’t leave our skin red or irritated. We do wish the tape came with ruling on the back to help with cutting, but that’s a small critique.
Best Size Range
Perky Pear Original Lift & Shape Tape
Shades: 3 | Size: A-H | Materials: Cotton
Tester one: 34C cup | Tester two: 32DD cup
While breast tape typically doesn’t come in cup sizes, you do end up using more of it if you have larger breasts, so we appreciate how this tape is specifically made to size, up to GG-H. It’s also great for those who don’t like cutting the tape themselves, as this one comes in a ready-to-use pear shape. Simply stick it on and adjust the tape to your breast shape using the extremely stretchy material.
Our tester wore this tape with an especially revealing top, and she felt so confident as the tape kept her DD boobs secure from bottom to top. Plus, the color blended seamlessly with her dark skin tone. Body temperature and sweat further activate the adhesive, meaning it gets stickier and stronger the longer you wear it. The brand provides clear instructions on how to remove it, and with that advice, our skin was left residue- and irritation-free. This is one of the best boob tapes we’ve tried, but because it only comes with two sets in a pack, we might have to save it for special occasions.
Best Shade Range
Good Lines Boob Tape Rolls
Shades: 5 | Length: 16.5 feet | Width: 2 or 3 inches | Materials: Not listed
Tester one: 36C cup | Tester two: 34DD cup
With five different shades, Good Lines has the most extensive range we’ve seen in boob tape—other brands take note! Besides making it possible to find a shade that actually matches your skin tone and undertones, this tape boasts eight hours of hold, and we discovered they aren’t kidding. The tape didn’t move through hours of wear, even as we started to get sweaty. In fact, it was a bit difficult to take off, but soaking it in oil helped a ton. If you have extra sensitive skin, we recommend layering nipple covers underneath to protect the delicate area. Though taking off the tape may be a hassle for everyday wear, it’s great for special occasions like weddings where you really need strong support that won’t quit.
What to Look for in Boob Tape
- Shade: Just like with a bra, you want to select a boob tape that closely matches your skin tone to ensure it stays invisible under clothes. While most brands could make their shade ranges even more inclusive, we selected tapes that have at least three different shades.
- Width: Most boob tapes don’t come in cup sizes, but some do come in different widths. Two inches works well for A-C cups while a 3-inch tape may be better suited for those with D cups and larger. Think about whether you like a narrow tape you can layer for custom coverage or a wider tape that takes less pieces to cover your breasts.
- Adhesive: If you are planning on wearing boob tape for occasions that involve a lot of movement and potential sweat—like a wedding or music festival—look for tapes with strong adhesives that are sweatproof and waterproof.
FAQ
- How do you apply boob tape?
In general, it’s best to start with clean, dry skin that’s free of oil, lotion, or makeup as they can interfere with the adhesive, according to fashion stylist Catherine Bibeau. Most brands also recommend doing a patch test on another area of your body before applying the tape to your breasts. “Start by trimming the corners off each boob tape strip before applying it,” says Bibeau. “This ensures that the tape sits firmly against your skin without the risk of the corners catching onto your clothes.”
The exact placement of the tape depends on the top you’ll be wearing and the look you’re going for, and thankfully, most boob tapes come with instructions and examples of how you can apply the tape for clothing styles. You can also check out TikTok and Youtube for helpful tutorials.
- How do you remove boob tape?
If you’re struggling to remove the tape, you can try soaking it in some baby oil or jojoba oil for a few minutes as the oil helps to break down the adhesive. Contrary to popular belief, soaking it in water is not always best as a lot of tapes are designed to be waterproof and can actually become stickier once they get wet. Always reference the product’s instructions for the best removal method.
Why Trust Byrdie
Emily Cieslak is an associate commerce editor, covering all things beauty and fashion. Prior to working at Dotdash Meredith, she was a bra buyer for a national retailer and learned the ins and outs of bra construction, support, and finding the right fit. She has written and edited several articles about bras for Byrdie, InStyle, and Brides, and considers herself a bra expert.
For this roundup, she interviewed the following expert:
- Catherine Bibeau is a renowned fashion stylist with over a decade of experience in the industry. She is widely respected for her outstanding work in fashion design, styling, as well as fashion marketing and sales with experience working at Buffalo Jeans, Ferragamo, her very own fashion label, Nacre Voyage, and more.