Bras: The Best Brands Online Or On The High Street

Freya Lingerie

Offering a huge range of on-trend matching sets, Freya Bras are young, fun and bright. With strong prints plus an economic and creative use of lacy details, Freya succeeds in being both edgy and feminine. Be warned though, Freya Bras are designed for bigger busted women and rarely drop below a C-cup.

Look out especially for the striking floral-printed Sadie plunge bra and the stunning black and white Edina print. As for must have swimwear, the graphic Marinella and Rumjungle two-pieces go boldly off-trend and will make you stand out among your floral beach buddies. Also coming soon is the bright and breezy Pixie Sugarplum, dusted with sweet and cartoonish flowers and leaves. While the sexy nightwear and swimwear on offer is not to be missed, Freya also offers an impressive range of well-silhouetted and comfortable sports bras and all are priced in a reasonable mid-range of 20-25.

Elle Macpherson Intimates

Unlike Freya Bras, Elle Macpherson Intimates flatter more svelte figures with typical cup-size ranges of A-D. Playing off Elle Macphersons celebrity and stocking in a relatively limited number of big name websites and stores, Intimates clearly seeks to cultivate a luxurious and expensive image. However, while prices vary they still sit firmly on the upper end of affordable. At the top of the range a simple chemise will come in at around 65-70, while the plain, practical Bare and Bold range can cost just 15.

Of the current seasons offerings, the Sheer Ribbons range is the most instantly appealing with sharp, sophisticated stripes bordered by solid bands of lace. The Obsidian collection on the other hand, with its monochrome colour palette and layers of fabric, is elaborate but overworked, easily ousted in quality by the more demure Edina line from Freya Bras.

Agent Provocateur

This is a brand that needs no introduction, having become a byword for sexy, sultry chic and a one-stop destination for the ultimate fantasy lingerie.

The Agent Provocateur website proudly proclaims that it is the sexiest lingerie website in the world. It is certainly the prettiest, and with a mammoth January sale currently offering reductions of up to 75% now is the time to get in on the act of this famously irresistible but usually unaffordable brand. Sale bargains include the sweet yet sensual Juno rose-printed bra, reduced from 110 to 45, the darkly gorgeous Orchid, which continues the floral trend, down from 75 to just 30 and the Florine, a quirky hot-pink number, slashed from 110 to an amazing 25. For the big spenders out there, non-sale items the Thora and Ellina are imaginative yet understated with beautiful lines offering a hint of couture.

Pleasure State

Here is yet another brand that marks itself out from the crowd by making original and innovative use of prints. What really gives Pleasure State the edge, however, is the stunning interplay of both pattern and colour seen in bras such as Opalescent, Sea of Dreams and the breathtaking Marquise demi-bra. These are truly joyful pieces that play with convention without ever detracting from the fundamental beauty of their design. They have also very kindly divided their ranges into four easy to understand categories. Pleasure State Couture is, as you would expect, the most expensive of the four with bras costing around 100 each, while for the more affordable but equally lovely White Label line you can expect to pay 40-50. The VIP range is targeted specifically at women with larger busts and My Fit consists exclusively of Pleasure States innovative push-up bras, which employ the brands unique technology to tailor the push-up effect to different cup sizes.