I’m a fashion editor & these are the six bras you need from £3 – including instant cleavage booster & M&S favourite

FROM the threadbare gym bandeau to the lacy balconette and the one you only wear on special occasions – most women’s underwear drawers are stuffed full of bras they never wear. In fact, 71 per cent of women wear five or fewer bras regularly despite most women owning six or more, according to new research from lingerie brand Curvy Kate. Maura Higgins posed in a push up bra for her latest campaign with Victoria’s Secret this summer Credit: @Victoriassecret So, what bras do you actually need in your wardrobe? Turns out, all you really need is six different kinds, from sexy to supportive. Here, fashion editor Abby McHale takes a look at what you need for the ultimate bra-drobe, and it won’t break the bank. THE EVERYDAY BRA This £10 buy from M&S will be your prefect every day bra Credit: Supplied We all have that one bra that you reach for more than the rest. Usually it’s the one that fits you well and is the most comfortable; it’s your ‘everyday bra’. It could be something plain, maybe a bralette, a balconette, a full cup bra, or even something with a pattern. It really is down to what you find works for you. To keep your bras in good nick, you should wash them after every 2-3 wears, meaning that as much as this one may be your favourite, you need a roster of other bras to alternate. And remember to wash them either by hand or on a delicate wash. Bra, £10, M&S THE T-SHIRT BRA Grab this T-shirt bra for just £3 from Primark Credit: Supplied Whilst sometimes it works to show a little bit of bra underneath your clothing, nine times out of ten you don’t need to see it. You want something that is not only comfortable, but also smoothing underneath clothing. Enter the T-shirt bra. No added frills or fuss, just a smooth cup that you can wear under the likes of T-shirts without seeing anything underneath. Luckily, these are so readily available on the high street you can find one at most high street retailers. Usually coming in neutral shades of beige, black and white, if you did want to inject some colour underneath without fear of anything showing through, a red bra never shows under a white t-shirt. Bra, £3, Primark THE SPORTS BRA We all need a good sports bra in our wardrobe, and this £14 one from Matalan is great for fuller busts Credit: Supplied A good sports bra is crucial when exercising, and these days the market has come on leaps and bounds, offering a whole host of different options depending on the level of support you need and the intensity of your workout. Anyone with a smaller bust or doing low-impact exercise, a bra with no excess underwiring and thinner straps will do the trick. However, if you have a fuller bust you do a lot of high-intensity workouts, you’ll need more support, so look for something that is underwired with bra-like adjustable straps that ideally are thick in size to give you the support that you need. Whilst high-impact or fuller-bust sports bras used to be harder to come by, these days there are so many options available, such as this one from Matalan, which is just £14. Bra, £14, Matalan THE SEXY BRA This £24 bra from Ann Summers will make you feel great and give you a confidence boost Credit: Supplied Your bra should make you feel good and give you confidence, and sometimes one that adds a bit of sex appeal can do just that. Whether that be a print, added detail such as lace or some extra straps, there are so many options out there to choose from. And if there is any of your six bras to have fun with, it’s this one. Whilst this might not be the style you put on everyday, it’s great to have in your ‘bradrobe’ for the times you want to really look and feel great, starting with what is underneath. Sexy bras don’t have to come with a high cost either. Take this bra from Ann Summers; for just £24, it ticks all the boxes. Bra, £24, Ann Summers THE PUSH-UP BRA This £14 push up bra from F&F at Tesco will give you that extra lift you’re after Credit: Supplied They may have been big in the 90s and 00s, but they are back with a bang this year. According to M&S, one of its most in-demand new-in bras is a push-up style. And it has the celebrity seal of approval. Maura Higgins wore one for her latest campaign with Victoria’s Secret earlier this summer. Great when you need that extra lift, and often coming with padding inside, it gives some extra volume to your bust to keep them from looking saggy, or gives extra cleavage to those who want it. If you’re fuller-busted and a padded push-up bra is not something you need, then look for a bra that offers lift support; these often come with fabric panels underneath the cup that lift without adding bulk. Bra, £14, F&F at Tesco THE STRAPLESS BRA A strapless bra is crucial and if you have a fuller bust, grab this option for £38 from Curvy Kate Credit: Supplied If you’ve splashed out on a pretty top but can’t find a bra to work with it, you probably need a strapless or multiway. This way your bust is still getting some support, and you don’t get ‘VBL’ (visible bra lines). Similar to sports bras, there are some really good options on the market. If you have a smaller bust, there is more choice; however, for those with a fuller bust, there are some good options out there. Your best bet is to head to a lingerie specialist like Curvy Kate that also specialises in fuller-bust bras means the technology is in place to provide full support. Bra, £38, Curvy Kate