We Tested the Pepper Strapless Bra and Here's How It Held Up

Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products to the test and then give 'em a report card. (Check out all of our tried and tested faves here.)

The assignment…

To see if the Pepper multiway strapless bra ($60) — designed specifically for cup sizes AA through B — should be added to your undergarment collection. Can it be the supportive bra that’ll make your shoulder-baring dresses and shirts wearable?

Straight A’s in…

• Fit and design. Our editor loved the fit and design of the strapless bra, especially the lightly lined cups and snugness on the breastbone. Other strapless bras she tried would lift away from her breastbone, causing a bit of a gap. The Pepper bra actually laid flat to her chest and didn’t sag on the sides. Overall, the fit was very snug and she felt totally secure. She wasn’t constantly tugging at the bra to stay up throughout the day.

• Band size and hooks. The band itself is pretty thick (over 2 inches wide at its narrowest point), so you really feel like the bra is hugging your body. And thanks to the three hooks and adhesive fabric, it won’t slide up or down. 

• Price. We think the Pepper strapless bra is fairly priced at $60, especially considering its quality. After comparing to competitors, we found it to be in the middle of the market price range.

• Versatility. It is a strapless bra, of course, but it does come with movable straps so you can convert it into a regular bra or you can cross them into a X shape. If you make one strap very long, you’ll be able to wear the bra for halter-style tops as well. 

Room for growth…

• Elastic curling. The elastic band that sits underneath the cups began to curl over time. And as our editor was wearing the bra, she noticed that the elastic was slightly rolled upward away from her skin. This only happened with the elastic directly underneath the cups though; the elastic on the side straps did not curl over time and lay flush against her sides and back.

Plays well with…

• Anyone with smaller boobs. Seriously. Pepper was created with small-chested women in mind. The women founders want to help those with AA, A, and B cups find a comfy, secure fit. There are many brands on the market that focus on larger cup sizes, so Pepper made it their mission to service the other end of the size spectrum. 

• Summer-season attire. Aka any clothing that calls for a strapless bra. So go ahead and grab that one-shoulder top or off-the-shoulder dress. In fact, it really doesn’t matter what the weather is — Pepper designs bras for year-round wear. 

Gets extra credit for…

• Sustainability. Bras are made in a factory in Colombia that pays fair market wages, employs 85% women, and prioritizes single mothers who are also heads of households and more likely to be vulnerable to poverty. Fabrics used are nontoxic and free from harmful chemicals, there’s less water used in the dying process, and 80% of fabric waste is recycled into other products.  

• Free return and exchanges. If you’re worried about finding the perfect fit — don’t be. Pepper lets you return and exchange for free, as long as items are unworn, undamaged, and have the original tags attached. You’ll have 30 days to try on, but note that non-bra items are final sale.

• Fit guide and size quiz available. On the website you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to measure your band size and determine your cup size. There’s also an informational graphic on how a bra should feel on your body when it’s the right size. If you’re still unsure what to order, take their quiz.

How we did our homework…

• We had one editor wear the strapless bra for two months, with dresses, tanks, and under tees. Whenever an outfit called for bare shoulders, she wore it (sometimes for hours on end). She also made sure to wash the bra numerous times to test durability. She took notice of fit and comfort, paying special attention to if the band stretched over time. Over the course of the testing period, the band only slightly stretched. She could still wear the bra on the last row of hooks, but if she wanted a very snug fit, she moved the band to the second row of hooks. 

• We also had a second editor try out other Pepper bras, including the Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra and Classic All You Bra. She particularly loved the Limitless Wirefree Scoop Bra, noting that the bra was so comfortable, it often felt like she was wearing nothing. In terms of design and fit, she rated each incredibly high, stating that she’d easily recommend both to a friend.

Footnotes…

• $60

• Free returns and exchanges

• Available in five colors and sizes 30AA–40B

• Pepper also carries underwear and boob-related accessories 

• Donate your older, gently used bras to Free the Girls, then send a picture to pepsquad@wearpepper.com to receive a 10% discount on your next purchase