Wacoal Size Guide: Back Smoothing Bras, Halo Lace and Fit
A back smoothing bra has a wider, softer band that lies flat across your back and sides, so nothing shows through a fitted top. Wacoal Back Appeal is the one we keep in the most colours and sizes.
Wacoal sizes in standard UK bra sizes, so start from your usual size. The charts below cover the European labels.
At a glance
- Wacoal uses UK bra sizes, with European and French sizes on the label too
- Back Appeal's band is made from a microthin spacer fabric that smooths the back
- Wacoal grade their bras by coverage, from level 1 to level 3
- Wacoal say 80% of a bra's support comes from the underband
- Wacoal briefs run XS to XXL, which is a UK 8 to 18
- Wacoal sizes and conversions
- What a back smoothing bra does
- Wacoal coverage levels
- The Wacoal styles we stock
- Frequently asked questions
Wacoal sizes and conversions
If you have not been measured lately, our guide to how to measure bra size takes you through it. Wacoal recommend a fitting every six months, because weight change, breastfeeding and the menopause all alter your shape.
| UK band | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 65 | 70 | 75 | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 100 |
| France | 80 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 100 | 105 | 110 | 115 |
| UK cup | C | D | DD | E | F | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe and France | C | D | E | F | G | H |
So a UK 36DD is a European 80E. Wacoal briefs follow dress sizes: XS is a UK 8, S a 10, M a 12, L a 14, XL a 16 and XXL an 18.
What a back smoothing bra does
Most bras have a narrow elastic band that can press in and leave a ridge across the back. Back Appeal swaps that for a deeper band in microthin spacer fabric. It gives extra cover at the back and sides, so the line under a jumper or a fitted dress stays smooth.
Inside each cup there is a hidden sling for extra support. The underwired version has a dot jacquard over the cups. The wire-free version has seamless cups and close-set straps, which stop them slipping off the shoulder.
We keep the underwired Back Appeal up to a 40FF and the wire-free one up to a 42E. Our Back Appeal page shows every colour we have in.
Wacoal coverage levels
Wacoal grade each style by how much of the bust it covers, which is a quick way to narrow things down.
- Level 1 is half cup coverage with lighter support, for a lower neckline and a smaller bust
- Level 2 is three quarter coverage, covering most of the bust, often with a lower centre front
- Level 3 is full coverage, high at the centre, with firmer support and close-set straps for larger cups
Their fit check is the same three steps we use in the shop. The band sits level and never rides up. The centre front lies flat on your breastbone, and if it sits on breast tissue the cup is too small. The cups give an even, rounded shape, with the wire behind the breast and no bulge under the arm.
The Wacoal styles we stock
- Halo Lace is a moulded underwired bra covered in a very soft stretch lace, in ivory, nude and black. The matching strapless runs from a 32 to a 38 back, B to E.
- Wacoal Essence is new this season, black lace over a soft rose lining. The straps cross at the back, and we have it from a 34B to a 40FF.
- Embrace Lace is all stretch floral lace, in a plunge and a lightly shaped contour cup.
- Beauté Appeal is the brief made to go with Back Appeal, with a bonded waist and leg so nothing shows.
For something strapless, see our strapless bras. For everyday smooth cups, our T-shirt bras include several Wacoal styles.
Come in and we will fit you. It is free, you do not need to book, and you can try Back Appeal underwired and wire-free side by side. We are at 30 High Street, Shaftesbury, Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm, on 01747 852444.
Frequently asked questions
What is a back smoothing bra?
A back smoothing bra has a deeper, softer band that lies flat across the back and sides instead of pressing in. Wacoal Back Appeal uses a microthin spacer fabric for the band, with extra cover at the back and sides, so there is no ridge under a jumper or a fitted dress. It comes underwired and wire-free.
Do Wacoal bras come up small?
Wacoal uses standard UK bra sizing, so start with your usual size. The European cup letters change from DD upwards, so a UK DD is a European E and a UK FF a European H. Check you are reading the UK size on the label. If the band rides up your back, try one band smaller and one cup larger.
What sizes does Wacoal Back Appeal come in?
We stock the underwired Back Appeal from a 34B up to a 40FF, and the wire-free version up to a 42E. It comes in black, praline, rose dust, regina red and seasonal colours. The matching Beauté Appeal brief runs S to XXL.
What do Wacoal coverage levels mean?
Wacoal grade their bras from level 1 to level 3 by how much of the bust they cover. Level 1 is half cup coverage with lighter support. Level 2 is three quarter coverage. Level 3 is full coverage with firmer support and close-set straps, made for larger cups and backs.
Can I get fitted for Wacoal bras in Shaftesbury?
Yes. Bra fitting in our lingerie department is free and you do not need to book. Come into 30 High Street, Shaftesbury, Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm, and we will measure you and bring Back Appeal and the other Wacoal styles to try. If you would like to check we have your size first, ring us on 01747 852444.
Written by Shirley Allum
Shirley has run her Shaftesbury boutique since 1997 and still does all the buying herself, across fashion, footwear and lingerie. She and her team have been dressing the women of Dorset for nearly thirty years.
