“If you’ve spent a lot of time with bad posture[,] it can be hard to have a good sense of what correct posture feels like,” explained Liza Egbogah, a chiropractor, osteopath and myofascial release specialist, in previous HuffPost coverage.
That’s why posture-supporting clothing can be especially helpful, according to Egbogah. “Posture sports bras and tees help to reinforce good posture,” Egbogah noted. “As you wear posture-friendly apparel, your muscles and fascia will adapt to support you correctly.”
While posture-boosting apparel can’t take the place of checkups with your doctor or targeted medical support, these products can help your body and muscle memory get in the habit of a more aligned stance.
And, as many medical sources confirm, correcting your posture may help reduce back pain.
Curious about bra and clothing options that are designed to improve your posture? Read on for some of the best pieces we found.
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Equipped with a criss-cross band in the back and a front closure, this wireless posture bra from Hoci is designed to gently pull shoulders back for easy, comfy posture support (that'll help relieve back pain, too). The piece sports cushioned straps and non-padded cups, and comes in six colors and sizes 36B-44G.
Forme's posture-correcting bra was purportedly worn by Taylor Swift during rehearsals for her last album tour and has since spawned a cult of enthusiasts.
In lieu of uncomfy wires, the bra sports six tension fabrics and eight double-fabric panels that together are designed to noticeably improve posture and upper body alignment. Over time, the bra is designed to help your body develop posture-supportive muscle memory while helping reduce pain and stiffness. You can grab it in seven colors and sizes XS-3XL.
Forme was created by an orthopedic surgeon to help his mother improve her posture and compressed lungs.
This subtle compression tank top is designed to provide targeted lower back support via its mesh panels, helping relieve back pain in the process. Breathable and stretchy, the sleeveless top also sports UPF 50 for sun protection while you're out and about.
The Tommie Copper tank is available in three colors and sizes S-XXL.
If you prefer a little more coverage, Tommie Copper's posture support shirt might be the one to try. The short-sleeved compression top is designed to help keep your shoulders down and your upper back aligned with the assistance of its ergonomic seams and multi-layer panels. The shirt still manages to feel stretchy and comfy, plus is equipped with UPF 50 sun protection. Grab it in four colors and sizes S-XXL.
Egbogah recommended these posture shirts from AlignMed in previous HuffPost reporting. Available in men's and women's sizing, they're designed to work as a wearable therapy that activates and retrains muscles as you wear them.
"I didn't really want to pay this much, but it's worth every penny," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "This shirt makes me feel good. I have chronic muscle tightness in my back and find this to be a major pain reliever. Who knew my posture was the problem? I ordered just a bit smaller than I expected based on the guidelines that suggested the snugger the better. The tightness is the reason it works so well on my sore back. Don't order too large."
If you're between sizes, AlignMed recommends sizing down.
This pretty posture-supporting bra includes an X-shaped back to help pull back shoulders and straighten the spine. Available in five colors and sizes 34B-48F, the lace piece sports cushioned underwire for comfy support and a front closure for easy wear.
This highly-rated upper body-posture brace is designed to be worn under the chest to help open up shoulders and improve posture. The tool is meant to be used for an hour or two a day — which you can work up to — in order to eventually lessen neck pain and negate a hunched stance.
Designed for men and women, the brace comes in two sizes and three colors.
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This popular full-back posture brace is designed to support the full spine using a waist belt, shoulder straps and back brace, thus helping straighten your back, shoulders and lumbar area. One reviewer wrote that the tool "gently pulls my shoulders back without being too tight ... the pain I used to feel at the end of the day is almost gone."
You can start by wearing it five to ten minutes a day, and work towards wearing it for an hour or two a day. The brace comes in three sizes.
This supportive, front-closure posture bra from Playtex is designed to provide enhanced support to your back and shoulders with wide, crisscrossing back panels and cushioned straps. The bra's mesh inserts also help keep you cool while smoothing your profile.
Designed to be worn comfortably for 18 hours, reviewers say the bra delivers. "It's very comfortable. I just put it on and forget about it," writes a reviewer named Jil.
The bra is available in two colors and sizes 36B-46DD.
Made with breathable, flexible mesh, this popular belted back brace is meant to stabilize your back and reduce pain while still allowing for natural movement. You can also make use of its removable lumbar pad for days when you need additional support.
Another plus, according to reviewers, is that the brace is subtle enough to wear under clothes if you prefer, lacking the bulkiness characteristic of other models.
It’s available in three colors and in sizes XS-XXL.
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"[O]ur bodies were not designed to sit or be on a device for hours in a day, so I recommend a supportive posture harness that can be used midday when your supportive muscles have likely fatigued," Egbogah previously told HuffPost. "This [posture correcting brace] will help support good posture while still engaging your supportive muscles for most of the day."
It's available in sizes XS-XL and in two versions.