I Tested the Posture-Correcting Sports Bra Taylor Swift Wears to Rehearse. Here's My Honest Review. (2024)

Growing up, my mom would constantly pull my shoulder blades back and down when she noticed me beginning to hunch forward. As a tall girl, I am guilty of slouching way too often, bending down and drooping my shoulders to make myself appear smaller. As I've gotten older and more confident, the bad posture has unfortunately stuck around. To minimize strain on my neck and shoulders, I have tried all sorts of posture-correcting products — and it looks like Taylor Swift has too.

As seen in her Time Person of the Year interview, Taylor Swift was spotted wearing the Forme Power Bra during her Eras Tour rehearsals. Because she wore it during grueling rehearsals for her worldwide, record-breaking tour, I had to put this Forme bra to the test to see if it would help correct my posture and be supportive during workouts.

How do posture-correcting bras work?

Slouching tends to be a comfortable position, even if it can cause pain and injury long-term. Therefore, it can be hard to encourage our bodies to maintain proper posture. When you hunch over, the muscles in your chest can become tight while your upper back muscles become overstretched. Posture correctors and posture-correcting bras help activate these muscles to help you recognize what good posture should feel like. They're not designed to be worn for hours on end every day, but instead, as a way to build a sharper awareness of what good posture looks like and how to achieve it more regularly.

What is Forme?

Designed by an orthopedic surgeon, Forme posture-correcting products are "designed to immediately improve your body alignment for lifestyle and daily function," according to the brand. The posture-correcting bra features compression fabric and thicker back panels to help encourage good posture and develop muscle memory. The brand says the bra "transforms your body to develop muscle memory and biofeedback that allows you to run, sit, stand, travel and sleep with great posture and to recover quickly without conscious effort."

In addition to the popular Power Bra, the brand offers leggings, T-shirts and menswear too. All of their products are designed to help improve posture in different ways.

How we tested the Forme Power Bra

I have tested over 65 different sports bras over my five years at the Good Housekeeping Institute. When evaluating sports bras, we conduct Lab tests and have testers with a range of bra sizes and fitness routines work out in each bra before giving feedback on comfort, fit, support, appearance, ease of taking on/off and more.

The Forme Power Bra easily wicked away moisture in our Lab tests to keep skin dry even during intense exercise. I noted construction features for each bra and found that this Forme bra lacks adjustable straps and removable cups, which are popular sports bra features. The material is stiff, so it was tough to stretch out for our stretch recovery tests, but it did maintain its shape after testing.

After testing it in Lab, I tried it at home too to see how it'll hold up while exercising. I've been wearing the Forme bra for over a year during all types of workouts and here are my thoughts.

What I liked

Flattering cut

I love how I look in this sports bra. It has a flattering wide neckline that creates natural cleavage. It also has a longline design to offer more coverage compared to my other sports bras, so I feel comfortable pairing it with leggings without a top. Testers also highlighted this bra's chic design with one tester saying, "The shape of the straps is so flattering with a wider cut at the shoulders that tapers down to the chest. And because the bra encourages me to lift my chest and stand up straight, I feel confident wearing it!"

Encourages better posture

As soon as I put it on, I noticed a gentle pull to encourage my shoulder blades to pull back and keep my chest open. It felt good to have a little nudge to sit up a bit taller and maintain proper posture while wearing it. Whether it was a placebo effect of wearing a posture-correcting device or the actual effect of the bra, I did notice that I was more conscious of my posture while wearing it.

"As soon as I put it on, I felt it gently pulling my shoulders back into place," said one tester after trying this sports bra. Another said, "It actively made me aware of my posture and helped improve it."

Compressive fit

It has a tight fit that offers substantial support up top. I wear a 34D bra size and I felt supported while wearing it during a variety of workout classes. I especially love wearing it to Pilates classes as it perfectly fits the Pilates princess aesthetic while offering ample bust support. "It's one of the most supportive sports bras I've ever worn," reported one tester after wearing this bra during at-home strength workouts.

What I disliked

The cost

This bra is extremely expensive. At $188, it is the most expensive sports bra I've ever tested. Most sports bras from luxe activewear brands like Lululemon and Alo Yoga cost less than $100. I have tested plenty of supportive bras that cost a fraction of the price and most posture correctors cost less than $50.

Fit issues

It's sold in letter sizing (S/M/L etc.), so it can be tougher to find a proper fit if you have a larger chest size and a smaller band size. I am a size 34D in bras and wear a size medium in this bra. It fits nicely, but it is tough to put on. Because of the posture-correcting features in the back, it can be challenging to pull over my head and then situate it properly. Although my breasts felt secure with minimal bounce, the bra did create a lot of cleavage.

Our testers echoed similar concerns. One said, "It can be a little difficult to get on and off on your own, especially when trying it on for the first time." Another added, "The bottom band kept flying up as I wore it and didn't stay in place." Some testers also noted that because this bra doesn't have foam cups, their nipples were a bit visible through the material.

Questionable claims

The brand has many lofty claims on its site with minimal testing to back them up. The brand also isn't clear on how long you can wear it for and even says you can use it as "sleep wear," but experts told us that posture correctors shouldn't be worn for more than a few hours a day. The brand also touts many health benefits (like alleviating scoliosis and arthritis symptoms) that did not have sufficient third-party testing to support them.

This bra is listed as an "FDA-registered device," which is not the same thing as "FDA-approved." The FDA has to review certain products before they can be sold like tampons and breast pumps, but that doesn't apply to posture correctors. Brands can register their products with the FDA. However, this can be misleading to consumers as they may believe the FDA has evaluated and approved the products, which they haven't. The FDA's site clarifies that "When a facility registers its establishment and lists its devices, the resulting entry in the FDA's registration and listing database does not denote approval, clearance or authorization of that facility or its medical devices."

Is the Forme Power Bra worth it?

I like my Forme Power Bra and wear it regularly, but because of the high price and lofty claims, I wouldn't recommend it. I like it as a sports bra and found it to encourage better posture, but it wasn't a complete solution. If you struggle with back, neck or hip pain due to poor posture, we recommend reaching out to your physician to discuss treatment options like physical therapy.

Because the Forme bra is so fitted and only sold in letter sizing, some of our testers found it tough to get a proper fit if you have a larger chest and a smaller band size. All testers praised its chic design and flattering cut that provides ample support for all types of workouts. The brand offers free returns and exchanges, but some online reviewers note issues with the brand's customer service.

If you're looking for a flattering, supportive sports bra, then the Forme Power Bra may be worth the investment, but it's not an outright solution to fix your posture.

Forme Power Bra alternatives