Is This Taylor Swift-worn Posture-Correcting Sports Bra Worth It?
The Forme Power Bra is $189. Is it worth it?
There are not many things I have in common with Taylor Swift. I’m a dog person, she famously loves cats. She’s a Sagittarius, I’m a Virgo (albeit both 1989ers). She’s written over 240 songs, dated an NFL player, and grossed over $2 billion on her latest tour. I have… not.
The one claim to fame I can confidently make is that we both own the Power Bra by Forme, an FDA-registered posture-correcting bra.
But is the Taylor-worn bra actually worth buying for mere mortals? Here’s my somewhat brutal opinion.
What is the Forme Power Bra?
The Power Bra is a sports bra by the brand Forme, which manufactures and sells wearables “to improve your alignment, performance and recovery.”
The Power Bra is an FDA-registered* posture-correcting bra that the brand claims will have an instant impact on your upper body alignment and “body foundation” (I’m not 100% sure what that means). I’d classify it as a low-impact sports bra.
Receipts, Proof, Timeline, Screenshots
Editor’s note: This is the section of every IIWI where I’ll share the details about how much I have or have not paid for the product, my scientific and anecdotal testing methods, how long I’ve tested it, and any relevant screenshots.
Receipts
I reached out to PR to test the Power Bra in fall 2023. They also offered to send me the Ace V-Neck and the Sculpt Short, which I accepted.
Proof
I wore the Power Bra mostly to WFH, but I did try it during tennis, yoga, and weight-lifting to see how it performed as a sports bra.
Timeline
During my initial testing phase, I wore the Power Bra three times a week for a month. Since then, I’ve worn it sporadically, mostly for low-impact workouts at home.
Screenshots
Not applicable, but please enjoy the week-by-week progress photos I took for Shape:
The Deep Dive
When I announced on Instagram I was testing this bra, I was surprised at how many people commented on the post: “Love mine!” “Following!” “I need to hear about this.” The overarching sentiment was positive and curious, and reading between the lines, I think my followers were grasping onto the hope of a silver bullet for posture: one simple wearable to rule them all and get rid of “dowager’s hump” (GAG ME I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS TERM) forever.
But is bad posture actually a problem we need to be concerned about—or is it a relatively minor condition that marketers are exploiting to sell more product? To be honest, I lean the latter in most cases (more here from Time). But I understand that if you feel chronic, debilitating back pain on the daily, the idea of a sports bra keeping you aligned without any extra work on your part sounds pretty sweet. Here’s what the Forme Power Bra does well.
It Works Instantly
When you put this sports bra on—which I did, just now, to write as accurately as possible—you do instantly feel your shoulders being gently pulled back. According to Forme, that’s because the design includes six varied tension fabrics and eight powerful double-fabric panels. The result is a soft tug between your shoulder blades.
The Aesthetics Are On Point
Taylor has good taste. I get a lot of compliments when I wear the Power Bra (in Rose) on its own as a workout top, and there’s nothing in the design that screams “I’m wearing this so I don’t slouch at my desk.”
Forme also sells an even edgier version that wouldn’t be out of place at that celeb-only ALO Yoga studio: the Radiance Bra, which has a mesh panel in front.
It’s Not A Straitjacket
I think when most people hear “posture-correcting,” they picture a corset laced so tightly as to render breathing impossible and an absurd tits-out, upper-back arched body position. The Power Bra has a much softer touch—literally. I’m easily able to wear the Power Bra for hours on end, and I’ll forget I’m wearing it. The biggest complaint reviewers seem to have is that the armholes can be a little tight, but they’re easily stretched, in my experience.
It’s A Helpful Cue During Low-Impact Workouts
The Power Bra is decidedly not designed to withstand your most energetic bouncing and running—but I was surprised to find I loved wearing it during low-impact workouts. While weightlifting, the Power Bra acted as a reminder to do all the things I found myself shouting at clients back when I taught strength classes: shoulders back, chest out, shoulders stacked over hips. During yoga or Pilates, wearing the bra felt like a prevention measure against bad form and a quiet reminder to keep my spinal column in alignment. This was, by far, my favorite use case of the bra.
The Airing of Grievances
Strap in, so to speak.
The Power Bra Only Works While You’re Wearing It
You’d think this would be obvious, but I’m not so sure it is!! Posture-correcting apparel works best when you’re, you know, wearing it. In my 2023 interview with the founders, they suggested wearing it for 4 to 6 hours a day for 4 to 6 months to see full results. On the website currently, they advise “with daily, regular wear, your body will develop muscle memory to restore ideal posture without conscious effort.”
That’s a big commitment, especially if you’re wearing it to work out like they recommend—which either involves washing the bra frequently (cold water and gentle cycle, or hand wash) or purchasing multiples at $200 a pop.
The Design Is Somewhat Limiting
Say you’re all-in on wearing the Power Bra daily. The design—high neckline, long-line crop, and thick shoulder straps—doesn’t necessarily play nicely with your wardrobe. Tank tops and most dresses are out, as are v-necks or anything with a slightly lower neckline. I did the bulk of my testing when it was still pretty warm outside, and I found myself frustrated by having to choose my outfits based on my underwear instead of the other way around.
It’s Not That Strong
If you truly, truly want a posture-correcting wearable, I don’t think the Power Bra is strong enough to be effective; it’s more of a cue to pull your shoulders back than a physical force. I’d skip straight to the next level up—the Revive Bra—or the Ace V-Neck, which felt much more powerful to me during testing.
No Pads
This con is only applicable if you plan on wearing the Power Bra outside of the house on its own, but yeah, the fabric doesn’t hide any nips.
Is the Forme Power Bra Worth It?
The Forme Power Bra is an entry-level posture-correcting wearable, but I don’t think it’s worth the nearly $200 price tag for most people. Here’s why.
Who would get their money’s worth from the Forme Power Bra?
Someone who works from home and can easily wear the bra for the recommended daily 4 to 6 hours, without it dictating their wardrobe choices
Someone who wants an extra reminder on good form during low-impact workouts
Anyone with money to burn (this is going to be a recurring theme in IIWI), since Forme’s products are potentially FSA/HSA eligible
If my Power Bra bit the dust today, would I pay to replace it tomorrow?
I would not. Instead (and this is the personal trainer in me talking!!), I’d spend that $200 to go see a trusted PT for a posture assessment, and I’d work with a fitness professional to incorporate more posture-strengthening exercises into my routine—which will help you more in the long run than any wearable.
So, Is the Forme Power Bra Worth It?
It pains me to say this, especially because my idols at A Thing Or Two love it, but the Forme Power Bra is not worth it to me, a commoner whose sports bra budget caps out at $60. But if you’ve got Taylor Swift money? Go for it.
Got specific questions about the Forme line of products? Ask them in the comments!
*FDA-registered, by the way, just means that a business has registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and provided basic information about their establishment and products. It’s a requirement for businesses that produce regulated medical devices, but it’s not a stamp of approval.