A brassiere and method of making including a front portion configured to receive the breasts of the wearer and a back panel including a first lateral side affixed to the front portion and a second lateral side affixed to the front portion. The back panel includes an inner fabric layer configured to contact the wearer's skin, an outer fabric layer opposing the inner fabric layer, and reinforcing panels positioned between the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer. A first reinforcing panel extends from the first lateral side, a second reinforcing panel extends from a second lateral side and a third reinforcing panel extends between, but not in contact with, the first and second reinforcing panels.