Boat Necks and Bra Straps - YouLookFab Forum

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Boat Necks and Bra Straps

Becky

Veteran

I recently found a near-perfect boat neck striped tee from Gap, but the neckline reveals bra straps (one or the other, but not both at once). How do you deal with this? Surely I wouldn't have to wear a strapless bra to avoid having a strap show? I like boat necks but have often avoided them for this very reason. Perhaps some of you more savvy dressers can give me some hints. Thanks in advance!

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Becky

Meredith1953

Veteran

This is an interesting question you pose because most bras are meant to stay and hug the upper part of your shoulder. Can you you put a cami with a braletlet underneath and secure it somehow?

Becky

Veteran

Meredith, I suppose I could just pin the bra straps themselves, but it seems like a lot of fuss. I've thought about wearing a coordinating tank with a wider strap underneath to cover the bra strap, but hesitate for two reasons: 1) It seems like it would detract from the beauty of the boatneck style and 2) It seems like it shouldn't be necessary when wearing a simple tee! (Again, I don't like the fuss factor.)

Kari

Veteran

I have that problem often, Becky. While I haven't found a true solution yet other than avoiding boatnecks that are that wide, I've thought about adding a strap-and-snap contraption to problematic tops, kind of similar to the hidden bra strap securing devices that you'll sometimes see in dresses.
This is more or less what I've been thinking about.

Becky

Veteran

That's a thought, Kari. Such an approach might help me salvage the two tees, which I had just about decided to return.

taylor

Veteran

Becky, as I recall you are pretty tiny, do these come in petite? They might be cut smaller around the neck.

cciele

Veteran

I hate this problem too! Some bras have straps that are wide set, and I have a convertible bra that is strapless that comes with thin straps that are pretty wide set. They also sell some kind of bra tape that you can use to tape your straps to your shirt

Meredith1953

Veteran

Kari's idea looks like it might work really well! I'll have to keep that in mind myself.

Becky

Veteran

Taylor, these actually are the petite size. I kept wondering who in the world could wear these tees without her bra straps showing. You're right, though; I'm sure the regular size would have an even wider neck opening.

cciele, do you know what retailers carry the bra tape? And I wonder how easily it is removed from the top when you're ready to wash it?

Meredith, I thought Kari's link was a really clever idea, too!

cciele

Veteran

Becky -- there are these:
http://www.amazon.com/Braza-St.....B000FVU400

Although I've never used them before so can't vouch for them. Let us know what solution you come up with!

Sara L.

Veteran

I use fashion tape to secure my bra straps where I want them when I wear tricky necklines.

MNsara

Veteran

Is it possible to close up the boatneck a little on each side?

I don't know how the neckline is actually finished, nor how it might affect the look or getting on & off, but it's a thought.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Becky, are you wearing a bra with fairly wide-set straps with this?

I tend to have the same problem with boat necks, but found that if I get bras where the straps align with the outer edge of the cups and not the middle of the shoulder (which is where most would be designed to sit, as Meredith says), it is contained --- as long as the top itself isn't too slip-slidey and prone to falling right off the shoulder!

Kate

Veteran

Becky, I use the fashion tape for problems like this, but the best solution is Kari's. As a child, I can remember my mother sewing bra keepers into the shoulders of her tops and dresses and later into a few of mine. Instead of bias tape, as in Kari's example, she used a narrow piece of elastic, either white or black.

These bra keepers are easy to make and they work beautifully.

Now I'm inspired to make some and sew them into some of my dresses.

Di

(website)

Veteran

I confess, I sometimes just resort to strapless bras with boatneck tops.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I usually avoid them too or I just move my straps to the end of my shoulders (and have to adjust once in awhile - if bra fits well the straps are not supposed to be doing too much work anyway. I'm going to try the tape trick though as it's my new favorite thing and I do have bra keepers in many of my sleeveless tops and dresses already so that's something to consider.

nancylee

Veteran

No good suggestions here.....except to maybe find another striped top that doesn't have this issue. I've gotten to the point where I just won't buy anything that requires special underwear! It keeps things simple.

Isabel

Veteran

Becky, I don't wear boat necks for this very reason. It is just too difficult for me.

HeleenH

Veteran

Do you have a balconnette style bra? The shoulderbands on those bra's are a little wider apart, which might help. Or you could try a bra with convertible straps and use see through straps like the top ones on this site: http://www.sewsassy.com/BraProducts/brastraps.html

Becky

Veteran

cciele, thanks for the link. It might be worth it to have some of the fashion tape on hand for last minute wardrobe emergencies when one doesn't have time to make a more permanent alteration.

Sara L., thanks for the real-life testimonial. How easily does the tape come off when you are ready to launder the item?

MNSara, I could ask my alterations lady about it. She would know if it were possible or not.

ManidipaM, I would say my straps are set more to the outer edge of the bra cup, but still have a bit of the problem. And if they were any wider, I think I would have a problem with them slipping off my shoulders.

Kate, thanks for sharing your variety of experiences. It's good to know either the tape or the sewn-in keepers would work. And I'm glad to hear this discussion inspired you to a more permanent solution for yourself!

Di, I might do that until I can get the tape or sew in some strap keepers.

Jjsloane, I'm glad to hear from someone else who says the strap keepers work. I'll definitely give them a try.

nancylee, I'm definitely with you on the "low maintenance" preference. If I hadn't had such a hard time finding a striped tee I liked, I would probably just send these two back.

Isabel, me too. :-/ I'm glad the YLF ladies have enlightened me as to some possible options.

HeleenH, thanks for reminding me of the clear strap option. I've seen other people use them, but had forgotten all about them.