Bra showing under sheer shirt -- OK or tacky? - YouLookFab Forum

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Bra showing under sheer shirt -- OK or tacky?

cciele

Veteran

So I bought a basic white long-sleeve tee that's kind of sheer. I was talking to the shop owner (who's Swedish and also a clothing designer) about what to wear under it. She said she'd wear it with a black bra showing through (like I had on when I was trying it on).

Is this a fashion/Euro thing, about bras showing? For example, Europeans seem to be more OK with bra strap peeking out under tanks/camis than people in the US.

So if I wore the tee with a black bra visible under it, would it look tacky? Does it depend on context? Or what if I wore a black Second Base half-cami?

Yay -- If it looks like you're showing your bra on purpose, go for it!
Nay -- That looks really tacky.

P.S. Sorry if I'm stereotyping here -- just trying to figure out if there's a cultural/regional thing going on!

ETA: Here's the tee:
http://www.shopbop.com/bold-lo.....shopbysize

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Marley

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think it's a case by case thing. I don't mind a little bra showing (sometimes it looks fabulous) - but it has to work visually. Details are important.

Raisin

Veteran

I'm going to have to go with nay. I'm sure there are some instances where it can look good and be appropriate, but for me most of the time it's tacky. I would just go with a nude bra or a cami under.

Kristin L

Veteran

Right off the cuff, I would say no. But, if you can pull it off and make it look classy, then go for it!

Anonymous

I would rather see the whole bra intentionally with a sheer top than even unintentional bra straps. I had a favorite button down that was very shear navy with pink/turquoise flowers and I wore a turquoise bra under. But I did this in my 30s, I don't plan on doing it now at nearly 50. I think it's a lot you have to wear with confidence.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I've worn a color block bra (tan/brown/black) under a black lace shirt. The shirt was boxy and loose though.

morethanbeige

Veteran

I would say nay for me, but I'd have to see the look. I think it could be done without looking tacky.

Anonymous

I have seen black bras and camis under semi-sheer white blouses and I actually like it. I'm not talking completely see-through fabric though, I've even seen a woman of a certain age sporting this look and I thought it was kind of chic.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

In the hot dog days of summer I've worn a nude bra under a somewhat sheer white tee. You can't make out all of the details but if you look hard, you can make out the bra. This is OK in my book because it's so hot I'm allowing it for myself.

However the look you are talking about isn't something I would do, not so much because the bra is visible, but because if you can see my bra you can see my aging slightly wiggly tummy and I don't want to show it any more. Plus, I'm 54 and just don't feel this is age appropriate (for me).

I got this tee and wore it for Thanksgiving with a cami under it. I like the way the model looks, but this look doesn't work for me for the above reasons. http://www.shopbop.com/shiny-s.....shopbysize

cciele

Veteran

Thanks for all the feedback so far! Seems like people are leaning toward "nay, but it depends". Here's a link to the tee:

http://www.shopbop.com/bold-lo.....shopbysize

The model seems to be wearing some kind of sports-type bra under it, much like the model in the link Denise posted.

Will return to comment in more detail

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

I'm totally comfortable with showing off my bra, and do it often(ish) - either with sheer tops or open weave sweaters, or with just the strap showing in off the shoulder tops. If you like the look - go for it - you've got to try it at least once!

Sarah A

Veteran

I think it can work if done tastefully. I say like it is old hat even though I dont know if i have tried it myself. Just maybe Girl X has convinced me to give it a go!

Thistle

Veteran

I say nay, but that is without seeing it. Yes, it can be tastefully done, but where I live, it so seldom is done properly.

Things could be very different in Europe though. I feel like they are just more fashionable there, and more laid back about bras in general!

Adelfa

Veteran

I say it totally depends on where you live. Where I live (town in Central California) it wouldn't fly at all, but here people don't even wear mini skirts. I really advocate for the idea that what looks tacky/indecent is 100% culturally/context dependent.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I should add that whenever I posted a semi-sheer shirt outift here, I get a lot of you need a camisole.

JuneBug

Veteran

I'm calling it a yay, but strictly if its age appropriate and in the right sort of sheer top. I like a black bra under a sheerish black or grey top, and prefer a grey/nude or low contrast bra under a tee like the one in the image, so that its visible enough if there's a statement to make, but not being too loud if its in the morning. A higher coverage bra in black under a sheer dark coloured top can look quite chic too.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I'm with June, and think I'd rather see a bra under a sheer shirt or a pretty bra strap showing, than waistbands of knickers peeking out any day of the week.

Possibly as much a personal preference thing, as a cultural one then? (Where I live is generally pretty conservative in the Victorian sense, so it is actually 'too stylish' to 'tacky' to 'slutty' to have your bra show, for most people. People are known to put towels or larger garments over bras and undies before line-drying them here.)

kkards

Veteran

i think it really depends on where you are wearing it, and who will be there. for anything involving work or people you work with, i think its a big no. for a night in a bar, sure why not. for anything in between, i think you need consider who will be there.
i should also add, i think it could depend on were you live, i know in the city i live in, this would a very talked about look, but in NYC, i don't think anyone would notice.

BlondeAmbition

I think it can be done but you have to be young to pull it off. I would opt for a lace camisole myself, but I'm not against showing the bra if it's a beautiful bra and is done right.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I am also of the mind that the details make or break this look. I have warmed up to a slightly-visible bra look, but I prefer it in a style with a looser, blousy or flowy top rather than a tight tee. The tighter the garment, the more I feel the look comes in danger of veering toward "tacky."

cciele

Veteran

Thanks for your input, everyone! Definitely seems like a case-by-case thing. For sure I wouldn't wear the look to work. And at my age, some would argue I shouldn't be wearing it at all

But I do hang out in places in San Francisco where basically anything goes, so in that context people wouldn't think twice. For everyday wear, though, it would likely be cami (or even a half cami) time.

lynne

Veteran

If you are going to do it, do it without the half cami. I love my Second Base half cami, but in this context it would seem to say that you don't have the confidence to wear the look.

cciele

Veteran

Interesting point, lynne. I've seen sheer shirts worn with bandeau tops or longline/corset-like bras underneath, so I was thinking a half-cami would have a similar visual effect.

lynne

Veteran

My fear is that the Second Base wouldn't look intentional enough. You want your outfit to say"I know you can see through this top and I'm going to entertain you" rather than " I'm afraid you might be able to see what's under here"

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I voted nay, but really that's for everyday. I would definitely be OK with it for going out at night or even out to dinner if done the right way.

Marley

Veteran

If the top is actually sheer, then I think a cami is called for. However, if its just a thin material where a colored bra is going to be noticed underneath - but not actually screaming "look at me" - then I think the look is cool and can be done at any age.