Bra that is meant to be seen? - YouLookFab Forum

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Bra that is meant to be seen?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have been looking for crop camis and bralettes for some deep armhole or wide neck drapey tees I have. Is it a good solution to just buy a bra that can be seen in a fun pattern? I've always been a keep all undergarments under wraps kind of gal. So this is kind of new territory for me.
Do you think the print, along with the twinned straps, would make this passable as something that peeks out of some tops?? http://m.calvinklein.com/produ.....d=12945390
As an aside, the style reminds me a bit of the iBra (remember that craze?).

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Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Well if it IS going to be seen, why not make it a part of the fashion too? I think it's better than showing off a nude or white bra for sure. I've always reached for black bras when I'm going to wear certain dark tank tops, just in case the straps show. I do find fashion tape to be very useful for most of my bra issues with shoulder straps or the top of the bra showing, but the armholes being too large is a different problem.

Anonymous

I have seen the look coming back, but to be honest, I would reserve it for the really young and the avant garde, like Anna.
On the rest of us commom folk, this one can go very, very wrong.
I would look into a bralette or something with more coverage. I am a pass for this idea.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, I might find in practice completely different than in theory, and feel half naked! Yhe one top I really have the most issue with right now is this berry one. And in the coming warmer months I don't want to have to double layer with a full cami all the time.

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Diana

Veteran

I'd go for a balconette style or something with a bit more coverage. Something that comes up higher in the center between the cups. It's not visible bra that I don't like, it's the low, low plunge between the cups, you know? FWIW, I always buy my bikini tops with higher center gores too. I feel like the plunge styles look very underwear-y, if you know what I mean.

ETA: I'm assuming the cups of the bra might show sometimes. If it's just the straps, then this one is perfectly fine.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm generally a very conservative no on visible bra straps, but these look more like cami straps to me, which seem okay.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Diana, I should have specified. The sides, under the arms is what I'm having issues with, on low armhole tops. Also the straps on wide necked tops.
I actually have a really hard time with the center gore on most bras. They tend to lay on my breast tissue instead of between. That's one main reason I've been going down in band and up in cup - they tend to move them closer and closer together as you move down the spectrum that way.

cciele

Veteran

Yes, I think that bra will work with what you had in mind! I think any brightly colored or patterned bra will work. I bought a Marlies Dekker bra (similar to what Anna and MaryK have) just for that purpose

Diana

Veteran

Oh! Well in that case this bra is perfectly fine.

I have the opposite problem with bras - my boobs are so wide-set that I really should be one band size in front and a smaller one in back.

Gaylene

Veteran

Hmm, well, I'm in the senior crowd and I think it would be perfectly fine if I saw this bra peeking out of an armhole.

I've seen tasteful bra peekage on women of all ages in many European countries but I think a couple of rules are in order to keep it tasteful rather than skanky. First, utility bras in nude and white ought to be kept under wraps. Second, bra peekage is tasteful if it is counterbalanced with suitable coverage in the rest of the outfit; a glimpse of a lacy bra when worn with a drapey tuxedo suit has an entirely different vibe than when worn with a Madonna-like skimpy top and bottom. Third, the operative word for tasteful bra peekage is peekage--a glimpse, not a full-on assault. That said, I think this is one of those wardrobe questions where whether or not to do it depends on your personal comfort level and the situation, rather than age. I know that I have no problems flashing a bit of lace under a jacket or a showing a glimpse of a pretty bra strap under a sundress on a summer afternoon.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love to see a hint of beautiful bra (to Gaylene's point - not the utility bra type). I have always batted for that team and see absolutely no problem with the look. And if tastefully done, there is no age restriction. If I wasn't always cold, and could find a beautiful bra in my size - I would sport this look.

It's just a bit of bra! Not a flash of bare breast.

Thumbs up!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Yes, those low cut armholes are a pain right now, I tend to wear a low contrast but pretty bra when dealing with this issue Malina.

Even one of DH's tanks had to be returned to H&M because he felt he was exposing too much sidemoob

Anonymous

Ok, I am confused now. Do you mean wearing a sheer top with the bra, just lie Anna did a couple days ago or just allowing the straps to peek out? Big difference. I really see no problem with the second. As far as the armholes, I generally find that the area is not the prettiest on anyone, so I just wear a short tank, that looks like a sport bra, over my bra.

rachylou

Veteran

I'd go for a corset top.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Zap, wearing a sheer top with a bra is not that much of a biggie - some blouses aren't that sheer. Some bras are a lot more covered than others (corsets are another option). There are ways to make this bra revealing concept a lot more subtle, so with the devil in the detail, it's a look that can be sported as you get older - with a more covered bra and less see-through blouse - AND IN THE APPROPRIATE SETTING!!! This is not appropriate for the office for example. I hope that offers some clarity.

Anonymous

Thank you Angie. I respectfully disagree, though. To me, the standard colored bra under a really sheer top ( I am not talking about a semi sheer blouse or thin tee), is one that should be reserved for very, very few, so yep, that is kind of a big no no in my circle. As far as occasion, I guess it should be reserved for a club or night event. it can come off as really desperate, IMO.

I agree that a corset or a bandeau type of bra, gives a much different vibe.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And that would be the more riske version, Zap. I agree with you, so we don't actually disagree. The more subtle versions are not a biggie at all - again, not in a professional setting.

Anonymous

Ah... ok:)
My reading comprehension levels are off par today.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

For the record, I am thinking of the armhole and straps showing in the neckline issues, not sheerness, but I do understand the other points.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES! I did get that the first time round, Mo. My thumbs are up!

High five, Zap!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Mo, I actually voted nay, though I may be in the minority here. I'm very conservative about bra parts showing. The bra you linked to is very pretty and looks like it could be practically mistaken for a bathing suit top. But personally I wouldn't wear even a bathing suit top showing under my top, except at a resort or poolside restaurant, etc. My preferred option would be to go with a bandeau, like these "Boob Tubes":
http://missoops.com/fashion-oops/boob-tube-lace-1
They are more deliberate looking than a pretty bra showing, and they are cooler than a camisole.
It will be interesting to see the array of responses!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have given bandeaus a good hard look, too, as a solution. This may sound funny, but a lot of them look more like underwear to me than the printed bras do! Especially the ruched front or lace 'boob tubes'. Not to mention, I need straps. I would yank allllll day long on a bandeau for sure. I still hold out hope there is a perfect crop cami or corset type top for me, but may try this bra in the meantime.

unfrumped

Veteran

Sorry, not batting for the display bra team.

Deborah

Veteran

Have you seen the Helmut Lang asymmetrical bra top? It's very cool and becomes part of the outfit. I realise it may be a different vibe to what you are looking for, but just a thought.