Bras under sheer tops? - YouLookFab Forum

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Bras under sheer tops?

Fruitful

Veteran

Quickly! Is it okay to wear only a black (solid, t-shirt) bra under a loose sheer white top with a highwaisted skirt underneath? I'm thinking maybe not. But it looked so much better like that...now I've put a tank on, not as good... i'd take a pic but I have to head out now to my son's school fair. Maybe I'll ask my friends there. I can tell the answers would be divided. My Argentinian, Zumba teaching friend would probably say yes. My never-leave-the-house-without full face of makeup, tv banning friend, probably not so much. Any thoughts?

Aussie thoughts especially welcome as you know other countries often don't realise how casual we are.

I might take the tank off later...(hot day today!). Will try to post pics later!

Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from jujubee

shedev

Veteran

I wouldn't do it with an ordinary bra, but the bra of awesomeness (MaryK's I think, or something like a Helmut Lang) I'd do.

El Cee

Veteran

I would personally be a bit timid about wearing just a bra (especially a black one) under something both sheer and white, but I have seen others rock this look. However, I often wear nude T-shirt bras under sheer patterned blouses. I simply run too warm to wear tanks and camisoles.

Echo

Veteran

It would surely depend on the occasion. In general (and I realize I am likely in the minority here), I find it dreadful to wear a black bra under a white top. It just screams for the wrong kind of attention in my eyes; it isn't a good look, IMO. However, an awesome black bra (perhaps one with a slightly longer line) under a sheer black top would be fine for clubbing or evening wear, perhaps. Daytime? Not for anything I can really imagine, as it is not appropriate for work or school functions or, well, almost anything daytime.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I recently tried a bralette under a sheer striped dolman top just around the house and was not comfortable - I'm 43, though.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. I am doubtful, but then I am on Team Modesty all the way. I totally agree with Echo -- a black bra with a sheer black top would be fab.

Emily

Veteran

Eeeeeh. I think the visible bra thing is okay in the right context, but my answer to White Blouse + Black Bra will always be no - I think the look has to be a little more subtle (with a black blouse, maybe, as others have suggested). Maybe a white cami would work under your white blouse?

Peri

Veteran

I'm so sorry, I'm no all the way. The only circumstance I could buy that would be a just barely 20 year old at a rock concert. Even then, she'd be wearing it because she actually wanted "the wrong kind of attention" as Echo says. On purpose.

Any other circumstance...no.

Anonymous

You know, I've seen this look where it's not trashy at all. Even on a middle aged woman (I now you're not middle-aged, though!). It has to do with how sheer the blouse is and, of course, the rest of the outfit.

I can't remember how dark your skintone is Fruitful, kind of medium? On darker skintones a black bra under a sheer white top is very conservative, as it works like a nude.

unfrumped

Veteran

For obvious bra-visions under very sheer tops, I always think, why ?
So the question of when and where and how and what colors isn't part of my thought process! Different strokes, of course.

Irene

Veteran

I like it if styled the right way, but I think it's one of those looks that only women with smaller busts can pull off without looking tacky. Bigger breasts have sexual connotations just for being there (whether that's fair or not is another story) so showcasing a bra will make you look like you are looking for the wrong kind of attention. If you are smaller on top though you might be able to get away with it with the right top, bra and bottom.

Thistle

Veteran

I would say no, not unless you are going to a nightclub.

Fruitful

Veteran

Very interesting! Thanks for all your perspectives.

A little more info; the top is a a white top with tiny black polka dots; shortsleeved, voluminous, hipgrazing, button front with small black fabric covered buttons, no collar, v-neck (not low), with black lace trim around the neckline. I think this is partly why I liked the black under it. (The tank was a rust red that blended in with my skirt, which was a muted red with small cream polka dots). The skirt is vintage, probably nineties, knee-length, fit-and-flare with a high waist and interesting waistline (a v-cut in the centre at the back of the waistband). I did not tuck the top.

I have medium skin (my Dad is Indian. My body would be about Mac shade NC40) so black doesn't blend, but if it did the look would not have caught my attention.

My breasts are heading back to their pre-children A cup if that's relevant.

It ended up not being an issue as I started the day with a tank top underneath and was far too busy volunteering at the fair to be in a space to feel more relaxed and pretty. I had zero energy afterwards so did not take a photo. Right before I left I did slip off the tank and felt out of my comfort zone (though relievedly cooler)!

Both looks were problematic. With the tank the outfit was meh. I looked like I had no boobs my waistline was obscured a bit even though the tank was fitted. Also, the special waistband was not visible as it blended in with the top.

With the bra, I felt conscious that I was showing my bra (surprise, surprise). It was frustrating because the look *almost* worked. With the high waist of the skirt only a few inches of belly were visible - probably the part of my body most worthy of accentuating. If I was wearing a sari, I'd be showing the same thing and it'd be modest. You could also see how nice my skirt was while veiling it through the blouse which I liked.

I think this would have worked with something that didn't signal "bra". I don't think bras look bad but it is more the ideas people have in their head about them. Something that has a straight edge at the bottom instead of the roundness of "bra" cups. That might also give even an inch or 2 more coverage; even though my ribcage isn't obscene, covering it slightly may shift the association. I might keep my eyes open for a... wait for it... bustiere! (Now how's that for nineties retro)

Lantana

Veteran

An Aussie perspective here, with the benefit of your added details. My first thought is to try an underlayer in silk because it is so cooperative.
I'm kind of OK on the black bra under but not really. Underclothes need to be the support act not the main feature andwithout a photo I can't judge how a black bra under a basically white top could achieve that.
I hear you on Aussie casual, depending of course on where one lives. Yesterday here in the countryside it was 33 and too hot for a cami. I wore a pale blue bra mildly visible under a blue and white top. I was at home and the neighbours stopped by for beer o'clock. I felt OK, actually I thought it looked quite pretty, and I would have worn it to the shops too if they opened here on a Sunday. Yep, it is like that.
Interestingly, I would Never have contemplated a visible bra without the YLF influence.
I'd be interested to see a pic if you eventually get the chance. Penny.

Deborah

Veteran

If anyone can make it look tasteful, I think you could:) I agree with Penny's suggestion. Otherwise the only time I have found the bra showing thru look appealing is when it's the HL assymetric strap bra.

Neel

Veteran

A simple black bra - no way! But a trendy cropped corset - why not, especially if the skirt is high waisted.

Gigi

Veteran

Victoria's Secret has a lot of bras now that are like cropped corsets. You might want to try their Stretch Lace Bralette, which might work for what you want. Before you order any of the bralettes, be sure to read the reviews to make sure that the bralette is not too sheer. Or you could maybe call customer service to be sure. They must do some photoshopping, because I have ordered some bralettes from them (though not this one), and you could see EVERYTHING--not like in the picture, where everything is opaque.

Greyscale

Veteran

Sometimes camisoles or tank tops create a uniboob that ruins the nice drape of my sheer blouses or drapey sweaters (C or D cup). My one solution so far is a nylon cami with underwires, like a real bra that extends all the way down my torso. This is the one I have:
http://www.shopbop.com/second-.....924386.htm?

I bet a loose silk or nylon cami (like old-style slips) would drape well under a sweater or sheer top. I want to find one but everything is stretchy these days.

Sharon

Veteran

I'm thinking that you are probably right on trend with the black bra and high-waisted skirt look. I am seeing a lot of this look around at the moment. I enjoy it, and I can imagine that you would really rock it.

http://www.cue.cc/shop/Product.....S13/201734

The way this has been styled in the link below is essentially what you have described minus the sheer blouse.

http://www.countryroad.com.au/.....rim-Bralet

Debra

Veteran

This is a really hard question
I don't object to the look itself of a bra under a sheer blouse but it's so easy to go wrong here. Everything would just have to be intentional and modern not sexy
Does that make sense ?
It's not something I would wear ( way past this) but I have Two daughters and one could pull it off, she has a very modern and daring style, the other, no......she is very ladylike.
I guess it depends on you

krishnidoux

Veteran

I would not do it.

jujubee

I saw this look this weekend on my sister in law. She wore a cropped black cami under a winter white loose fitting blouse and skinny jeans. She looked nice and the outfit didn't read "too sexy" to me. The blouse was just sheer enough to see the black.