How much see-through is too much? - YouLookFab Forum

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How much see-through is too much?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’m pondering something as I poke through my closet, packing for a weekend away (our wedding anniversary and a friend’s son’s graduation party).

I have just a few tops that have openwork (lace, broderie anglaise, mesh) through which one can see a bra or camisole underneath. Nothing super revealing, but they always give me pause. Why? I love them, but in the season when I most want to wear them — hot summer — I hate the feel of an extra layer, even in a camisole. And then you’re dealing with tucking the camisole too, so it doesn’t stick out below the top, which just feels even more constricting.

I have a periwinkle shirt with this openwork that I wear with just a bra underneath, but I always choose a bra that matches and the openwork is fairly tight, so it still feels covered up. Pic 1 (color is off in photo but you get the idea).

My question is about the top in Pic 2-3 (including the one in super bright bathroom light, which is a little scary). It’s by L’Agence and I love it, but I hesitate to go with just a bra underneath because it’s a bit more open and all my bras would contrast rather than blend, since it’s white (I do not own white bras). Here I am wearing a green bra underneath — just happens to be the one I’m wearing today.

I feel like it would be easier for someone younger and/or with less of a bust to just go with it, but on a busty 60yo woman?? Black over a black bra would be more in my comfort zone, but I really do like white in summer and want to wear this.

In theory I don’t care about seeing a bra underneath, but I wondered what the reactions here might be. I’d be more likely to wear it this way for dinner date with my husband than for a more casual day look, FWIW.

Added pic 4 with a black cami. Meh. I also tried it with a white tank top but it just looks and feels like an undershirt, LOL.

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General

34 replies

Latest reply was from Aquamarine

Star (Lise)

Veteran

I hear you on not wanting an extra layer in the extreme heat. I too am more comfortable in a black bra with a black open work top but I'm not in white. It is very personal. I won't be wearing my new white eyelet button down without a cami, probably white but maybe other colours.

kellygirl

Veteran

I was expecting to see sheer and this to me, isn't. I wouldn't hesitate to wear this out for the occasions you mention. I like it best with the bra - it's more summery. The full tank kind of ruins the airy effect. I have a similar top that I wear open as a jacket for work. Enjoy!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes! I feel like the full tank just looks heavy and ruins the effect. Even the white one felt that way. Maybe a very lightweight white silk cami, if I had one.

I would probably choose a bra that has a little more cup coverage than this one — it’s a racerback and it’s rather plunging in front.

I do feel like the loose fit of the top helps de-bombshell it a bit too. I wouldn’t wear something fitted that’s this open.

Peri

Veteran

I'm all the way with you on this topic. Openwork is pretty, but difficult!

I like the black camisole version but not at all the bra version. It is just asking people to look and I really don't want them looking! Even if it's just a glance (yep, that's a bra I see) that's more attention than I want paid to my bust because it's going to be coming from multiple people. I would join you in saying as a busty 66 year old woman, but I would have questioned this, for me at least, at any age.

And I would say, if it gives you pause just thinking about it, would you really enjoy wearing this at those events? Some people might, I definitely wouldn't, but I think this is one of those instances where it's better to go with gut feeling. If I was uncomfortable with what I was wearing I wouldn't have fun and I'd definitely be concerned about what my friends and a teenage boy would be thinking.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Just to clarify, this would not be for a graduation party, or even for this weekend in particular -- just for dinner date with my husband.

Peri

Veteran

Definitely different then. Dinner date with the husband is much more the occasion.

Jules

Veteran

Are people looking at a 50+ woman’s barely exposed bra tho? My honest sense at age 52 is nobody cares what I’m wearing, for the most part - if the clothes are loose and skin is ‘covered’, nobody is checking the details. And maybe not even in more revealing clothes.
People are, or were, far more judgmental or just ‘looking’ at younger women (these days I think my own daughters are way more concerned about showing their toes than a bit of bra. They are actually embarrassed on my behalf if I comment on a particularly ‘skimpy get up’ seen in the wild). I wouldn’t wear the bra version to the office but anywhere else would be fine, IMHO. I think it looks great, actually, and a good solution overall as white bras always look more like ‘underwear’ to me and get a bit tatty.

Jules

Veteran

To add, I totally get having personal comfort preferences about exposure, I just don’t think it’s about the viewer so much as my own hangups.

Elle

Veteran

It’s a lovely blouse! I like it best with the black bra but only if you’re comfortable. The lighting in a restaurant is going to be much more flattering than the harsh bathroom light so the contrast will be less apparent. Another idea might be a bra that matches your skin.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'd have zero problem wearing top 1 with just a bra. Carry on!

I think I'd wear top 2 with just a bra, too. But I'd get a white or (maybe) flesh toned bra. Or -- though I don't think this would be your style, exactly -- maybe a brightly coloured one! One that matched my bottoms or something. I agree that the cami just makes it look too heavy and kind of spoils the effect of the gorgeous openwork. It's a beautiful top and I agree, the cut de-bombshells it.

I am wearing an openwork sweater today with a white tank top underneath. I tend to wear a cami or tank under my mesh and openwork tops, but I don't have broderie tops at the moment and I think they demand something different as a rule, just as you suggest.

Irina

Veteran

I don’t like to wear a camisole in the summer, too. This is not too sheer to me. I would wear a nude, cream or light beige bra under. I usually have a few to wear under white tops, shirts.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This is helpful -- thank you!

My bras are black, cobalt blue, light blue, navy, green, and nude. All are lace, I've given up on so-called t-shirt bras because they always have some sort of padding in them, which I do NOT need, LOL. After trying this on with a few of them today, I think I could be comfortable in one of them under this shirt without a tank or cami. I just needed to spend a little time trying it, and photographing it helped too, as well as your feedback. Honestly, I'm more comfortable with this kind of exposure these days than I am with anything that's overtly cleavage-baring. A hint of sexy doesn't bother me!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have zero problem with either gorgeous top worn with just a bra - high or low contrast. It's just a pretty bra! Not a boob. AND your bras provide ample coverage.

Go for it, Janet! Leave off the camisole when it's too hot. Have a fab trip

SarahD8

Veteran

I have a cropped woven linen camisole that I like under white sheer tops. It is somewhat loose fitting so not bothersome in the heat, and falls roughly to my bellybutton. So no need to mess with tucking but also not more than a sliver of tummy peeking through.

I am distinctly *not* busty however.

The pics you posted all look perfectly fine to me! I realize the sheer effect might be hard to capture in a photo but I echo others -- carry on!

I think that cutwork top would also be great worn open as a breezy topper.

LJP

Veteran

I guess I’m the odd one out here . I would only wear the white shirt with a cami under it . It’s one thing if you have no extra body fat that presents as “rolls “ near waistbands when you’re sitting down - but for me personally it’s too exposed and / or unfinished . Not in a too -sexy way or anything inappropriate , but it just seems too beach cover- up when worn with nothing under it. So if it’s too hot for a cami , I’d wear something else .

LJP

Veteran

Also I love your colourful bra collection ! I have 2 colours : black and nude , lol.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I hate camisoles in the summer. I love that shirt but I personally would probably pass it on because I wouldn't dare wear it with just the bra.
At the end of the day, I think what matters is how you feel in it. If you don't feel too self-conscious, then go for it. I think I personally would.

Sal

Veteran

I would wear the white shirt with just a bra. I would probably wear nude or a pale blue or lilac but I think black is fine too. Like you, occasion dependant.

I do have a nude to me boring looking underwire bra that is my go to with white tops. I also have a pale blue bra with pretty straps that is my go to if my bra strap might peak out.

I like both shirts too!

K. Period.

Veteran

I've thought about this issue a lot this year. Looking outwardly, I would not think for a second about anyone else wearing a combo like this. It looks great. I'd just think, "Wow, she looks very stylish and confident!" Looking inwardly, I was more hesitant. I felt too conspicuous. Then I hit on the idea of wearing a lacy, lined cropped top/bra (like those the under 30 set would wear alone as festival wear) or a simple wireless bra with support and coverage that looks like a cropped tank (like Soma's Enbliss bralettes). Problem solved. I'm not going to be running in the combo, but it is more than comfortable enough physically and psychologically for a day out.

Carla

Veteran

Nude under eyelet and some sheer linens - but not necessarily for modesty or discretion, but because the appearance of a solid block of colour underneath takes away from the effect. Of course a solid block of colour underneath could be a style choice.

I have a black mesh shirt that is quite sheer in some lighting situations. I wear it with a black bra, or an interesting unpadded bikini top in a contrasting colour.

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Cookie

Veteran

Wow, I really like this top. I think it LOOKS good both ways but I’d be uncomfortable with just the bra (which seems like a gorgeous one). I’d wear the black cami or a softer colored one or maaaybe a bra close to my skin tone.

Kate

Veteran

I can’t wear anything under my tops in our hot summers but a bra—and barely that.

Enjoy wearing your pretty top with whatever bra you choose for the dinner date with hubs.

slim cat

Veteran

Beautiful top! I think nude bra or even light blue bra ( maybe with blue jeans to make it more intentional ) would be great - enjoy wearing it!

MsMary

Veteran

I'd wear it with a bra with no hesitation. I agree that a nude bra might be less conspicuous but the black looks just fine.

kkards

Veteran

I’m at the ge where I wear what makes me feel good/happy.

That being said, I run cold, and so I actually like the cami/tank for the coverage. If also wearing bra’s less, especially in summer, and more the tank with a built in bra.

One thing that I like with shirts like #2 is a tank in the color of the pants

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Stella

I think it looks great with a darker bra (not with the black cami; very much agree with you about the undershirt vibe). A busty 60 year old can wear whatever she wants!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I understand all the points of view here (as a busty just about 60 year old woman) but like Stella's last line best: A busty 60 year old can wear whatever she wants!

Debbie

Veteran

I like both with just a bra and do this myself. To me it’s comfort for n the heat.
I love this of you.

Lisa

Veteran

I am with you for no extra layers in the heat. One reason why I like graphic tees so much for summer is they add interest without layers.

For this top I think any color bra is fine. You can go column of color with your bra and bottoms matching or opt for a bright bra for a high contrast look, or nude is you want something more subdued, you have lots of options for this pretty top.

Personally I like the column of color idea best by pairing this white top with a navy or black bra and bottom which will really let the pretty open work detail standout on this top.

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