I bought one to wear on planes where an underwire can set off alarms. Maybe I did not have a good fit as I have never worn it again. It’s kept twisting around. I have also had one that was flattening. Maybe they are better ones now but I can do without.

Now I'm thinking it's because I really am at the wrong size combination to get benefit out of them. I usually wear about 30F. Medium bralettes have no support at all, and I spill out of Small or XS. Neither feeling is comfortable. My actual bras are usually pretty comfortable, at least I don't think about them, so I don't have any incentive to look further.

I wear them for comfort. The ones I currently have are by Jockey, but I don't think I'll be buying them again because they started pilling very early. I wear a 32 or 34B, or a small/medium.

I wear bralettes when I am wearing pajamas around the house in the morning or evening. I have large, heavy breasts (32 DD). Wearing a bralette allows me to feel more modest, but still comfortable and "free". Speaking only for myself, I would never leave the house in a bralette. I wear a Gap style similar to the first one posted, which a fabber (Sarah) recommended to me years ago to solve the hanging around the house problem. I also wear some random stretchy one that I received as a hand-me-down from my sister. The size is not so critical as long as the material is very stretchy. Thanks to Taylor, because I have contemplated the lacy ones from Felina at Costco several times. Time to bite the bullet

Thumbs up from me! They're pretty much all I've ever worn. My criteria are: no hooks, removable or no padding, no molded cups, no racer-backs, and must have adjustable straps. Deep scoop or v necklines only; triangles and cross-front styles don't work very well for my shape. I'm about a 30B right now, but have been everything from a 30A to a 32D in my adult life. The bralette's ability to accommodate size fluctuations is definitely part of the appeal for me. My cup size went way up during pregnancy and right back down after DS weaned. My current favorite bralette is this merino one. I don't particularly like cotton bralettes, as cotton lacks elasticity and doesn't offer enough support to be worth wearing (and gets clammy). I have some synthetic ones too, but they don't feel as nice as the merino. 

This may be a silly question, but is there such thing as a bralette that provides decent nipple coverage? I think bralettes may work well for me, but don't like having my headlights on in public

I’m with Janet . I’d LOVE to love lingerie, but I don’t . Nothing pretty is readily available in a DD , and if it is , it’s a very, very expensive bra . I buy new bras only when I have to , and they are totally plain black or nude . Don’t even get me started on panties ! The dents in my shoulders go right down to the bone , and I dream of being able to have a referral for a breast reduction . I’m quite sure I’m not considered big enough , but I sure wish I could rid myself of some excess there . I think clothing hangs better and bodies look a lot trimmer with smaller breasts . I’d love to be able to wear a bralette...

I can barely stand the feeling of a wire bra at this point— like heels, it just feels like pointless discomfort! I like the efficiency of a bralette, too- it can work as an undershirt or cami, depending on the cut, and the straps are often pretty and can add a decorative element to a tank top.

StyleDetective, Uniqlo makes some bralettes with light padding. They work great for modesty/nip coverage, and they also give a nicer shape than a sporty flat uniboob. I can’t seem to find them online now, but they’re really good and don’t get all smushed in the wash.

No support, not helpful to me! (34F or DD)

Lots of great info and explanation for why/when bralettes are preferred over a traditional bra. I wanted to jump on something Janet mentioned. I wear a plain cotton bralette by Aerie when I travel in addition to around the house, precisely for the sweat factor. We often travel to hot and humid places and walk for hours. Therefore I prefer to sweat in the cheap all cotton bralette vs my regular bra. I take both with me and switch off. Unlike Angie I do not do laundry while traveling and I find this helps extend the freshness of my bra. I will also take with a light support sportsbra from Athleta that serves the same purpose and it's "stinkproof". This one is very soft, stretchy, and believe it or not it is Stinkproof! I was shocked but it keeps the smell away somehow. I highly recommend it.

https://athleta.gap.com/browse.....da0a1c0e0c

Oh and forgot to mention the only time I slept in one of these is when I was having terrible breast tenderness. I am talking my nipples hurt to even feel soft fabric on them! I was in sooo much discomfort the bralette protected me at night when I slept from the extreme sensitivity I was experiencing. I would get this sporadically prior to my period and when my estrogen levels were off the charts.

I only wear them at home with loungewear. I wear structured underwire bras in public. This is one of my favorites, although it is more utilitarian than pretty! I'd love to wear the lacy ones, but they are scratchy and most of them don't provide any support. This one provides enough support that I am not jiggling nor displaying anything, but not enough support (or shape or separation) that I would want to wear it with clothing outside the house. I am between a 32 and a 34 D.

https://www.hanes.com/shop/han.....ryId=21095

I try to go without a bra unless necessary for shaping or nipple coverage, so sometimes I will wear a bralette instead if I can't go completely without anything. I may also wear a bralette underneath a loose-fitting shirt that has a large neckline; here the bralette kind of functions as a bra that is meant to be seen and is part of the outfit.

I find that the bralettes from Free People are pretty substantial and give decent support for a bralette. They don't seem to squash me down like some bralettes do.

The bralette finds below are from Free People. For some reason, Free People items don't work with the YLF collector thingy, so they are custom finds.

ETA: I'm also adding finds for tops that I wear bralettes with.

The Madewell navy top is loose fitting and can expose me, so I wear the black bralette with it (the bralette is quite substantial).

The white Anthropologie top is very sheer and has a deep neckline, so I wear the halter bralette with it (I have that bralette in navy). The bralette follows the shape of the blouse neckline, so it works nicely.

The Free People white gauze cold-shoulder top gets worn with a white bralette in the style of the red lacy one below (the white one was sold out when I made the find).

The J. Crew white tee is quite sheer, so if I don't feel like wearing a nude bra with it, I will wear the navy halter bralette. Again, the shape of the bralette matches the shape of the shirt's neckline, so it works with the outfit.

Jessikams, thanks for the recommendation! I'll see if I can find the uniqlo ones. There isn't a uniqlo in my city but I'm travelling next weekend and was planning to visit uniqlo anyway

I am intrigued now. I would love to have more comfortable option that still prevents jiggle for wearing at home. I am 30G or 32G but don't consider myself particularly busty. Decided to give bralette a try and just ordered this 2. Hope I am not delusional

@StyleDetective -yes, bralettes are like any other bra in that some have more substancial pads than others. With some, the pads are removable and you can get thicker ones at Joann Fabrics and such.

I use a bralette exclusively at home, under loungewear and often to sleep. I am most comfortable with some support rather than braless with my heavier chest. This was even more important at my heaviest weight — I would have back pain without a bra. I prefer bralettes with separate cups and back hooks. The one below from Soma has a very comfortable and supportive wide band. I’ve owned several of this version, across a range of weights. It does not give the same silhouette as a bra, so I wear it solely under loungewear.

https://www.soma.com/store/pro.....at11489275

Hey "nutmeg" is doable-hurrah Last time I went in they said medium brown was "a fashion color"....

Thanks, ladies. I enjoyed your thoughts, and learned a lot about the preference for bralettes. Makes sense.

I have the opposite shape to many women here it seems. I have a wide rib cage and back, and smaller breasts (for the rest of my body). This is because I had breast reduction surgery over 20 years ago. So I wear about a 40c.

I love lacy bralettes instead of standard bras because I just find them more comfortable without all the structure. I occasionally wear the cotton/lycra sorts bra styles for handing at home...without too much hanging, if you know what I mean

Love the lacy bralettes from Marks and Spencer. https://www.marksandspencer.co.....-n-1z13qfq

I learned when I had breast cancer that the underwire in bras can impede the lymph system from doing its job. So for me bras with under wires are off limits. Also, sleeping with no constriction was advised. No one told me that when I was younger...

Hereforthecake I tend in that direction too-small bust (34 and all in the bottom half and not so tiny ribcage.30) If something fits in the bust it will be tight in the ribcage, especially at the bottom of my ribs.
I much prefer padding for going outside the house and don't really need bralettes because I have a collection of handed down soft bras that I wear around the house and are comfortable enough to sleep in if I end up not getting around to changing before bed.

A contoversial grooming product produced by the Gillette people circa 1990 ?

Yeah... I got nothin' !!

La Ped, thanks for posting the link to the merino bralette you love. I'm intrigued and may give it a try.