Strapless, backless, frontless, halter, stick-on and nipple covers, whatever the problem there is a bra solution that claims you can wear the dress no matter how big your bust.
But do any bras that have their front, back or straps missing really give you the same support, shape or level of comfort as a regular bra?
Despite all the innovation in lingerie, sometimes all we want is a bra-friendly dress; no sticky back plastic masquerading as a brassiere, no nipple covers making us feel like an undercover burlesque dancer, just a normal comfortable, supportive bra.
Praise be, not only does this holy grail of dress exist, there are also loads of stylish options, and as the summer floods in it’s time to look for bra-friendly dresses that can take us to parties and cocktails.
V-neck, wrap front, button shirt dresses make for the perfect summer dress while bateau, square neck and knot front are great choices for cocktail parties and formal occasions dresses. So, let’s talk bra-friendly dress shapes and dress-friendly bras and while we are there, let’s talk about how we feel about a little bit of lacy bra on show.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s character in the OG Sex & The City made a visible bra a fashion statement, and a flash of a lacy bra can be a pretty addition to an outfit. If that’s not your thing and you want your bra to be invisible under your dress, I would look for a soft, seamless bra with no lace or ruffles so your dresses sit smoothly. If your dress is sheer, opt for a bra that’s similar to your skin shade because flash photography at parties and weddings can reveal a white bra even if it looks hidden in daylight.
Bigger boobs mean a bigger bra and that means bigger straps to hold all that fabulousness in place, so unless you’re happy with visible bra straps bandeau dresses and anything resembling spaghetti straps are off the menu. Ditto plunge front and plunge back.
I have pulled together bra-friendly dress options that both hide bra straps, fit perfectly under the arm and sit smoothly over a bra – dresses that will see you through your summer parties, and not a stick-on bra in sight.
With 20 years experience as both a Fashion Buyer and Stylist, Joanne Watkinson has a wealth of knowledge about everyday style and event dressing. We’ve asked her to share her tips and tricks on how to pick the perfect dress or outfit and how to perfect your look for special occasions.
