This week’s Fashion Challenge is bound to be a bit controversial…
Many girls firmly believe that showing your bra in any way, shape, or form is a MAJOR fashion no-no. And they have a point: After all, nothing looks tackier than thick white bra straps blatantly exposed under a racerback tank top, or loose straps slipping down your arm. In most cases, the undergarments-shown-on-purpose look is just not a good idea–remember that horrible, trashy trend when girls pulled their thongs up over their pants? YUCK!
For the reasons above, I know many of you will be wary of trying this challenge–but please continue reading; I promise it’s possible to make this trend look fierce, not frisky. Are you ready to take on the challenge?
Table of Contents
Tips and Tricks
- Wear with confidence. Let others know your look is intentional by really owning it, and not fidgeting with anything you’re wearing–it’ll make others feel uncomfortable. Try matching the bra with your purse or shoes to further emphasize that this was no fashion mistake.
- Keep (semi) covered! This look is better when the rest of your outfit is on the conservative side. We’re going for subtle sexy, not stripper sexy!
- Try it out with sheer clothing. Do you have a sheer or lacy top that you’re dying to wear but don’t know how to pull off? Pair it with a bandeau bra, or one with plenty of coverage.
- Consider the color and material. A lacy red bra under a slouchy white tank top sends out a much different vibe than a black bandeau, for example.
- Use your best judgment. After all, you’re a classy and stylish CF reader–you know what works and what doesn’t. So you be the judge of whether an outfit is appropriate or not.
Outfits for Inspiration
With a Strapless Dress
Dress, Bra, Shoes, Bracelet, Earrings, Clutch
Let’s face it–strapless bras are NOT the most comfortable item in your closet. I’ve tried high end and low end ones, and let’s just say I’ve yet to encounter one that I would wear unless it was absolutely necessary.
If you find a bra that matches perfectly, I personally think wearing a regular bra with a strapless dress is fine. Notice on the above outfit how the material of the black bra is very similar to the material on the black dress. This is subtle, more comfortable, and most people won’t even realize the straps aren’t connected to your dress! Again, use your best judgment, and ask a few friends for their opinions if you’re unsure: Though this look is perfect for a night on the town, it’s not the best choice for a wedding or church.
Under a Loose Tank Top
Tank, Shoes, Bandeau, Necklace, Bracelet, Jeans
Most of you probably own a large selection of slouchy tank tops: These tanks are huge on most college campuses, usually worn to parties but also during the day. When I first started wearing these, I layered them over fitted tank tops. Although it looked nice, to me it sort of took away the look and feel of the tank’s intended breeziness, you know?
So if racerback bras aren’t your thing, try wearing a bandeau bra underneath these low-cut, loose tanks. These bras come in many price ranges, and are stretchy, often with cups built right in! I bought my favorite bandeau at Wet Seal for $5 a few months ago, and it has survived several long days and trips through the washing machine. Try a bandeau in a neon color if you’re feeling really adventurous.
Under a Sheer or Lacy Top
Own a sheer or lacy top, but unsure how to wear it? A full-coverage bra can create a more fashion-forward look than a simple tank top. Notice how the bra pictured is lined on the outside with lace similar to the lace on the shirt–this makes the look seem deliberate, and would be very chic for a night out.
Once again, use your head with this look! I know girls who read CF have the brains and taste to know what fabrics and cuts will make this look foxy and not freaky. In general, I recommend sticking to loose-cut sheer shirts (anything too skin-tight can look trashy), matching the bra to the top, and, when in doubt, always asking your bff for her opinion.
Ready to take the challenge? Be our model for the week!
Now that you’ve seen my tips for rocking this look, we want to see how YOU wear it! So send in a picture of you wearing an outfit that lets your bra peek out and we’ll update the post and feature you here!
To get featured on CF, just send your picture, your name, school, and a description of the outfit to contact AT collegefashion DOT net. We’ll post your outfit pictures here to give other readers some inspiration. 🙂
Can’t wait to see your looks!
What do you think?
How do you feel about visible bras? Do you think it’s a fashion faux pas? Do you ever wear a regular bra with strapless dresses? Do you rock bandeau bras? Let me know your thoughts on this look by leaving a comment!
The post had potential, but I don’t consider a bandeau bra a bra. Its basically a glorified crop top, or bathingsuit top. Not considered lingerie, sorry. Also, “a white bras gonna show under a white shirt anyway, so why not go all out with black?” *shudders* Sorry, but thats the beauty of a NUDE bra. Something every girl should own. I’ve always liked the idea of a bit of lace peeking out from a crisp shirt, but it loses its sexiness when you can see the whole bra through the shirt. What about a solid color (non white) shirt, and a bright bra just peeking past a collar? 🙂
i think that bra straps showing underneath a strapless dress is a horrible thing. It just looks like you were unaware that you should have considered a strapless bra and now you’re stuck with straps that have fixings on them. I think that particular look just looks unintentional and unkept rather than fashionable. The rest of the looks, however, are cute! 🙂
Sorry, I still think it looks cheap and tacky. Wear a cami underneath something loose or sheer.
Love this post! Some girls can manage to look really chic and sexy with the visible bra thing. Your outfits are too cute–and I love that you provided so many different options!
this trend is not for me. i have small chests and it wouldnt look nice for such a person like me to show off my bras. people would be like “what do u want me to look at?” lol
although I won’t wear any of them, love all of your outfits!
Personally, I think only the bandeau works. It doesn’t look like lingerie, nor would you wear it as such, which makes it acceptable to wear in public. However, anything else looks like you’re trying too hard be a Victoria’s Secret angel.
Oh, I do love outfit number 3 though.
I have worn something similar to outfit two: a bandeau bra under a loose tank. It was really comfortable. I also planned an outfit of wearing a bandeau under a sheer tank I have. I think that’s a much different look than flaunting something like a lacy leopard bra though.
I do the second look all the time (even to class). It gets really hot in NC and I like the breezy tank top I have (which is identical to the one you posted) but can’t wear it without showing my bra.
For all the girls worried about looking trashy, you won’t. No one said anything (even my friends) when I wore it that way. I was working for a church ministry on campus last year. If I can get away with it, and look classy, so can you.
So go for it 🙂
i love the second look, and i wear it a lot–but due to having really big boobs, i can only wear a bandeau over another bra…it works, kind of, but is not super comfortable. i’m wondering if any girls out there have found solutions? like, is there a bandeau or bralet out there for girls with big boobs?
i also love the last outfit, and i do the thing in the first look all the time–it’s waaaay more comfortable than a strapless and makes it so you don’t have to yank at it all night, which can look sort of trashy in and of itself
I love the 3rd look, but I always feel like with bigger breasts, I can’t pull it off because it will look trashy regardless. Tiny boobies have it better for this look.
I think that it looks more trashy to have your bra showing like that unless you’re going clubbing. I mean its one thing to show a cami but, your bra? who wants to look at it?
When most girls see a bra when someone is wearing a dress, they thing that she didnt do it on purpose because more than likely it looks bad
I like the first two outfits better than the last one, but the first two are super cute!
Cool post. I like Carrie’s blog, but definitely hate any bra shown related to wearing a tank.
I’ve though about attempting it, but I just know sometimes my low shirt would accidentally cover some bra and it would look like it’s showing by accident. I’d be fidgety. I might need an even LOWER (or wider like Bradshaw’s) shirt. Hehe.
ooh i love this post!!
i think showing you bra (intentionally!!) can be really tricky, but I love the last look with a lace top- I love doing this with a black bra.
I also recently found a lovely sheet white shirt from a charity shop that looks great with a black bra underneath. A white one would be visible anyway so why not go all the way?
I think this can look really cute and sexy, but it’s really hard not to look like you’ve forgotten what bra you have on or really trashy. I love the outfits you’ve posted though!!
I love what Carrie is wearing too!!
great post :]]]
Charlotte xxx
When I first started reading the post I thought that I might be too conservatice for this challenge. But I think that I could do the “under the loose tank top” look. Thanks for including different options for different modesty levels!