I am a huge fan of dresses, especially those you don’t need to wear a bra with. Because I’m a fortunate lazy girl in that, I have a smaller chest that doesn’t necessarily need a bra at all times.
Lots of dresses that are for the warmer weather are sleeveless, which is awesome. But the biggest struggle I have for when I am actually wearing something underneath is when it comes to those awesome dresses that have unique necklines that traditional bras just don’t work with. From those bib tops to halters to racerbacks, the over-the-shoulder strapped boob holster just does not cut it. That’s were these bras come in. Convertible bras are your BFF for sundresses, but there are so many other (and cuter) options that a plain bra with Transformer-like straps. Trust me.
I break down a few different bras you should have in your arsenal for those days when you need to put on a bra but don’t want your coworkers to know what color it is.
Strapless
If you are hopping on the bare shoulders trend, a convertible bra is your best bet. In my opinion, strapless bras that don’t have the longline shape just end up falling down. If you opt for one with some more material and boning, you don’t have to worry about it falling down constantly.
Get the look:
- ASOS PETITE Bardot Stripe Button Front Beach Dress (ASOS, $48)
- Heidi Klum Intimates Paradise Promises Strapless Longline Bra (Journelle, $65)
Open Back
Open back dresses are pretty great for those days where the breeze is the only thing keeping you from overheating, but sometimes, you want to show off a little somethin’, somethin’. Look for a bra with great, strappy back detail, and you’re set.
Get the look:
- Plus Size Cutout-Back Midi Dress (Forever21, $22.90)
- Strappy Lace Bralette (Torrid, $34.50)
Criss-Cross Back
This is probably the toughest shape to wear a bra with because there’s a lot of open skin, and most of the time, the straps never match up. But if you find a cross-back bra in the same color as the dress you’re trying to wear, you grab that bra and buy it immediately.
Get the look:
- Langston Open Back Cami Dress (Revolve, $74)
- Base Ranger Lady Bra (Journelle, $66)
Racerback
Racerback bras are probably my favorite “alternative” shape bras because they really are fashion and function. Even if the bra doesn’t have underwire, the racerback will hike up anything you need it to, and since most have a lace overlay, even if it peaks out from your dress, it looks pretty.
Get the look:
- ASOS Jacquard Shift Mini Dress With Collar (ASOS, $38.50)
- Eberjey Clarisse Racerback Bralet (Journelle, $60)
Low Neckline/Lace-Up
Another style that’s literally everywhere lately is the lace-up front. Normally, I’d recommend not wearing a bra at all, since you’ll have some good clean, but if you simply cannot go without wearing a bra (which if you’re larger chested, that makes sense), a deep plunge bra is perfect.
Get the look:
- Plus Size Lace-Up Dress (Forever21, $27.90)
- The Natural Plus Size Sexy Plunge Bra (Baretique, $48)
Halter Neck
This style is probably my favorite, and I realize that I don’t own a bra to wear with this but whatevz. This isn’t about me; this is about you. And if honestly, pretty much every single halter bra out there is gorgeous, so it’s not all that hard to justify buying one.
Get the look:
- Kimchi Blue High-Neck Flame Stitch Dress (Urban Outfitters, $69)
- So Art Deco Lace Bra (Nasty Gal, $59)