Bra Baring

bratop2.jpg

Bratop2
Bratop1_2

Search ‘Bra’ under the Style Bubble domain and trust me, the results aren’t that pretty  The entries relate to my attempts to wear bras over t-shirts, dresses in some sort of desperate plea to convince people that the core structure of the bra lends itself to more than just being an undergarment.  Largely, people have poo-poo-ed the idea.  I’m still convinced this is the case and my black strapless bra frequently goes over grey t-shirts and other colour blocky outfits similar to the one I wore here.

I thought it would all be shoved to the back of my mind but it struck me again when CoC surfing, I came across these Souvenir bra tops.   If actual real lingerie (no, not the make-believe stuff…) on the exterior of outfits is too much for people, how do people feel about bras that are purposely made to go over the top of outfits?  Do we then start extending this to bikinis and swimming gear going over dresses, tops etc (yup, I’ve delved into that territory too…).   So many bra-related questions, so little time…

Rather than making me want to go into that middle ground and buy a bra-meant-for-exterior, I’m actually more compelled to  experiment even more with REAL bras over outfits.  I’m sorry, but even mass-poo-poo-ing isn’t going to stop me because if the halfway point costs $267, then I’d rather dig into my own drawers and just indulge in my warped bid to feature a bra as the main component in an outfit. 

38 comments

  1. I think pretty bras can look really cute over certain tops, and the whole exposed corsetry trend is v. cool, but I don’t think it’s a particularly good look for anyone over a B, which is unfortunate for me…

  2. i definitely don’t have the right figure to pull this one off, but i think it can look great done in the right way.
    the anne sophie back for topshop vest i have is kind of a nod to this trend… i can’t find a photo.
    those souvenir bra tops actually look like a pretty simple diy project, expecially the one without the ruffles. $267 is certainly a bit steep.

  3. The bra over t-shirt thing really can be a good look – I’ve seen it executed very well over the years, but it was just that particular Margiela one that looked a bit icky. I think bra tops work better than actual bra’s. This ones a bit too frilly though.

  4. your strapless black bra outfit is really amazing, but i would only wear this kind of bra over normal clothes, not the normal kind of bra one normally wears. because i think it doesn’t look so good with a bra with straps, but your black one is perfect, also because it looks a bit like a bustier.

  5. I’m totally a bra over clothes type of person, also I like finding actual bustiers and cutting the cups out…makes for a weird-high waisted belt/bra thingy. cool in my opinion 😛
    -Giselle <3<3<3

  6. With the number of times this idea has resurfaced, I’m amazed it’s never caught on completely — especially following the corset-craze of ’01 following Moulin Rouge. You’d think that the bra-on-the-outside look would have had its strongest chance to hit a chord with people as a natural progression from the trend of seeing more structured lingerie on the outside.

  7. Do it, and to hell with opinion. You wear your bras on the outside, Steve and I will grow mustaches, and we’ll all thumb our noses.

  8. I really liked your layered bra and T outfit the first time round, so Susie wear them out and wear them proud!

  9. I think your strapless black bra looks great… it is making me consider wearing a bra for the first time since middle school.
    Perhaps buy some bras that are a size larger than what you wear underneath your clothing? That way they fit better over your clothing/become more of a piece of clothing rather than in direct conflict with the drape of your regular outside apparel.

  10. i’m finding corsets unbelieably easy to translate into real life so bra are very intriguing! i love the soft, boneless triangle frilly bras that urban outfitters often have, they would look cool over vests

  11. I think corsets are a good look over tops, but bras are kind of tricky, especially if your chest happens to be on the fuller side. It works on you, and that’s good for you, though.

  12. you could definitely pull off the bra-over-top look. i feel as if the materials and construction of lingerie are wasted since nobody (or very few people, at least) can see it. i say go for it!

  13. GREAT!! Don’t worry bout it, just feel like a real woman and let it go with the flow 😉
    Just think at the movie Bridget jones Diary’s the second! The scene in which bridget is in jail. She is also wearing her bra over her t-shirt!!! haha
    I think its daring to do and if you have the right combination with the clothes and the right bra, that its a hit.

  14. I don’t have a single problem with the bra-over-outfit look, in fact I think it’s a bit cool. But the Souvenir bra-tops are a definite no. They look cheap and poorly tailored. To work, the bra would have to be fitted and clean.

  15. forms of displayed lingerie are coming back in! it must be so. there are too many cute/pretty bras to stay hidden. especially with sheer layered tops too…

  16. I’m not so keen on this trend/idea…it makjes the chest area look saggy and unflattering. I’m guessing women with a smaller chest could use it to add curves to their figure, but otherwise I think it’s best avoided. Each to their own, eh? Cx

  17. I really dislike the way the “bras” here are styled, though I can’t quite put my finger on why. I’ve much prefered your stylings with real bras tbh!

  18. Your bra-over-dress outfit was really cool, but those tops are horrible! The models look flat-chested and out of proportion, ugh!

  19. I love your colour blocking outfit with the black bra but agree with Adri – the others are awful! I am not a huge fan of fancy bras over clothes to be honest – the humble black or nude strapless over the right top or dress can look super luxe and sexy but frilly lacy numbers just look wrong to me.

  20. i’ve been pretty obsessed with this style as well, esp. with all these bustier type of bras and tops on the market today. here is my interpretation, made a few days ago, a bra built in top. mine is less underwearish…
    click on my name below!
    horribly fuzzy photo, i know. my camera is in repair…

  21. Those tops make me think of the most unstylish parts of the 90s. I really don’t like what it’s doing to the model’s body, but an actual bra could be cool.

  22. these bras are quite cute! i must admit though, i’m still trying to figure out how to wear bras underneath my clothes. eh!

  23. Didn’t like those on the picture.. ButI love the idea of wearing a bra over a tshirt. Anything to show of some underwear.

  24. I like the idea of long-line 50s-style bustiers over t-shirts or worn alone, with leggings or tight trousers or a full skirt, but these bras seem slightly ill-fitting. maybe because they’re sitting so low on the model’s chest? and I think this look works better with a strapless bra/bustier–it’s more corset-y and less obviously lingerie-y. very 80s, though! not that there’s a problem with that…

  25. Lingerie makes a really great portion of a woman’s closet. A woman needs to appear aesthetic in her clothes and needs to reveal her curves in a normal manner. Petite lingerie stresses your build and makes you appear thinner and taller.

  26. Hm…it’s a good idea, actually. But isn’t it a little uncomfortable if you wear your bra over your t-shirt? Even though you know that you’re wearing one, you would still feel exposed due to the fact that you won’t feel something inside. It could also cause your breast to sag unless you wear a bra that fits tightly to support your breast. But it’s great for fashion, though. 🙂

  27. The problem with most bras is they have completely smooth straps and they quickly lose their adjustment when stretched or pulled a little. And to make it even worse, the adjustment end of the strap is in the back, meaning you have to either take it off to readjust it or stretch your arms in ungodly positions to try and reach it.

Comments are closed.