Finding the right bra for you can sometimes feel like a struggle. Especially when it feels like wearing a bra just makes you uncomfortable. Or if the problem isn’t the discomfort, but you just don’t have one that works with the outfits you’d like to wear - something that’s doubly an issue during the summer when the necklines drop and the straps get smaller. So what do you do when you can’t seem to get a bra to work for your needs? It’s pretty simple, actually; just don’t wear a bra at all.
Seriously. That might not have been an option in the past, but today there are so many options available for those that don’t want to wear a bra but also want support, or don’t want the world to be privy to their bodies. So take your bras off and try a bra alternative instead—it’s a truly freeing feeling.
Before you jump into learning what kinds of bra alternatives are out there, you might want to know more about the benefits of wearing a bra or going without one, and if there’s a reason why everyone wears bras in the first place. The thing to remember is that bras are not like underwear, there’s no health reason that says you should wear a bra. Just as, for the most part, there are no reasons to not wear a bra either. When it comes to whether or not you should wear a bra, it’s entirely up to your own personal preference. Everyone is different! It’s why there are so many bra styles out there to begin with.
So if you choose to wear a bra, great! If you’d rather not, that’s just as awesome! No matter what your personal preference is, there's something out there for you, you just need to find what it is.
When it comes to finding the best alternatives to bras for you, you need to think about why you’d like a bra alternative at all. Usually, answering this question can be broken down into support, modesty, and functionality. If you don’t like the feel of a bra but still want the support it can give, if you don’t want to wear a bra but you’re uncomfortable with other people knowing you’re not wearing a bra, or if you’d actually like to wear a bra but can’t because the bras you have don’t work with the clothing you want to wear, you may want to consider a bra alternative option.
With so many options to choose from, you won’t ever be forced to wear a nude-colored bra that will show through your clothing again. Here are some of our favorite options for going braless.
Adhesive bras are great bra alternatives that help you cover what you might consider to be private while also giving your chest some support, lift, and shape. Adhesive options are also great because they come in a range of styles, sizes and support needs which make them super inclusive to all bodies. They’re great for summertime because they make it easy to wear gorgeous summer clothing without the slightest indication that you’re wearing something to hold your girls up.
Not sure where to begin? Let’s start with the ones that you might already be familiar with: Nipple Concealer Adhesives. If you’re not really looking for any kind of support and just want to feel free without your nipples standing at attention, you’re probably going to want nipple concealer adhesives, also known as pasties, like these ones from B-Six. These nipple covers come in a range of colors designed to blend in with your skin tone and are water resilient, washable and reusable which make them a great choice for those that want a simple cover that you can re-wear as you would a bra.
For a little more support, you’re probably going to be in the market for something closer to boob tape, which is an adhesive that comes in many colors to match your skin tone and offers you lift and support wherever you need it. Because breast tape come in a range of styles, they offer a lot of different features. Some give support from the bottom while others give support above the bust, making them useful to a range of outfit and personal needs. Options like the Brassybra Breast Tape and That Little Extra Breast Tape are excellent bra alternatives for large breasts.
In addition to nipple covers, pasties, and chest tape, there are also adhesive bra alternatives that are designed with a clip or connector that help to lift your chest and enhance your cleavage. The Braza Bra Reveal Cleavage Strapless Bra Cup offers seamless coverage as well as support that can be worn in five different ways. This versatility makes it perfect for deep plunge clothing and one of the best bra alternatives for strapless dresses.
Adhesive bras aren’t for everyone and if you're in the market for a bra that doesn’t really feel like a bra, you might want to take a look at bralettes. Bralettes come in a bunch of cute styles, are designed to suit even your most relaxed moments, don’t come with an underwire, and can even be worn as a top. They’re a great options for getting both support and coverage without having to deal with adhesive, clips, snaps, or any uncomfortable constriction that might arise with a structured bra.
The best thing about them though? Due to their popularity over the past couple of years, many bralettes went from being a favorite of a small group of people to having options in a range of sizes that cater to pretty much any need. Bralettes like the Bali Comfort Revolution Easylite Seamless Bralette come in a large variety of sizes while still being super cute and comfortable. Whether you’re looking for loungewear, some comfortable lingerie options, or anything in between, a bralette is a great alternative bra option.
Born of the moments when you want to wear a bralette but need something strapless, a bandeau is a comfortable strapless bra alternative that doesn’t have any clips or straps to keep it in place. That’s right! No need to figure out the best way to clip yourself into a bra, all you have to do is pull this comfortable bra alternative over your head. What makes bandeaus even better is that they can have wires or be wireless.
If you’re looking for a comfortable underwire bandeau that comes in a range of colors, check out the Rhonda Shear Ahh Angel Seamless Bandeau Bra that also comes in plus sizes. Trying to avoid underwire but still want to feel cute? Look no further than the Wacoal Halo Strapless Bra which just so happens to be designed for fuller busts with small band sizes and offers a cute, lacy, supportive lift.
With bandeaus you have the best bra alternatives to strapless dresses, where you’ll be able to feel comfortable, not have your bra showing, and get the support that you want. It’s a win all the way around and definitely a bra alternative you should add to your wardrobe.
Just because you don’t want to wear a bra, doesn’t mean you don’t want all the benefits that can come from intimate apparel. That’s where shapewear comes in. Shapewear “bras'' and tops are great bra alternatives for women who are looking for support, control, and shaping without wanting to hook themselves into a traditional bra. What puts shape wear in a league of its own, though, is that you can get much more from shapewear than you would with a normal bra. Lifting, waist slimming, back shaping, and much more can be achieved with the right piece of shapewear.
Perhaps one of the most supportive and versatile bra alternatives is the sports bra. Sports bras aren’t just for working out, a good sports bra should be able to take you through a high intensity gym class while still being a great option to wear as a top or comfortably under pretty much any piece of clothing. Because of how supportive they are, sports bras are the perfect bra alternative for the days when you know you’re going to be active, running errands, or keeping it casual.
The best part about choosing sports bras as your bra alternative of choice is that there are so many great styles you can choose from! There’s no need to only wear the most constricting sports bras on the market. Instead, choose the level of support you need and go from there. Unsure as to what levels of support sports bras come in? Here’s a list of the three you should know:
High-Impact Sports Bras: These give you support for vigorous exercise and athletic activity. Sports bras like the Wacoal Simone Underwire Sports Bra are what you choose for your most intense workouts.
Medium-Impact Sports Bras: These sports bras offer comfortable support without being too constricting. Bras like the Panache Medium Control Wire-Free Sports Bra are a great option for when you’re going about day-to-day activities, and are the ultimate bra alternative for when you’re engaging in light activity like housework or running errands.
Low-Impact Sports Bras: This type of control gives you relaxed coverage and support. Low-impact sports bras are perfect for light exercises like yoga or for hanging out around the house. If you’re not sure if you want to invest in a low-impact sports bra that can only be used for much less rigorous activity, options like the Glamorize Custom Control Wire-Free Sports Bra are low impact but can be adjusted to have more control.
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