Bralettes are a capital-M-major trend at the moment because they’re that rare combo of style and comfort. What started as an edgy craze at music festivals like Coachella has morphed into mainstream fashion, letting a woman’s natural shape take center stage for a change.
Bralettes are meant to be seen, and they go with just about every outfit. Picture a lace racerback or embellished straps peeking out from a scoop neck, deep vee or tank top for a look that’s sexy and sweet. Think of a bralette like a cropped camisole, with style to match your own.
Even more appealing: Bralettes are so easy to wear. Since there’s often no underwire or clasp, they’re stretchy and unstructured enough to rock around the clock.
Of course, less structure translates to less support, which can be challenging for larger-busted women. Fear not: Bare Necessities has bralettes for every size and figure.
BRALETTE SIZING
Bralettes differ from standard bra sizing in that they’re typically extra-small or small to large or extra-large. (That’s why each bralette featured on Bare Necessities comes with a size chart.) When they first hit the scene, bralettes were designed for smaller-chested women but lately, there are more inclusive options for D+ cups and full figures: Cosabella Plus bralettes meld beautifully detailed stretch lace with adjustable straps and mesh-lined cups in sizes 1X to 3X. The Rhonda Shear is also ideal for the DD+ crowd, thanks to its molded cups and small to extra-large size range.
BEST BRALETTES
Before choosing a bralette, decide whether you’re going for romantic and feminine or minimalist cool. Then check out the brands that best reflect that aesthetic. For lovely lace, turn to Cosabella, and Hanky Panky. For chic and sleek, consider Calvin Klein, Wacoal, and Onzie.
MOST COMFORTABLE BRALETTES
One of the main selling points for a bralette is that they can be extremely comfortable! Whether you’re lounging around, sleeping or going out, our top picks for most comfortable bralettes will ensure you look and feel great.
BEST LACE BRALETTES
There’s no doubt about it, lace bralettes are the new latest trend. Our picks for best lace bralettes give you that pretty, stylishsweet, chic look while remaining extremely soft and comfortable.
BEST SUPPORTIVE BRALETTES FOR D CUP AND PLUS SIZE
For ladies with a larger chest, sometimes it can be hard to find bras that look great and do the job. Luckily, our best supportive bralettes provide extra support where needed, with features like lined and double -layered cups and adjustable straps.
BEST HALTER BRALETTES
If you wear a lot of halter tops, you need a fashion solution that complements a halter neckline. Enter the halter bralette: This style provides an attractive, layered bralette look with any halter top. Our best halter bralette gives you the best of all worlds?comfort, style and practicality.
WHEN AND HOW TO WEAR A BRALETTE
You can wear a bralette pretty much any time. They’re so versatile—equally alluring for date night as they are casual for lounging around the house—that how you choose to wear a bralette is completely your call. A bralette can go as easily with a crisp white button-down, understated chambray shirt or racerback tank top as with a strappy sundress or all on its own under a denim or leather jacket.
And while your everyday bras may be 50 shades of neutral, bralettes are the perfect place to play with color. Contrast a black shirt with bold, bright straps, or go monochromatic with your bralette and outfit. During the week, you can try a bralette at the office under a blouse, blazer or wrap dress; in your down time, rock one under a sheer shirt, open-back top or tank with low-cut sides.
BRALETTE FAQS
BRALETTES VS BRAS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Unlike a bra, the super-trendy bralette is generally wire-free and unstructured. Bralettes are often made of stretch lace, cotton or microfiber. Like a great belt or pocketbook, bralettes are must-have accessories that add a splash of fun and personality.
DO YOU WEAR A BRA UNDER A BRALETTE?
Most bralettes are meant to be worn alone but, for the ample-chested, wearing an underwire bra underneath some styles will provide the extra support you need.
CAN YOU WEAR A BRALETTE AS A BRA?
Absolutely. Bralettes are essentially pretty, comfortable bras.
DO BRALETTES HAVE PADDING?
Not much, which is the point. Some bralettes have molded cups or thin removable pads, and they’re almost universally wire-free.
DO BRALETTES PROVIDE SUPPORT?
Bralettes are all about ease; they provide light support. That said, some bralettes bolster better than others. Look for molded cups, double-layer cups, mesh-lined cups and hook-and-eye bands. There are bralettes for bigger busts, which you can even wear over your favorite underwire bra.
IN BRIEF
Bralettes make a stylish statement while ramping up comfort and confidence. Though they’re not the world’s most supportive type of bra, there are more bralettes than ever made for plus-size women and fuller busts. The easy-breezy bralette is a trend that’s here to stay.
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