How to Wear the Right Bra for Your Outfit

Co-authored by Katie Quinn

Last Updated: March 12, 2023 References

Women's fashion is remarkably varied. A woman who wears a turtleneck sweater one day might find herself wearing a backless dress the next. With every change in neckline, a woman must check her bra to make sure it works with her new outfit. Moreover, with such a wide range of tops and necklines available, knowing how to choose the right bra for each outfit can make or break your look. Look for colors, strap styles, and band styles that keep your bra hidden beneath your clothes. Also make sure you wear the correct size, since the wrong bra size can ruin your look regardless of the style you choose.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Choosing the Right Color

1
Choose an appropriate color. A flesh colored bra offers the most versatility, as shades matching your skin are the least visible under pale, dark, sheer, or thin fabric. Avoid bold colors when wearing light colored shirts or tops made of see-through material.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Matching the Bra to the Activity

1
Wear a sports bra when exercising. A sports bra may not create the most flattering silhouette but it does its job, which is to keep you comfortable and to prevent your breasts from experiencing strain when moving. Some studies suggest that wearing a sports bra during exercise can reduce bouncing by approximately 74%, which will keep you feeling comfortable and supported.^{[2]
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- There are specially adapted sports bras for such activities as yoga and pilates, so that you only have to wear the bra layer and not overheat.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Matching the Bra to the Clothing

1
Stick with a standard bra for casual crew neck t-shirts. As long as your bra provides you with the correct amount of support and leaves you feeling comfortable, virtually any bra can work under an ordinary, slightly loose t-shirt. Many women find a standard, no-fuss bra the most comfortable but you can opt for whatever style you like best.
2
Opt for a seamless bra for shirts made of clingy fabric. Seamless bras prevent lines from showing through your top, making them an excellent choice for tight t-shirts and fitted blouses. Stick with a full-coverage bra to create the smoothest fit, since demi-cup bras hit the middle of your breast and may create a dividing line that can show through your top.
3
Look for a plunging bra for deep v-neck tops. Plunging bras have a very deep center bridge, well below your breasts. If you wear a standard bra with a deep neckline, the cups or bridge may be exposed.
4
Try on a halter bra for a halter top. The straps on a halter bra come in closer around your neck, rather than sitting further out along your shoulder. As a result, the straps remain hidden beneath the fabric of your top.
- Wear racerback bras for racerback tops. Like the halter bra, the racerback bra has straps that mimic the shape of the top that shares its name.
5
Use a strapless bra beneath a strapless or spaghetti string top. Strapless bras smooth out your form and provide basic support. They might run a little tighter than a standard bra, however, since the band must provide full support in the absence of straps.
6
Try a spaghetti strap bra with spaghetti strap tops. A bra with super thin straps may coordinate well enough with a spaghetti strap top. The straps may not disappear completely beneath your top but as long as your bra straps do not exceed the thickness of your top's straps, you may be able to get away with showing your bra straps in casual settings.
- Choose a color that matches your top or stick with a neutral color.
7
Buy a convertible bra for versatility. Convertible bras have adjustable straps, allowing you to change the way the straps fit based on the cut of your shirt. Basic convertible bras can usually be changed into halter bras and strapless bras; more extravagant convertibles have even more options.
8
Consider silicone adhesive bras for deep necklines, backless tops and strapless tops. Silicone adhesive bras have no back and no straps. They stick onto your skin and smooth out your silhouette. These bras offer minimal support, however, so you should only use them as a last resort.
9
Wear any bra with your underwear. There are no rules about matching the bra to your underwear––nobody sees the "match" and it's totally up to you whether this matters or not. If it does matter, aim to buy the bra and underwear at the same time to ensure a good match.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Ensuring the Bra Works For you

1
Stick with thicker straps if you are well-endowed. Thicker shoulder straps provide better support, which is essential for women with especially large busts. If you have a smaller bust size, however, thinner straps may provide enough support.
2
Give yourself added lift with a push-up bra. The right push-up bra can work beneath a wide variety of tops, ranging from ordinary t-shirts to fancier blouses. Look for one that creates a smooth, natural silhouette, though, or else you may end up looking disproportionate or obviously fake.
3
Wear padding sparingly. A bra with light padding can look natural and give your bust a few added inches. Too much padding can look obvious, however and will not flatter your figure well.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Choosing the Correct Size

A bra should fit firmly and evenly around your rib cage, the shoulder straps should not dig in and the bra should not ride up at the back. Ideally, it should feel like you have nothing on when you're wearing your bra.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Katie Quinn
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.}

1
Use a soft cloth tape measure to measure the length around your torso, just beneath your breasts. The measuring tape should rest where your bra band rests. Keep the tape smooth and parallel to the floor.^{[4]
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2
Add five inches (12.5cm) to this measurement, rounding up to the nearest even whole number. This number is your band size.
3
Use your tape measure to measure around the widest part of your chest. Usually, the tape measure should cross over your nipples. Keep the tape measure parallel to the floor. Do not allow it to become slack but do not keep it too tight, either. This number is your bust size.^{[5]
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4
Take the difference between your band size and your bust size to find your cup size. Add a cup size for every inch (2.5cm). For example, a difference of one inch (2.5cm) puts you in an A cup, a difference of two inches (5cm) puts you in a B cup, a difference of three inches (7.5cm) puts you in a C cup, a difference of four inches (10cm) puts you in a D cup, and a difference of five inches (12.5cm) puts you in a DD or E cup. If the difference is less than one inch (2.5cm), you should wear an AA cup.^{[6]
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5
When trying on a bra, place your hands through the straps and bend over at the waist, so that your breasts fall into the cups. The cups should contain your breasts and the center of your nipple should fall in the fullest part of the cup.
- If your breasts brim over the cup in the middle or at the sides, the bra is too small.
- If the bra fabric is pinched together in places and not filled in by flesh, the bra is too large.
6
Adjust both the hooks and strap size of the bra to achieve a comfortable fit when trying on a bra. Neither the band nor the straps should dig into your skin but both should fit snugly and lie flat.^{[7]
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7
Check the bridge of the bra. This center piece of fabric should lay flat against the breastbone.

Community Q&A

Question

What if I just don't wear a bra? Men don't have to, why should women?

Community Answer

Don't wear one, that is your choice and right. For most of human history, women didn't wear a bra, and it's not essential. Some women feel really uncomfortable with one on, some feel really uncomfortable without one on. It's personal and don't feel that you have to conform to some cultural or fashion ideal that simply doesn't work for you. Do whatever you like when it comes to bra wearing.
Question

How do some girls wear shirts such as halter tops or other low-cut shirts and look like they have no bras on, but they're still supported?

Community Answer

They may be wearing stick-on bras. Those give you support and make it look like you are wearing a bra.
Question

What does it mean if the bridge of the bra isn't laying flat?

Community Answer

It usually means the cups are too small. Try going up a cup size and down a band size for best results.

Warnings

Bras washed in a machine will not last as long as bras washed by hand.

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Helpful 61 Not Helpful 14
Bras that do not fit can cause back pain, neck aches and posture problems. If you're not sure, get a free fitting to be absolutely certain that your bra fits well.

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Helpful 57 Not Helpful 14
Older people are not used to seeing bra straps showing under clothing; for some it's considered a bit risky or just plain bad taste. While it's now much more acceptable to let lingerie show, avoid having telltale signs of bra straps at formal events involving family or tradition.

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