What Bra Should You Wear Under a Camisole?

Co-authored by Taissha G. LaReau and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: February 1, 2022 References

Whether you wear it on its own or as a layering piece, a camisole is the perfect staple item in any wardrobe. Figuring out the right bra to wear underneath can be a hassle, but thankfully, there are a lot of different options to choose from. Plus, there are a few fun, new ways you can layer your cami over shirts to wear them in the fall and winter, too! Keep reading to learn how you can style your cami and pair it with tons of items you probably already own.

1

Strapless bra

Give yourself some coverage without the annoying straps. Since camis usually have thin, spaghetti straps, finding a bra to go underneath can be a hassle. Skip the need for straps at all and throw on a strapless bra to provide support and comfort.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Taissha G. LaReau
Wardrobe Consultant & Stylist
Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.} Make sure the inside of the bra is slightly sticky so it stays put all day long.^{[2]
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- Strapless bras don’t usually give your chest a ton of lift or the most support. If you have a larger chest, try wearing your strapless bra around the house to make sure you’re comfortable before heading out the door.
- If you have medium to small breasts, you can also use a nipple cover instead of a bra.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Hannah Park
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}

2

Bandeau bra

Bandeau bras are strapless, stretchy, comfortable bras. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of finding the right strapless bra, go for a bandeau instead! They’re tight enough that they’ll provide coverage and a little bit of lift, but they don’t have any pesky straps to worry about.^{[4]
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Taissha G. LaReau
Wardrobe Consultant & Stylist
Expert Interview. 31 January 2022.}
- If you don’t have a bandeau bra on-hand, you can wear a tube top instead. Tube tops are usually a little longer than bandeau bras, so try tucking any excess fabric into your bottoms to keep it hidden away.

3

Bralette

Give a plain camisole some lacy frills with a bralette. If your camisole is a little plain, dress it up by adding a lacy bralette underneath. Make sure the lace sticks out of the top of the camisole to give a fun pop of femininity to your outfit.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} You can go for a neutral-colored bralette to be more sophisticated, or you can pick out a bold color to draw attention to your outfit.^{[7]
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- If your camisole already has some lace detailing, you can wear a plain bralette underneath. Keep in mind, though, that the straps will still be visible.
- If possible, try to match the color of the bralette with the camisole.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Hannah Park
  Professional Stylist
  Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}

4

Bra with transparent straps

Give yourself more coverage and lift with a full bra. Switch out your normal straps for some transparent ones to sit nicely underneath your camisole straps. You can find bras with transparent straps built in, or you can buy transparent straps on their own and switch them out on a normal bra. This is a great option if you’re going somewhere a little fancier or you have to wear your cami out all day.^{[9]
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- Transparent straps are slightly visible, especially in bright lighting. However, they’re much less distracting than solid-colored straps.

5

Plunge bra

If your cami has a deep V-neck, a plunge bra can help you out. These bras have a super deep neckline, so you won’t have to deal with any annoying cups peeking out over your camisole. You can also find plunge bras that are strapless, so you won’t have to hide any straps.^{[10]
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- Plunge bras don’t provide as much support as traditional bras do, especially if they’re strapless. Try wearing one at home first to make sure you’re comfortable.

6

Pasties

If you don’t want to deal with a bra at all, this is the method for you. Pasties are small, silicone circles that sit on top of your nipples and provide a small amount of coverage. If you’re comfortable without a bra but you just want to ensure your cami isn’t see-through, buy some nude pasties and wear them underneath your outfit.^{[11]
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- Pasties don’t provide any lift at all, so keep that in mind as you plan out your outfit.

7

Halter bra

If your cami has halter straps, complement it with a halter bra. This racerback bra style will sit nicely underneath a halter camisole, and it won’t detract from the delicate beauty of your tank top. Plus, halter bras usually come in a nude color, so you can find one that blends into your skin and doesn’t detract from your outfit.^{[12]
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- Don’t wear a halter bra unless you’re wearing a halter cami. Halter bras can be a little distracting underneath a normal camisole.

8

Camisole

If you have another cami, double up for extra coverage. If you don’t mind 2 layers of straps, you can absolutely pair your camisole with a second camisole underneath. Make sure the skin-tight one is the under layer, and leave the more flowy, looser cami on top. Since they’re both the same cut, the straps should line up almost perfectly with each other.^{[13]
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- Try wearing camis in the same color, or a lighter color on bottom and a darker color on top.

9

Fitted T-shirt

Try a modern layering look by adding a T-shirt underneath your cami. For a dark cami, try a white T-shirt; for a light cami, try a black T-shirt. It’s a great way to cover up your shoulders and provide a little more dimension to a classic outfit.^{[14]
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- This layered look goes great with skinny jeans or a mini skirt. Since it’s form-fitting, stick to tighter bottoms.

10

Loose T-shirt

If your cami is a little baggy, try this look out. Throw on a unisex T-shirt or one that’s a little oversized, then add a lacy camisole on top. The juxtaposition between the feminine cami and the more masculine T-shirt is a great way to blend styles and play around with silhouettes.^{[15]
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- Pair this outfit with boot-cut jeans or a long maxi skirt.

11

Long sleeve shirt

Take your cami from summer to fall with this layered look. Throw on a skin-tight long sleeve shirt, then add your camisole on top. Not only will your arms stay warm, you’ll look super modern and fashionable, too. Pair your outfit with tights and a skirt or some jeans to stay cool and casual in your new outfit.^{[16]
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- If it’s still warm out, try wearing a mesh long sleeve shirt instead.

12

Turtleneck

Don’t put your cami away for the winter! Pull on your favorite turtleneck sweater, then add a loose camisole on top. The delicate details of the camisole mesh perfectly with the warm, cozy nature of the turtleneck. Add a trench coat on top and pair it with your favorite trousers for an effortlessly chic outfit.^{[17]
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- Finish off your look with your favorite pair of booties to head out during winter time.