As it gets to the time of year in the UK when summer wardrobe items are brought out of hibernation in the hope that we’ll get some decent weather, I’ve started lusting over all the pretty dresses that are currently on sale. Thankfully there seem to be a great many this year that aren’t strappy - or strapless - sun dresses which is great for anyone who, like me, doesn’t sun bathe.
However, this season there does appear to be another problem that I’d not considered. I've been rummaging through pages of pretty dresses on many high street stores’ websites and have encountered rather too many low backs and cut out details for my liking. They may look extremely pretty but… how do you solve the problem of your bra showing?
Unless you’re blessed with the daintiest perkiest breasts in the known universe, or have obtained the sort of enhanced chest that defies gravity, a bra is probably necessary and they usually fasten at the back. Some girls can carry off a look where you have a lot of hook and eye fastenings showing, but on me that always looks unintentionally messy and almost like I have my label showing. Therefore, if I want to add some of this season’s pretty frocks to my own wardrobe, I figured I’m going to need a solution to this.
The first thing I came across when I searched online was La Sensa’s adhesive bra. Perfect for low backed and/or strapless dresses, if you don’t mind having something stuck to your skin. I doubt it would give as much support as a regular bra, but it might be worth a try. Also, with anything adhesive, it’s always worth trying the dress on with it as some types are non-refundable.
The obvious choice as far as investment goes is something like Wonderbra’s multi-way plunge bra which can be worn in a whole host of ways to suit different dresses. This particular bra claims to have 100 variations, so there’s bound to be one that doesn’t show underneath your outfit. Just in case there’s a teeny glimpse, you can buy it in three colours so it’s easier to find one that blends in.
If the dress you have chosen is vintage or retro, perhaps a low-backed vintage style bra like the Glamour bustier from What Katie Did would work best? Whoever said that practical underwear can’t be pretty, never designed anything for them clearly! Long-line bras are always good for smoothing out lumps and bumps under dresses with close fitting tops too, so this type will go nicely under the faux-50s ‘fit and flare’ styles. For a more modern bustier, with added boost, check out Ultimo’s miracle solutions low back strapless bra.
However, if you want to save yourself a bit of cash that can be used to go towards your dress, I have discovered that many places sell low back bra strap converters for a few pounds. These will allow you to extend your current bra’s straps and wrap them around you, thus making the cross over a bit lower than the usual fastening. It might not work in every case but, for less than a tenner, it could be worth a shot.
Image is of the What Katie Did Glamour Bustier