At some point, we’ve all been faced with, “I love it, but what bra do I wear with it?”
Truth be told, some fashion designs are simply not meant to be worn by us everyday people. But others, with the right foundation garments, can look amazing!
Ladies, there’s no need to sacrifice a great fashion piece, once you know your options.
Over this past year, I have had a number of readers ask what I wear under tricky garments, i.e.: low cut tops, racerback tanks, jumpsuits, kimono tops, halter and spaghetti strap dresses. Now, it’s time to deliver!
Today, we’re talking about the key piece to any successful ensemble – foundation garments!
Issue #1: racerback or cut-in tanks/dresses
maybe try:
Yummie ‘Mallory’ Lightweight Seamless Racerback Bra by Heather Thompson HERE
I personally own this bra in black and I wear it all the time with cut in to low cut tops, to just lounging around the house, it’s such a comfortable garment!
Calvin Klein ‘Perfectly Fit’ Racerback Underwire Bra HERE
Natori ‘Feathers’ Contour Underwire T-back bra HERE
I own both of these bras. For me, the Calvin Klein is a bit more comfortable, but the Natori is prettier and has a t-back, so it serves a different purpose.
Issue #2: a kaftan styles, low cut armholes or halters- your regular bra shows on the sides or front is low-cut.
Seamless Bandeau | Nordstrom brand HERE | in 7 colors
Nikibiki Bandeau top.
I have 2, which I purchased at a local boutique in town, Gitane. I wear this over my bra. From the outside, it looks like I am wearing a cami under my top or dress, but I don’t have the bulk of an extra layer.
I also found them HERE for 5/$25.00 , on sale and on Amazon HERE
Issue #3: strapless
Calvin Klein ‘Infinite Lace’ strapless Underwire Push-Up Bra HERE
I also like these cheap and cheerful padded bandeau’s | Free Press | Nordstrom Rack HERE
In 13 colors, priced at $6.97 and under!
Issue #4: you are wearing a spagetti strap dress/top, on a day that you don’t want to deal with a strapless bra. Perhaps it’s a hot and sweaty day or you just aren’t in the mood for a strapless annoying bra.
Splendid Bandeau Bra with Straps HERE | now on sale at the Nordstrom Rack
Issue: I need some tummy support, but am not up for a full Spanx!
Yummie ‘Nici’ shaping brief HERE
Yummie ‘Nina’ shaping short HERE
Yummie ‘Jasmine’ shaping thong HERE
Keep in mind, these are smoothers, not shapers. If you need to really suck it all in, you can’t beat a Spanx.
I own all three of these styles. My favorite of the three, is the shaping brief. I wear the shaping short with skirts or pants, when I don’t want a panty line to show. However, it can roll up on the thigh, a bit at times. The thong is a great concept, but for me it’s not my favorite. That said, I am not a huge fan of thongs in general, so keep that in mind.
Sale on sale over at Anthroplogie!
30% off already reduced sale items!
I picked up this skirt the other day for $18.00!
There are some amazing deals, on now, including a few early fall sweaters – worth a peek!
Looking to try out culottes? I styled this chambray pair up, earlier this week – 4 ways.
Looks for now and later, HERE
Looking to update your denim look?
A peek at my early fall denim favorites, HERE
Feeling the need for some Outfit Inspiration?
My Instagram Looks from July HERE
Have a great weekend!
XOXO
Suzanne
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I find spanx type pants so restricting – the smoothing pants are the way forward I think.
Hi Christine! I actually cannot stand Spanx, but will pull them out for cocktail dresses. I like the DKNY smoothing briefs as well. Of the three Yummie smoothers, I prefer the brief. The thong just doesn’t really work for me personally (though I know some ladies swear by them) and as I mentioned, the bike short will sometimes roll on my thigh, not terrible, but I prefer the brief. My favorite piece from Yummie is the racerback bra – in fact I have it on right now. Gives light support for lounging around the house 🙂
Thanks for addressing this! I confess it’s often a limiting factor for me when trying on tops, but there are a few items from this post I need to go check out! The women who work in the lingerie department at Nordstrom are a great resource, too. My friend worked there for a while and she introduced me to so many bras and shaper garments I would have never tried if I had been trying to shop on my own.
Hi Katrina! Hope you are having a great weekend after all the BTS excitement! I love the women in the Nordstrom Lingere Department. In fact they are most likely the ones, who over time, have pointed me in the direction of most of these items. They are so helpful and knowledgable on fit – it’s an incredible resource we all should take advantage of, not to mention the great return policy if something just ends up not fitting correctly. Every once in awhile, I will go though my closet and take a look at items I have worn very little. I have found at times, they are not worn because I don’t have the right undergarment to wear with them. I picked up 2 of those $10 bandeaus over the summer and found it opened up a whole new realm of options, simply because my bra was not longer showing! Thanks for stopping by and happy to hear you found this helpful! XO Suzanne
score on the hankerchief skirt…I have loved that skirt all summer! actually it is a year round skirt in my opinion with boots and a sweater since the colors are so varied and black loves all those colors! I imagine hoop earrings and bracelets in a simple metallic since the skirt has alot of interest…
Thank you! Summer convinced me to get that skirt. I think you right in that it would be darling with boots for fall!. I’ll be trying that out next! XO
Hi Suzanne, Thanks for your article! Nikibiki tops seem very handy. I often stay away from low cut tops and this item seems to be the solution. It comes in one size, though, and I wear xs. Wouldn’t it be too big?
Hi Masako! The Nikibiki bandeau is great! I wear it under low cut tops, halters and anytime I want to cover my bra. I wear it over my regular or strapless bra as the bandeau itself has no support. I wear a 4 or sz 32 bra. It works for me. You can swing by Gitane in Los Altos, she has a few right now and that way you can try it on in person and see what you think! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend! XO
Thanks for the helpful information about the store that carries the Nikibiki bandeau. I will stop by at Gitane, my favorite store in Los Altos! Have a great week!!
Hi 🙂
Suzanne, what do you wear under the YFB Sierra pants? I got a pair (thank you for finding them so inexpensive!) and while I love them, that delicate fabric can be a challenge when the foldover in the back occasionally rides up a bit….
Also, once again, LOVED your help on the drugstore makeup post. I got some Maybelline Color Metal Tattoo and it’s great, just like you said, similar to Clinique Chubby Sticks. Lately I’ve been mixing the Tattoo Metal with Revlon Illuminance creme shadows. Works great and makes the Tattoo Metal spread a little more evenly, and it’s fun to mix the colors. (I’m 46 and find that powder shadows now make my eyelids look like crepe paper, haha. So it’s great to have another creme shadow option.)
Thanks again!
Raquel
HI Raquel! Happy to hear you like your pants, yes they were a steal! Is this issue the panty line showing? I wear Natori ‘Bliss’ panties or ‘Bliss fit’ as they have a minimal panty line for me. If the issue is see thru, I wear a nude color to avoid seeing the panty. I am not a fan of thongs, by you could try Hanky Panky or Commando thongs as well as I know lots of ladies love them.
Great tips on the shadow, I am going to check out Revlon Illuminance creme shadow. I know the crepe paper look, happens to me as well. I have the same issue with powder on my face lately, as we age I think dewy looks and creme products work better, as they don’t sink into the creases. Thanks for the tip on the shadow! Let me know if I didn’t answer your question on the Sierra pant (I am wearing mine right now!) xx
Yes, it was more a pantyline issue. The elastic on the edge of those Natori Bliss look nice and flat, thanks! Will check those out next time I’m at Nordy’s. I am not a thong fan either. Especially wearing something like the YFB Sierra pants, I think full coverage briefs keep the back center seam in the right place — rather than, uh, riding up places it shouldn’t. I’m also super happy to find out about this Natori Feathers T-back bra you listed here — Natori is always so worth the splurge, I will check out this particular one too along with those bikini briefs.
Hey, next time you see me comment on IG, follow me, would ya? A couple of times I’ve wanted to give you a shout out, but I have a private account so you wouldn’t be notified unless you’re following. I don’t post much so I won’t clutter up your feed. 🙂 Thanks again, and courage this month as the kids are back in school! — R
Hi Raquel! Yes, I love Natori and yes, the lace lies flat, not perfect but they are supposed to be seamless and they do a pretty good job. They are comfortable as well. A little pricey, but there are some styles on sale now at Nordstrom and they usually add them to their 1/2 yearly sales (next one in November). Another option, make friends with a salesperson and have them call you when Natori goes on promo! I found you on Instagram, following now! xx