When little orphan Annie sang, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile,” she was just a child and wasn’t thinking about the best bras to wear. As an adult, I bet she would have changed her tune to something more like “You’re never fully dressed without the proper undergarments.” It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, but let’s face it, being a grown up is no song and dance! Especially when it comes to our wardrobe choices. I thought being a grown–up earned me the right to wear whatever I choose. I’d combine the confidence of my 30’s and the financial stability of my 40’s and poof, have every fashion choice imaginable. But what I discovered was that the older I got, the fewer choices I had. A majority of the slinky summer dresses and low back tops I’d daydreamed about wearing as a child were just not going to work now. Not because of the price, style or even my age, but because it’s obvious that no one factored in the best bras to wear underneath. When I asked a few friends for their solutions to such problems, I found that, just like me, they didn’t have much to contribute. They were simply eliminating certain styles and cuts altogether. Squashing their fashion freedom for a lack of appropriate undergarments. This just doesn’t seem right! So, I decided to call on a few experts to see if I’d missed something. I do occasionally see women my age wearing strappy, low dipping numbers. Perhaps there have been textile innovations I’ve missed? According to the experts, yes and no. There are higher-tech compressing and lifting fabrics, but still, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It takes research, trial and error and finding a place you trust to help find the right fit for a specific dress. In short, work. Now what’s more adult than that?
Here are the best bras according to friends and family
- Dana Strapless Bra, Bra Genie (for any size)
- Little Bra Company Strapless Bra, Bra Genie (for petite and/or small cup size)
- Cleo Strapless bra by Panache, Bra Genie (for any size)
- The Angel Bra, available at Yvonne LaFleur
- Booby Tape, Bra Genie (to pull things wherever they need to go)
- Nu Bra, Em’s Boutique (for a little extra)
- Body Luxe Contour Bra, Basics Underneath (for any size)
- Le Mystere Sculptural Plunge Strapless Pushup, Saks Fifth Avenue (serious multitasker)
- Commando Bandeau Bra, Saks Fifth Avenue (most comfortable)
- Skims Fits Everybody Bandeau Bra, Net a Porter (smooth)
- Lucky Strapless Underwire Bra, Agent Provocateur
