How to Wear a Bra as a Top | New Trend Your Grandma Surely Won’t Approve
This latest trend of styling bras as shirts is both sexy and empowering; although, your grandma is guaranteed to not approve of it. 👵🏼
In a post Roe v. Wade era, where skin is in and female empowerment is applauded, how better to proudly display and liberate your body than by wearing your sexiest lingerie as a shirt.
Wearing your bra in this fashion has been popular for a few seasons now, and if the latest 2023 spring runway collections were any indication, it seems to only be getting more normalized and prominent.
See Christian Dior, Etro, Tom Ford, or Dolce & Gabbana for further evidence that the trend has staying power. And Ester Manas’ show proved it’s a style that’s suited for all shapes and sizes.
And if you’re petite and/or small chested like myself, fear not, as this trend is fitting for you as well.
Hopefully, these three bra outfit ideas offer up some inspiration regardless of your proportions.
Bra Outfit Idea | Bra Top to Create a Monochrome Suit
This first look pairs a lime green “suit” (don’t tell anyone, but this is really just colored pants and a blazer from different brands worn together) with black accessories.
When you match the color of your bra top to your suit, it puts a modern spin on the idea of a three-piece suit.
And both Michael Kors and Sergio Hudson presented uncannily similar looks in this same lime green shade for their spring collections.
When bright green is paired with black (à la Alexander McQueen) it makes for a powerful combination that’s enough to distract the viewer from your bra top.
For a more modest take, simply keep the blazer buttoned to leave a bit of the bra-as-a-shirt peeking out the top.
Wearing a sports bra as a top like this is an easy way to tackle monochrome dressing, yet styling a monochromatic fit is an art in and of itself. To master it as effortlessly as French women, give this article a read.
– OUTFIT DETAILS –
PURSE | Stella McCartney (current styles by Stella McCartney)
HEELED SANDALS | Bershka (similar by Cult of Coquette)
SUNGLASSES | Carrera
Bra as a Top | Clean Girl Style
As I’ve mentioned before, an oversized white button-up (my favorites are thrifted from the men’s department) is an essential piece for the clean girl style.
Curious what the other must-haves are for this aesthetic? Find out in my clean girl article.
It’s practically 2023, so go ahead and style your black, lacy lingerie as a shirt like Burberry, Bally or Givenchy.
Depending on your comfort level, you can button a single or multiple buttons of the shirt or leave it open to show off your bra top (because really, how different is a bra from a bikini top?).
This look is subtle yet sexy and would work equally well with a bikini worn as a shirt. Just be sure to keep the color palette subdued and neutral if you’re trying to achieve this clean girl aesthetic.
– OUTFIT DETAILS –
BRA | Aikyou
SANDALS | Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather (similar by Bhava)
PURSE | Stella McCartney (current styles by Stella McCartney)
BELT | Mammut (similar by Arc’teryx)
SUNGLASSES | Polaroid (current styles by Polaroid)
Sports Bra as a Top | Under an Oversized Blazer
I may be petite but that doesn’t stop me from wearing oversized blazers on repeat. (Check out my oversized blazer styling tips if you need some fresh ideas.)
And when you’re petite, it helps to pair your large blazer and sports bra top with low-rise jeans to make your torso look longer. That little bit of extra skin exposure tricks people into thinking you’re taller. 😉
If you’re struggling with how to embrace this trend, this combo of an oversized blazer with jeans can be a go-to styling idea for all your bra tops. And when you don’t need to decide on which “shirt” to wear under your blazer, it means one less decision to be made during your morning routine.
Afraid people will know your bra-as-a-shirt is nothing more than a bra?
A simple trick to ensure your bra looks more like a top, is to select a bra in a colorful shade rather than one in a classic lingerie color such as black, white, or red.
Here, the injection of lime green, to this Care Bears’ color palette, gives a girly and playful twist, and the bra bears no resemblance to lingerie.
– OUTFIT DETAILS –
HEELED SANDALS |Susi Studio (similar by Cult of Coquette)
PURSE | Sans Beast (current styles by Sans Beast)
SUNGLASSES | Vintage Scott (similar by Oakley)
Bra as a Shirt | Like Clean Girl’s Younger Sister
This look gives me clean girl’s little sister vibes. It’s clean girl aesthetic but with a dollop of color.
Desiring to be like her big sis, she started with a neutral base but that was a bit too boring for her, so she punched it up with candy-colored fisherman sandals and a Hubba Bubba pink pillow clutch.
These color injections not only add a little life to the look, but they also help to draw attention away from the bra-as-a-shirt aspect of the fit.
– OUTFIT DETAILS –
BRA | Aikyou
SANDALS | Melissa
PURSE | THEMOIRè
BELT | Mammut (similar by Arc’teryx)
SUNGLASSES | Georgio Armani (similar by Georgio Armani)
Final Thoughts
It’s soon 2023 so let this be the year you love and accept your body whatever size it is. Use this trend to flaunt your newfound body confidence.
Looking for that perfect bra to help you master this trend? Check out my guide to the best vegan bra and bralette brands with options to fit all figures.
For more styling hacks for petites check out my other posts for short girls on:
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As always, happy styling!
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Michelle Rothenburger
Michelle Rothenburger is a vegan fashion blogger whose work has been featured in such publications as Marie Claire, InStyle, Woman & Home, and Vilda. Find out more by reading Michelle’s full story (from bullied to fashion influencer) and feel free to send her a personal message.
FAQs
Is it okay to wear a bra as a top?
Not only is it okay, it’s officially a trend. No matter your size or shape, go ahead and show some skin by styling your bra as a top because skin is in.
How do you wear a bra without wearing a shirt?
The easiest way to wear a bra without wearing a shirt is to style your bra as though it is the shirt. This could mean wearing your bra under an oversized unbuttoned men’s shirt or under a blazer. Style your bra with low-waisted jeans for ‘90s vibes or with high-waisted pants for a more modest take on the trend.
Is it okay to wear a bralette as a top?
Not only is it okay, it’s officially a trend. No matter your size or shape, go for it and show some skin by styling your bralette as a top.
How do you turn a bra top into a top?
The easiest way to turn a bra top into a top is to simply style your bra as though it is the top. This could mean wearing your bra top under an oversized unbuttoned men’s shirt or under a blazer. Style your bra top with low-waisted jeans for ‘90s vibes or with high-waisted pants for a more modest take on the trend.
Related Posts:
- Wear an Oversized T-Shirt as a Dress | 3 Cute Style Ideas To Try
- Skinny Jeans Are Out | 3 Other Flattering Styles for Petite Women
- How to Wear Colored Jeans & Pants | The Only Guide You’ll Need
- 5 Bike Shorts Styling Ideas for Petite Women to Look Taller & Slimmer
- 3 Summer Shorts Outfits That Elongate Petite Women’s Legs
- 3 Summer Dress Styles for Petites | Work, Wedding & Weekend
- I’m 5’ 3”, Here’s How I Style Dad Shirts | Tips for Petites
- Oversized Blazer Tips for Petite Women | How to Style Guide
Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to leave a kind comment! 💛