There’s something inherently sensual about a peek of lingerie. Whether partially covered or completely exposed, it’s a sliver of forbidden, of an intimate garment usually reserved for private eyes. With a history of exposure, a peek of bra is no longer shocking, but it can still make for interesting, visually striking, or unexpected outfits. Playing with exposing intimates can create a very sexy effect, but it can also be casual, cheeky, maybe even a little edgy - it’s all about the bra you choose, as well as the way you style it.
Can The Bra Be The Outfit?
While most recently trendy in the 00s, most people probably associate exposed bras with Madonna’s Like A Virgin era from the 80s and of course, her iconic Gaultier cone bra look from 1990. While shocking and breaking taboos at the time, it was quickly adopted as part of regular performance attire for artists, both for ease of movement and for the shock and sexiness factor this look offers.
Recently, it’s come back around again. With the current 00s revival, exposed bras are officially back in style, so expect to see more and more inspiration from models, celebrities, runways, and photoshoots. Tastemakers and trendsetters like CharliXCX, Rosalia, and Sabrina Carpenter have already been rocking bras as an outfit, and more are following suit. While it’s probably not a look for a sedate office, the exposed bra trend can be styled in a myriad of ways, within a series of different styles - something for everyone.
Styles That Show Off Your Bra
Can the bra be the outfit? We certainly think so. But don’t take our word for it, take a look at all the different styles that have historically featured bras and lingerie as main pieces. You can play around with this trend regardless of your preferred aesthetic. Whether you want to go sporty, demure, provocative, or cool, there are many ways to make an exposed bra work and look very high-fashion.
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90s
The 1990s and 2000s were the peak for lingerie-as-outerwear and exposed bras in outfits. A time when a slip could be a dress and when several different styles had lingerie elements in their DNA. Kinderwhore, whimsigoth and even the ultra-simple Calvin Klein style all featured exposed bras or other lingerie, like slip dresses.
For a vintage-inspired 90s outfit, a very thin, sheer black top that shows your bra in all its glory is a great option. The bra can be black and lacy, or colorful. Pair with a maxi skirt and heels. Another direction can be a simple white t-shirt, a bit see-through. Consider a red triangle bra, visible through the t-shirt.
If you want to go a little bit edgier, then a frilly, but low-cut babydoll dress that shows off your bra can be paired with ripped fishnet tights and red lipstick.
The bra we recommend: Silk is appropriate here because it’s minimal, elegant, and fits the 90s CK aesthetic. Try the Manhattan Bra in Black.
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Punk
Punk is one of the most representative fashion styles for the bra-as-an-outfit choice. Quintessentially rejecting tradition, societal norms, and accepted ideas of what constitutes “good taste”, the punks seek to shock, push back, and create rebellion, partially through clothing choices.
Lingerie as outerwear is the perfect way to achieve that, and the juxtaposition between the hard leather and metal spikes and hardware and the delicate, feminine, decorative lace or mesh is striking and novel.
You’ve got a lot of options to play around with featuring bras as part of a punk outfit. The easiest thing is to just put on a black bra as a top and put an oversized leather jacket on top for modesty and another layer of visual interest.
You can also go for a more feminine route, where you pair the bra-as-a-top with a very layered skirt, or a low-cut dress that shows off the bra. Finish off with a pair of combat boots or knee high stompy boots. Or take inspo from Courtney Love and pair your bra with a pair of sequined booty shorts.
The bra we recommend: How about the Dolce Triangle Bra in Black for a punk look? The mesh fabric is sheer, so it’s bold without being overly feminine.
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Sexy
Is it a surprise that an exposed bra can be the main feature in an exceptionally sexy outfit? We don’t think so. There are lots of ways to achieve a super luxurious, sexy outfit with this kind of styling.
You can showcase your bra from under a seductive evening dress. Think lace, sheer panels, or a very strappy, revealing design. The bra can be planned as part of the dress, or completely incidental. Achieve a more subtle effect with a bra that matches the dress, or a striking effect with a contrasting bra.
Of course, you can also forego the dress, or opt for a sheer bra layered under a sheer dress or top, which will showcase a bit more than just the bra. You decide just how cheeky you want to go with the outfit.
The bra we recommend: The Desire Bra in Burgundy is our pick for a sexy bra, because you just can’t beat lace, when it comes to sensuous lingerie.
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Casual
The style option best suited for everyday wear, you can absolutely make an exposed bra work in a very casual way. Far from having a sexy intent, an exposed bra in a casual outfit sends more of a message of undone, careless, effortless fashion. “I woke up like this” outfit, if you will.
Dip your toe in a very subtle way with just an exposed bra strap or a bit of lace at the top of the cup, which is easily achieved with an off-the-shoulder top. Or go for a bolder option and wear your black bra with a white shirt on top, slightly unbuttoned. One undone button too many should show the right amount of cleavage where the effect is still passively alluring, rather than overtly sexy.
If you want to further undermine the exposed skin and lingerie, make sure to pair it with something loose on the bottom, not form-fitting, short, or seductive. Jeans are the most obvious option, especially if it’s a looser, slightly masculine style.
The bra we recommend: There’s nothing more casual than the Dainty Bra in White. Perfect for peeking out from under a shirt.
Exposed Bra Outfit Ideas
So, you’re on board with the exposed bra trend and you think you’d like to try it, but you don’t know how to style it. Here are a few look ideas where the bra is very much the outfit.
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Bra under a sheer top or dress
An option that’s still reasonably covered up, if you’re not up for a full reveal, wearing a bra under a sheer layer gives you the best of both worlds. You can showcase a gorgeous bra, whether it’s a feminine floral or a hot push-up bra, but still have a protective layer on top, which adds modesty and some warmth.
Keep the bottoms very simple, like a monochrome skirt, or a solid pair of pants without a lot of detail. The point of this outfit is definitely the bra. You can make the top the same color as your bra, for a matchy-matchy outfit that looks more like a set. Or you can be bold and opt for a vibrant color for the bra, while keeping the sheer top neutral.
This outfit idea also works with a dress. A simple sheath mesh dress on top of a bra and midi skirt has a classic shape, but it stuns through the cheeky bra detail.
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Bra under an open shirt
For those who are ready to showcase the bra, letting this piece of lingerie peek from out of a top or dress is a great way to do it. Still somewhat demure, it’s a sensual or casual option, depending on how you style it.
It doesn’t have to be a typical “sexy” bra to create an impact. A sports bra or micro bra, or an interesting shape like a triangle bra can still look fantastic in this style and they have the added advantage of looking more casual. So, if you were worried about feeling too exposed, opting for a more utilitarian bra gives this look a more undone, unstudied slant, rather than a provocative one.
If you do want to take the sexy route, there are plenty of options. A slightly sheer bra, like a mesh option, a deep plunge bra, or a demi bra, will all look incredible just peeking accidentally from an open shirt, a deep cleavage, or a very severe blazer.
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Statement bra as a top
For the boldest among us, wearing the bra as a top is a fashionable statement. Particularly appropriate for partywear, beachwear, clubbing, and other nightlife occasions, a special bra can very well substitute a top. Whether it’s because it provides more coverage, or because the style is statement-making in itself, but sometimes, pairing it with something else takes away from the style, instead of enhancing it.
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Bra on top of another outfit
If you’re new to the idea of underwear as outerwear and styling your bra in a visible way, start with something easy and more covered up. Putting a special bra on top of an existing outfit highlights the bra, but without putting your body on display too much, or more than you’re comfortable with.
Pick your most eye-catching bra - something with rhinestones, or a bold royal blue color, or perhaps a pretty longline bra - and simply layer it on top of an outfit. Ideally, it would be something super simple and streamlined, in order to let the bra shine and be the main focus of the outfit. How about a black dress under the bra? Or a turtleneck bodysuit? You can make the base outfit as modest as you want, knowing it’s going to contrast sharply with the bra on top.
A statement bra is surprisingly versatile, and it goes with both skirt and pants varieties. It’s particularly strong combined with voluminous or otherwise substantial pants styles. Imagine a sequined bra with a pair of very high-waisted, wide leg satin pants. Or a pair of pleated suit pants, with a slightly masculine slant.
The Bra Is The Outfit
Historically - and currently - yes, the bra can certainly be the outfit. Not just any bra, and not styled in just any way. But with a discerning eye, a high-quality bra, and complementary outfit, the bra can definitely be the star of the show. It can look sexy, rebellious, casual, elegant - it’s all a matter of styling and echoing the right references. Take a look at the selection of statement bras from Gooseberry Intimates - we’ve got plenty to choose from that deserve to be the main character in your outfit.