Bralettes have made their mark in fashion over the past few seasons, and the style isn’t losing momentum anytime soon. If fashion-month runways are any indication, you will see bralettes strutting solo when the weather warms up.
That’s right. Now that these bralette beauties have gotten a glimpse of fame, they’re craving their rightful spotlight. There are more ways than ever to include this previously low-key garment in your wardrobe rotation. And as we get closer to spring and summer and the opportunity to wear a bralette presents itself, you’re going to want to know how to style a bralette.
Check out the best 16 ways to style a bralette outfit, along with some other fun facts and style tips about this dainty fashion icon.
What Is a Bralette?
This versatile wardrobe piece is a combination of a traditional bra and a form-fitted top that extends to the top of the waist. Resembling a crop top or a camisole, the bralette blends fashion and practicality for a look that is modifiable to mood, personality, and occasion.
The bralette combines two well-known staples in a woman’s wardrobe – the bra and crop top:
The Bra
So, what’s the difference between a bralette vs bra? The bralette, of course, was dutifully inspired by the ever-famous bra. Here’s a bit of bra history that might make you appreciate these snug cups a little more.
Since first appearing in fourth-century Italian mosaics, history has depicted chest coverings in the form of a bandeau, whether for practicality or fashion. The word bra comes from the longer French word, brassière, meaning “upper arm.” The term is thought to have originally described the top part of a whale-bone camisole, covering the bust.
The Crop Top
This minimalistic, versatile set of threads is found in wardrobes everywhere. Originally devised as a way to save fabric during WWII, this little top caught on and became a wardrobe essential paired with skirts and slacks and under jackets for a more refined look.
Here are some more fun facts about the crop top:
- In the 1960s–70s, the crop top became a statement of female empowerment—revealing theretofore forbidden skin and hugging taboo curves.
- A variation of the crop top is the camisole. Commonly made from a silky material, this garment is worn primarily as an undershirt for warmth and to protect itchy or harsh fabrics.
Types of Bralettes
The way you style a bralette can be inspired by its design. As the bralette trend continues to grow, so does the versatility and variation in its styles. A few bralette styles you may find in stores include:
- Choker
- Crocheted
- Embellished
- Halter
- Strappy
- Lacey
- One-shoulder
- Racerback
- Seamless
16 Unique Ways to Style Bralettes
Ready to evoke of-the-moment fashion with bralette tops and undergarments of every color and texture? Here are the top 16 bralette outfits that you must try this season:
For Sunny Beach Days
If you’re headed on a beach vacation, or you’re lucky enough to live in a beach-year-round climate, style your sexy bralette for the sand and sun.
- Bralette with Sheer Wrap - Pair a colorful crocheted bralette with a sheer cover-up and metallic flip-flops for a beach-ready look.
- Bralette with Shorts - Combine a haltered bralette with lightweight shorts for easy sunbathing and seaside lounging.
- A brightly-colored crocheted bralette teamed with a sheer cover-up wrap and some silver metallic flip-flops complete the ideal beach bralette. Switch it out for a haltered bralette to unhook and sun your shoulders.
For Active and Sporty Days
You can wear the bralette alone or “accidentally showing” coupled with an unzipped heather-grey sweatshirt or the following:
- Bralette with Leggings - Wear a sporty bralette under an unzipped sweatshirt with leggings for a gym-ready outfit.
- Bralette with Bike Shorts - Match a strappy bralette with bike shorts for a comfortable yet trendy workout look.
- Maximize this sporty style by matching your bralette to your athletic shoes, socks, or scrunchie.
For Casual Everyday Outfits
- Bralette as a Top - Show off the crop-top potential of your bralette by wearing it as a top with a pair of flowy pants that accentuate your midsection. Wear a one-shoulder, halter, or choker-neck bralette with palazzo pants, or switch it up with a maxi skirt for a chic, sleeveless, boss-babe look.
- Bralette with Button-Down Shirt - You could also wear your sexy bralette over a white button-down shirt for an ultra-bold look. Try this combo with high waisted jeans and high-top sneakers.
For Subtle and Sophisticated Styles
These styling options are excellent if you don’t want to expose too much skin or if you’re headed to an event where a bit more modesty is preferred.
- Bralette under a Backless Blouse - Let a lacey bralette subtly show through a backless blouse for a touch of elegance.
- Bralette under a Plunge Neck Tee - Pair a bright bralette under a deep V-neck tee, complemented with leather pants for a sophisticated look.
Here are additional tips for this style that you can also try:
- Wear a hot pink or neon green bralette under a cream, white, or black top with leather pants and boots.
- Flaunt a sexy black bralette under a sheer pullover paired with dark denim puddle pants (or wide-leg, twisted-seam jeans) and toe-ring mules.
The Lounge-Around
In recent years, athleisure attire and pajamas have become increasingly acceptable to wear in public. And we’re here for it. The bralette is a stunning alternative to make the lounge-casual look effortlessly cute. Here are laid-back styles you can try:
- Bralette with Cozy Pants - Combine a cotton bralette with soft lounge pants and slippers for a comfortable home outfit.
- Bralette with Casual Hoodie - Wear a bralette under a hoodie with cozy sweatpants for a relaxed day in or out.
The Professional Chic
If your workplace leans more into the casual dress code, a more modest bralette can be paired with a blazer and tailored trousers for a seriously powerful look. Just be sure that cute bralette covers enough skin to conform to your workplace’s requirements.
When it comes to more dressed-up bralette looks, try these, too:
- Bralette with a Blazer - Coordinate a contoured, pastel-colored bralette with a deep v-neck blazer—in a darker tone like navy blue, violet, or burgundy—and pleated tapered pants. Complete the ensemble with pointed-toed pumps.
- Bralette under a Shift Dress - Upgrade a plain or solid-colored shift dress with an embellished, strappy, or lacy bralette, letting the shoulder strap drop or allowing the lace to pop up from the neckline.
For The Flirty Night Out
Try these looks for a dressy event, date night, or nightclubbing with friends:
For Fashionable Layering
- Bralette with Cardigan - Pair a lace bralette with a fitted cashmere cardigan and a tiered skirt for a flirty and fun outfit.
- Bralette under Flannel - For a laid-back yet trendy look, layer a bralette under a flannel shirt, perfect for casual outings or a stylish weekend.
Other Must-Try Bralette Trends
With so many different bralettes to work with, let’s get a glimpse of a few other elements that can influence your styling in 2023.
- Captivating color – Smoky, muted shades will be added to the Barbie-inspired pinks of last season. Bubblegum shades aren’t going anywhere, but you will see slightly darker hues added to the mix.
- Tantalizing textures – Mesh, sheer, and fringe-adorned styles will demand to be seen as outer layers come off and bralettes become the focus of the look—rather than peering out from the shadows.
- Comfortable lift – One of the bralette’s most appealing features is that it’s more comfortable than wearing a traditional everyday bra. Yet, the comfort factor has been known to compromise support. Today’s designs take comfort and support into account.
How to Find the Best Fit
Although bralette sizing doesn’t involve the complexity associated with traditional bra-sizing methods, it’s helpful to know your regular bra size and circumference in order to find a bralette that fits you snugly without being constrictive.
Here’s how to easily measure your bra size:
- Measure your bust (around the back, under your shoulder blades)
- Get your band size measurement (around the torso, top of the ribcage)
- Subtract the band size from the bust measurement to determine your cup size.
Sometimes, bralettes come in sizes that you’d see on a regular top, usually between XS to XL. If that’s the case, follow the sizing you’d normally select in a crop top or tank top.
Bralette Fitting Guide Regardless of Size
To encourage a great fit no matter what shape or size the wearer, those who don’t fit into one particular sizing category may find a little consolation by following these guidelines:
- Layer a thinner, lacy bralette over a sturdier one to add support to the style
- Look for bralettes with stretchy fabric, and size down for a tighter effect
- Find a bralette with adjustable straps and tighten the straps for more support
- Find a padded or wired bralette to deliver even more support to your bust
Today’s bralettes will give you a broad range of fabrics, padding, underwires, contour, and neckline height. In fact, nowadays, comfort is non-negotiable, and new design techniques cushion wiring so that it doesn’t chafe or poke holes in your flesh.
Shop Comfortable, Stylish Bralettes at Gooseberry
As you can see, bralettes know no bounds (except for the supportive ones on your body) when it comes to fashion statements. Worn peeking through your favorite tops or showing off all on their own, bralettes are built for any personal style, season, or occasion.
To find the perfect bralette built for you, shop at Gooseberry Intimates.
From slip-on bralettes for lounging comfortably to lustful triangle styles for the summer sun, our collection of bralettes will take you wherever the day leads. And while you’re treating yourself, stock up on our premium intimates sleepwear, and sexy swimwear to slip into your most stylish vacation season yet.
Sources:
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- Nylon. The Latest Lingerie-inspired Runway Trend Is Wearing Bras as Shirts. https://www.nylon.com/fashion/bras-as-shirts-fashion-week-spring-2023
- The Atlantic. The First Bra Was Made of Handkerchiefs. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/11/the-first-bra-was-made-of-handkerchiefs/382283
- Fashion at Brown. The Secret Significance of Crop Tops. https://fashionatbrown.com/archive/2020/1/13/the-secret-significance-of-crop-tops
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- MasterClass. Bralette Outfit Styling Tips: 9 Bralette Outfit Ideas. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bralette-outfit
- The New York Times. The Bralette Is Back. This Time Blouses Are Optional. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/31/fashion/bralettes-bras-no-underwire.html
- Good Housekeeping. How to Measure Your Bra Size at Home. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/clothing/bra-reviews/a29114502/how-to-measure-bra-size/
- Well+Good. Bralette Sizes Are Limited—Here’s How to Get the Perfect Fit, According to Lingerie Experts. https://www.wellandgood.com/bralette-sizes-fit
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- Woman & Home. Bras vs bralettes: Which style is most comfortable, and which is best for your boobs? https://www.womanandhome.com/fashion/bras-vs-bralettes-which-style-is-best-384934