Women don't know how to wear bras

As if picking out something to wear isn't difficult enough for women, finding the right undergarments for a summer ensemble can be a daunting task.


If you're on the Victoria's Secret direct mailing list, chances are you can't get away from an image of the Very Sexy 100-way strapless convertible bra. This brassiere, which ranges from $50 to $56, depending on size, comes with various straps and bands, and features a clear plastic piece that holds the cups together. Does it really fit under any article of clothing? Maybe, for some.

But for those who want to find the perfect bra for a particular dress or top, start with a fitting, boutique owners say.

"Women don't know how to wear bras," says Valerie Lammon, owner of La Boutique de Lingerie and Gifts in Melbourne, Fla., guessing that about 95 percent of her customers who get fitted find out they've been wearing the wrong size. "They go into a store and find what they think fits."

Spending some time with a specialist and getting measured correctly can make a difference in comfort and appearance, Lammon says.


Go strapless

Rebecca Apsan, owner of La Petite Coquette in New York City and author of "The Lingerie Handbook" (Workman Publishing Company, 2006, $13.95), says there are tons of new inventions in the world of lingerie, but one classic piece is paramount.

"Everyone should have a strapless bra in their wardrobe," Apsan says.

While strapless bras carry a stigma of being uncomfortable, nowadays, it seems, there's one to fit each individual. Lammon recommends Body Wrap bandeau bras for wearing underneath skimpy tops with clingy material.

"It's really thin and doesn't have an underwire," she says. "They're great for camis."

Another option is to buy the cami with the bra built-in, says Sherry Spicciati, owner of Sherrylee Bras and Lingerie in Cocoa Beach, Fla. The No. 1 seller in Spicciati's store, however, is a bra Oprah Winfrey has raved about, and celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston have been known to wear -- the Le Mystere brand.

"They do carry a strapless, and it's a very uplifting bra," Spicciati says about Le Mystere.

Another popular brand for strapless bras is Goddess, Lammon says.

Even Wacoal boasts two strapless options. The "Custom Contours" strapless bra is padded and seamless for a smooth fit. The "Halo Lace" convertible strapless bra can be worn with straps or without. Both are a part of the lingerie maker's "Bras of Summer" collection.

Convertible bras can be versatile, but sometimes aren't the most effective when worn strapless.

"They're good, but for strapless, they're no good," Spicciati says. "They don't stay up. They're generally designed to wear as a halter or crisscross back, so you're pulling them up all the time."

And for chestier women, it's a good idea to go with a strapless corset, rather than a bra, Lammon says. For wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses, strapless corsets are helpful for all sizes, she adds. Also, many corsets hook lower in the back than regular bras, which is good for semi-backless dresses and tops.
Block the view

It's hard to find a slip in a department store, but women need them, as clothing manufacturers still make sheer garments.

Alternatives to traditional slips include fitted slips such as the Body Wrap Strapless Bra Slip, Lammon says. This is a one-piece undergarment that clings to the body down to the thighs.

Girdle slips are also available, and can temporarily disguise problem areas around the tummy. Other forms of shapewear, such as the Spanx Power Panties with tummy control, are also effective.

'Nude' for white

It's not news that exposed bra straps went out of style quickly. Some ladies might not realize, however, that their bras are showing through their blouses until someone tells them, or until it shows up in pictures.

"Nude is the No. 1 color, because you can't see the nude under white, but you can see white under white," Spicciati says.