Are Visible Bra Straps Ever OK?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
We recently saw a New York Times article that wondered “Why Are Everyone’s Bra Straps Showing These Days?” [gift link]. The subsequent answer responded to the following reader question: “Everywhere I go I see bra straps. Where did this trend originate, what is the point, and when will it go away?” The NYT's fashion director and chief fashion critic, Vanessa Freidman, addressed the trend.
While we've never specifically focused on this issue in a post, we've always recommended making sure your bra straps are hidden at work. We've also discussed the appropriateness of bare arms at work, Gen Z's workwear choices (according to the WSJ, that is), The Washington Post‘s “definitive rules of office fashion.” We've also rounded up the best underwear to avoid VPL.
Note that, as we usually do when highlighting “trends” from NYT fashion and lifestyle content, we share them with a grain of salt (Himalayan pink salt?), as the paper often treats things as trends when they're not actually that common. Case in point: The NYT also recently asked the following question: “Why Do So Many [Women in the News] Have Long Hair Now?” [gift link], which, OK.
(We've also discussed long hair for the workplace!)
Anyway, let's discuss bra straps!
The story points to a few underlying factors causing more women to show their bra straps: the current 1990s influence on fashion, the ubiquity of workout wear, and lingerie brands creating bra straps that are meant to be shown off, with eye-catching colors, lace, and so on. (I imagine the sheer/”naked” look that you see on so many celebs on the red carpet lately must have an influence, too.)
Here are a few excerpts from the article:
Despite its current ubiquity … it would be a mistake to think that showing off your bra is just another styling choice. There is something both rebellious about the refusal to hide the bra and feminine at the same time.
* * *
The visible bra has become such a familiar sight in many settings that it’s hard to remember that once upon a time it was shocking.
* * *
Especially at the current moment, when the conversation around women’s bodies and who has authority over them and the trad wife movement — one in which the visible bra is definitely not part of the imagery — is gaining steam, the question of what is, or is not, covered up is not so simple.
Readers, what do you think? What do you feel are situations in which visible bra straps are acceptable, if any? Do you think this is a growing trend or not? Do you have any favorite tips or tricks to keep your bra straps tucked away?
Stock photo via Stencil.
I think the visible athletic bra under a tank top or tee that is clearly designed to show said visible bra and both are cute and coordinate is very cute and just fine on teenage girls and and at the gym. So if you work at a gym this is work appropriate. I know I’m middle aged but there is no version where this look is OK in any office no matter how casual. A pass for on a very hot day when someone takes their jacket off and you can see a little bra below the arm hole or something that appears to be accidental. but intentional bra straps at work? not unless your work involves categorically not looking like you work in an office. No matter what the office and no matter how casual I think you should be reasonably modestly covered (ok for kindergarten teachers to wear leggings or sweats but not tanks or crop tops)
sports bra? sure, for the gym.
a strap intentionally revealed on one shoulder with a slouchy sweater or sweatshirt? sure, for date night, at home, if you’re a bartender, etc.
intentionally sheer shirt over a delicate bra for a night out, or the kind of strapless top that’s designed to look as if a bra is peeking out the top? sure, for that kind of an evening ‘scene.’
for an actual office? as the poster above said, incidental peeks (like a strap slips out of a sleeveless top), whatever, but not on purpose.
I disagree that bra straps are everywhere. I don’t see them at work, but I definitely don’t care if someone at the gym or grocery store sees a bra strap under a tank or dress.
Strapless bras are expensive (easily $80-100!), hard to fit, and so uncomfortable. As an elder millennial, I’ll never forget having welts for days from the hard plastic side stays after my high school formals.
I can’t remember the last time I even wore a strapless bra.
Agree that it doesn’t matter for workout clothes, but any other time? Super tacky.
I work in a pretty formal place, so I never see any bra straps that are intentional. While I see it all the time outside the office, I can’t participate because my bra straps are not cute little straps. My straps are big industrial ones that correspond to the over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder I wear for my decidedly non-ballerina b**bs.
If you are talking normal underpinnings that just don’t work with the shape of the top, like the image above? I equate that with guys whose underwear elastic shows over their waistband. It’s common enough that I am not taken aback when I see it on strangers out in the wild but would be terribly out of place in my white collar office. At work, it would result in either HR sending them home, or a manager telling them to put a jacket on.
When I encounter it anything but the most casual of settings it does make me think less highly of the wearer’s good judgment. Same reaction as I have when seeing grown adults at the grocery store in their PJs.
Perfectly fine, as long as you’re Gwen Stefani and it’s 1995.