We’re all quite familiar with the spiel by now: bras are all too often just a nuisance. They can be annoying, uncomfy, and prone to all sorts of fit issues and wardrobe malfunctions including visible bra lines (spoiler alert: our main course for today!).

Now, the concept of a visible bra is quite vague and can be used to define a few different scenarios. Perhaps your bra outline shows through shirt or you’re struggling with how to hide bra straps . There’s also the case in which the visible bra is a deliberate move; bralette outfits are all the rage these days!

Whether your goal here today is to learn how to eliminate or embrace those visible bra lines, I’ve got your back! We’ll be taking a look at different solutions to avoid visible bra lines, as well as different ways to rock them if you decide to embrace the visibility!

Before we can look at how to avoid visible bra lines, we have to understand why they happen in the first place. Oftentimes, it’s your itself bra that’s the culprit. A poor fit or even the age and style of the bra can cause visible bra lines.

Let’s backtrack a little more, though. The term “visible bra lines” is pretty self-explanatory but there are a couple of different manifestations of them. Here’s how to determine what type of visible bra lines you’re dealing with:

• Visible Bra Straps : If you’re ever worn a tank top you’ve probably dealt with your bra strap falling down or peeking out from under the straps of your top. Those things just can’t seem to stay put once sleeves leave the picture.
• Visible Bra Outline : This one is usually not as obvious as visible bra straps. It occurs when the lines of your bra are easy to make out even through a shirt with full coverage. It could happen when you’re wearing a dark bra under a light-colored blouse, or it could occur due to the bulkiness of your bra.

Now that we know what we’re dealing with, let’s discuss why it happens:

The correct fit can really make or break everything about a bra. How should a bra fit? Well, it ultimately should hug and contour your body without any squeezing or pinching. A bra that’s too tight can cause overflow and a bra that’s too loose will stick out and cause gaping. Both of these things are contributors to visible bra lines. Loose bra straps are also more likely to move around and peek out from under your top than straps that have been properly tightened. 

At the end of the day, you might have a perfectly good bra that at one point did its job well but has lately been slacking a little. That poor thing may just be ready for retirement! Bras begin to stretch and sag with heavy use and therefore, can become unsupportive (not to mention unflattering). The lining and edges may also start to fray or get bumpy which will make the bra more likely to be spotted through your clothes. 

Bras come in many different fabrics and some are more difficult to work with. Bras with thick lace fabrics, for example, are more likely to create a visible imprint underneath your shirts. These types of bras are better suited for flowy tops or instances in which you actually want the bra to be seen. For ultimate smoothness and comfortable everyday use, try something like the triangle bralette . The soft hemp fabric is strong and durable but still thin enough to remain discreet. 

Another simple reason is that the style of your bra simply does not work with the outfit. Just as different breast shapes are better complemented by certain bra styles, there are items of clothing that work better with a specific bra style! My big tittied girls are likely familiar with this struggle. Many dresses and tops just weren’t made to be worn with a bra at all and some require a special style of bra, like a strapless bra or plunge bra. 

A bra that fits properly is simply the baseline of things to look for when you’re bra shopping. The correct fit is not only more comfortable but it also looks better and prolongs the life of your bra. Learning how to tighten bra straps properly will also help keep them where they should be and make them less likely to peek out from under your shirts. 

There are so many different types of bras and bra alternatives to choose from. When asking yourself the question, “ how many bras should I own ?”, consider what types of clothes you have in your wardrobe. Having comfy, everyday bras is important, but, if you’re also a fashionista, it’s necessary to have a few bras that will work with any fancy tops or dresses you own. 

If your bra is really refusing to stay hidden, why not run with it? Lingerie has a long history of being used in fashion and it’s becoming even more of a trend these days. If your bra straps refuse to stay under your shirt, let them pop by wearing an off the shoulder top, or a top with thinner straps than your bra. Play around with different layers of mesh and lace. I promise it’s fun and sexy, even if you ultimately decide it’s too daring to wear out. 

I’m a loud and proud advocate for wearing whatever you want and I’m all about freeing the titties from the patriarchal system that has made them a dangerous taboo. The way I see it, all the stigma around having a visible bra strap or visible bra lines through a t-shirt is directly tied to the sexualization of women and girls.

School dress codes are notorious for discriminating against girls . They often make girls feel ashamed of their bodies and the unwelcome attention they can receive from their peers. This type of stigma carries on into adulthood.

Women are still blamed for male responses to their bodies and even something as ridiculous as an exposed bra strap is considered inappropriate in the workplace because it’s “distracting” or “tempting” for their male counterparts. That sounds like a problem for the boys, not us ladies, thank you very much.

There’s a difference between deliberately making your bra a visible part of your outfit and having some accidentally visible bra lines. The latter is more likely to happen in any situation and I don’t believe that it’s ever inappropriate or offensive for a bra strap to show. That can be completely out of your control and it’s just a piece of fabric like any other.

However, there are situations in which it might be smart to pay more attention when curating an outfit to ensure that everything is properly concealed. Let’s discuss!

Some situations just demand an extra level of respect. While a rogue bra strap won’t kill anyone in any scenario, deliberately exposing your bra is a no-go for some events.

Office-type workplaces tend to have dress codes in place so it’s good to style your outfits according to those. I wouldn’t recommend rocking up to your job with only a bra as a shirt. However, that’s a setting in which an exposed bra strap or visible bra lines through an opaque blouse shouldn’t be such a big deal. If anyone finds it distracting, well, what are they doing looking at your chest in the first place?

Funerals and religious proceedings (or even secular visits to famous religious landmarks) already require an extra level of modesty. If you’re attending an event like this, plan your outfit accordingly. If you’re visiting a city that has churches or temples you’d like to visit, throw a light scarf or pashmina into your bag so that you can cover up your shoulders and cleavage if you need to. 

When you’re out on the town, enjoying your free time, I say let those boobies shine. Wearing a bralette as a shirt is an excellent way to keep cool in the summer. If men are allowed to bop around shirtless, why can’t we? Making a dark bra the center of attention under a white blouse or a sheer top is also a fun choice for a night out.

If you’re not willing to commit to having your full bra on display, try experimenting with letting the top of your bra peek out of a low cut top. It can be quite liberating to say “no thanks” to the rules of propriety that were probably decided long ago by some old white dude, anyway. 

Now that we’ve had that juicy discussion about the impropriety of an exposed bra, I’m so curious to know what your stance on the subject is. Are you going to experiment with letting your bra peek out for the sake of fashion? Or are you more inclined to follow my advice to get rid of those visible bra lines?

There is no shame in either decision. My main point is that people should be able to wear whatever they want without being shamed or judged for it. Witnessing a full spectrum of self-expression is one of the best parts of being human! Let me know what you think of all this in the comments!