In recent years, women have ditched tight-fitting underwire bras for comfortable bralettes, but could that be harmful?
While bralettes don’t dig in, they don’t provide much support, which could be harmful in the long run.
As kim kardashianThe Skims brand exploded, celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Cardi B have been photographed showing off different versions of the style, and many celebrities choose to wear the underwear as outerwear, including Kristen Stewart.
To find out whether swapping your bra for a bralette is a lifesaver or a bust, FEMAIL consulted experts on how to choose the right one and who shouldn’t wear that design.
As Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand blew up, celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Cardi B were photographed showing off different versions of the style.
Many celebrities choose to wear underwear as outerwear, including Kristen Stewart, pictured above.
New York City-based entrepreneur Alice Kim founded the clothing company. PerfectDD, which caters to women with larger breasts.
Alice told DailyMail.com that bralettes gained popularity during Covid, as “many women chose not to wear bras at all, but if they chose to wear a bra, bralettes were preferred for their comfort”, leading to “a massive rise in bralettes.” and sports bras.
Alice Kim founded the clothing company PerfectDD, which caters to women with large breasts who want tailored work clothes.
Alice told FEMAIL: “Bralettes can provide everyday support depending on the weight of your breasts and the construction of the bralette.”
Women with larger busts can still try a bralette as long as they know that “anything larger than a DD+ cup may need more support, but there are now brands that specialize in fuller busts.”
It also depends on the activity you are doing with your bases: if you are more active it may not be enough, but it could be fine for working from home.
“Women with larger busts can wear bralettes for style and low-impact activities, but I recommend an underwire bra for added support or a sports bra with compression and encapsulation for high-impact activities like running or jumping,” Alice said. .
“The skin is elastic, so excessive, unsupported bouncing can stretch the ligaments and cause the breasts to sag sooner,” Alice advised.
Alice also warned that “if the band is too loose around the ribcage, it won’t provide adequate support.”
Kimmay Caldwell, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been in the bra business for twenty years.
The experienced bra fitter has mastered the task of helping people understand the deeply confusing world of sizing.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Kimmay Caldwell39, has worked in the bra business for twenty years and is a bra fitter who has mastered helping people understand the deeply confusing world of sizing.
He underwear educator explained that “a loose bra may look comfortable because we believe that looseness equals comfort for clothing.”
The underwear educator explained that “a loose bra may look comfortable because we believe that loose equals comfort.”
Instead, Kimmay said, “Bras are best when they fit like a good pair of leggings: tight enough to stay in place without moving or falling down, and loose enough to allow movement and prevent sagging or pain.” .
Kimmay said her clients often opt for loose-fitting bralettes for comfort.but over longer periods of time or if the client has a fuller bust, the loose bralette may wander, ride up and sink into the shoulders or band.’
She calls bralettes casual or light support and thinks they “can be wonderful as a fashion or lounge option.”
Kimmay compares bras to shoes and said that “we all need different levels of support for different activities,” including “bralettes, sports bras, French lace bras, T-shirt bras, and strapless bras,” depending on the activity and outfit. .
For those with fuller busts, Kimmay said she prefers ‘“More structure and support than a bralette can offer,” which can “take a lot of the pressure off your shoulders.”
While it may be tempting to opt for a one-size-fits-all bralette that fits like a sports bra, Kimmay cautioned againstStretchy, non-adjustable bras may have their place, but they only fit certain people and can “squish or wander on most bodies and busts that don’t match that specific bust and band size ratio.”
Instead, the expert suggested a non-wired bralette, an adjustable band, straps, or, ideally, both.
Dani Read, senior designer at Miami, Florida-based lingerie brand Cosabella, said “bralettes provide the perfect combination of comfort and style for everyday wear” for many.
“Women with smaller busts may find that bralettes provide perfect support for everyday wear, while those with larger busts may need more structured support,” Dani explained.
Dani Read, senior designer of the lingerie brand. beautiful thing who resides in Miami, Florida, thinks that “bralettes provide the perfect combination of comfort and style for everyday wear” for many women.
“Women with smaller busts may find that bralettes provide perfect support for everyday wear, while those with larger busts may need more structured support,” Dani explained.
Cosabella has specific lines that cater to larger busted women who want to wear bralettes with the Super Curvy collection, which goes up to an H cup.
The Ultra Curvy collection has bralettes in sizes I to L.
Dani said there are sSeveral key features to look for that make a big difference in comfort and support, including a wider band that “helps distribute the weight of your breasts more evenly” and helps reduce strain on your shoulders and back.
Adjustable straps are also a better option, as they help achieve a more customizable fit and prevent slipping, as well as thicker straps for larger busts for a more secure fit and less movement.
Dani said there are several key features to consider that make a big difference in comfort and support.
Brands like Wacoal offer bralettes that provide more support, but explain that it is a more relaxed style that does not have the same construction features as bras and, as a result, provide less shape.
Although bralettes are a viable option, at the end of the day, it is best to reinforce the bust.
Miryha Fantegrossi, senior vice president of marketing and design at wacoalthinks the best option is to wear a real bra.
Miryha told FEMAIL: “Bralettes are a more relaxed style that do not have the same construction features as bras and, as a result, are less shaping.”
“Many women feel more supported when wearing a bra because there is less bounce, more lift, and it can provide relief to the back or shoulders,” Miryha continued.
Miryha said that it is not the underwear that causes the problem if women want to ditch their usual bras, but rather that it is not the right size or shape for their body.
