Bras to wear as a top or outerwear
Gone are the days when bras were meant to simply hidden under layers. Today, they have taken center stage as statement pieces and stylish outerwear, redefining fashion with creativity and boldness.
Many women now use bras as tops or outerwear by combining them with a variety of outfits, creating bold and chic looks. From lacy bralettes to structured corsets, there are a lot of options available to style with your outfits.
Different types of bra tops can be styled effortlessly with a variety of outfits to create versatile and fashion-forward looks. Let’s delve into bras to wear as a top or outerwear to create bold yet comfortable and beautiful looks. Whether you’re heading to a chic dinner or a night party, these versatile pieces can be styled to suit any occasion.
What is a Bra as Top or Outerwear?
Before delving into the different types of bras to wear as tops and outerwear, let’s first get clear on what exactly they are. Bras as tops are multifunctional pieces of clothing that can be worn under clothes as well as styled alone. They are a seamless blend of support, coverage, design, and style, making them ideal for wearing as outerwear or tops. With straps, built-in cups, underwire, or elastic bands, they provide the required support to the busts. Unlike a regular tank top, they have a short length, making them suitable for high-waisted jeans, skirts, and layering under jackets.
With straps and cups designed to cover the bust, bras come in unique styles to match different outfits. From strappy or halter bras for a sleek look to embellished ones for statement pieces, the options are endless. By merging the design elements of a bra with the functionality and coverage of a crop top, they suit both casual and chic styles.
Bras to Wear as a Top or Outerwear
Whether you want a bold and modern look or just looking to try something fresh, there are a lot of stylish bra options to explore. These versatile pieces can effortlessly work as tops or outerwear, creating trendy and statement-worthy looks. From sleek and minimalist designs to intricate lace details, check out some of the best options available to try out:
Bralette
Bralettes are undoubtedly one of the most popular and versatile bra types for wearing as a top or outerwear. They exude chic style, boldness, and class, while offering unparalleled comfort. Sitting above the waist, they are perfect as standalone tops, offering a trendy and effortless vibe. With different options, including lacy, crochet, or satin, they are tailored to suit different styles and preferences. You can pair them with high-leg jeans or wide-leg trousers or layer them under a blazer for a bold and edgy look. For example, pair a lace bralette as a crop top with high-waisted jeans and a statement necklace for a bold yet polished look. They serve as a good outfit choice for casual brunches, dinner dates, beach outings, and summer music festivals.
Lace Bra
Lace bras are delicate, feminine, and effortlessly charming, making them a stylish choice to wear as a top or outerwear. They’re perfect for adding a romantic and girlish touch to any outfit, instantly elevating your overall look. There are endless ways to style them as outerwear and create bold, edgy, and chic looks. The most preferred way to wear lace bra is by pairing it with sheer or low-cut tops to show off the beautiful lace trims above. Additionally, you can also wear a lace bra with high-waisted jeans or a skirt for a more daring vibe. Want to balance bold with classy? Add a chic jacket, shrug, or blazer to complete the outfit. They are perfect for date nights, evening events, or casual outings.
Cami Bra
Cami bras are a seamless blend of style and comfort, making them a go-to choice for wearing as tops or outerwear. With coverage of a camisole, they’re sleek, modern, and comfortable bras for an effortless everyday look. These versatile bras can be styled in so many ways! Layer them under a cropped jacket, blazer, or cardigan for a chic and laid-back look. From jeans to pencil skirts, you can pair them beautifully with any bottom to elevate your look. For example, pair a cami bra with high-waisted jeans, a blazer, high heels, earrings, and a layered necklace for a dynamic and polished appearance. They are perfect for casual outings, night-outs as well as everyday wear.
Longline Bra
Longline bras, as the same suggests, have an extended underline that fits the waistline, giving a sleek and slim appearance. They offer unparalleled support, structure, and comfort, making them ideal for wearing as standalone pieces of clothing. The extra coverage elongates your torso, adding a touch of chic, vintage-inspired charm to your look. Styling a longline bra is super easy! Combine them with high-waist trousers, a midi skirt, a pencil skirt, full bottoms, or layer under a mesh shirt or light jacket. For example, pair a longline bra with a full-coverage bottom, an elegant pendant, and a light jacket for a sophisticated vibe. They are perfect for both formal events as well as chic brunch and casual outings.
Sports Bra
Sports bras are just so comfortable and supportive that most women prefer them over regular bras. But here is the good news. Sports bras are incredibly comfortable and offer excellent support, making them perfect for wearing as standalone tops or outerwear. Their sleek, minimalist designs in neutral tones and bold colors bring a cool athleisure vibe to any outfit. You can pair them with oversized joggers, biker shorts, or a denim jacket for a bold and edgy look. Want something trendy yet laid-back? Try wearing a sports bra with high-waisted bottoms and layer with a bomber jacket for a sporty, stylish, and effortlessly cool look. They are perfect for casual coffee runs, hangouts, gym sessions, and streetwear styling.
Tube Bra
Tube bras, also known as bandeau, are the perfect go-to option when you want support without dealing with straps. Available in solid colors or patterns, they offer a clean, seamless, and bold look, creating a minimalist yet bold fashion statement. Since they’re strapless and don’t have hooks or closures, they’re super smooth and easy to wear all day long. You can pair them with high-waisted trousers, skirts, shorts, or layer under mesh tops for a balanced look. For example, pair a tube bra with palazzo pants, heels, and a statement necklace for a classy look. They’re not just limited to casual wear, either! Tube bras can also be used as a saree or lehenga blouse or even layered under blazers to create a sophisticated look. They are generally best for casual outings, beach outings, summer events, and brunch meetings.
Corset Bra
Corset bras are the ultimate mix of the supportive structure of a corset with the functionality of a bra, making them a great top or outerwear option. With a longline design extending below the bust to the waist, they offer extra coverage, support, and shape for the torso. The best part? They offer a seamless blend of vintage elegance and modern chic, giving a structured, flattering, hourglass silhouette. You can pair them with long skirts, tailored trousers, midi skirts, cargo pants, flowy skirts, or a matching co-ord set. For example, try wearing a corset bra with regular jeans and layer with a long coat and statement necklace for a bold yet elegant look. They are perfect for evening events, date nights, chic parties, and semi-formal events.
Metallic or Embellished Bra
Embellished bras are statement lingerie pieces made from fabrics with metallic finishes, such as gold, silver, etc. They feature glitter, sequins, beads, rhinestones, pearls, embroidery, or metallic finishes, offering a unique and glamorous look. With plunging necklines, strappy details, and unique patterns, they can be paired with different clothing items for a dazzling look. You can wear them with leather pants, high-waisted shorts, flowy long skirts, loose palazzo or skinny jeans. Want something extra chic? Layer it under a sheer top, blazer, or jacket. For example, pair an embellished bra with high-waist jeans and layer it with an open blazer and sleek earrings for a high-fashion look. They are perfect for concerts, clubbing, New Year’s Eve parties, themed parties, or photoshoots.
Styling Bras as a Top or Outerwear
There are a number of bras to be used as top or outerwear to create bold, classy, and edgy looks. However, it’s extremely important to style them in the correct manner to ensure a balance between boldness and sophistication. Whether chic, daring, elegant or laid-back, the key is pairing the right bra with complementary pieces for a stylish look. Have a look at how to style bras as a top or outerwear for the right amount of boldness and elegance!
High-Waisted Bottoms: Pair a bra like a tank top with high-waisted bottoms, such as jeans, skirts, cargo, shorts, or trousers. The high-waisted design provides coverage, balancing the boldness of a bra and creating an edgy yet elegant look.
Coats or Blazers: Layer the bra with an oversized blazer or trench coat with detailing for a sophisticated look while maintaining a bold vibe. The contrast of the blazer with the boldness of the bra creates an effortlessly fashionable vibe.
Sheer Layers: Wear a sheer blouse or mesh top over the embellished bra for a mix of boldness and subtle vibes. Sheer layers offer a peek-a-boo effect while keeping the outfit sophisticated, light and breezy.
Coord Sets: Opt for a matching bra with coordinated skirts, trousers, dungaree or jackets to create a seamless and cohesive outfit. They give you a polished, effortlessly chic, and bold look that feels both classy and stylish.
Denim Jackets: Pair a bra with a classic denim jacket to create a casual, edgy, and laid-back look. Bras with interesting textures or bold designs shine through when the jacket is open, giving you a sporty and bold look.
Button-Down Shirts: For a casual and stylish look, pair a bralette featuring an intricate design with a button-down shirt. Unbutton the shirt just enough to let your bra peek through, creating a laid-back and edgy look.
Skirts: Match a bra with a high-waisted, A-line, flowy, or pencil skirt for a more structured and fashionable look. A skirt’s elegance blends seamlessly with a bra’s boldness, creating a sophisticated yet classy look.
Accessories: Make sure to add a few accessories to complement the simplicity of a bra top while elevating the outfit. You can try layered necklaces, elegant pendants, or bold earrings to add a touch of elegance and simplicity to bold outfits.
Conclusion
Styling a bra as a top or outerwear is a bold fashion statement that combines elegance and confidence. There are different types of bras available in different styles as top or outerwear, including bralette, cami, lace, longline, tube, corset, sports, etc. You can easily style them with different clothing items like high-waisted jeans, skirts, cargo, palazzo, trousers, co-ord, etc. Additionally, you can even layer them with a coat, blazer, or stylish shrug for a sophisticated and polished look. Lastly, complete the look with complimentary jewelry and exude unparalleled boldness and elegance!
