Ingenious bras for every party dress
FROM one-shouldered to backless and plunging, this season’s most fashionable party frocks are eye-catching styles that flatter older women, i n particular by drawing the eye to the decolletage.
But while they certainly make an impact, what to wear beneath to keep everything in place is a minefield. Luckily, a new wave of high-tech bras with clever shapes means you can be fully supported without having straps or visible bra lines on show.
Here, Fashion editor ELIZA SCARBOROUGH reveals how to match your bra to your dress.
TAKE THE PLUNGE
Black velvet dress £24.99, missguided.co.uk Wonderbra Ultimate Plunge Bra, £32, figleaves.com THE ultimate in LBD underpinning, this bra has been designed to mimic natural lift with the help of four foam ‘ fingers’ that are moulded into each cup, replacing conventional underwiring.
It l ooks great with a plunging party frock, and also has a low back that is strong enough to keep everything in place.
Even though it is cut very low on the chest, this bra gives fantastic coverage of the bust.
Better still, its smooth, moulded cups create a seamless appearance. No one will guess your secret.
AMAZING UPLIFT
Sequin dress, £280, virgoslounge.com Ultimo Low Back Strapless Bra, £35, ultimo.co.uk DEVELOPED to help women create an instantaneous hourglass figure, this longline strapless bra has a corset-like panel, so it both pushes up your breasts AND holds in the tum.
It’s very comfortable and gives great cleavage, so looks fabulous with low-cut sparkly party dresses.
The long line means it hugs the ribs and won’t move, so makes you feel secure. It’s a particularly good style for bigger-busted women.
STICK-ON SUPPORT
Backless dress, £38, asos.com Backless Strapless Bra, £22, bouxavenue.com THIS bra looks insecure at first glance because all it has for sides are two stick-on pieces. Surprisingly, though, it isn’t. The sticky pads, which are replaceable, cling to the skin at each side of your body.
Strong underwiring means it’s ideal for backless, strapless dresses. It stays securely in the right place, and the underwiring makes it appropriate for bigger-busted women as well as small-chested ones.
SHOW OFF SHOULDERS
Draped dress, £89, houseofcb.com Angelina Satin Multiway Bra, £35, bouxavenue.com REAL thought has been put into this bra, which has lace on the cups, a tiny bow in the centre and two beautiful, silky straps pinned over one shoulder to show off the other.
Simply put on the bra as you would a normal one and clip the strap into place.
It is very useful for creating a smooth silhouette underneath a Grecian-inspired dress. You’ll never need to compromise with a strapless bra again.