I spent years thinking bralettes were a bit of a con. A pretty triangle of lace with none of the actual job a bra is supposed to do, bought in a moment of optimism and then relegated to the back of the drawer next to the shapewear I’d also convinced myself I’d wear regularly. I was wrong about that, but only once I understood what they’re actually for. A good bralette isn’t trying to replace structure, it’s trying to replace the bra you don’t want anyone to know you’re wearing. Different job entirely.
The ones worth having are the ones with a bit of give in the band and a shape that sits flat under fine knits without printing through, because that’s the whole point of the thing.
Lace is lovely but only if it lies flat rather than bunching the second you sit down, which I learned the hard way at a dinner where I spent the whole main course adjusting myself under the table like I had a wasp in my top.
Styling wise, this is where bralettes earn their keep properly. Under an open shirt with the top three buttons undone, under a blazer with nothing else going on underneath, peeking out from a slouchy off shoulder jumper in the cold months when you still want a bit of skin on show without actually being cold. They work as outerwear too now, which took me a while to get on board with, but a bralette under a long blazer with tailored trousers has become one of those looks that reads as deliberate rather than like you forgot a layer.
Occasion wise they’re brilliant for anything where comfort actually matters but you still want to look like you tried. Warm weather weddings where the alternative is underwire digging into your ribs by the speeches. Dinner somewhere you want a slightly undone top. Even just a Tuesday under a soft t shirt when you cannot face anything with a hook and eye. My flatmate Priya once caught me doing up a bralette in the kitchen and said “that looks like more effort than a normal bra,” and she wasn’t wrong, but it’s the good kind of effort, the kind nobody else can actually see.
Top Picks
BRALETTECALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Heritage Classic Cotton Stretch Unlined Bralette - Black
$36.00
$27.00 CALVIN KLEIN
BRALETTECALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Graphic Monogram Swim Bralette - Black
$59.00
$41.30 CALVIN KLEIN
BRALETTENATORIAvail Full Fit Bralette - Soft Mint / 36C/DD
$60.00
$18.00 NATORI
MONTELLE INTIMATESCup-Sized Lace Bralette - 34 / H/I
$49.00 MONTELLE INTIMATES
MONTELLE INTIMATESCup-Sized Lace Bralette - 40 / D/E
$49.00 MONTELLE INTIMATES
CALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Icon Mesh Pride Unlined Bralette - Open Green
$36.00 CALVIN KLEIN
MONTELLE INTIMATESCup-Sized Lace Bralette - 36 / F/G
$49.00 MONTELLE INTIMATES
PLAYALUXE USMalibu Bralette Bikini Top
$88.00 PLAYALUXE US
FELINA INTIMATESOrganic Cotton Bralette, Taupe / Large
$30.00 FELINA INTIMATES
HANES.COMHanes Originals Women's Pullover Bralette, Moisture-Wicking Stretch Cotton Black
$7.00 HANES.COM
HARVEY NICHOLS USChantelle Norah Lace Bralette - Black - 32E
$69.55 HARVEY NICHOLS US
SHOEMALL.COMGlamorise Bramour Gramercy Luxe Lace Bralette Black Bras 38-D
$39.00 SHOEMALL.COM
HANES.COMHanes Originals Women's SuperSoft Longline Triangle Bralette Earthen Tan
$17.99 HANES.COM
COTTON ON (US)Body - Seamless Longline Lace Trim Bralette
$19.99 COTTON ON (US)
IFCHICVersace Greca Border Scoop Bralette
$125.00 IFCHIC
HUNKEMOLLER USHunkemöller Dianne Bralette Red
$30.00 HUNKEMOLLER US
ONEHANESPLACE.COMHanes Moves Women's V-Neck Crop Bralette, Light Support Dark Cobalt Night
$24.00 ONEHANESPLACE.COM
IFCHICMiguelina Bella Scalloped Lace Silk Bralette
$220.00 IFCHIC
NATORIImagine Allover Lace Bralette
$295.00 NATORI
COTTON ON (US)Body - Invisible Micro Bralette
$19.99 COTTON ON (US)
W CONCEPT (US)Layered Bralette Tank & Cami [Gray]
$90.00 W CONCEPT (US)
HANES.COMHanes Moves Women's V-Neck Crop Bralette, Light Support Fresh Berry
$24.00 HANES.COM
HANES.COMHanes Women's Invisible Embrace Pullover Bralette, Moisture Wicking Nude
$17.99 HANES.COM
FELINA INTIMATESFinesse Super Stretchy Lace Bralette & Brief 2-Piece Set, White / 1X/2X
$45.00 FELINA INTIMATES
FELINA INTIMATESOrganic Cotton Bralette, Pebble / Large
$30.00 FELINA INTIMATES
FLORALKINIBlack Ribbed Bralette Bikini Top
$18.00 FLORALKINI
MONTELLE INTIMATESLele Bralette - L/XL / REGT
$49.00 MONTELLE INTIMATES
FELINA INTIMATESOrganic Cotton Stretch Bralette 2-Pack, Sky Pebble / Medium
$45.00 FELINA INTIMATES
MONTELLE INTIMATESCup-Sized Lace Bralette - 34 / D/E
$49.00 MONTELLE INTIMATES
MEMOIWomen's 2 Piece Monique Fishnet Bralette and Garter Set
$58.00 MEMOI
MONTELLE INTIMATESMysa Cup-Sized Bralette - 28 / D/E
$59.00 MONTELLE INTIMATES
−50%
COTTON ON (US)Body - Branded Cotton Balconette Bralette - French roast$20.00
$10.00 COTTON ON (US)
−69%
NATORIBliss Flex Bralette$35.48
$11.00 NATORI
−50%
ONEHANESPLACE.COMBali Modern Seamless Bralette Sandshell XL Women's$24.00
$12.00 ONEHANESPLACE.COM
−50%
ONEHANESPLACE.COMBali Breathe Cotton Modal Bralette White S Women's$24.00
$12.00 ONEHANESPLACE.COM
−71%
NATORIArt Deco Bralette - Petunia / 30 / DDD$58.62
$17.00 NATORI
−70%
NATORIAvail Full Fit Bralette - Soft Mint / 36C/DD$60.00
$18.00 NATORI
−71%
HANKY PANKYHanky Panky Women's Printed Signature Lace Padded Triangle Bralette - Unconventional White$68.93
$19.99 HANKY PANKY
−50%
ONEHANESPLACE.COMMaidenform M Seamless Push-Up Bra, Convertible Longline Bralette (Plus Size Available) White L Women's$42.00
$21.00 ONEHANESPLACE.COM
−50%
ONEHANESPLACE.COMMaidenform Lightly Lined Convertible Lace Bralette Black Bloom 36D Women's$42.00
$21.00 ONEHANESPLACE.COM
−71%
HANKY PANKYHanky Panky Women's Supima Cotton Nursing Bralette - Black$86.17
$24.99 HANKY PANKY
−25%
CALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Heritage Classic Cotton Stretch Unlined Bralette - Black$36.00
$27.00 CALVIN KLEIN
−25%
CALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Cotton Modal Balance Lightly Lined Bralette - Grey$36.00
$27.00 CALVIN KLEIN
−20%
CALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Girls' Girls Modern Cotton 3-Pack Bralette - Multi$34.00
$27.20 CALVIN KLEIN
−50%
JUNOACTIVEJunowear Hush Bralette - FINAL SALE, 4X / Black$54.94
$27.47 JUNOACTIVE
−48%
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Embroidered Bralette$57.60
$29.95 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
−25%
CALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Heritage Cotton Stretch Lightly Lined Triangle Bralette - Grey$42.00
$31.50 CALVIN KLEIN
−40%
LOFTLoft Haven Well Within Luna Plunge Bralette$58.00
$34.80 LOFT
−30%
CALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Graphic Monogram Swim Bralette - Black$59.00
$41.30 CALVIN KLEIN
−30%
CALVIN KLEINCalvin Klein Women's Icon Swim Triangle Bralette - Pink$59.00
$41.30 CALVIN KLEIN
−83%
NATORIEl Nido Cotton Poplin Bralette$294.12
$50.00 NATORI
−30%
LEAMSatin bralette with lace$487.70
$341.39 LEAM
−40%
IFCHICOff-White Net Arrow Bralette Top - IT$755.00
$453.00 IFCHIC
![Layered Bralette Tank & Cami [Gray]](https://images2.productserve.com/?w=200&h=200&bg=white&trim=5&t=letterbox&url=ssl%3Acdn.wconcept.com%2Fproducts%2F7204158%2F37%2F720415837_1.jpg&feedId=21675&k=6f3e45d5147b355d6828b53f14eaf60440bdcbfc)
