bra strap

September 1, 2007 9:53 AM

How to keep bra straps from showing without safety pins?

I have a few shirts with somewhat wide necklines that sometimes expose my bra straps if I move around. Is there any way to keep the straps attached to the shirt that's less obtrusive than safety pins and less permanent than sewing?

posted by transona5 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (25 answers total)

Um, looks like I swapped the tags and the title...oops.
posted by transona5 at 9:54 AM on September 1, 2007

Strapless bra?
posted by typewriter at 9:54 AM on September 1, 2007

I should also mention that I can never seem to get a strapless bra to stay in place, and I'm trying to find a really cheap solution to this.
posted by transona5 at 9:56 AM on September 1, 2007

double-sided scotch tape will keep fabric from sliding around- stick it between the bra strap and your shirt, and your shirt (depending on the material) will stay put. Totally flat and invisible.

I've also used the double-sided scotch tape to keep blouses from gaping open in unwelcome ways.
posted by ambrosia at 10:00 AM on September 1, 2007

Double stick tape. They do make some expensive kind just for this purpose and for making sure necklines stay put but I find that the good old scotch brand that you can get most anywhere works fine. Might have to reapply if you sweat and be sure that the adhesive doesn't irritate your skin but otherwise, works just dandy. YMMV.
posted by pearlybob at 10:01 AM on September 1, 2007

Great minds ambrosia, great minds....
posted by pearlybob at 10:02 AM on September 1, 2007

Requires a tiny bit of sewing, but you could sew little bra buddies on the offending garments. Bra buddies (or what I call bra buddies) are little strips of ribbon sewn down at one end onto the garment where you want the strap to stay put and with a tiny snap on the other. The bra strap goes through, and snaps to stay put. That way you can wear any bra with it.
posted by typewriter at 10:05 AM on September 1, 2007

That sounds like what I'm looking for. Where do you get this expensive kind?
posted by transona5 at 10:05 AM on September 1, 2007

The bra buddies sound like a good idea too, and I do sew a little.
posted by transona5 at 10:06 AM on September 1, 2007

The most expensive article of clothing I own is a lovely sleeveless summer dress with a wide neckline. On each shoulder, on the underside where the seam is, is a tab of fabric about 1/4 inch wide and an inch long, sewn on one end and with a tiny snap at the other. I simply loop the tab under my bra strap and fasten the snap, and voila, everything stays in place. I suppose this little detail is part of the reason the dress was almost 200 dollars (it was 50% off, as well!), but this should be easy enough to sew on yourself. You could use a short length of ribbon in a matching color so as not to hassle with turning and hemming tiny bits of fabric, and little sew-on snaps are easy to attach. If you're a total sewing phobic, a seamstress could probably add this detail to all the clothes that show your bra strap for not too much money.
posted by cilantro at 10:11 AM on September 1, 2007

Aah, the typewriter beat me to it.
posted by cilantro at 10:12 AM on September 1, 2007

I know you can get the expensive kind of tape at bridal shops.
posted by selfmedicating at 10:20 AM on September 1, 2007

Where do you get this expensive kind?
Hollywood Fashion Tape. They have a list of retailers, but you can also just order from their website.
posted by snownoid at 10:24 AM on September 1, 2007

I'm just coming across this thread randomly, but I found out about roll-on adhesive recently for another use.
posted by rhizome at 10:29 AM on September 1, 2007

Sewing directions
posted by typewriter at 10:34 AM on September 1, 2007

YOu can make your own bra buddy. Just buy thread and a packet of snaps. I just tie a knot in the thread, put the needle through the garment where I want it, and then knot it around the snap thing after leaving a tail of about an inch and a half. I loop my needle through the holes in the snap several times to make it seure. THen I sew the other half of the snap to the garment where I want it (all with matching thread and sewn to the lining or to the shoulder seam so it won't show). The thread is strong enough to hold the bra in place, no ribbon needed.
posted by chickaboo at 10:40 AM on September 1, 2007

I think a girlfriend got some of the expensive tape at Victoria's Secret. Any nice undies shop should sell it. Good Luck!!
posted by pearlybob at 12:02 PM on September 1, 2007

I love the bras which have become popular in Eastern Europe over the past few years, which don't solve the problem of showing with strapless or spaghetti strap shirts, but sidestep it neatly by being plastic and clear. They also do a great job of preventing tan lines, and although they're plastic, they're not uncomfortable. I don't see these in America, though.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 3:55 PM on September 1, 2007

plastic and clear...I don't see these in America, though

I see these in Canada, and snigger at the idea that they're "invisible." I take it the European ones are maybe not so glossy? It is not a classy look, here.

What're being called "bra buddies" are great; Nth the recommendation.
posted by kmennie at 5:52 PM on September 1, 2007

I see these in Canada, and snigger at the idea that they're "invisible." I take it the European ones are maybe not so glossy? It is not a classy look, here.


They have come to America by way of H&M. Not exactly classy, but sometimes just what you need.
posted by ch1x0r at 7:40 PM on September 1, 2007

I just got some Bug Catcherz that are really nice and strong two-sided pieces of tape in different sizes and shapes. They work really well.
posted by la petite marie at 8:23 PM on September 1, 2007

I use these, which are actually called Bra Buddies. I bought mine in New Zealand. Looks like they are available in NZ, Aus, an UK. They are little plastic things which you slide your straps into. Very handy, and inexpensive.
posted by girlgeeknz at 8:47 PM on September 1, 2007

Why do you think the safety pins are obtrusive? I feel your pain (literally), but the last time I had to do this, I attached the pin to the seam, not the dress (so it wouldn't be seen) and it worked very well. If you need a quick fix right now, maybe that would help.

These other solutions are great, though.
posted by Madamina at 9:04 AM on September 2, 2007

Strap Tamers
posted by quoththeraven at 1:31 PM on September 2, 2007

You need Hollywood Fashion Tape.

And I think the proper term for "Bra Buddies" is "keepers" ... or at least that's what my mom calls them.
posted by radioamy at 2:09 PM on September 2, 2007