How to hide a comfortable racerback bra

November 3, 2021 9:16 AM

About a month into quarantine I switched from underwire bras to stretchy elastic bras. I am not going back to underwires, but I *am* going back to the office. Part of the delight of these bras is that the straps stay on my shoulders instead of slipping down. This means that you can sometimes *see* them when I'm wearing clothes that aren't turtlenecks.

I'm not going to go back to underwires, I'm not going to start wearing turtlenecks. While it is possible that no one cares I'm going to start from the position that this looks at best somewhat unprofessional. What advice do you boob-toters out there have for those of us who are trying not to display underwear at work? Are there bra styles that might be better? I don't need racerbacks specifically, I could be open to other styles. I do need a decent amount of support, so a bra of some kind is a requirement.

I used to have a job where some guy decided he was going to be my friend, he used to come sit at my desk and stare at me and try to make small talk about things so that I would fall in love with him. He frequently mentioned my bra straps, which were apparently visible. I did not fall in love with him but now I am very alive to the potential downside of visible boobal supports.

posted by Vatnesine to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (26 answers total)

My only real hack around this is to find a style of tank top/thin undershirt that looks decent with other shirts and covers the straps, and buy lots of them.
posted by Paper rabies at 9:23 AM on November 3, 2021 [3 favorites]

He frequently mentioned my bra straps, which were apparently visible.

"Wow, do you discuss underwear with all of our colleagues?"


I work in a casual office and was already well aboard the bralette train before the pandemic sent us all home, so I've been where you are. I have in equal measure 1. decided not to care in most situations, 2. become more comfortable being rude to people who are being inappropriate at me, 3. found bralettes I like that have wide lace straps so they look more clothing-intentional.
posted by phunniemee at 9:32 AM on November 3, 2021 [8 favorites]

1) I wear Gap's convertible underwire bra with the straps in the racerback position (crossed in the back all the time - I find them way more comfortable that way and the straps don't either slip down or need to be super tight.

2) You can't see the straps in crew neck shirts or narrow v-necks, but when I'm wearing a black or nude bra or whatever (not like hot pink), I don't think that's really unprofessional. I think that there's a case to be made that visible statement underwear is inappropriate in some workplaces, but I don't think this applies to plain neutral color straps. (Like, if you think visible nipples are inappropriate at work, it's really not fair to also think that any hint of undergarments is also inappropriate?!?)

3) WHAT THE FUCK - it's completely unacceptable for colleagues to comment on your underwear. In almost every context, but especially that one. It is both impossible and unfair to try to make yourself so unremarkable as to avoid other peoples' bad behavior.

4) In summary, as long as these aren't neon-ish, I say wear your stretchy racer back bras to work! Viva la revolution!
posted by mercredi at 10:01 AM on November 3, 2021 [3 favorites]

I have a bunch of wacoal sports bras/bralettes that have straight straps rather than racerbacks. They stay up, are comfortable and don't show. I have the same issue with a bunch of other ones.
posted by leslies at 10:01 AM on November 3, 2021

That guy was a creep and it is not on you to hide your bra straps.
posted by soelo at 10:02 AM on November 3, 2021 [26 favorites]

Your previous colleague was a disgusting jerk and I'm sorry that he did that to you. People wear bras and you have the right to be in a work environment where you are not being sexually harassed.

I have been wearing stretchy bras or a binder under my clothing for a very long time and honestly, if and when straps show, they look like tank tops underneath a shirt. I can't imagine anyone would even notice. I love the True brand in a v neck, which has wide tank top like straps and I find to be supportive (I take the inner pads out). The brand also sells racerbacks that are comfortable and supportive. Also, my life has gotten infinitely better since I (literally) burned all of my underwire bras so congrats on the wardrobe change!
posted by twelve cent archie at 10:08 AM on November 3, 2021 [2 favorites]

I don't see anything inappropriate with a visible bra strap showing, especially if the straps are fairly broad, I feel like in some way this makes them into a sort of underwear/outside wear hybrid. I don't wear racerbacks but do often wear stretchy elastic bras with broad straps and it's kind of like I'm wearing a top under my actual top - no biggie if people can see any part of it. Caveat though, I do work in a fairly casual office.

Also what the fuck? That guy's behaviour was completely fucking unacceptable and I'm sorry you had to go through that.
posted by unicorn chaser at 10:09 AM on November 3, 2021 [2 favorites]

I tend to wear some kind of cardigan, shawl or thin drapey blouse over a nice tank top for work (because offices are cold!) Occasionally a strap peeks, but it's not a big deal. But I usually wear tanks with wide straps also.

Your coworker was gross, and I promise even having no straps peeking would not have stopped him from being gross about something else.
posted by emjaybee at 10:12 AM on November 3, 2021 [6 favorites]

These bras are comfortable (for someone who normally refuses to wear a bra at all), the straps are less likely to be visible than a racetrack style, and they never fall down on me. I am a 34D; they are not super supportive but they are acceptably supportive for my size. (I remove the pads entirely.)
posted by metasarah at 10:21 AM on November 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

I agree wider straps that look more like tank tops don't read as underwear. But if you want a bra option, I suggest a triangle adjustable/convertible bra (or another style) from True and Co. I got mine from Target, but it looks like they have more size/style options on the True and Co website, including a version with convertible straps so you can choose to use racerback styling or not. I despise underwire bras and have been trying to find a wireless bra I like for a long time. I have tried many, and so far, I like this one best.

I really like the nylon/elastane fabric because it is super soft and quick drying (I live somewhere swampy and sweat easily). So far it lays pretty flat (no lines under clothes), and it has removable pads (not a feature I love, but it's ok), so it's a comfortable level of modesty for me without feeling like I'm bound and cinched all day. Personally the adjustable straps are a must-have and sizing down was better since the band isn't adjustable. I find them supportive enough, but I have a desk job and my boobs are not especially large. YMMV.

(And yes your coworker was gross and it shouldn't be on your shoulders (ha!) to make him less gross. But even if he were out of the picture I understand not wanting your underwear to show at work.)
posted by kochenta at 10:31 AM on November 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

I'm someone who finds racerbacks surprisingly Uncomfortable--they always seem to tug unpleasantly at my neck-- so I have gone with some of the non-racerback options from Athleta. Pricey, but super comfortable, and with LOTS of different strap options. Many of them would def be indistinguishable from a layering tank if they were to peek out from a collar.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 10:54 AM on November 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

The only workaround I've found for this is to wear crew neck or higher scoop neck shirts with my racerback bras, or add a cardigan. I've found the straps stay up well on the regular (non racerback) tomboyx bralettes, too. We were cautioned against "visible underwear" when they sent out our revised/more casual dress code a few months ago so obviously bra straps are on a lot of people's minds these days. Your coworker is still a creep, though.
posted by assenav at 10:58 AM on November 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

I have a few high-necked tank tops (like these racerback tanks) that cover straps better than other tanks in the front/shoulders, and I generally wear something like this when I've got a racerback bra on to hide the straps.
posted by jabes at 11:03 AM on November 3, 2021

I decided a year or three back that I was done with straight straps, because I've spent half my life trying to re-mount them on my sloping shoulders. My mainstay bra now is a Patagonia sports bra, the "barely", that has medium width straps.

And if someone can see them? Fuck it. None of their business. And it was only a few years ago that showing straps (and even semi-visible camisoles) was The Style, and you couldn't even buy an opaque shirt anywhere. So, really, fuck it. Comfort >>>>>> anything else, and having falling-down straps constantly is uncomfortable.
posted by Dashy at 11:05 AM on November 3, 2021 [2 favorites]

Along the lines described here, I have some shirts with little snap straps to hold the bra strap in place. Often it strikes me as too absurd to be bothered with (like when that article claims the photo is ruined), but it does achieve the goal.
posted by teremala at 11:20 AM on November 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

It’s almost winter and perfect time for silk scarves, or even chunkier knit ones. Plus shrugs, cowls and more! Could even be a signature statement, fun colours or patterns. Or plain ole trusty black scarf works too.
posted by iamkimiam at 12:21 PM on November 3, 2021

Best answer: I’m all for the fuck-it attitude in my private life but have found that my visible bra straps call attention to the fact that I’m a boob-haver and not just a fellow human being when people interact with me at work, which impacts how I’m perceived when trying to get stuff done. It’s bullshit but covering them up works better for me, though, YMMV.

I’ve also switched to racerback sports bras (like the older thin-strap Nike Yoga Luxe ones that look similar to the Patagonia barely there ones), and when wearing tops with necklines that don’t hide them and I don’t feel like wearing a cardigan or hoodie, a tank top like this on top looks like a more deliberate choice, and I like wearing it. Though YMMV, of course.

Also, fuck that creeper dude.
posted by sunrise kingdom at 1:16 PM on November 3, 2021 [4 favorites]

I sometimes use Hollywood Tape, a double-sided tape designed to hold clothing in place. Put a strip on the bra strap, then press the garment down on the tape so no more slippage.
posted by The Ardship of Cambry at 1:31 PM on November 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

As an alternative to turtlenecks, collared shirts. I've got Old Navy polos for every day of the week
posted by DebetEsse at 3:40 PM on November 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

When you say the straps slip, do you mean they slide off your shoulders? Because I dealt with that most of my life until I recently got resized with a smaller band (and correspondingly larger cup). It turned out that my previous bra straps were so annoying because they were too wide set because the band was too big.

Also, yeah, that guy was terrible.
posted by Kriesa at 4:32 PM on November 3, 2021 [1 favorite]

I am the same kind of person who switched from underwire to racerback sports bras during the pandemic and has yet to go back even as I wear clothes outside the house now. I have very narrow shoulders and I LOVE that the straps stay on my shoulders. I have found a few racerback bras that are pretty soft and comfy but do have underwires. I feel like you've got a few directions here

- go back to underwires (I know you said no, just putting this out there) but look for better underwire racerback bras
- keep the bras you have and find camisole tops or something to add layers so your straps don't show
- keep the bras you have and get more creative with what you wear on top. I don't know if you have winter around there but there are many non-turtleneck options
- keep the bras you have and decide you don't care if the straps show *a little* and maybe shop around to find elastic bras that have straps that are okay looking.

I have a medium sized chest and I feel like I somehow feel like I can maybe hide my bra completely. My sister who has a much larger chest has decided she maybe can't do that and also gives less of a fuck. So worth thinking this aspect through a little.
posted by jessamyn at 4:48 PM on November 3, 2021

I really like the Soma Enbliss racerback bralettes and I say that as someone who utterly despises bras of any kind and rarely wears them. The fabric is silky smooth, the bottom band is wide enough not to enrage me with pinching and riding up, and the straps are adjustable and thin enough not to show even with my summer tops. They come in a wide variety of colors too which is a great bonus.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 5:30 PM on November 3, 2021

I only wear racerbacks with tops that have a collar or a high enough neckline to conceal the bra completely. With other types of neckline I like something like these but I always sew a ribbon between the straps at the back to prevent them from slipping down my shoulders.
posted by Coaticass at 12:14 AM on November 4, 2021

Best answer: If you can sew, there are these tiny ribbons with snaps you can sew onto your shirts to keep them over your bra straps. In Australia they seem to be called "Shoulder strap retainers", I assume they're available other places. You can also DIY them, though the one time I did this I regretted it as it took forever. Now I just buy the ready made ones. They are surprisingly effective for such tiny, fiddly things.
posted by kjs4 at 12:17 AM on November 4, 2021 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Also, bra-keepers are a thing. (On preview: SNAP.)
posted by Coaticass at 12:18 AM on November 4, 2021 [1 favorite]

Chiming in with the chorus of Fuck That Guy And Report Him To HR For Harassment.

I've definitely seen a number of bralettes that make use of a wide chest band for support. One of my go-to options has been the Everlane cotton bralette, which I see just now has been discontinued - however, it looks like they make a techy-fabric version with that chest band and wide-spaced straps, in typical neutral bra colors.

I've also gone to the place of wearing quite obvious bras as a fashion choice - my most-common Bra Look is a hot pink racerback that shows on my neck when I wear a scoopneck or quasi-boatneck in black, grey, or blue. For me, it's as a defiant sartorial choice - if anyone commented on it (which I'm lucky no one has), I would stare at them and ask what relevance their comment had on our work. When I was in an office, I was working at a senior level in government. This may not be the direction you want to head in, but I figure it might be nice to hear that in some places it is possible.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 3:14 PM on November 4, 2021