Style Clothing 15 Ways to Wear a Bralette With Everything They’re not bras, exactly. So what are bralettes, and what are they used for? By Cris Pearlstein Cris Pearlstein Instagram Website Cris Pearlstein currently lives in San Francisco, but is a native New Yorker who worked as a fashion editor (then Market Director) at Redbook magazine for over a decade. She sat front row at NYFW, ran around the city in expensive shoes, and attended fancy press events. It took her four years plus four rounds of IVF to get pregnant, and almost the same amount of time to transition into her current role as freelance writer and stay-at-home mom. These days she writes essays, interviews high-profile moms for New York Family magazine, and sends out a newsletter about anything she can think of while in the shower. She's traded fashion shows and fancy shoes for cooking, composting and Birkenstocks. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Jennifer Davidson Jennifer Davidson Instagram Website Jennifer Davidson is the Associate Editorial Director at RealSimple.com. Prior to joining Meredith in 2019, she was editor-in-chief of TotalBeauty.com and theFashionSpot.com, co-founder of style website StyleBakery.com, and produced fashion, beauty, and lifestyle segments for television, working with celebrities and brands such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. She received a BS in advertising and communications from Syracuse University. Jennifer is also a mom of twin boys, aspiring novelist, and fair-weather yoga enthusiast. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 15, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Getty Images Bralettes have been popping up—and peeking out—everywhere lately. You've probably seen them all over your Instagram feed or hanging on the rack in your favorite store. Even celebs have been getting in on the trend: Kendall Jenner layered a black lace bralette over a fitted white tee, Taylor Swift pairs hers with skirts, and Chrissy Teigen wears one whenever she wants to look like she just walked off the pages of a lingerie catalog. At first glance, bralettes may seem completely impractical. They're too revealing—and what the heck are you even supposed to wear with them? But in fact, bralettes serve an important purpose: They make the unwearable wearable. Ever wonder what to wear under an open-back top? What about an off-the-shoulder sweater? Or a sheer lace blouse? A bralette, that's what. We Tested 35 Bras to Find the Most Comfortable Ones What Is a Bralette? The answer is a little tricky because it's more than just one thing. A bralette is a garment that doubles as innerwear and outerwear. It can be lacy, sporty, satiny, or even leather. You can wear yours in place of a bra or over one, depending on how much support you need. You can wear it under or over your top–or in place of it (as a sort of mini crop top). A bralette really proves its worth when worn under anything that has tripped you up before. Try it under a sheer T-shirt, peeking through a crochet sweater, and even as the perfect layering piece under a blazer. In short, a bralette is a workhorse you can easily incorporate into your wardrobe. How to Wear a Bralette Need some inspiration to get you started? Below you'll find 15 different ways to wear a bralette, along with outfit ideas and where to shop for bralettes. No matter your style, bra size, or shape, you're bound to find a version that works for you. 01 of 15 Peeking Out of an Off-the-Shoulder Top Not everyone likes wearing a strapless bra, which makes wearing off-the-shoulder tops tricky. Katie Holmes solved this problem with a pretty bralette. 02 of 15 Under a Sheer Top A bralette is the perfect answer for what to wear under a sheer top, as Kristin Cavallari demonstrates. 03 of 15 Under a Blazer or Suit Jacket Hailee Steinfeld shows how a black bralette makes a sexy replacement for a blouse or top. 04 of 15 With a Sporty Jumpsuit An athletic-inspired bralette is the perfect complement to a sporty jumpsuit. You decide how much or how little you show. 05 of 15 Under a Chunky Cardigan Who says an oversized cardigan can't be sexy? Camila Cabello shows it can. Flaunt a lace bralette you want everyone to see. 06 of 15 Denim and Lace A denim jacket is the perfect foil for a lace bralette. 07 of 15 As a Crop Top Match your bralette to your pants for a pulled-together look. 08 of 15 In the Boudoir Upgrade your loungewear with a matching lace bralette and silk robe. 09 of 15 Over a Shirt Too modest to wear one by itself? Layer a bralette over a white button-down shirt for a totally different take on the trend. 10 of 15 Under a Shirt Or reverse the look and let your contrasting bralette peek out from under a white button-down. 11 of 15 Try One in Leather A leather bralette lends some unexpected style to high-waist pants. 12 of 15 Wear a Leather Bralette Over a Fitted Shirt or Turtleneck Tone down a leather bralette for daytime by layering it over a fitted shirt and wearing it with jeans. 13 of 15 To Cover up Cleavage A high-neck bralette offers a little coverage and a lot of style when peeking out of a V-neck sweater. 14 of 15 In Place of Jewelry A strappy high-neck bralette takes the place of a necklace when worn underneath a V-neck shirt. 15 of 15 With an Exposed Back A lacy racerback bralette looks so much prettier than a bra strap when worn with an open-back top. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit