Bra Tops Are Back

Bra tops are the latest for 2009. Fashion runways are showing them in all kinds of styles, courtesy of a number of designers – from the House of Holland and Nicole Farhi to Prada, Lady GaGa and Vivienne Westwood.

Not everyone has the sculpted abs to compliment this look – or perhaps the chutzpah to carry it off. (After all, wearing clothing like this is clearly a confidence game: it’s more about how we feel in our own skin than being perfect.) For those of us more cautious about revealing our midriff, the new look comes with a new angle – wearing the bra top over another shirt! Some designers are showing a body-hugging t-shirt or tank and then finishing it off with a bra on the outside.

Another option for the more reserved is to wear a bodysuit underneath. The bodysuit helps to give you a nice smooth line – and it doesn’t hurt that you could safely hide your preferred shapewear, to smooth out any imperfections. If you are a bit more daring, but still want to show less skin, try a bustier with full cup coverage in the bra, coupled with a jacket.

You don’t have to pay designer prices to get on this bandwagon either. Mainstream retail stores like Marks & Spencer in Europe are featuring long-line bras in lovely floral prints that can be paired with a skirt and a jacket for flirty office wear (if you can get away with it). Watch for it in such retailers as Old Navy or Target in North America, who are quick to pick up new fashions at value price points.

There seem to be a lot of variations on the theme – from the opaque bustiers that you wear on their own, to bras with interesting prints and materials, to crop tops that are teamed with everything from jeans to skirts. Should be something for just about everyone.