How to Wear a Bralette (15 Outfit Ideas for 2024)

They’re more than just an undergarment – they’re now part of your outfit! Bralettes have transformed themself from being regular bras to somewhat of a crop top. They’re now seen peeking out under blazers, the bottom layer under a sheer blouse or see-through tops and so much more.

If you’re wanting to try to wear a bralette in a new way, you’re in luck! We’ll be sharing some outfit ideas to inspire you. If you like a more modest look, you can always swap out the bralette for a crop top, like I do!

What is a Bralette?

how to wear a bralette

This post contains affiliate links.

Traditionally worn under your clothes, the bralette has successfully made the leap from lingerie to an everyday styling staple. While bralettes come in many different styles, they can typically be identified as a type of bra that has little or no padding.

Their designs can range from simple to intricate; often featuring lace, silk, crochet, or even leather details. Bralettes can be anything from a bra-like style to, a tube top style to more of a crop top style, as you’ll see below.

If you’re someone who is more conservative like me, you’ll find tons of great style ideas. If you want to show a bit more skin or want a sexy look, you can swap out the bralette with more coverage for one that’s more like a traditional bra.

The best part about fashion is you do you! The outfit ideas below are meant to inspire you’re next outfit and give you more ways to wear your bralette.

Let’s get into it!

15 Unique Ways to Style a Bralette

In recent years, the bralette has become extremely popular. Whether you’re dressing it up or dressing it down, here are 27 different ways to style a bralette.

1. Let Your Bralette Peek Through Your Blazer

bralette with high waisted shorts and blazer

Shop this look: Bra and Shorts Set | Blazer (sold out, similar here) | Shoes (sold out, find white shoe options here) | Bracelets

Add some edge to a classic oversized blazer by rocking a bralette underneath. An extremely versatile outfit option, the blazer-bralette combo can be paired with many different bottoms. Try it with distressed mom jeans, slacks, or even high-waisted skirts.

*Find some of my favorite bra/short sets here!

2. Show Off a Bralette Under Tank Top

bralette under tank top

Shop this look: Bralette | Tank (sold out) | Faux Leather Leggings | Bracelets

The bralette is more than just a pretty top – it’s also a problem-solver! We’ve all been in a situation where we wanted to wear a tank top, but hated how our regular old bra looked poking out from underneath it.

Instead, wear a pretty bralette underneath and never worry about trying to hide your bra again.

3. Go Cozy With a Bralette and a Cardigan

bralette and jeans and cardigan

Shop the look: Bralette (sold out, similar bralette here) | Cardigan (sold out, similar cardigan here) | Pants | Shoes

A bralette under an open cardigan is the perfect transitional outfit to carry you from summer into fall. From chunky knit cardigans to cute button-up sweaters, the cardigan-bralette combo is a match made in heaven.

4. Boho Bralette and a Maxi Skirt

long maxi skirt and crop top bralette

Shop the look: Bralette | Skirt | Bracelets

Go boho with your bralette! Pair a fun, feminine bralette with a floral maxi skirt to make the perfect warm-weather look.

This bralette is from Chicwish! Check out more about Chicwish on my review here.

5. Rock a Bralette Over a Tee Shirt

bralette over a shirt

For a more modest look, throw a plain white t-shirt or printed top underneath a black bralette. The black and white top and black bralette combo is one of my favorite, most iconic looks and a simple way to not show too much skin!

6. Bralette Under Overalls

bralette and overalls

Shop the look: Top | Overalls (sold out, similar overalls here) | Shoes (sold out, find white shoe options here)

It’s never been so easy to look so cute! Simply throw some overalls over your cute bralette and call it a day. This adorable, easy to create outfit is sure to turn some heads.

7. Bralette Under a Button-Down Shirt

bralette and shorts white button down

Shop this look: Bra and Shorts Set | Button Down (sold out, similar white button down here) | Shoes (sold out, find white shoe options here) | Bag and Bag Strap

Keep it classy and sassy with this modern yet casual look. You can put your own spin on this outfit with many different variations: leave your sheer shirt unbuttoned, button it half way, tuck the shirt in – the possibilities are endless!

8. The Bralette Matching Set

bralette set

Shop this look: Bra and Shorts Set | Chambray (sold out, similar chambray here) | Hat

More and more these days, you’ll see a bralette top sold with either matching pants, shorts, or skirts. This makes styling your bralette super easy, and creates a perfectly cohesive look.

9. Bralette with a Leather Jacket

bralette and high waisted jeans and leather jacket

Shop the look: Bralette (sold out, similar bralette here) | Jacket (sold out, similar moto jacket here) | Pants | Shoes (sold out, find white shoe options here)

Go for the biker-chic look by rocking a simple bralette under your leather jacket. Pair this look with high-waisted jeans to give off an edgy look with feminine energy! You’re going to look and feel like a rockstar!

10. Comfy Bralette Under a Flannel

bralette and leggings and flannel

Shop this look: Bralette | Long Flannel | Faux Leather Leggings | Shoes (sold out, find white shoe options here)

Combine a lacy bralette, a cozy flannel shirt, and a pair of faux leather leggings and you’ve got the perfect look.

11. Sporty Bralette with Athletic Leggings

bralette and leggings

Shop this look: Bra | Faux Leather Leggings | Nikes

Athleisure is in and one of the best ways to wear a bralette! Pair a strappy bralette or sports bra with some athletic leggings to create an outfit fit for a hot yoga class.

12. Bralette with Faux Leather Leggings

bralette and faux leather joggers

Shop the look: Bralette (sold out, similar bralette here) | Joggers | Shoes (sold out, find white shoe options here)

Faux leather leggings are truly some of the most comfortable pants ever! Throw on a longer bralette and tennis shoes for a chic look.

13. Lounging in a Bralette

bralette with loungewear

Shop the look: Bralette (sold out, similar bralette here) | Joggers |

Need a casual look? Wearing a bralette with your loungewear might be the most underrated way to wear this iconic fashion piece and one of my favorite ways to wear a bralette. Add a pair of sweatpants or biker shorts to complete the comfiest look ever.

14. Beach Babe in a Bralette

woman wearing bralette and shorts in the ocean

Steal the show at the beach this summer! A bralette, a pair of shorts, and a sun hat makes for the best beach fit ever.

15. Get Fit in a Bralette

bralette and windbreaker

Shop this look: Bra | Windbreaker | Faux Leather Leggings | Nikes

Before your workout, choose a sporty bralette to go with your athletic leggings. You can even add a zip-up windbreaker on top to finish off the look.

What is the best bralette to buy?

There are tons of different types of bralettes out there! Here are some of my favorites:

1. Lace Back Bra

Yummie Women's Ultralight Seamless Wire Free Lace Back Bra, Black, S/M
$24.55
  • 88% Nylon, 12% Spandex
  • Imported
  • No Closure closure
  • Machine Wash
  • Features a molded bust and wire-free support that's knit right into the fabric. Its seamless construction provides a smooth look, and the racer back fashion lace detail is right on trend.
  • Perfect for layering underneath racer back styles


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/08/2024 05:53 am GMT

This seamless, wire free lace back bra is a great option if you want something that gives you a bit more coverage. It’s lightweight and a fun option when wearing an an outfit that has an open back like backless dresses!

2. Aerie Seamless Padded Bralette

Aerie Seamless Padded Bralette
  • Real Good seamless ribbed fabric for pretty texture & great fit. Feels like a hug!
  • Scoop front
  • Low scoop back
  • Removable padding! Wear it with, wear it without—you’ve got options!


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

One of the most popular bralettes (and my personal favorite bralette) on the market today is made by Aerie. It comes in 8 different colors, and features a cute ribbed texture. It’s a great option for dressing up or dressing down!

3. Calvin Klein Modern Cotton Unlined Bralette

Calvin Klein womens Modern Cotton Unlined Wireless Bralette Bra
$14.85
  • Unlined cups for a natural look and lightweight, breathable feel.
  • Easy pullover racerback silhouette.
  • Soft, flexible logo band retains shape wear after wear.
  • Hardware-free. Distraction-free.
  • For more coverage and a relaxed fit, size up.
  • Machine wash
  • 53% cotton 35% modal 12% elastane


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/08/2024 05:49 am GMT

This Calvin Klein bralette is considered an American classic. Available in 12 different shades, it features the recognizable underwear band that the brand is known for. This bralette offers peak comfort!

4. Savage X Fenty Floral Lace and Mesh Bralette

Floral Lace & Mesh Bralette

An eco-friendly fabric update to our bestselling bralette! Our Floral Lace & Mesh Bralette features floral lace made with 40% REPREVE recycled fibers with the same soft feel and look as our original.


We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Founded by Rihanna, Savage X Fenty has truly made a name for themselves by creating some of the most high-quality and size-inclusive lingerie available. This pretty black lace bralette is extremely feminine and versatile. Throw this one on under a sheer top and high-waisted pants for a chic rocker look!

5. Racerback Lace Bralette

Mia Lace Bralette for Women, Unpadded and Unlined Wireless Bra, Perfect Racerback Everyday Lingerie
$22.49

The Mia lace bralette is designed with racerback straps and a plunging neckline to achieve an hourglass look. Gorgeous on its own or as a peep of lace in your date night outfit, the Mia bralette will complete any look.

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/08/2024 06:24 am GMT

Another lace option with a bit more coverage is this one! I comes in 17 different colors and is a fun way to show a little lace under your outfit.

Do I have to wear a regular bra underneath a bralette top?

Usually you don’t have to wear a bra underneath a bralette. But, this can depend on a couple of different factors.

  • If you are bustier, you may want to consider purchasing a bralette that comes with more padding or an underwire for additional support. Or, you may consider wearing a full bra underneath a bralette that has no padding or support.
  • Some women may feel somewhat exposed wearing bralettes that have no padding. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can wear a bra underneath. Pro Tip: If you don’t want to wear a whole bra underneath your bralette, just steal a couple of the triangle breast pads from one of your bathing suits. Stuff them inside of your bralette instead, and now you’re good to go!

That being said, if neither of these situations apply to you, then by all means wear your bralette all on its own!

Do you love the bralette trend?

Are you already on top of the bralette trend, or is this all new to you? I hope this helps you out the next time you’re trying to style your bralette.

Just remember, there are tons of different options of bralettes out there, find one that fits your style and comfort level!

Want more?

Check out:

Author

    by
  • Jen Biswas

    Jen has styled women for photo shoots, fashion shows, board meetings, work trips and most importantly, every day life! She's been hired to style many homes as well. Her aesthetic aims to make style approachable and practical, and most of all fun! She's a mom of 3 who loves frozen cookie dough, plants and a generous pour of creamer in her coffee. Her biggest joy is helping others find joy in personal style through practical tips and inspiration. She loves to share all of her styling secrets on Paisley & Sparrow! Feel free to send Jen a message or join the fun on Instagram!

Leave a Comment