Open Memo to Girls on the Street: Bras Are Better

Jun 26, 2008 @ 3:05pm

nudie naomi 2.jpg I've been seeing a lot of girls on the street wearing sheer tops without a bra.

Without anything.

Basically, I keep seeing a lot of boobs, and it's kind of awkward.

A lot of the girls are modely - tall, skinny, probably a 32A - and I envy anyone who can leave the house without underwire support, but if you're going to throw on something loose and cool and sheer and off Chris Benz's Spring '08 runway, please put something under it.

We posted a while back about sheer etiquette - what, exactly, should one should wear underneath the transparent, lady-like fabric and lace we see everywhere, and we were flooded with suggestions: nude bodysuits, pretty bras, silk camisoles. We'd love for you guys to pass on your brilliant advice to the half naked girls running around our pretty city.

Seriously, even Naomi had the decency to wear panties under her sheer skirt - she's finally being a role-model!

posted by guest

Jun 26, 2008 3:07PM

I agree. It's eye-catching, but for all the wrong reasons..

posted by sarahnicole

Jun 26, 2008 3:12PM

agree with everything, and yet... if you have the tits for it, going braless under white t-shirts (not sheer, but nearly) is drop dead sexy. ask any guy you know.

posted by Mode Monitor

Jun 26, 2008 3:23PM

OMG yes! I'd much rather see bra straps hanging out than nipples. If you want to show the world your breasts, than please get yourself off to a European beach. Otherwise, the look is totally inapproriate. I just really hope that people won't be wearing sheer bottoms without any underwear - substantial underwear at that. www.modemonitor.com

posted by guest

Jun 26, 2008 3:27PM

on the street? seriously? epitome of being a slave to fashion.

posted by adora

Jun 26, 2008 3:27PM

Desperate for attention?

posted by guest

Jun 26, 2008 3:52PM

Really unwise especially considering all of the pop-up thunderstorms in the humid northeast summers!

posted by guest

Jun 26, 2008 3:56PM

theres a certain line between trendy and trashy. a shear top with a cute bra or cami can be fabulous, but without anything? you might as well stand on a street corner. . . if you get my drift

posted by fashionursta

Jun 26, 2008 4:20PM

I walked around without a bra all through my teens and 20s because I couldn't find one small enough for me. But I never wore sheer. But after I was a nursing mom, I couldn't do it, I felt that someone's mom shouldn't be showing that stuff. Now I use American Apparel's tube bra and wear it under sheers. It's much cooler (thermally) than layering your sheer top over a camisole in the summer. I really think that showing your nipples in real life makes people uncomfortable, and it is not in good taste.

posted by guest

Jun 26, 2008 4:31PM

i dunno about doing it with sheer shirts, but i really don't see the big deal about going bra-less. they're just boobs. bras are uncomfortable, especially when it's hot.

posted by mpw

Jun 26, 2008 4:43PM

I get what you're saying, sarahnicole, but I think the braless look would work better with a color other than white. Don't want to give all the guys on the corner too much of a free show!

posted by guest

Jun 26, 2008 4:56PM

I just bought a sheer tshirt and while I do have the bra size to pull it off ((lol)), I would never leave my house in the buff. Instead, I would suggest wearing a lacy, girly bra that would actually add a soft side to sheer basic shirts ((In my case, I'm talking about a loose burnout white tank)). Layer a great black blazer on top, roll the sleeves up and you have a great, daytime ((more like ANYtime)) appropriate look that still capitalizes on the sheer trend!

posted by guest

Jun 26, 2008 5:36PM

I disagree.

While I don't think it's appropriate to go bare under ultra-sheer clothing (I don't want to know what color your areola are), I see nothing wrong with going bra-less with an opaque shirt or dress.

The way I see it, everyone has nipples and they're nothing to be ashamed of.

posted by my fall collection

Jun 26, 2008 9:47PM

I would do it (and I think it's okay to do it) if I knew that I would be among fashion/art people who would see it as just another light-hearted attempt to try out a runway trend. But anywhere else, the artistic/creative-dimension of the intent would be totally lost and you'd just end up with a bunch of jeers and sneers.

As a side note --I would like to renew my annual complaint about why certain subway cars and Starbucks stores are so damn freezing in the summer. It's some sort of conspiracy --Nipplegate.

posted by kimmi

Jun 26, 2008 9:50PM

I agree with guest @5:36. Nipples aren't something to be ashamed of.

However, once you've reached that special age where your boobs aren't quite as perky, PLEASE wear a bra, or at least a camisole, especially if you're teaching my bio class and I sit in the front row (YUCK).

posted by boca_de_rosa

Jun 27, 2008 1:56AM

Who are the freaking retards who go out without a bra in a sheer top??

We live in NYC people, where there are potential rapists in the same elevator as you are. Think girls, think!!!!!

And then one has the audacity to ask "why do gross men always gawk at me!?"

posted by boca_de_rosa

Jun 27, 2008 1:58AM

and may I just add that as long as the top isn't sheer, I think it's okay to go without a bra. I know I hate wearing them when its crazy humid out, so I barely do...UNLESS...my top is sheer or tight, then yes, a bra is essential.

posted by mckeb753

Jun 27, 2008 11:37AM

"We live in NYC people, where there are potential rapists in the same elevator as you are. Think girls, think!!!!!"

i'm sorry, but i can't stop laughing at this...

first of all, the implication that wearing a sheer top is somehow inviting rape...it's ludicrous.
second of all, the implication that only in new york city would one encounter a potential rapist in an elevator...did you like, just move to the city or something? relax.

anyway, i agree with sarahnicole...if you have the tits for it, go for it...just don't be gross about it...think yves saint laurent, not girls gone wild....