Summer dresses with bras showing

[Nautiloid]

Is this a thing now?
Over the last couple of weeks I've seen dozens of women wearing dresses which show their bras.
Not just straps but strapless or low backed dresses with a giant m&s boulder holder with the straps, top of the front and most of the back showing.
When I were a lass that wasn't something I saw anyone do. Is it normal now or do I live in a weird fashion microcosm?

Well, I still don’t go in my bra and knickers on the beach. A swimsuit or a bikini would be better that a skimpy outfit out of the boudoir fashion. But that may be just me. I am uncomfortable looking at her.

Sorry that was to Myrtle.

Pleasing or stylish. Policing what women wear. The idea is to be clothed, non? Don't like what you see? Eyes are extraordinary things, they can be swivelled by their owner, who knew?!

And wtf is the ageism doing here on MN. Come on, we're better than that.

I remember when bra straps showing would be slutty. Thank fuck that sort of mysogynistic judgemental cuntyness is on the wane. in fact I think it got fashionable about 30 years ago and people mostly stopped caring since.

I just got a flashback to a 'friend' kindly letting me know my bra strap was showing like I should run to the toilet in shame and me looking at her blankly. Um so.

And being pleased when someone asked how I managed to find a bra to match my silk vest top. I'd bought the vest top that matched my bra!

TescosFinest no it doesn't grate my eye - I like visible bra straps, both seeing and wearing. It's a sign of comfort and confidence.

a lot of summer dresses are designed to be worn braless but if you’re over a certain cup size and/or saggy that might not be an option

I hate it - it looks slovenly & sloppy. I don’t expect people to wear business suits all day every day but seriously, buy clothes that fit don’t force yourself into unsuitable ones - if you don’t have a strapless bra, buy a dress with straps! If you need a larger bra, buy clothes that work with it (& yes I do Know what it’s like, and yes it takes a tiny bit more effort than picking the cheapest thing off the rack at Primark ...)

Meh haven't seen that much if it over here really

I'm of a time when you went all out to hide your bra strap. And stopped worrying about it about 30 years ago.
Honestly, some of the comments on here sound like they've been dug up out of an 80s sit-com.

Personally I think it looks scruffy, but then again I can be quite scruffy sometimes. When I look scruffy I know that I do and I don't care, so I'd assume the same of other scruffy looking people. Each to their own, it's not a big deal.

I do show my bra straps, and back, off in summer. I overheat very easily and the easiest way for me to keep cool is a loose, backless dress, but since I want to keep my tits covered I still wear a bra, and thus the back of my bra shows.
That said, I do have a couple of very specific bras I do this with. My "every day" bras are all ratty and held together with repairs because I wear them so much, and my "I'm feeling down and want to wear a sexy bra to make myself feel nice" is totally not the sort of thing I'd be showing to anyone other than my boyfriend. My "this is a pretty colour but is not otherwise remarkable in any way" bras are perfect.

I don't see the issue really. It's blooming hot, I've recently (less than a year ago) started wearing a particular type of crop top bra (not quite a sports bra, a bit nicer than that) so that I can wear baggy vest tops. I suffer immensely in the heat and have massive bazingas, so this kind of bra seems to cover more, or somehow make it a little more acceptable that you can see some bra on my sides under the vest's arm holes which are loose. If I could find ones with low cut backs which were very similar to what I currently have, that would be great because even more air could circulate. At home I take the vests off and just have the crop top bra on top. My house, my rules. I've worn strapless dresses with my regular bras underneath, you can't wear strapless bras with boobs like mine. I was just pleased I managed to look semi pretty. It's not something which comes naturally to me.
I really don't think it matters. I also wear crocs all year round, if I want. Shorts in winter, if I want. It's taken me most of my life to wear things on the contrary to how I've been told you should.

I remember the days of pinning bra straps.

I think if the bra strap is a complimentary colour it’s fine. I have a dark green khaki vest top. I wear it with a paler khaki bra, you can see the straps. Wearing the correct bra can make a world of difference to the way clothes look.

I'd forgotten the side cup issue. Yep, withthe HUGE armholes currently available people will have seen mine. Hopefully they lived to tell the tale!

Due to unexpected and unwelcome body shape change (no weight gain) I have recently had to grapple with slight side cup issues for first time ever. Complicates things, eh?

I’m in my 40s so have seen many style changes. With many summer dresses it’s a case of bras showing or “bouncy” (no bra).

I don’t own a white or a “cardboard” (aka so called nude) bra. I love bold colours. If it’s going to show, do it in style!

I don’t have a problem with shoulder straps showing. I think if you choose a contrasting colour it can look nice. In other words deliberate rather than a wardrobe malfunction. But I draw the line at the backstrap showing.

That said I don’t think badly washed greying white bras showing do anything for one’s apoearance.

I don’t think it looks slutty, I just find it odd. Why go to the effort of putting on a nice dress if you’re going to ruin the look and make it look scruffy by wearing unsuitable underwear? I have massive boobs and need a sturdy bra so buy dresses that cover it (and have plenty of gorgeous summery ones).

I spend a lot of money on quality pretty bras (and knix), l don’t care who sees them. If you don’t like what you see, look away!

I also echo other poster’s concerns about the language used by women about other women.

When I grew up it really wasn't acceptable. But my now 20yr old dd isn't in the slightest bit bothered by it and neither are her friends or any other young women I see out.

So yes, it is now totally acceptable and the done thing if you're happy doing it.

I haven't noticed this much actually. I've saw occasionally someone with a low back top with a normal bra on and was like 😮 I used to own a backless bra from La senza many moons ago n had to keep buying sticky bits for the sides was a total con, cost me a fortune.

I do remember quite a few years ago there seemed to be a trend of wearing coloured bras with light coloured tops. Girl came into work with black bra and white vest top 🙈 I actually thought someone might say something to her but nope.

Today I am wearing a vest to with huge arm holes, and under I'm wearing a pretty bralette. It shows, i like it, and if anyone wants to call me a tart or a slut, go right ahead.. It says far more about them than it does about me to use words like that.

I am BAFFLED by the number of summer dresses on sale at the moment which can't possibly cover up a bra.

In size 8, I can see the market. But these are dresses in size 18, 20, 22+. Are there really that many size 20 women out there who are happy to eschew a bra? Has nobody told the manufacturers?

Yes, I could just buy a pretty, plain bra in a toning colour and accept that it's part of the outfit and it's going to be on show. But why should I have to? It's a lot more money and effort (and not that easy to find in larger sizes). Who is buying these dresses?!

Normally I take great care about bra straps showing, but currently 31 weeks pregnant and limited in bra options. Straps are on show and I do not care! Comfort is my only priority right now.

@ShakespearesFister definitely. I often want to wear a summer dress for work but I can't/don't want my straps showing
The one I posted upthread I bought two of as it covers straps (Dorothy Perkins, they're usually pretty good)