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What Bras to Wear With Summer Tops

Exactly What Bra to Wear With Every Type of Top This Summer

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Much to my excitement, skin-baring season is upon us. Though I've spent the better part of the last six months layering up with every soft knit I could get my hands on, it's time to start letting my arms, shoulders, and back see the light of day yet again. But as I start to bust out my off-the-shoulder dresses, camisole tops, and thin-knit t-shirts, my lingerie of choice becomes all the more relevant.

Whether you're looking for a super-smooth nude t-shirt bra for a solid throw-on-and-go option, the least amount of coverage possible for those totally tricky tops that have no prayer of hiding any sort of traditional underwear shape, or something in between, this is the lingerie for you. Ahead, find your ultimate Summer guide to exactly what bra to wear with every type of top this season and shop my favourites from every category.

Image Source: Getty / Timur Emek

Cotton tees might be the simplest of tops to wear in the summer, but it's not as easy as it might seem to dress yourself underneath without fear of odd bulges, awkward textures, and the like. This is a job for the aptly named t-shirt bra, made of a supersmooth material, perfect rise in cup height and shape, and often a more skin-toned hue that won't be easily seen through a bright white tee.

Bodas Smooth Tactel Underwired Bra ($60).

Image Source: matchesfashion.com
Bodas Smooth Tactel Underwired Bra
$60
from matchesfashion.com
Buy Now

Lively T-Shirt Bra ($35).

Image Source: madewell.com
Lively T-Shirt Bra
$35
from madewell.com
Buy Now

For off-the-shoulder or strapless necklines, make sure that you have a strapless bra that will offer just the same support as your everyday lingerie, without, well, the straps. Sizing is key on this one, so you might want to walk yourself into a proper lingerie store (at least for your first purchase) to make sure that you've purchased the Goldilocks perfection of strapless bras, no tugging, adjusting, or pulling necessary.

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La Perla Second Skin U-Plunge Bra ($210).

Image Source: Net-a-Porter.com
La Perla Second Skin U-Plunge Bra
$210
from net-a-porter.com
Buy Now

Aerie Real Sunnie Strapless Lightly Lined Bra ($45).

Image Source: ae.com
Aerie Real Sunnie Strapless Lightly Lined Bra
$45
from ae.com
Buy Now

Stella McCartney Stretch-Jersey and Lace Underwired Balconette Bra ($90).

Image Source: Net-a-Porter.com
Stella McCartney Stretch-Jersey and Lace Underwired Balconette Bra
$90
from net-a-porter.com
Buy Now

Even if you're totally covered up everywhere else, full- and flat-chested girls alike know the power of a daring plunging neckline. That could mean a front tie, deep V-neck dress, or simply a top that's more of a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen than most, but this is certainly a job for a bra that matches that navel-grazing silhouette.

Victoria's Secret Very Sexy V-Back Lightly Lined Plunge Bra ($50).

Image Source: victoriassecret.com
Victoria's Secret Very Sexy V-Back Lightly Lined Plunge Bra
$50
from victoriassecret.com
Buy Now

Babaton Justin Bralette ($30).

Image Source: aritzia.com
Babaton Justin Bralette
$30
from aritzia.com
Buy Now

Gilly Hicks Super Push-Up Plunge Bra ($40).

Image Source: hollisterco.com
Gilly Hicks Super Push-Up Plunge Bra
$40
from hollisterco.com
Buy Now

Halter necklines might offer a bit more support around the neck for your chest, but that doesn't mean that most of us don't still have to suit up underneath as well. Make sure that your lingerie has the same halter neckline so that you can show off those gorgeous shoulders and back just as your outerwear silhouette originally intended.

H&M Padded Halterneck Bralette ($20).

Image Source: www2.hm.com
H&M Padded Halterneck Bralette
$20
from www2.hm.com
Buy Now

Cosabella Never Say Never Hippie Halter Bra ($56).

Image Source: cosabella.com
Cosabella Never Say Never Hippie Halter Bra
$56
from cosabella.com
Buy Now

Les Coquines Avril Deep V Lace Bralette ($110).

Image Source: saksfifthavenue.com
Les Coquines Avril Deep V Lace Bralette
$110
from saksfifthavenue.com
Buy Now

Wearing a backless top, one of the trickier silhouettes to dress for, at least when it comes to your lingerie, is the time to try out those self-adhesive bras you've seen all over the interwebs and never trusted enough to try. With a great silicone cup, removable tape, and a properly structured cup size, this backless bra might just make you start believing that magic is real, mark my words.

Eve's Temptation Iris Backless Bra ($21).

Image Source: evestemptation.com
Eve's Temptation Iris Backless Bra
$21
from evestemptation.com
Buy Now

Fashion Forms Nubra Self-Adhesive Backless Strapless Bra ($60).

Image Source: Net-a-Porter.com
Fashion Forms Nubra Self-Adhesive Backless Strapless Bra
$60
from net-a-porter.com
Buy Now

Free People Go Bare Backless Strapless Bra ($38).

Image Source: freepeople.com
Free People Go Bare Backless Strapless Bra
$38
from freepeople.com
Buy Now

For those tops that are none of the above, or barely there in their own right, it's time to shoot for the nipple covers. While they offer little to no support, they'll still prevent any unwanted #FreeTheNipple moments (unless, of course, that's the look you're going for . . .)

Bristols 6 Nippies by Bristols Six Skin Reusable Adhesive Nipple Covers ($26).

Image Source: shop.nordstrom.com
Bristols 6 Nippies by Bristols Six Skin Reusable Adhesive Nipple Covers
$26
from shop.nordstrom.com
Buy Now

Nudwear Daisies Waterprood Nipple Covers ($22).

Image Source: shopbop.com
Nudwear Daisies Waterprood Nipple Covers
$22
from shopbop.com
Buy Now

Nordstrom Lingerie Silicone Gel Breast Petals ($15).

Image Source: shop.nordstrom.com
Nordstrom Lingerie Silicone Gel Breast Petals
$15
from shop.nordstrom.com
Buy Now

When you're wearing a skimpy tank with the intention of a little lingerie reveal, consider a gorgeous lace bralette. While they're a year-round favourite, there's something so light and ethereal about this romantic peek underneath that cami, whether a daring black, bold neon, or something in between.

& Other Stories Polka Dot Mesh Triangle Bralette ($29).

Image Source: stories.com
& Other Stories Polka Dot Mesh Triangle Bralette
$29
from stories.com
Buy Now

J.Crew French Bralette in Point d'Esprit ($32).

Image Source: jcrew.com
J.Crew French Bralette in Point d'Esprit
$32
from jcrew.com
Buy Now

Madewell Embroidered Mesh Ruffle Eden Bralette ($35).

Image Source: madewell.com
Madewell Embroidered Mesh Ruffle Eden Bralette
$35
from madewell.com
Buy Now

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