How to Make Your Bra the Main (Fashion) Event

Getty

Remember how, in the olden days, people would sidle up and be like "Your bra is showing" in a stricken tone? El oh el. Now that we're playing fast and loose with our morals and our fashion, underpinnings have moved from for-your-eyes-only to the spotlight. Here, seven ways to wear the bra as real, intentional clothing.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

As #Athleisure

<p>At Rachel Comey, a printed bralette pairs easily with an embossed bomber and ribbed pants. Great for the weekend (if your brunch is more of the açai-bowl variety, that is). </p>

At Rachel Comey, a printed bralette pairs easily with an embossed bomber and ribbed pants. Great for the weekend (if your brunch is more of the açai-bowl variety, that is).

Playing a Supporting Role (Har Har) in an Evening Ensemble

<p>Oooh! Why *shouldn't* the world see a pretty colored number, especially when it proves yellow and red don't have to mean "Ronald McDonald?" I'm thinking pink and purple à la Balenciaga. Or magenta and orange à la Bottega Veneta. Or...<span id="selection-marker-1" class="redactor-selection-marker" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-selection-marker"></span></p>

Oooh! Why *shouldn't* the world see a pretty colored number, especially when it proves yellow and red don't have to mean "Ronald McDonald?" I'm thinking pink and purple à la Balenciaga. Or magenta and orange à la Bottega Veneta. Or...

Under a NSFW Sweater

<p><a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a16199/instagram-nudity-free-the-nipple/" target="_blank">Freeing the nipple</a> is still largely a concept that lives on Instagram and within the minds of most of the female population, but Nina Ricci has a way around boob consciousness: transparent shirt + bra. Matching or not? That's up to you. </p>

Freeing the nipple is still largely a concept that lives on Instagram and within the minds of most of the female population, but Nina Ricci has a way around boob consciousness: transparent shirt + bra. Matching or not? That's up to you.

*Over* a NSFW Sweater

<p>For day, do as this show-goer did, and put it on top of a tissue-weight turtleneck. Pro tip: If you've got a fuller chest, <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/news/a17230/turtleneck-styling-trick/" target="_blank">use this layering trick</a>, choose a heavier knit, *then* wriggle into your trophy bra.  </p>

For day, do as this show-goer did, and put it on top of a tissue-weight turtleneck. Pro tip: If you've got a fuller chest, use this layering trick, choose a heavier knit, *then* wriggle into your trophy bra.

As Part of a Ladylike Two-Piece

<p>Altuzarra FTW with a co-ord set that wouldn't look so out of place in a boardroom, albeit one in a building with a very, very lax dress code. As always, no pressure to buy a set in one pattern. </p>

Altuzarra FTW with a co-ord set that wouldn't look so out of place in a boardroom, albeit one in a building with a very, very lax dress code. As always, no pressure to buy a set in one pattern.

As Part of a Less Ladylike Two-Piece

<p>This has been <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/news/g3797/how-to-wear-swimsuit-to-office/" target="_blank">another way to wear your swimsuit IRL</a>, brought to you by Prada, provided you ditch the bottoms for actual trousers. Note the A-1 turtleneck-under-button-down-under-bra layering. <br></p>

This has been another way to wear your swimsuit IRL, brought to you by Prada, provided you ditch the bottoms for actual trousers. Note the A-1 turtleneck-under-button-down-under-bra layering.

Over a Trophy Shirt

<p>Not for the faint of heart, this idea from Kenzo. Take one strong-shouldered shirt (<a href="http://www.hm.com/us/product/55661?article=55661-A" target="_blank">this one from H&M</a> would do nicely), and add your flashiest, most Gaultier-like bra. Pull and tuck so everything lies flat, then voilà! Office-acceptable Helmut Newton. </p>

Not for the faint of heart, this idea from Kenzo. Take one strong-shouldered shirt (this one from H&M would do nicely), and add your flashiest, most Gaultier-like bra. Pull and tuck so everything lies flat, then voilà! Office-acceptable Helmut Newton.

Chelsea Peng I'm Chelsea Peng, the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com.