It’s summer, and thus the time that we should be showing off some skin…yes, even if you’re over 50. Just think how your back and shoulders are still beautiful.
However, some of that skin showing only happens if we find the right summer bra options.
Quote of the day: “The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” Chinese Proverb
I don’t care that we are over 50 or even older. The last thing I want is to be limited in what I wear by my foundational pieces. You know what I mean. You see a cute top, but think, “I can’t wear a ‘normal bra’ with that.” So you don’t buy it.
In the last 5 years, I’ve become something of a summer bra options expert.
It all started when I tried out 10 different varieties of strapless bras, and then the next year found 2 favorites.
It’s gotten to the point where every summer, I purchase a new Gatherall bra and body tape.
But this year, I wondered if there were better or more budget-oriented summer bra options.
Why? Are my favorites not my favorites anymore?
Sure, even my favorites have limitations and cons, which I will discuss at the end, but I know that once a great product is discovered, there are always less expensive copies produced.
I decided to try out 3 different types of summer bra options that were available on Amazon. Amazon, for one reason, is that if I didn’t Love them, the return policy is easy.
One reason to sign up for emails? I tend to share any fabulous finds even before I can write a blog post about them. Then, besides the free eBook, my email Family gets personal tidbits of what’s going on in my life along with other happenings, sales, information, giveaways, extra photos, and interesting articles.
Because my struggle with my favorite Gatherall adhesive bra was the fact that the girls weren’t up as high as a normal bra, I wanted to try this type of adhesive bra.
What you’ll notice from the online photos is that the adhesive on the inside of the cups as well as 2 wide, short, clear straps, which are only about 3 inches long and thus aren’t seen from the back. It also has underwire, so I thought it would be more supportive.
The initial feel was promising as the girls were high up and felt secure. But my first one was too big. The girls were swimming in the cups, so I returned the original one and tried the smaller size.
Even the smaller size was not flush against my skin and created a shelf. However, as a fix-it girl, I added some boob tape over the edge which stopped the gaping.
The other aspect is that I could “feel” the side adhesive/underwire all day. It wasn’t as constricting or annoying as a strapless bra, but still not as comfy as my favorites.
Insider tip: ANY adhesive summer bra options should be gently washed after every wearing. Your body has natural oils in it, so you want to rinse them off.
ALSO, keep any plastic to recover the adhesive between uses.
The second bra option I tested was these shaped breast tape pieces.
I had recently been gifted Nood lift and shape bra. They worked wonderfully and covered more than just the boob tape I was used to using.
They also come shaped so one is for the right side and one is for the left.
For my summer bra options testing, I wanted to see if there was a budget-friendly option for this idea. And let me tell you, these are fabulous!!
Insider detail: The Amazon versions aren’t shaped for the right and left, but I think they are still a good option.
While both the Nood and Amazon versions of these shaped breast tape pieces made my skin red when removing them, I consider them a win. I just wouldn’t wear them 2 days in a row.
Insider tip: If you read the reviews, you’ll notice some people didn’t get 3 pairs in their Amazon order. You should always reach out to the company if something isn’t as described.
These are easy to put on if you’ve had any experience with boob tape. If not, the big issue is once you put it on your body, you can’t pull it off and readjust. It won’t stick a second time.
That’s why practice makes perfect.
The staying power was impressive, and I would buy these again.
BUT BE AWARE, the Amazon version did not come with nipple covers. Yes, you do need them.
The third option I tested was not what I was expecting. I saw the term “double sided sticky” and thought they would be a great support option since they would adhere to my body AND the clothing. Granted, I realized they would be worn with tighter summer tops.
But here’s where I goofed. They are meant to be inserts only. Not a bra per se.
So could they still work for you? Sure.
-Perfect for a bralette that looks cute but lacks support (that’s how I wore them in the photo above, and they were great)
-A strappy sports bra that has minimal support.
-Swim top that isn’t holding up the girls.
Insider tip: ANY adhesive summer bra options should be gently washed after every wearing. Your body has natural oils in it, so you want to rinse them off.
ALSO keep any plastic to recover the adhesive between uses.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – how do these budget-friendly options stack up against my tried-and-true favorites?
My Gatherall bra remains the gold standard for all-day comfort. Sure, it’s more of an investment, but I have continuously worn each of mine over 40 times.
Pros:
-Because I’ve worn it so much, it’s super easy to put on.
-Comfy. I don’t feel it and have worn it in over 100-degree heat with sweat dripping down my body.
Cons:
-The support isn’t as perfect as I wish. Most of my cute summer tops are loosey goosey, so it doesn’t matter, but it’s something to consider.
Insider tip: Any adhesive bra needs to be washed/rinsed between wears to remove your body oils and last longer.
Nothing beats Boob tape for ultimate Security and customization. It’s hard to tell you how long a roll would last, because it depends on how long you make the strips when you use them. For me, I would say it lasts for 10 outfits.
Pros:
-Once you have it in place, the girls DO NOT move. Sure, it flattens me, but I don’t mind that.
Cons:
-It does make my skin red when I remove it, so I try not to wear it 2 days in a row.
Insider tip: Most boob tape come with nipple covers, but if not, BUY some. You want a little protection before you use the tape. And the nipple covers are like adhesive bras…wash and rinse them after each use.
Summer Styling Tips: Making Any Backless Bra Work Better
Through all my testing, I’ve learned some tricks that make any backless bra perform better:
Prep Your Skin: Clean, dry skin is important. Skip the lotion, and if you have lotion on from the day before, clean off your skin and let it dry before applying adhesive bras.
Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t test out the summer bra options for the first time on the day of an important event. Give yourself time to learn how to wear them and apply them.
Just like it took time to learn to put on a bra when you were 12 years old, this will take time too.
The Budget-Friendly Verdict
Here’s what I learned from my summer bra options experiment: you don’t always need to spend a fortune to find solutions that work. While my Gatherall and body tape remain my top choices for maximum ease and support, there are always new and better improvements happening.
The key is managing expectations and choosing the right bra for the right occasion. I also think it’s good not to rely on one product for every need. You certainly don’t wear one pair of pants for every occasion.
BTW, my friend, Cathie, shared her favorite strapless bra for larger busts. And her secret to making it comfortable for all-day wear? Bra extenders. She was explaining that it lies flush over the girls, which is the issue I had with #1.
And yes, I did try out the adhesive bras that all the young kids are wearing. The option I tried did NOT work for me, so if you have one that is fabulous, please share.
I like to think of it as having a collection of summer bra options. It also helps to know the pros and cons of each. Because in reality, no one bra works for every different type of top.
Final Thoughts: Embracing Summer Freedom
Summer should be about feeling confident and comfortable in whatever makes you feel fabulous. And since I’ve decided I want to wear all the cute summer tops, part of feeling confident is having reliable summer bra options as part of my arsenal.
Yes, it’s a little work to find ones that work for my shape, comfort, and size, but it’s worth it.
Insider tip: Always remember that most stores have return policies. Yes, even for these summer bra options. If you tried it once and it doesn’t work, return it.
The world of backless bras has come a long way, and while we’re still waiting for that perfect solution that works flawlessly for everyone, the options available now are better than ever.
And remember, if you can’t find a summer bra that works, always consider a sports bra or swim top to wear under the cute summer tops instead. Sometimes layering is the key.
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The post Summer Bra Options Tested: 3 Cheap Backless Bras vs My Favorites appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
