“MEET your next season styling staple: the Bralet” highlights Vogue in their recent article.  It seems the celebrities love them.

However, what about the rest of us?  We thought we would look a little deeper to see whether this was just a fad or something that is here to stay.

So what is a Bralette or Bralete?

Normally they are simple, unstructured (they do not retain their shape when off the body), bras without lining and padding and wire free.  Although they come in a variety of sizes, they do not offer cup and back sizes as with a bra.  Therefore commonly you would see small, medium and large instead, as with our Lace Kiss Bralette from b.tempt’d

Are they suitable for everyone?

Some ladies may feel the absence of underwire and the possibly overbearing controlled shaping quite liberating and perhaps like a comfy pair of slippers that you like to lounge around the house in at weekend or when you are “kicking back”.

However, the absence of wire and padding, and the limitations on the range of sizes available, means that a Bralette is not going to offer the same level of support.  So they may look dainty and sexy and even great for some as an accessory to be worn on top, but for those needing proper support, not something you probably want to wear all day every day.

That said, for those with smaller chest sizes, say around A Cup, then they are suitable to wear all day every day and given that it is more about style than structured support, they can add real va va voom to your wardrobe and when peeking out from under your dress or blouse. They also offer just enough shaping to create an attractive silhouette.

So what are the pros and cons?

Cons

• The size limitations mean you are unlikely to get a perfect fit which limits their use (like the comfy pair of slippers I mention!).
• They are not designed to specifically offer support so for ladies with larger chest sizes then they could possible risk health issues if worn all the time. As we frequently say, “it pays to be fit” because of the real health benefits of proper fit and support! Clearly, you are also not going to want a Bralette when you go out jogging!
• You are not going to get much in the way of overall look, beyond design. So if you are looking for lift or plunge then the Bralette is not suitable.

Pros

• For some, their simplicity means they can feel very comfortable where lots of support isn’t needed.
• They offer great value. Generally, they cost substantially less than a traditional bra as far less work and material goes into their manufacture.
• They are great for the fashion conscious where style is the most important factor as highlighted by Buzzfeed’s article “18 Reasons You Should Ditch Your Bra For A Bralette”.

So what do you think?

We do stock Bralettes down at the Bra Shop although I have to say they have not proved hugely popular so far.  Perhaps the likes of Kendall Jenner will reverse this trend though!

Why not let us know what you think and join the discussion on our Facebook page.