No, that’s not a wardrobe malfunction you’re seeing − it’s a carefully curated fashion statement.
Stars including Scarlett Johansson and Sydney Sweeney turned heads at the Cannes Film Festival late last month sporting outfits meant to look like strapless or spaghetti strap dresses with bras peeking out from underneath. So should we be preparing for a summer of exposed bra fashion moments?
“Especially after the pandemic, showing skin is all the rage and everyone is looking for ways to get creative with fashion styles and trends that make them stand out and look sexy,” says Gianluca Russo, a fashion reporter and the author of “The Power of Plus.”
Experts agree this look is rooted in the desire to draw attention to one’s body and stand apart in a crowd. But should you dare try the trend? First, fashion experts say, it’s important to acknowledge what you’re trying to achieve with such a statement-making look.
What is the ‘exposed bra’ trend?
In an era where everyone and everything gets photographed, the exposed bra trend is a surefire way to stand out.
It’s “just what it sounds like,” Russo says. “Outfits put together that give visibility into one’s undergarment, whether subtly …. or more overt.”
Visible bras have long been a part of fashion, from sheer tops showing off bras underneath to bras replacing shirts altogether. But this iteration of the exposed bra, fashion experts say, is different of the intentional way it makes others do a double take.
“It’s very carefully placed to look like a wardrobe malfunction,” says longtime culture journalist Christina Binkley. “When a person sees a photograph and has to spend an extra moment deciding whether they’re witnessing a malfunction or something that’s purposeful, that makes the photograph memorable. (Give a) Nobel Prize to the stylist who thought this one up.”
From Destiny’s Child to ‘Mean Girls,’ what’s old is new again
Historically, even a bra strap sticking out from behind a tank top was seen as scandalous. But the shock-value needle is constantly moving, which inspires us to invent new ways to garner attention.
If Sweeney’s outfit looked familiar, you might be thinking about one of Lindsay Lohan’s iconic getups from 2004’s “Mean Girls.” Her provocative house party look featured a black and pink tube dress with a red bra sticking out.
The exposed bra in 2023 is a natural evolution of Y2K styles, experts say, such as bras as tops (Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Christina Aguilera) and cardigans worn off the shoulder to expose the strap underneath (Katie Holmes).
Don’t try this one at home − or at least, not in the office
This trend definitely isn’t suited for the office − unless you’re a real estate agent on “Selling Sunset,” Russo jokes.
Still, fashion experts foresee exposed bras popping up more this summer. For the rest of us, sticking to the “bras as tops” trend, or trying out the exposed bra look with a tube top and bikini on the beach might be safer ways to get in on the moment, experts say.
“It takes a PhD in fashion to get that look done well,” Binkley says, pointing to the stars on the Cannes red carpets. “Those are really expensive, carefully designed clothes to look exactly that way. Most people don’t have the wherewithal to dress like that. … None of it’s sloppy. It’s very purposeful, as opposed to just your bra sticking out.”
