Shopping for Lace Bras
By Julia Minkin
, last updated December 22, 2011
When shopping for a lace bra, it's important to consider how often and with what clothes you'll wear it. Will this be an everyday bra, worn from outfit to outfit, or a bra for special occasions? Are you someone who can stand a little discomfort for the sake of style, or do you tend to, say, pack a pair of flats on the days you wear heels? On the down side, bras made entirely out of lace can cause irritation, especially in the summer heat. Fortunately, lingerie designers provide a wide variety of styles to suit every individual. Here is a guide to help you choose the best lace bra for you.
Tweet
Comfort and Support
For those of you who want a comfortable lace bra for everyday use, especially those with large cup sizes, you'll probably want a bra with partial molding. Chantelle, though pricey, makes some of the most attractive and supportive lace bras out there. For example, consider the Chantelle 'Rive Gauche,' the 'Chic Sexy,' or the 'Fascination' bra. These bras are sexy and comfortable, and they look great under work clothes or even T-shirts, without showing off awkward 'lace lines.' Other notable designers of supportive bras include Calvin Klein, DKNY, and Betsey Johnson.
Sexy Small-cup
If you're on the market for a slinkier lace bra with less molding and more 'showing,' there are a lot of options available to you. Hanky Panky, Cosabella, La Perla, and Honeydew are just a few examples of designers who make cute 'soft cup' and wireless lace bras. This kind of bra is best for cup sizes A and B, but it all depends on personal comfort. If you're looking for a wireless bra, check out Hanky Panky's 'Signature Lace Crossover Bralette' or 'Victoria Bralette.' For a little more support, consider La Perla's 'Floral Lace Underwire Bra.' If you're shopping for a bra with lace cups, remember: it might not blend in under all of your clothing, due to the lace patterns and stitching.
The Discount Shopper
Maybe you already have enough comfortable, everyday bras in your closet and you're not looking to make a big investment. If that's the case, and you want a sexy lace bra for a low price, there are some great alternatives. H&M makes very cute lace bras for below twenty dollars. Urban Outfitters also has a wide selection of affordable lace bras, including the Pins and Needles Bea Bralette and the Camellia Lace Bralette. Other designers with low prices for lace bras include Material Girl, Betsey Johnson, and Gap Body.
Shopping online for bras, especially those with underwire, is not recommended. Shop around at stores to find the best fit for you. It's never a bad idea to bring a few different shirts with you to the dressing room, so you can see how each bra looks underneath. Also, as with shopping for anything, but especially bras, know your size! If you don’t, ask someone to measure you in the store. Measuring for bra size as you may know can be a little complicated.
Resources and References
