Finding something to wear to your upcoming holiday party is stressful enough, but once you’ve painstakingly found the perfect dress, the struggle is (unfortunately) not over yet: You now have to worry about what to wear under it. What kind of bra should you wear? Should you even wear a bra? To ease your undergarment anxiety, we’ve scoped out the best types of bras and shapewear to go with every style of dress:
1. For the plunging neckline – UPlunge N2964 Bra ($28, Nordstrom)
If your dress has a deep v-cut or a low, drapey front, this is your best bet. It offers the right amount of coverage without looking like a scary corset-like contraption. Plus, the straps can be criss crossed or even removed, in case the dress is strapless, too.
2. For the low-back dress – Low-Back Straps ($14, Victoria’s Secret)
Dresses with low backs can be the best and the worst. We love how they reveal some skin in a sneaky and classy way, but they can be so pesky to deal with when it comes to finding a bra that won’t show. With strap extenders, you can make any bra work—add them on to any bra and you are all set!
3. For the backless dress – Body Sculpting Strapless Bra ($38, Dillards)
With a “barely there” bra like this one, you can wear the most revealing dress without worrying about revealing too much! The silicone material ensures it will stay put. This bra even has “wings” that you can detach for extra support.
4. For the bodycon dress – Grace Low Back Bustless Slip (On sale for $38, Bloomingdale’s)
Just because you feel a bit self-conscious in your bodycon dress does not mean you should give up on it! Yummie by Heather Thomson makes super flattering, yet comfortable shapewear that will make you feel fabulous, even after you’ve hit the buffet table. This super-soft slip will smooth everything out without making you feel like a sausage stuffed into its casing.
5. For the thin-strapped dress – This is Not a Bra Strapless Underwire ($38, Lord & Taylor)
With a skinny-strapped dress, you can’t really wear a normal bra, but you don’t necessarily have to go as extreme as a stick-on one. Since most strapless bras have to do extra work in the support department, they end up being unbearably uncomfortable. This Warner’s bra offers as much support as your average strapless bra, but it has a luxurious satin feel, so don’t expect any digging or pinching here!
With crazy-clever undergarment solutions like these, you no longer have to worry about how you’re going to pull off that dress—party on this season, collegiettes!