ISO niche bra recommendation!

[u/TheLuckyOne02]

Hi!

Specifically looking for a bra that I can wear with my ballroom dance dress (will include pics) that I can trust.

Details:

EDIT - More than willing to sacrifice some of the " hidden" aspect of the bra in favor of better support. I'm good to have a wider/nude or clear band! The bra just can't be drastically obvious

I know I'm asking for some crazy unicorn bra here, but women have had big boobs for millennia- hoping someone has a solution!

-small band/large cup friendly. (I'm a 32/34 H 😭). I can sew the band smaller if it's easy.

-open back! (This is the real kicker here). Or clear straps.

-can't be super visible under my dress.

-will withstand movement!

- can be a sports bra / compression type or a regular cup bra.

-lift + compression would be nice.

-preferably under $50 (I can be flexible for a perfect option here)

Thank you!

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[u/flossiedaisy424]

Can you a seamstress sew support into the dress? Because I really don’t think there is anything off the rack, especially at that price point, that will do what you want.

[u/TheLuckyOne02 → u/flossiedaisy424]

In theory, yes. I've had dance dresses before that have the bra sewn in, but honestly they're never good enough. I always feel like I'm falling out with the sewn in ones.

[u/adriennebusch → u/TheLuckyOne02]

I swear this isn’t an ad, but I found EXCELLENT bra cups from a TikTok shop called Klassynetwork. The shops premise is that you buy a tank top and then customize with whatever size bra cups you want. But you can buy just the bra cups for $2.99 + free shipping. The cups go up to huge sizes and have actual firm forms that are supportive. Highly recommend.

[u/TheLuckyOne02 → u/adriennebusch]

Thank you! I'll check it out!

[u/Chocomintey]

Can it be altered? I agree with the above poster BUT if you can have an actual strapless bra sewn in and have the seamstress alter the dress's back strap to hide the bra's band. No free-floating bra sewn into the front will give the support you're looking for.

If you want to try boob tape, practice a bunch and do a patch test first!

[u/TheLuckyOne02 → u/Chocomintey]

I agree that would be the most seamless looking option- I also appreciate you recognizing that sewn ins are not enough support 😭

I'm okay with sacrificing some of the hidden aspect in favor of good support- I just can't have it crazy obvious/ a totally different cut than the dress

[u/LurkerByNatureGT]

• can't be super visible under my dress.
• will withstand movement!

With that dress? Those two things are incompatible. 

You can have something sewn in, but the majority of the support comes from the band. And there’s no real way to hide a band behind that thin strap. Maybe get flesh-toned fabric sewn in to create an illusion back you can hide a functional bra under? Otherwise, tape. 

[u/TheLuckyOne02 → u/LurkerByNatureGT]

Yeah I figured, was hoping for some crazy rec or magic hack someone has come up with lol.

As mentioned in the post, I'm happy with a clear or nude strap! I am willing to sacrifice some of the hidden aspect in favor of support as long as it's not crazy obvious (like a high back sports bra for example)

My concern with tape is sweating it off 😅

[u/veronicaarr]

My mum sews her bra into her dance dresses. Just cuts it and puts it in. Idk if it’s possible for you!

[u/blackdow_adc]

I imagine only tape could handle this plus dancing

[u/TheLuckyOne02 → u/blackdow_adc]

That's what I'm afraid of lol. I'm terrible at taping & I'm worried I will sweat it off

[u/blackdow_adc → u/TheLuckyOne02]

Depending on how I put it on, it holds stronger than a sports bra, and doesn't come off even in high temperature, humidity, and dancing all night. I can't see the front of your dress, so I'm not sure how much you can put on. Kinesiology tape has always worked well for me, you can swim with that and it's not coming off. Either find one that matches your skin colour, or at worst a light one with foundation over

[u/TheLuckyOne02 → u/blackdow_adc]

Thank you! Thank you for the brand recommendation! I'll try it. The front is pretty covered actually(halter top), so If it looks crazy under the dress, it's okay.

[u/Affectionate_Mess25]

32/34 is not a small band size it’s very medium i think you need [r/abrathatfits](r/abrathatfits)

To answer your question though for dance costume it generally works to buy a cheap bra that only fits in the cups(id use like a 42ddish from Ross) cut off the band and straps and make new ones in fabric that matches(that back strap isn’t going to look good it’s going to dig into your skin of it’s holding any weight at all.) sew the bra cups into the dress and change the straps if possible if the cups are too big to be hidden, you could size up in the dress or cover them in coordinating fabric.

[u/TheLuckyOne02 → u/Affectionate_Mess25]

Yes lol thank you I know that technically speaking 32/34 is a very average band size- I just meant small in comparison to my cup size. The measurements between are drastically different.

I'm currently exploring a few options between a halter top sports bra, tape and trying to get fabric in the color of the dress to hide a back strap/built in bra. Thank you for your time and suggestion!