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By Stephanie Prommer, About.com Guide to Teen Fashion

Bra Straps are Never Cute!

Friday August 22, 2008

Sure, Carrie Bradshaw can get away with it, but for the average girl an exposed bra strap always ends up looking either a) sloppy, b) trashy, or c) like a mistake. For example, take adorable actress Arielle Kebbel, who hit the pink carpet at The House Bunny premiere on August 20th in a cute little yellow minidress - with a big white wonky bra strap hanging out. In all fairness I think Arielle's slip was unintentional, but with a little planning you can avoid her faux-pas altogether.

The obvious answer here is a strapless bra, but if you don't feel like shelling out the cash for one, you can also try a little fashion invention that I recently discovered called "The Strapper." It's basically a piece of H-shaped plastic that turns any normal bra into a racer-back style, and it only costs $5.99. In my opinion, that's a small price to pay to keep from looking like a fashion don't!

Photos © Wire Image and The Strapper.

Comments
August 25, 2008 at 8:32 pm
(1) natasha says:

i have plenty of bras with really cute/stylish straps so i don’t mind flashing them when and wherever i want- especially when it’s a bright or fun color different from what i’m wearing but still matching

i don’t think it’s “professional” or “classy” but when done with some intentional syle, i definitely find it sexy and fun!

August 25, 2008 at 8:37 pm
(2) SJ says:

I don’t see the big deal! Yeah maybe if a bra strap falls down in like a t shirt or something but with strappy tops, it’s perfectly fine unless they clash a ridiculous amount or are dirty or something.

And like the person before me said, stylish straps are nice too.

August 26, 2008 at 7:30 am
(3) Rachel says:

It is never acceptable to show underwear. It is tacky and cheap. Girls you need more than one bra. Strapless or the new racerback converter is a way to keep you from looking like a tramp, Even if you think its cute, you still look like cheap with your bra straps showing.

August 26, 2008 at 8:59 pm
(4) bionic cat says:

Ok…some people cant aford ten difrent bras…and just cause somone can see your bra strap does not mean you are trashy or whatever. The way you act determins that.

August 28, 2008 at 11:20 pm
(5) Allison says:

I have to agree with Natasha that a good looking stylish straps CAN be sexy. A great option for the bra strap dilemma – choose a convertible bra and then choose a decorative bra strap from Strappys.com. They come in rhinestone, jewelry, beaded and fabric. Now you can let your straps show fashionably.

September 1, 2008 at 11:44 am
(6) Naomi says:

When did it become fashionable to show your underwear pretty or not?

September 1, 2008 at 7:38 pm
(7) Lori says:

In response to the never ending display of ugly bra straps sticking out I started making glass beaded bra straps. Check them out at http://www.classybrastraps.com

September 3, 2008 at 7:25 am
(8) Mazel08 says:

Everyone will have their own opinion but we are talking about underware here. A Bra is still considered underware. There is NOTHING sexy about a Bra strap showing. A Bra strap showing screams you have no sense or taste in fashion. The same goes for the young guys who wear their pants down so that half of their underware shows. Total turnoff IMO.

September 3, 2008 at 3:30 pm
(9) jinga says:

I have to disagree. If a strap is sexy and fun and coordinates with what you’r wearing, there’s nothing wrong with it. some people are just old-fashioned, I guess.

September 3, 2008 at 5:55 pm
(10) cuch says:

Wrong! We like them. You should really find out what people like and what turns heads before you speak.. You will sound much smarter ;)

September 3, 2008 at 6:46 pm
(11) Robyn says:

Your underwear should always be just that — UNDERwear. You see, that’s why it’s called UNDERwear. Why should teens be sexy? Be teens, not 25. Dress for yourself, not some random boy who may or may not be worthy of your attention or affection. If these boys want to see your bra (or panties) have them move on to the next piece of trash in their lives as it should not be you to fill that empty slot this week…

September 16, 2008 at 3:51 am
(12) Sharon says:

I agree that underwear is underwear and shouldn’t be seen, but everyone’s doing it. If you’re wearing a strappy top and want to wear a bra, they’re going to show. You either need to have lots of different bras that look good with whatever you’re wearing, or just change the straps. I’ve recently bought several pairs of different colored straps from an Australian site http://www.strapmeup.com.au. There’s heaps of colours, so when they do show it still looks ok.

April 9, 2009 at 3:10 pm
(13) Amanda says:

I agree ugly bra straps are never fun, however there is a website called http://www.strappity.com that has beautiful, patented, adjustable straps. They are stylish and fun to wear. I have like 6 pairs. You can choose from many styles to go with any outfit!! They have straps that fit up to women with a DD cup. I love them. They are also afforable!

September 20, 2009 at 6:51 pm
(14) preet says:

Ther is nothing wrong to show off
Oww! come on , besides its sexy and alluring to show off your shiny and cute bra straps!!
besides, u will be envied and your confidence tends to flutterr

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