How to Avoid Bra Outline Showing

The right bra can make an already great outfit even better, but you're not alone if you've experienced the frustration of putting together the perfect outfit only for it to be ruined by pesky bra lines showing through.

You may have been told that visible bra lines are one of the necessary downsides to wearing bras, but we disagree. We're here to show you that with a little help, finding the perfect bra that will boost your confidence and look great under any outfit is more simple than it seems.

In order to eliminate visible bra lines, we have to know what causes them in the first place. Here are a few reasons your bra lines might show:

One of the most common culprits of visible bra lines is wearing the wrong size bra. Even a bra that's designed to look smooth under clothing can show through if the bra doesn't fit. A bra with cups that are too small can dig into the skin causing spillage or a "quad-boob" appearance. A bra that's too big will have wrinkling or gaping between the cup and your breast, and any excess fabric is likely to show through your shirt.

Wearing the wrong cup size isn't the only fit issue that can cause visible bra lines. A band that's too small can cause unsightly bumps around your sides and back, and with a band that's too big you might be tempted to tighten the straps to get more support, but tightening the straps may cause visible indents on your shoulders.

Before examining any other reason for why your bra is showing, it's important to make sure you're wearing the right size. A well-fitting bra should be snug but not tight and sit flush against your breast tissue. You may find that once you're wearing the right size your bra disappears completely under your clothing.

Related: Bra Fitting Tips

If you know that you're wearing the right size but your bra is still showing through your shirt, it might be because you're wearing the wrong style bra for your breast shape. If you have shallow breasts (full on the bottom with less volume up top), you may find that full coverage bras have gaping no matter what, whereas a balconette bra fits perfectly. On the other hand, if you have very full breasts, balconette bras may make you feel like you're spilling out.

There are many more breast shapes than what we've discussed here. Everyone's body is beautifully unique, and the best way to find the style of bra that works best with your unique shape is to get a professional bra fitting where you can try out many different options.

Related: Bra Style Guide

If you're bra used to be smooth under your clothes but now whenever your bra is visible whenever you put a shirt on, it's likely that bra is due to be replaced. A bra that's past its prime can have stretched fabric that curls around the edges, warped cups, and other imperfections that can easily show through fabric.

Did you know your bra shouldn't have a birthday? Most bras only last 6 months to a year, so if it's been years since you've bought any bras and you're wondering why they're all visible when you put a t-shirt on, a wardrobe refresh might be the only fix you need.

Lace bras are certainly beautiful, but they have an unfortunate tendency to show under thin clothing. If your bra being visible bothers you, it's best to stick to wearing your textured bras under thicker fabrics.

Just as the texture of your bra can cause issues, the thickness of your bra can also show under clothing. Bras made out of thick material such as sports bras or even a heavily padded t-shirt bra can create a visible ledge of fabric against your skin.

Even if your bra is fitting perfectly, a shirt that's too tight won't leave enough room for the bra material to lay flat. Additionally, clothing with super thin fabrics are much more prone to visible bra lines.

Now that we've gone over the causes of visible bra lines, we can finally discuss the solutions.

Sometimes the stitching in regular bras can show through shirts, so the best way to avoid this is to choose a bra that's designed without seams. Seamless bras are most commonly found in the form of a t-shirt bra. As the name suggests, t-shirt bras are designed to look smooth under t-shirts. They are typically made with molded cups and underwire, however, there are lightly lined, stretch cup and wire-free options available for those who don't like the traditional t-shirt bra look.

Two of our favorite t-shirt bras here at Hourglass Lingerie are the Elomi Bijou EL8722 and Anita Rosa Faia Twin Firm 5694. For a bra that's truly seamless, try one from Evelyn & Bobbie.

Lace, bows, and other embelishments, while pretty, have the potential to peek through fabric. If you're looking for a fully smooth look, try to avoid these extra details and opt for a more minimalist design.

If you can't bear parting with your frilly bras, the type of clothing you wear can help you avoid bra outlines. When possible, wearing thicker fabrics can greatly reduce the risk of bra lines. In the warmer months, textured or patterned fabric can help camouflage those lines to make them unnoticeable.

There's no way for your bra to have visible lines if you just simply aren't wearing one! If you want to go braless but are worried about your nipples showing, try wearing nipple covers or opt for a dress or top with a built in-bra.