Updated: May 21, 2024
I can see it now: it’s almost New Year’s Eve (or a birthday, or girl’s night out, or insert another fun, festive event) and you are looking for something hot to wear. And you think: “I would love to wear that top, but the neckline is way too low-cut”, or “That kind of deep v-neck is NOT made for a woman with a full bust” or “what the heck am I supposed to wear underneath a plunging neckline like that?!” I hear it all the time. Please don’t let the undergarment confusion or your bust stop you from wearing that sassy, gorgeous outfit. There are options. In fact, there are more options than just undergarments. Whether you want to show off your cleavage or cover it up, wear a bra or go without – I present these nine different options (bras and more!) to wear underneath deep v-neck or plunging necklines.
Hurray holiday parties, here we come!
Psst! Some of the brands linked here are proud partners and with some links I may get a small thank you if you purchase through me. Your purchase helps a lot in keeping articles like this coming your way. Either way, I always share items that I truly love and can help you say hurray!
Push Up or Deep Plunge bra
If you’d like for your bra to stay hidden, go with a deep plunging bra that matches (or can be concealed by) the silhouette of your outfit. Some bras that are front closure tend to have a very low, small center gore (where it tacks against your body, in between your breasts). Other bras simply have a nice deep plunge and thin center gore. Push up bras often have this shape.
Push up bras are great to wear for many occasions, and especially fun to wear with a deep, plunging neckline. This striped romper has a wrap front that plunges deep. If I wore a bra without pushup, the front could easily glide between my bust and cover up my breasts. But I chose to wear a push up bra this time, and show off a little extra volume. I love the final result! To me, breasts are often like an accessory. Just like I may change the way I wear my hair that day, I can decide to show shape and decorate my breasts. On this day, I went for a full, cleavage bearing look thanks to the padding in the push up bra.
Alternatively, you can wear a dramatically deep front bra, intended specifically for very deep front dresses and tops. The “Seamless U-Plunge Bra” from Fashion Forms is a great example of this.
Style notes: This push up bra from Adore Me (size 32DD) has a deep plunging front and a front closure. The back is actually strappy and fun to show off (if you like to show off the back of your bras), and the cups are smooth. The graduated push up padding gives a round, full, voluminous shape! Romper and Sunglasses from Marshall’s, Shoes from H&M, Hat from Gap, Belt was my Grandma’s. Photo by Becky Yee during the #HurrayVacay in Puerto Rico.
Camisole
One of the most popular options for underneath a plunging neckline is a camisole. Many women choose to cover their bra or breasts with a simple tank top. Some even wear a camisole with a built-in shelf bra in replacement of a bra entirely. While there’s nothing wrong about a simple tank top doing the job, there’s something quite casual about that style choice.
If you want a more luxe or stylish way to cover up, try a lace camisole, like the one I’m wearing here. It’s high neck, slightly sheer, and totally gorgeous. Plus, the sleeveless silhouette and black color matches with the cut of this dress – making it appear as if it was part of the outfit the whole time. That gives the impression that wearing the camisole was a desired choice, not just a desperate move to cover something up. That makes me say hurray!
Natori – Imagine Allover Lace Tank
Hanky Panky – Signature Lace Classic Camisole
Cosabella – Never Say Never Cropped Cami
Hanky Panky – Plus Camisole
Style (and style history) notes: I’m wearing the same push-up bra as seen above, from Adore Me. This lace camisole is by Natori (size XS). I bought it many years ago Saks Fifth Avenue when I was working there as an employee, and then as the in-store merchandiser for La Perla. The dress was bought at Express as gift from my Mom when I was 18. I actually wore this very same dress when I went in for my interview at Saks Fifth Avenue when I was 20. It has a keyhole back and low front, and I wasn’t sure what bra to wear with it at the time, so I went braless. Since I didn’t know the best options for nipple covers at the time, I wore band-aids over mine to keep them covered. Oh, how things have changed since then – and yet, I still say hurray for wearing this dress! Glasses from Warby Parker. Photo by Corinne Louie.
Nipple Covers
Speaking of nipple covers, I now have quite a few that I love to wear and recommend. If you want to go braless, or your outfit has a built in shelf bra or support, and you just need to cover your “headlights”, this could be a great option for you. There is a large variety of sticky or non-adhesive nipple cover options out there, including basic, skin tone varieties, and decorative styles. Hurray!
Styles notes: No bra here, just nipple covers. I’m wearing the non-adhesive style from DIMRS. They are super invisible under clothing. And, using your body’s warmth, they do stay in place well enough (I was in Puerto Rico here, so I was hot and sweaty) especially if the cut of your clothing helps them stay in place. This halter jumpsuit from Forever 21 did the trick! Photo by Becky Yee during the #HurrayVacay in Puerto Rico.
High neck bra
A high neck, lace or decorative front bra is a relatively new trend. You’ll be seeing more and more of these as the trend trickles through the lingerie and fashion industry. Often, these high neck styles tie at the neck (like the bralette in the photo here) as a halter. Other times, it’s a basic bra with a detachable, decorative element. Or, it’s a typical bra with a lace overlay over the front, that almost looks like a camisole peeking out. There are several options to choose from! They can be simple or complex, but they’re usually stylish on purpose so that you can show off the front panel or adornment. The next time you see one of these styles in a shop or online, give it a try. See if it can enhance your personal wardrobe. Below are a couple of different options including a detachable lace bandeau to turn any bra into a high neck bra.
Leonisa – High Neck Crop Top Lace Bralette
DotVol – High-Neck Floral Lace Bralette
AnaOno – Maggie Lace Bralette
Curvy Kate – Scantilly Stretch Lace Body Suit
Or add a detachable cami front to any bra!
Below is a link to some low cost high neck fashion options on Amazon:
Anita | Fleur Lace Bandeau
- Sheer lace apron front has just enough opacity
- Unique clips can attach to the front straps of nearly any bra
- Back band loops around the torso to anchor in place
- Match it to your bra underneath or try a contrasting look!
- Available in sizes: 34-42 and A/B – E/F cups
Anita and Rosa Faia make products in their own factories and own production. This brand also stocks and ships in Canada!
Styles notes: This fun and decorative bralette is the Bisou Agnes Lace Bralette from Cosabella (size Medium). It features a hook & eye back, adjustable straps, and a tie at the neck. And this sassy/sophisticated romper is The Fifth Label Face to Face Playsuit available at The Style Theory Collective. Photo by Corinne Louie.
Lace bralette
Bralettes are ALL the rage right now! They can be worn on their own as an easy, and free alternative to your molded or underwear bra. Or, they can be worn in place of a camisole. Some have pretty lace edges, or higher front or wider side coverage. This makes letting them show a pretty alternative to your basic, bland bra poking out to say hello. Play around with a few and see what works for you! I love to match them to my outfit, and let them show.
Montelle Intimates – Lace Bralette〡up to G cup
Wacoal – Soft Sense Bralette
AnaOno – Victoria Mesh Keyhole Bralette
Fleur’t – Belle Époque Lace T-Back Bralette
Styles notes: I’m wearing a simple, purple, racerback, lace bralette from Adore Me (size small). Top, Yumi Kim. Necklace, Fossil. Photo by Corinne Louie.
Bandeau
A bandeau bra is typically a very simple, stretchy, non underwire, tube shape bra that goes around the body. In most cases, it goes on over the head and stays in place thanks to elastic stretch. The front covers the bust, with a straight across shape. This is a great option to cover that v-neck that is just a little too deep for comfort. It can be especially attractive when it peeks out if it’s a bright color or pretty lace. Or, you can try a smooth, t-shirt like material – similar to a tube top. Just like a bralette, the big complaint about the non underwire, stretchy styles is the lack of shape and support. In that case, you can also wear the bandeau over a basic strapless (or other) bra. You’re basically using it as a cover up! It’s a great alternative to wearing an entire camisole, and lets you cover up just the front and sides of a bra – especially awesome if your bra underneath offers great shape, and less style.
Cosabella – Never Say Never Bandeau Bra
Cosabella – Flirtie Bandeau Bra〡Curvy!
Rhonda Shear – Ahh Angel Seamless Bandeau Bra〡up to 3X
b.tempt’d – Ciao Bella Strapless Bra 〡underwire & side closure
Styles notes: This lace bandeau bra is from Adore me (size small). It’s a stretchy, non underwire strapless style with a little bit of ruching in the front, in between the breasts. I found it in their sleepwear section, and it came with a matching pair of underwear and a very low armhole tank top in gray. I wore this LOFT dress for my 26th birthday – the same night that my husband proposed. Photo by Corinne Louie.
Strappy bra
These super cool straps are ALL the rage right now. A few brands started with a couple of decorative straps over the cups or across the bodice of the bra – most notably, Marlies Dekerrs. And now, crazy cool (sometimes removable) straps can be found from several brands, for many sizes.
Elomi – Brianna Plunge Underwire Bra〡up to UK K cup
Freya – Awakening Molded T-Shirt Bra〡28-38 bands
MotoRun – Strappy Criss Cross Back Bra
Pour Moi – After Hours Cage Longline Bra
Or add a strappy harness of your choice to any bra!
Styles notes: This strappy front bra from Adore Me (in a 30F) functions like a regular bra, with adjustable shoulder straps, a hook and eye back, and everything. The criss-cross elastic on the front is purely decorative. Ivory Brushstroke Mini Dress available at The Style Theory Collective. Photo by Corinne Louie.
Bling
Play up that deep v, girl. You can showcase your breasts, your bra, your skin, or even a little bling! Try a dangling necklace, a body chain (like the one I’m wearing here), or even a metallic flash tattoo! Get creative. Have fun. Say hurray. PS: If you’re worried about your neckline shifting, you may want to use a little fashion tape or flash tape to keep your it in place.
VRIOVN – T-Row Dainty Body Chain
Woeoe – Sparkly Rhinestone Bra Chain
Bounzhi – Harness Body Chain Bra
CHRAN – Full Body Chain Multilay Harness
Styles notes: I got this body chain on Amazon. It came in a set of two. I LOVE to wear these layered over a bralette or under a deep v-neck like this. The vest dress is from approximately 1 million years ago (I seriously can not remember when I bought it) from Urban Outfitters. Photo by Corinne Louie.
Stick-on Bras and Breast Tapes
Before you write off adhesive bras, take a look at these stick-on bra styles below. They’ve come a long way and some are designed to support many sizes – including fuller busts. Experiment with some of the adhesive bras I suggested and see how you like to wear them!
NuBra – Seamless Adhesive Bra
Nood – Adhesive Bra
My Perfect Pair – Luxury Breast Tape
Good Lines – Classic Cut Boob Tape Kit
Style Notes: And best of all, you can cut and customize some of them to your plunging neckline needs. I am wearing Nood’s Game Changer Lift & Shape Bra. Photos by Janel Kilnisan during the #HurrayVacay for Florida at Lake Worth Beach, FL
Free Bra Class
Want to wear a bra without ripping it off at the end of the day? Watch How to Find a Comfortable Bra Fit For Your Body WITHOUT Wasting Your Money on Bras You Dread Wearing! Plus, you'll also get Kimmay's Bra Fit Guide, and a taste of Bra Confidence & Comfort™. Watch now and don't spend another minute feeling uncomfortable in your bra.
Your turn: Do you struggle to find the right bra or undergarment solution for a low cut, plunging, deep-V neckline? Give some of these styles a try! Or, try something new that you wouldn’t have before. Experiment with your style. Add in something to a typical outfit and play around. Let me know what works, or if you have questions at @hurraykimmay on IG or TikTok! And if you want to dive deeper and finally understand how to find a comfortable bra without wasting money on those you dread wearing, check out my Bra Confidence & Comfort Course! You’ll get all the information you need (in an easy, fun way) to say hurray.
PS: As always, there’s zero photo shopping or airbrushing to my face and body. These images are ME wearing these lovely items. This is not a sponsored post but some are affiliate links. Sponsored or not, I always share my honest opinion and heartfelt advice for you xo
