Wherever you stand on midriff baring, there’s no denying that the trend for wearing little bralets and bra tops is still going strong this summer. Of course, it has a celebrity following, as witnessed at the recent Teen Choice Awards where young stars such as Taylor Swift and Jordin Sparks opted for the crop top look. And it also gives you the perfect excuse to wear your favourite longline bra for all to see (depending on how brave you are), and there are some lovely ones out right.
Huit
Huit’s Belle de Jour bustier is a super chic underwear-as-outerwear option. The sleek black of the bra is set off to perfection with a band of intricate embroidery around the edge of the deep underband. Wear it with a smart jacket and a pair of skinny jeans for a stylish summer evening look.
Buy: £66, sizes 32-26 A-D. Available later this month. See Huit.com for stockists.
Mimi Holliday
New from quirky lingerie brand Mimi Holliday is the Neopolitan collection, a reinvented leopard print in lilac and peach developed in a collaboration with US fashion house Tucker, which is famous for its print designs. There are two longline bras in the range, and our favourite is this balcony bra. The shape and the print just work together so well.
Buy: £61, sizes 28 C-F, 30 B-F, 32 A-F, 34 A-E, 36 A-DD, 38 A-D. Figleaves.com.
Topshop
For sheer variety in crop tops and bralets, Topshop is the place to visit. The retailer has everything ranging from simple block colour jersey bralets to structured longline bras in a huge number of prints and colours. We like this Aztec patterned strapless longline in delicate peachy shades.
Buy: £25, sizes 8-16. Topshop.com.
B.tempt’d
Lacy bralets are a standby of B.tempt’d’s Lace Kiss collection, but the front closure bra is a little more structured than the usual crop top style. It’s still lacy and lovely with a little added vintage-inspired glam.
Buy: £23, sizes 32-36, available in black or royal blue. Figleaves.com.
Freya
Freya Lingerie is a brand that always seems to have a pretty longline in its collection, and right now that’s the Daydreamer longline bra. It features a really rather lovely floral print overlaying vintage handwriting with three cute buttons on the centre front and multicoloured mini dot straps. A festival favourite.
Buy: £36, sizes 28-30 D-G, 32-38 C-G. Leia Lingerie.
M&S
Everything about this M&S longline bra is super girly, from the pink floral print to the little centre bow and the buttons. Cut in a balcony shape with a little padding in the cups and wide strap placement, it’s designed to give you a natural uplift. A sweet summery style.
Buy: £17.50, sizes 30 B-DD, 32-38 A-DD, 40 B-DD. M&S.
