The last thing you want to wear in the summer heat is a bra. While women with a certain bust size may be able to get away with freeing the nip, those of us with a cup size above a C don't always have the luxury of that option. Sometimes an underwire is a need, not a want. Instead, we suffer with sweaty back bands, unsightly shoulder straps peeking out from tank tops, and extra fabric clinging to our skin.
Whether you've been suffering with this very real saltatorial struggle, or simply want to ditch your bra but not the support it offers, we have the solution for you: a built-in bra dress.
Trust us, it's not as clinical as it sounds. In fact, the high street has delivered an array of rather chic options. As the name suggests, these designs feature an integrated layer of support at the chest, often in the form of moulded cups and an elastic underbust shelf band surrounding your ribs, allowing you to go completely bra-free. As well as providing a secure and flattering fit, it also solves the issue of eliminating visible bra straps and lines for a clean, polished look.
M&S and Uniqlo have both catered to the minimalists with basic ribbed tank dresses in mini and midi lengths, ideal for throwing on to run errands at the weekend. The casual style lends itself to layering. Throw a denim jacket on over the top and add some sunglasses and sandals, and this look effortlessly transitions to pub drinks with friends, oozing laidback cool.
If you want something a little more formal, Abercrombie & Fitch offers plenty of pretty occasionwear dresses with the added bonus of built-in bra support. Their patterned designs work just as well for a summer barbecue as they do a wedding guest dress when dressed up with heels and earrings. And don't sleep on activewear brands! Many dresses come with built-in shelf bras as standard, and even if they don't, the compression fabrics more than suffice. Take Sweaty Betty's Explorer Maxi Dress – customers report it's supportive and fitted enough to not require a bra.
Below, shop the best built-in bra dresses on the high street:
M&S Cotton Rich Ribbed Bra Insert Mini Bodycon Dress
M&S Cotton Rich Ribbed Bra Insert Mini Bodycon Dress
A&F 100% Cotton Bra-Free Dylan Midi Dress
Sweaty Betty Explorer Ribbed Halter Neck Strappy Maxi Dress
Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Bra-Free Convertible Maxi Dress
Abercrombie & Fitch The A&F Bra-Free Convertible Maxi Dress
Halara V Neck Built-in Bra Sleeveless Stripe Midi Dress
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
