The right bra, on the other hand, can make you can look like a million bucks no matter what you're wearing – a T-shirt, button down shirt, or the infamous little black dress.
Lingerie and department stores can be bewildering places, overflowing with hundreds of styles and colors and teeming with salespeople hoping to upsell you into more bras than you need or fancier brands than you can afford.
1. Everyday Bra
The everyday bra is the equivalent of the cotton panty — not the sexiest garment, but the most reliable. The major requirement of an everyday bra is that it look great under clothes.
The only kicker of the everyday bra is that since you'll be wearing it most days, you need to have more than one. Bras need 24 hours to recover their shape and breathe after a full day of wear, and need to be laundered after every few wears. So, to be exact, you need three everyday bras: one to wear, one to rest, and one that can be in the laundry without denying you a solid bra option.
An everyday bra should have straps that are centered above the nipple (which gives your breasts the best lift and your shoulders the most comfort) and have a wide enough back strap to prevent any spillover that will look lumpy under your shirt. An optional feature is a light lining to keep your nipples from showing.
If your cup size is DD or larger, I advise having at least one everyday bra with seams in the cup. Although they don't offer the smoothest line under clothes, seams are the best way to provide support.
2. Black Bra
Not just for wearing under black clothing, a black bra is the right choice for clothing of any dark color — brown, grey, navy, burgundy, teal — and for clothes with awkward sight lines. (You know, those button downs with a tendency to bulge open at the bust or bat wing sleeves with peek-a-boo armholes.)
A black bra won't show under your brightly colored clothes in photographs the way a white or nude bra will. And also, black looks nicer peeking out of necklines or armholes than lighter colors. "When people catch a glimpse of a white bra, they think, 'Uh oh, I just saw underwear.' But a black bra looks more like lingerie; it's less noticeable and more appropriate."
3. Strapless Bra
Think strapless bras are only for strapless dresses? Think again. These little wonders make it possible to wear a wide range of necklines without fear of peekage: Boatneck, deep V, one-shoulder, scoop and square.
And if you've heard that you should go down a size in a strapless bra, that's a myth. If you go down a size in a strapless, you're probably wearing the wrong size in your everyday bra. Manufacturers design strapless bras to conform to the same size requirements as bras with straps.
If you'd like a little more fun and versatility, consider adding:
4. Plunge Bra
These are similar to everyday bras, but they have a lower center panel. A plunge bra allows you to unbutton one more button or wear a deep V-neck with confidence.
5. Date-Night Bra
For those nights when you want a little more oomph, consider a lacy number, or a bra in a fun color or pattern. Because every woman deserves a pretty bra.
