What to wear under a white shirt

[mollyringle]

Ladies, you know what color bra you should wear under a white shirt, if you don't want the bra to show through. Don't you?

Not white. Not black. Definitely not leopard-spotted.

Red. I heard this in college, and didn't believe it till I saw it with my own eyes. A white bra shows right through, white being too bright. Black shows as well, being too dark. But red basically vanishes. Has to do with wavelengths: red has the longest wavelength of all visible colors, and therefore gets muted the easiest.

Or something like that. I tried to do a web search on the topic, but when you use strings like "red bra white shirt", you get these "Hi, my name is Heather and I'm 19 and I live in your area and would love to meet you" kind of sites, so at the moment I don't have a website to back this up. Just try it yourselves and you'll see.

I tell you this because I've seen a lot of white bras with white shirts out there. But of course, you folks probably know this already; and, being the snarky lot you are, you're rolling your eyes right now and saying, "Duh, we KNOW. God, you're so condescending!" Hey, just trying to help.

[Edit: I imagine a bra color very close to your skin tone would work fine too. I just don't happen to have such a bra, so I can't say for sure. And red is, like, sexy.]

Comments

[lisabelle.livejournal.com]

RED! I never thought of that, but your explanation makes perfect sense.

I have a bra that's a little darker than my skintone that works pretty well too. But I am TOTALLY trying the red thing, next chance I get. :)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes - I was thinking nude-tone would probably work too, but I haven't tried it myself. Have edited it to add that note. :)

[noyen.livejournal.com]

i think i need to go home early now and put the red one on :(

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Seriously, man. I didn't want to say anything, but...you really should.

You just have to let me help.
:)

[celtic4.livejournal.com]

Red? Are you serious? O_O

I've had the white-bra-white-shirt dilemma all my life, and to actually have the solution be that simple...I shall die of joy. Thank you!

Now, to purchase a red bra... >_>

[partywhipple.livejournal.com]

Wait, is Heather really in my area?? I can't believe she wants to meet me!!!

[patientx.livejournal.com]

I am snarky, but no, I did not know this! I feel like testing it out, yet I don't have a red bra. A trip to Victoria's Secret on Saturday might solve that... ;-)

[geminibalance.livejournal.com]

My friend is black, and I'm so jealous. She can wear anything white, skirt or shirt, and her black undies never show through. I can't wear anything white without whatever color undies I have showing through. I actually have a red bra I never wear. I suppose I will have to give this a shot. Thanks for the tip!

[elycia.livejournal.com]

You can always soak a white cotton bra in strong tea with a little vingear overnight to turn it beige if you don't have a beige bra (or can't find your favorite style in beige).

I prefer beige bras not only because they don't show under sheer tops, but because if the strap hangs out a bit from the shoulder of a sleeveless shirt, it's not so obvious.

Of course, I think the "cool" style these days is to be sure your brastraps DO show. I'm not sure what this proves, except possibly that one is endowed enough to NEED a bra--which I should think would be obvious; but then, I'm rather a fashion failure, as these things go.

[jazzypoet.livejournal.com]

That is so interesting! I'd never thought of it that way before, either. Red, huh? I'll have to remember that next time I'm shopping! Thanks for the information! :-)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Yep, simple as that. :) The only caveat: if it's a sleeveless shirt, or another design that's likely to show a strap, then skin-tone might be better. Red straps *are* rather striking when they slip out. Heh.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Yep. I think you should go for it, dude. She sounds like she's got great conversation skills.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Indeed, it's a good excuse to go shopping. :) But it can be tested with any red cloth beneath any white cloth, held against your arm. Quite remarkable, really.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, skin tone naturally makes quite a bit of difference. I should have disclosed that I'm much farther down the "pale" end of the spectrum. Though I imagine the red trick would work for most skin colors.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Ah-ha, vinegar, eh? I was always curious how exactly people dye something in tea. Might be a good trick when a white bra starts losing its brilliance after a couple years.

Yes, I've been meaning to get a beige/skin-tone one and try that too. I have an "ivory" one, but that's still too close to white.

And I cannot stand to have my bra straps showing. I feel like a harlot. Or a slob. Even if it's a pretty bra. :)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Have fun shopping! Oh, and great icon. If only we could all look like Audrey first thing in the morning, eh?

[loriena.livejournal.com]

Interesting, wave lengths, colours and such. I don't use bras much though, used to be pretty pissed off about size when I was younger, though now it's partly a relief, they don't hang quite like basset's ears. A black bra is nice when needed, I don't wear white shirts very often... I've toyed with the idea of surgery for size, maybe someone of you girls have experience and some advice for me??

[patientx.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you, I hadn't thought of that, lol. That's better than going to spend money.

[jazzypoet.livejournal.com]

Merci! :-) *hugs*

And thank you for the kind words about the icon. It was created by carnelian_inc. :-) I agree with what you said about looking like Audrey, too. *g* If only!!

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I know someone who's gotten the surgery done, and says the recovery hurts like hell. She said childbirth was easy in comparison. I'd say padded bras are good enough, and much cheaper anyhow. :)

[celtic4.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes indeedy. XDD

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

When you put it that nicely, how could I possibly mind? :)

Welcome -

M.