Fashion

What to Wear Under Every Type of Wedding Dress, According to a Bra Expert

Published by
Jenny Altman
Image via @carolynngrace by @erinorthcutt, florals by @bybloomers

The perfect wedding dress needs perfectly supportive underpinnings. We turned to intimates expert Jenny Altman for a bridal underwear and bra-shopping cheat sheet. Read on for guidance on what to wear under your dream dress.

Wedding season is upon us! And while you are so busy picking out your dress, shoes, jewelry, and everything else, don’t forget that what goes on under the dress is also important.

Expert tip: don’t leave underpinnings for the last minute. Have a few options for bras, underwear, and shapewear on hand as soon as possible. Each time you try on your wedding dress (or get it altered), wear those garments to make sure they are the perfect fit and match for the dress. You don’t want undies that show through or a bra that peeks out the top!

Here are my favorite bridal silhouettes, plus must-have underpinnings to match:

The Plunge Front Wedding Dress:

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A deep v-neck is a great way to show off your assets, but you’ll need a bra that supports without peeking out of the dress in the front. This bustier is low enough in the front and supports from the waistline for extra lift.

The Backless Wedding Dress:

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If your backless wedding dress poses a problem as in, you need a bra, try an adhesive bra. This bra gives you full coverage in the front with supportive side straps, while letting the back of your dress show all the skin. Pro tip: do not put any lotion, deodorant, powder, etc where the adhesive portion of the bra touches your skin. It will lose its adhesion if it can’t get a solid stick. You don’t want your bra slipping down during the big night!

The Backless, Deep-V Wedding Dress:

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When your gorgeous gown can’t hide a bra in front or back, but you definitely need nipple coverage: Nipple concealers give you just enough coverage without taking anything away from a plunge front, backless bridal dress.

The Strapless Wedding Dress:

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A strapless dress is always in style and so is a strapless bra–it’s a must have in every girl’s bra wardrobe. Choose nude and go wireless for comfort and support (yes, a bra can do both at once). This bra stays put even after dancing and goes up to size 38DD.

The Bandeau Wedding Dress:

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When your bra needs to match the dress in just the right spots, go bandeau. This bra in nude will completely disappear under this lacy number.

The Column Dress:

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Dresses that are clingy are not always forgiving and you don’t want any lumps or bumps to distract from your bridal look–not even from the bra band or underwear band. Try a one-piece bra and smoother in one. This strapless shaping slip will work under the clingiest of dresses and you’ll be happy you have it for every black tie event down the road.

Something Blue:

Every bride needs a little something blue, so why not make it your undies? This thong, in seaglass, is light as air and hides under everything, so it’s a 2-in-1 purchase!

What’s your dream wedding dress silhouette? Show us on Instagram @lulusweddings using #lovelulus and shop our entire selection in our Weddings shop!

This post was originally published in 2019 and has been updated with new content.

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