How to Break Bad Bra Habits

Pretending No One Sees That Clear Strap

• HOW TO BREAK IT
• Low Back: For the deepest V-back dresses or tops, this streamlined style boasts smooth micro-fiber and multiway convertible straps.
• Strapless with convertible straps: Lace-back details and vivid colors make this versatile bra (it converts seven ways!) a wardrobe must.
• Convertible/Strapless: Notches sewn all along the edges of the cups let you position straps anywhere you want on this shaping bandeau. Seamless U-Plunge: Undetectable under the lowest V, this cleavage-booster with convertible straps comes in black and nude.
• SHOP IT (clockwise, from left): Jezebel Lingerie, $36 (34A, 32--38B--DD); designerintimates.com
• Blush, $38 (32--36B--DD, 38B--D); blushlingerie.com
• Lou, $69 (32--36A, D, E, 32--38B--C); barenecessities.com
• Fashion Forms, $28 (34B--38D); fashionforms.com

Thinking a Printed Bra Clashes with Your Clothes

HOW TO BREAK IT

Unless you're wearing gauzy fabrics in November, no one's going to know what bold color or pattern you've got on under your winter knits. So why not mix in some cute feminine florals just for kicks? (Warning: This is how lingerie obsessions get started.)

SHOP IT (from top):
Elle Macpherson Intimates, $95 (32-36A-DD), journelle.com for similar styles; Freya, $62 (32-38C, 30-38D-G, 30-36GG-H), barenecessities.com for similar styles

Equating Minimizing with "Frumpifying"

HOW TO BREAK IT

Keen to look one size smaller in a brassiere that doesn't resemble your grandmother's foundation garment? Attractive minimizers do exist, like this lace version (with a low neckline and sufficiently wide straps) that goes up to a G cup.

SHOP IT:
Wacoal, $62 (34-44D-G), wacoal-america.com

MacGyvering Your Bras So It Works Like a Racerback

HOW TO FIX IT

Instead of your DIY efforts with a safety pin, might we suggest springing for one of these supremely useful styles? The Y-back with molded cups and "sueded" mesh sides is soft and supportive, while the lace version is as gorgeous as it is invisible under shoulder-baring dresses.

SHOP IT (from top):
Underella by Ella Moss, $46 (S-L), nordstrom.com
Le Mystere, $58 (32--38B--E, 32--36F, 32--34G), barenecessities.com

Sporting Enough Foam in Your T-shirt Bra to Fill a Seat Cushion

• HOW TO BREAK IT
• Two words: spacer fabrics. Minuscule air pockets worked into these "3-D" textiles make traditional contouring bras super-lightweight. Just be prepared to look your actual size (without the hefty padding) on the days you wear a T.
• SHOP IT:
• Bali, $40 (34--42B--DD), kohls.com

Having a Fear of Lace

HOW TO BREAK IT

If somewhere along the line your pretty little things gave way to well-made shapers and ho-hum underwires, it could be time to bring some femininity back. Unlined lace will give you that sheer, so French effect; a wireless pima cotton version is equally fetching (and comfy too).

SHOP IT (from top):
Stella McCartney Lingerie, $140 (32--36B--C, 30--36D, 30--34DD--E), saksfifthavenue.com
Cosabella, $74 (S--L), cosabella.com for similar styles
Paramour Lingerie, $38 (32--38C--DDD), designerintimates.com

Having 'Em But Not Flaunting 'Em

HOW TO BREAK IT

If your cup runneth over, let it (a little). This demi style from Passionata, a newly relaunched European line that was popular in the '80s, goes up to a G cup. And with a lovely yet substantial layer of tulle in front, it offers support as well as some tasteful peekaboo action.

SHOP IT:
Passionata, $58 (30--36C--G), barenecessities.com

Bra-nogomy

HOW TO BREAK IT

Practicing years of devotion to a single go-to can be limiting. For an update, check out Calvin Klein's relaunched Perfectly Fit line. Crafted for "extreme comfort" with bonded wings, velvet flocking, and thin memory foam, the range of styles offers T-shirt-to-office-ready options in cool shades.

SHOP IT:
Calvin Klein Underwear, $46 (30C--DD, 32--36A, 32--38B--DD, 32--36DDD), macys.com

Assuming You're Too Small to Wear a Wire

HOW TO WEAR IT

Do smaller chests need the extra support? Not exactly. But an underwire can still give you a little push-up effect. Combine this feature with a sexy demi shape in mesh or floral lace and you've just found the A team's new fave.

SHOP IT:
Lula Lu Petites, $58 (32--36AAA, 32--38AA, 32--36A), lulalu.com

Failing to Address the "Ski Slope"

HOW TO WEAR IT

IF age or breast-feeding has left you less, shall we say, well-rounded, this bra will more than mind the gap(s). Instead of providing a simple push-up, it's padded at the top to fill in what's turned more concave. It comes in 27 sizes and neutral hues as well as this icy blue.

SHOP IT:
Soma, $48 (32C--DDD, 34B--DDD, 36--38A--DDD, 40B--DD, 42C--D), soma.com for similar styles

Settling for a White Full-Figure Bra

HOW TO BREAK IT

Just because there are carousels full of them at your nearest big-box store doesn't mean you have to buy a run-of-the-mill all-white brassiere. Treat yourself—sophisticated styles for larger sizes are available in flattering, fashionable shades like burgundy, forest, or plum. Some of these alluring date-night numbers go up to a size N.

SHOP IT:
Elila, $46 (36--46E--K), herroom.com

You're Wired All the Time

HOW TO BREAK IT

If you're wearing an underwire more by default than design, you might want to put some supportive but less rigid options into rotation. Spanx's bralette holds you in with four rows of hook-and-eye closures and is front-lined for extra coverage. Anita's wire-free version is so comfortable, it is recommended as a post-surgery bra. (It also has pockets for prostheses.)

SHOP IT (from top):
Star Power by Spanx, $30 (S--XL), spanx.com for similar styles
Anita, $95 (32--40B--D), figleaves.com

Adopting the Uniboob as Your Workout Look

• HOW TO BREAK IT
• Individual cups shouldn't be too much to ask for when you're exercising. If you're larger, this wired option by Panache features bra sizing up to a 40H. Nike's Pro Rival style (available in 25 sizes) is similarly designed to showcase your shape while providing enough compression to be called its "highest level of support."
• SHOP IT (from top):
• Panache Sport, $68 (28--40B--H), herroom.com
• Nike, $65 (30--38B--DD, 30--34E), nike.com

Getting Home and Ripping It Off

HOW TO BREAK IT

It's no big deal to fling off your bra once you've walked in the house, but sometimes you don't want to be surprised by visitors and have to answer the door sans support. Enter the Genie, which one of our fashion editors describes as "like a Snuggie for your breasts," and more of a "downtime bra." To wear in privacy, or even to bed, this may be the world's most comfortable seamless stretch-cotton bra.

SHOP IT:
Genie Bra, $10 (S--3X), geniebra.com