#VPL (visible panty line), whether desired or not, has become well-known by now. Even without a designated hashtag, a visible bra line is equally as aggravating for many who prefer a clean, seamless appearance. It may be difficult to find a bra that truly disappears beneath your clothing, whether it’s the V form created by the tops of bra cups revealing through a form-fitting top or dress or back lines caused by your bra band.
What Causes a Bra Outline to Show Through a Shirt?
To get a truly seamless look, several factors must be considered, including your form, the bra itself, and eventually the clothing item you’re attempting to wear over it.
1.) The bra is the Incorrect size or Fit
First and foremost, cup size is crucial. Even a t-shirt bra with smooth, often moulded cups may show through if it isn’t sized correctly. Gaping, when there is extra space between the cup and your breast, or spillage, where a small cup allows your breast tissue to overflow, are both prone to spoiling your clean appearance.
2.) The Bra is Worn Out
We get it. Your preference is that way for a reason: time-tested and trusted to support without annoying you throughout the day, it’s the bra you reach for day in and day out. So…what’s the problem? While we enjoy finding a favourite, rotation is important, as we detail in our article How Long Do Bras Last? Solution: stock up on styles that work for you and be willing to accept when one has passed its prime.
3.) Lace or Fabric Texture
Lace, while beautiful, isn’t always the greatest option for achieving a completely smooth appearance. Textured fabrics are also susceptible to producing lines where you don’t want them, even if it’s just little details that may show through certain clothing and dresses. These pieces should be saved for under other heavier clothes or when you’re ready to display them off.
4.) Thick Bra Fabric
The weight of the fabric could also be a factor in this search for a no-line appearance. You probably wouldn’t want to wear a sports bra under a tight tank top, and for good reason: the thickness of most athletic bras would raise the top enough to generate lines below the band and elsewhere where the bra is higher than one’s skin.
5.) Tight or Thin Clothing
When it comes to getting a professional look, you have to be aware of the two-way nature of achieving it. When your bra and clothing are in balance with one other, they essentially become one. A too-tight (i.e., tiny) shirt leaves little space for the fabric in between to sit flush, much as a too-tight (i.e., small) bra does. The weight of the clothing may also exacerbate the problem by revealing super-thin fabrics (whether well-made or not so much).
