When I was designing the Encore bodysuit with a cutout that goes almost down to the waist, we knew that the first question from customers wouldn't be about the color or size, but what to wear underneath. And indeed, that's the question we get most often. It's a valid concern, because an open-back design is the only style where a regular bra has no chance. The strap under the shoulder blades cuts right through the middle of the cutout and ruins the whole effect.
There is no single solution that works for everyone. However, there are several proven options, and the choice between them depends on three things: how low the cutout goes, your bust size, and how long you'll be wearing the garment. In this text, we'll go through each of them, with their pros, cons, and an honest assessment of when they work and when they fail.
Before you choose your lingerie: measure your cutout
Most lingerie disappointments under an open-back garment stem from choosing something "for an open back" in general, rather than for a specific cutout. At the same time, a cutout to the shoulder blades, a cutout to the middle of the back, and a cutout to the waist are three completely different situations. The ideal solution for one will be visible in the other.
A simple way to check:
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Put on the bodysuit or dress and stand with your back to a large mirror, holding a second, smaller mirror in your hand. A phone with a front camera will also work.
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Mark the spot where the cutout ends with your finger. Remember how high it is relative to your shoulder blades and waist.
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Take off the garment and put on your regular bra. Check how high its strap sits in the back. For most people, it's around the lower edge of the shoulder blades.
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If the end of the cutout is higher than the bra strap, a regular bra or a low-back bralette is enough. If it's lower, you need one of the solutions described below.
Encore has a cutout that curves gently almost down to the waist. This is the second, more demanding category. A regular bra, bralette, and most sports tops will be visible. That's why the rest of the text focuses on solutions that work with a really deep cutout.
Five solutions that work with a deep cutout
1. Adhesive bra, i.e., sticky
Two silicone cups or foam covered with adhesive, fastened in the front with a clasp. They have no straps or back band, so there is absolutely nothing in the back. This is the most frequently chosen solution for a deeply cut back and for good reason: it's the only one that provides coverage, a slight lift, and completely bare skin at the same time.
It works when the bust is small or medium, and you wear the garment for a few hours. It fails when the skin is sweaty, covered in lotion, or when the bust is large and heavy, because the adhesive simply won't hold the weight all day. Don't expect it to provide support like a bra with underwire. This is a solution that smooths and covers, not a construction that lifts.
2. Nipple covers
Small, round covers made of silicone, fabric, or thin foam. They don't provide any support; their only job is to prevent nipples from showing through knitwear. For a small bust that doesn't need support, this is the simplest and most discreet option.
Under ribbed knitwear, covers work particularly well because the vertical ribs themselves diffuse light and mask small bumps. Under thin, smooth fabric, the effect is less discreet.
3. Boob tape
Elastic tape, similar to kinesiology tape, which is stuck directly to the skin, shaping and lifting the bust. It provides more support than an adhesive bra and allows you to customize the effect for a specific neckline. This is the only "sticky" solution that can really handle a larger bust.
However, it requires practice, and the first attempt is rarely successful, so don't test it for the first time before an important event. Taking it off can be unpleasant. An olive oil or makeup remover oil applied to the tape and a few minutes of patience help. Tape should not be applied to irritated skin, and if you're using it for the first time, it's worth sticking a small piece on for a few hours in an inconspicuous place and checking how your skin reacts.
4. Low-back bra with an extender
A classic bra with cups that has a strap routed very low, around the waist, or a regular bra with an extender that moves the clasp down. It provides support closest to a regular bra, so this is an option for people who can't imagine going a whole day without structure.
Note with Encore: the cutout goes almost down to the waist, so the strap of such a bra sits very close to the edge. On one person, it will be hidden under the knitwear; on another, it will be visible. Check this in the mirror before wearing it all day. For a cutout ending in the middle of the back, a low-back bra is usually the best choice.
5. No bra
The simplest option and one that is increasingly chosen, especially for a small bust. Thick ribbed knitwear is an ally here, because it's not see-through and, thanks to the knit, it masks shapes better than smooth, thin fabric. If the only thing holding you back is visible nipples, combine this option with covers.
This is a decision entirely up to your comfort. There is no right or wrong answer here.
Comparison: which solution to choose
|
Solution |
For what bust size |
Under Encore |
What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Adhesive bra |
Small and medium |
Yes, invisible |
Loses grip on sweaty and lotion-covered skin; limited support |
|
Nipple covers |
Small |
Yes, invisible |
Do not provide support; work best under thicker knitwear |
|
Boob tape |
Any, including large |
Yes, invisible |
Requires practice; remove with oil; test on skin before first use |
|
Low-back bra |
Medium and large |
Depends on the figure, check in the mirror |
The strap sits close to the edge of the cutout reaching almost to the waist |
|
No bra |
Small |
Yes |
A matter of comfort; ribs help, covers add discretion |
Choosing by bust size: a quick guide
Small bust (cups A–B)
You have the most freedom. Without a bra, with covers, or with an adhesive bra if you want to slightly lift and round the shape. With Encore, any of these options is completely invisible from the back.
Medium bust (cups C–D)
An adhesive bra will work for a few hours, for example for dinner or an evening out. For a full day at work, a low-back bra will be better if its strap is hidden under the cutout, or tape, once you've mastered it.
Large bust (from cup E)
Here you have to be honest: adhesive bras usually don't last more than an hour or two. Realistic options are boob tape or a low-back bra with underwire. If neither of them is comfortable for you, consider wearing Encore with a cover-up, which we write about below. The open back can then remain an effect for the evening, not for the whole day.
Adhesive bra: how to put it on so it stays
Most opinions that "adhesive bras don't work" stem from mistakes when putting it on, not from the product itself. The order matters:
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The skin must be clean and dry. No lotion, oil, powder, or perfume around the neckline. It's best to put on the bra before moisturizing the rest of the body, not after.
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Don't put it on right after a hot shower. The skin is then damp and warm, and the adhesive has nothing to hold onto. Wait a few minutes.
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Turn the cup inside out, place it slightly higher and further out than the natural position of the bust, and then press from the center outwards.
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Fasten the front and press the whole thing with your hands for a few seconds. The warmth of your hands helps the adhesive bond with the skin.
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Only then put on the bodysuit. Pulling the knitwear over your head after putting on an adhesive bra can shift it, so do it slowly.
How to care for an adhesive bra
The adhesive loses its properties if it collects dust, hair, and cosmetic residue. After each wear, wash the inside with lukewarm water and a little mild soap, without scrubbing, and leave it to dry adhesive-side up. Store it on the plastic covers that came in the packaging. With proper care, one adhesive bra lasts for dozens of wears. When it stops holding despite clean skin, it's simply worn out.
What to avoid under an open back
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Transparent straps and bands. In theory invisible, in practice they shine in the light and immediately draw attention. Under ribbed knitwear, they look particularly out of place.
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Bras with straps crossed on the back. It's sometimes advertised as "for an open back", but with a cutout reaching the waist, the crossing will always show in the middle of the cutout.
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Bralette as a decorative element. With shallower cutouts, visible lace can be a deliberate styling choice. With Encore, it cuts across the line for which this bodysuit was created.
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Testing a new solution on the day of an important event. Test every adhesive option at home beforehand for a few hours.
What about panties?
The open back in the bodysuit does not reach the lower lingerie, so you have complete freedom here. The leg cutout in Encore is high, at hip height, so high-cut panties or thongs will work best. Classic briefs with a low leg cutout may stick out from under the bodysuit at the hips. We discuss the comfort of the bodysuit from the crotch and toilet side in detail in the text is the bodysuit comfortable all day.
Don't want to mess around with lingerie? Cover your back then when you want
An open back doesn't have to be visible all day. Encore has a wide boat neckline and long sleeves in the front, so it looks calm and simple from the front. One layer is enough to turn it into a regular bodysuit for work, and in the evening simply take it off.
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A blazer or jacket. It completely covers the back and gives an office silhouette. Under a blazer, you can wear a regular bra without a strap visible to anyone.
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An open cardigan. A soft version of the same idea, for fall and winter.
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Long, loose hair. It won't cover the bra strap, but with adhesive options, it adds a sense that the back is not completely "on display".
This is a solution especially for people with a large bust who need a regular bra during the day. Then you wear what you feel good in under the blazer, and in the evening you change your lingerie and take off the blazer.
Encore bodysuit: designed for an open back
When designing Encore, we wanted the open back not to be the only asset. That's why the front is high and calm, with a wide boat neckline, the sleeves are long and narrow, and the ribbed knit made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane is thick enough that it's not see-through and works well with every described solution. The cutout curves gently almost down to the waist, so the line of the back is clean, but not overly bold.
Encore is available in two colors: black bodysuit with an open back and beige bodysuit with an open back. With the beige one, make sure that the covers or adhesive bra have a shade close to the skin, not the lingerie. You'll find other models in the collection women's bodysuits.
Summary
Under an open-back bodysuit, there is no single right answer, but there is a good order of decisions. First check how low the cutout goes. Then choose a solution for your bust. Finally, test it at home before going out in it all day. For a small bust, covers or nothing is enough. For a medium bust, an adhesive bra for the evening and a low back for the day. For a large bust, tape, a low back with underwire, or a blazer, under which you wear what you like.
An open back should look light. If you spend the whole evening thinking about whether something has come unstuck, it's a sign that the solution is poorly chosen, not that this style is not for you.
Q&A: lingerie under an open-back bodysuit
What bra to wear under an open-back bodysuit?
For a deep cutout, reaching almost to the waist, an adhesive bra (sticky), boob tape, or nipple covers work best. A low-back bra works for cutouts ending in the middle of the back. A regular bra will be visible.
Will an adhesive bra hold a large bust?
Usually only for a short time. An adhesive bra smooths and slightly lifts, but does not support like a construction with underwire. For a large bust, boob tape or a low-back bra will work better.
Why does an adhesive bra come unstuck?
Most often due to lotion, oil, or moisture on the skin, putting it on right after a hot shower, or dirty adhesive. Put it on clean, dry skin and wash the inside after each wear.
Can you wear a bodysuit with an open back without a bra?
Yes, it's a matter of your comfort. For a small bust and thicker knitwear, such as ribs, a bodysuit without a bra looks natural. If you don't want nipples to show, use covers.
Are transparent straps invisible?
Not entirely. Transparent silicone shines in the light and with an open back usually draws attention more than a nude strap. It's better to choose a solution without straps.
How to check if the bra strap will be visible?
Stand with your back to a large mirror with a second mirror or phone in your hand and mark where the cutout ends. Compare this with the height at which your bra strap sits. If the cutout ends lower than the strap, the strap will be visible.
How to remove boob tape without irritation?
Soak the tape with olive oil or makeup remover oil, wait a few minutes, and remove it slowly, holding the skin with your other hand. Do not pull it off abruptly and do not apply the tape to irritated skin.
What panties to wear under a bodysuit with high-cut legs?
Thongs or panties with similarly high-cut hips are best. Classic low-rise briefs may peek out from under the bodysuit. Seamless underwear in a skin-tone color will be the least visible.
