Last month, I used to be in a household marriage ceremony (principally as a toddler wrangler, however nonetheless). In some flush of optimism, I picked a strappy costume with a plunging neckline. The solely subject is that I’m within the vary of a D(+) cup, and after two pregnancies and two rounds of nursing, my boobs now not defy gravity. But for some purpose, despite the fact that I do know higher, I let myself be seduced by the concept that stick-on bras actually work for busty women. (Spoiler alert: They don’t actually, however boob tape simply may. I gotcha lined… extra particulars on that beneath.)
The week earlier than the marriage, I saved wanting on the stick-on bra field and feeling panicked. If it didn’t work on the final minute, THEN WHAT?
But I saved circling again to what occurred once I was preparing for promenade. I’d purchased the ’90s model of a stick-on bra, and even for my at-the-time B cup, they have been a complete last-minute fail, and I wanted help. So with my theatre child ingenuity, I dug up some Duct Tape and… Duct Taped my boobs. Old college boob tape, y’all. I really feel just like the story ought to finish right here, with, “And I actually don’t advocate it,” however it was kind of high-quality. Not attractive, very tin man, however high-quality.
So final month, I saved circling round this concept. Had somebody lastly made a extra trend acceptable—or at the least in-a-variety-of-flesh-tones—model of this product? Was this concept completely bonkers? I work in a trend adjoining trade, WHY DIDN’T I KNOW THE ANSWER?
I’d prefer to say that I solved the issue with my in-depth googling expertise and stylist connections. But I didn’t. I solved it by ordering a pile of stick-on bras and trend tape from Amazon, after which having a display pop up that mentioned, “People who ordered these items additionally ordered flesh-colored Gaffer tape.” And in a single SECOND, I knew why. (And not simply because I’m a theatre main who’s used Gaff tape to stay down any variety of cords to the ground and to spike any variety of levels.) A fast google search of Gaffer Tape Bra, lead me to “Kim Kardashian’s boob tape trick,” and I instantly knew it was go-time, and this could be the reply to all my worries. (I imply, Kim is infamous for rocking no matter she wears, wherever she goes.)
But because it seems, whereas a couple of folks have examined out the Gaffer Tape trick (and Buzzfeed has an ideal article demonstrating the way it works on quite a lot of cup sizes—too dangerous the pictures are gone from that submit, now), solely Kim Kardashian was prepared to indicate the world the way it appeared (and labored) on her precise boobs. Well, until now, as a result of now it’s gonna be Kim and me on the Internet with boob tape bras… endlessly (and these photos will keep, as a result of we love you want that).
After sporting Gaff Tape on the marriage ceremony (it labored like a allure), and y’all asking me to share extra particulars, we whipped up a little bit take a look at within the APW laboratories. First, we tried out two of these stick-on bras (I might take a look at extra for you, however it grew to become very clear it was pointless). Then we examined out two totally different tape patterns for Gaffer Tape: one for a deep-plunge backless costume, and one for a strapless backless costume. And we additionally examined to see how form-fitting a costume may very well be earlier than the Gaffer Tape would present. Here are our outcomes.
WHAT NO BRA LOOKS LIKE
Because we’re scientists (of boobs), we needed to begin with a management. This is what the costume with no boob help in any respect appears like. The costume is pulling actually vast on the prime, and the waist is… effectively, it’s not good.
In brief, this isn’t a glance I’d gladly exit in public in. (Though for some purpose I’m high-quality immortalizing it on the Internet, in service of all of our boobs.)
The Le Lusion Bra Review (For A D+ Cup)
First up, the stick-on bras. I attempted two kinds: the Le Lusion bra, and the deep U-plunge strapless backless bra. There are different forms of stick-on bras, together with the pull-together bra (Buzzfeed reviewed it on totally different cup sizes), and different bras that declare to be backless, strapless, and push-up. I didn’t take a look at all of them, as a result of I can let you know conclusively from the exams that I did, that for a D+ cup (and possibly sizes beneath that), stick-on bras are many sorts of rubbish. (Cosmo may give you a full rundown of all of the terrible sticky bras on a D cup for those who’re into that kind of factor.)
But let’s begin with the Le Lusion bra, which stands out as the single most unflattering factor I’ve ever placed on my physique.
What is that this? Somebody, please clarify. Instead of providing any help, the Le Lusion bra pulled my boobs away from my physique, flattened them, after which dragged them floor-wards. Instead of preventing gravity, they helped gravity out. Plus, at the least with this neckline, they confirmed on the facet. Maybe these work for a smaller cup dimension (although frankly, I’ve my reservations about that), however clearly they need to by no means have been made for a C-cup or above.
In the costume, they supplied extra help than nothing, but additionally made my boobs look pointy and lumpy, so I’m not calling {that a} win.
The Verdict: Literally essentially the most unflattering factor I’ve ever placed on my physique. These can go die.
the deep U-plunge strapless backless bra REview (For a D+ Cup)
Next up, is the deep U-plunge strapless backless bra.
Unlike the Le Lusion bra, this was not the worst factor I’ve ever placed on my physique, however it was nonetheless a brief step away from ineffective.
In the 5 stationary minutes I spent on this bra, I spent 90 p.c of my time eager about the way it felt prefer it was undoubtedly about to peel off and that I used to be going to flash somebody. And within the extra 5 ambulatory minutes I spent in them, they really did begin to slide off my physique, in a manner that felt alarming once I wasn’t out in public. It additionally confirmed on the facet of the costume, which was a lot extra apparent in particular person.
Did it supply some help? Yes. But given the truth that it appeared prefer it was going to take away itself from my physique earlier than I even tried to do something (like say, dance), and it confirmed underneath my costume? I used to be not a fan.
The Verdict:
This is best than no bra, if solely marginally so. Even higher can be not sporting a costume that necessitated a stick-on bra, that may devour most of my mind house with issues about flashing a crowd.
In brief: Stick-on bras should not made for girls with a lotta boob, full cease.
Gaffer boob Tape Bra Review (For a D+ Cup)
Next up, is the Gaffer Tape bra. Not to spoil the plot right here, however this hack is, in truth, the whole lot it’s cracked as much as be. It additionally implies that I can lastly put on all these plunging and backless clothes which were firmly on my no-list for twenty years. Here is the way it works.
How To Apply A Gaffer boob Tape Bra:
Cut strips of Gaffer Tape, and affix them to your physique one after the other, utilizing the tape to sculpt the bra (and cleavage) you need. Expect to get actually handsy with your self, shifting your boobs round to get them precisely the place you need them.
While it’s smart to attempt to hold the Gaffer Tape clean as you set it on, it’s by no means going to be fully clean. So for those who’re sporting a costume with much less forgiving material, keep in mind you can put a couple of strips of tape on prime to assist clean the whole lot out. (You also can use much less tape than I used right here, relying on how a lot carry and safety you’re going for.)
Next up, test your neckline, after which take scissors and trim the tape in order that nothing exhibits. (Once the bra is sculpted, you may lower a stunning quantity of the tape off and nonetheless have it work effectively.)
Finally, use trend tape. You most likely don’t need anybody to see that you simply’ve lined your boobs with a product discovered at Home Depot, so use trend tape to affix the costume to your pores and skin to ensure it doesn’t transfer round.
Enjoy.
Answers To All Your Other Pressing Gaffer boob Tape Questions:
How Much Support Does It Offer? I’m a D+ Cup. That mentioned, Kim has much more boobs than me, and I can just about assure you that Bey’s post-kid boobs should not holding themselves up with #Slay energy, so this trick works for these of us with far more than a handful.
What Necklines Can You Wear This With? We examined this out with two necklines: the backless deep V (you can too see me sporting it with a backless plunge V right here), together with making a strapless backless bra. Both labored shockingly effectively.
The surprises have been that the tape is so robust that you simply don’t want to make use of over-the-shoulder help to get it to work. Beyond that, the backless strapless bra that I crafted felt extra supportive (and albeit extra snug) than my common strapless.
How Long Does It Stay In Place? Since I’d already worn a boob tape bra to a daylong marriage ceremony, I knew that undoubtedly it could supply help and keep on even by way of sweat and dancing.
How Comfy Is It? Loads has been written on the Internet about how uncomfortable it’s to put on Gaffer Tape in your boobs, and I feel the hype is a little bit overblown. Again, throughout a daylong occasion, I discovered it completely high-quality. But that mentioned, it does really feel such as you’re sporting tape in your boobs. It doesn’t, in any manner, really feel like slipping into an outsized t-shirt and watching Netflix. So if what you’re searching for is cozy and easy, then for goodness sake decide a costume that permits you to put on a traditional bra. I discovered it considerably comforting to really feel tape on my boobs all day as a result of it let me know that I used to be nonetheless supported and never flashing anybody.
TL;DR: A gaffer tape bra looks like the alternative of a stick-on bra. Instead of the sensation that the bra is falling off your physique, you might have the sensation that the bra is VERY STUCK in your physique. But all in, completely high-quality for an occasion.
Will It Hurt Your Skin? I’ve delicate pores and skin and took tape on and off myself thrice in a single afternoon to shoot this, and my pores and skin wasn’t notably irritated. It feels a bit like ripping off a not-too-sticky Bandaid. That mentioned, you’re placing GAFF TAPE ON YOUR BOOBS, so for those who’re not into going the additional mile for trend, this isn’t for you.
Should I Try This If I’m Allergic To Adhesives? No. Please, no. In reality, if you recognize that you’ve got any related allergy symptoms or sensitivities, do a patch take a look at first. (Note: I’ve usually comparatively delicate pores and skin and had no points, however I don’t have any particular allergy symptoms.)
Will It Show Through Your Clothes? I attempted this boob tape bra with this modern Halston Heritage robe because it’s the sort of costume that likes to spotlight each lump and bump in your physique. While you may most likely guess that I had one thing underneath the costume for those who checked out my chest very intently (however why are you taking a look at my chest that intently?), no regular non-chest-starer would have observed something out of the odd. I wouldn’t use this (or some other) trick underneath silk or satin, nevertheless, since these materials present actually the whole lot. And I might solely use it underneath a darker coloured and heavier scuba material.
The Verdict:
Would I put on this day-to-day, simply to get a deep plunge shirt to work? Hell no. It’s industrial tape. On my boobs. But for an occasion, so long as going the additional mile for garments is one thing that you simply’re down for (and possibly, let’s be frank, used to), this trick is a Godsend. After twenty years, I’ve realized that I can lastly put on all these backless, strapless, plunging neckline clothes and tops, and I’m so, so, excited.
Bonus? It’s low-cost AF. Unlike these costly and nugatory stick-on bras, my roll of Gaffer Tape price me underneath $20, and it’s going to final me the following decade of boob tape magic (or till I overlook it in a resort room someplace).
So, APW… have you ever tried the Kim Kardashian Gaffer boob Tape Bra Trick? Tell us, how did it go for you? Have you discovered a stick-on bra that… ahem… really works? Drop that within the feedback, too. Share the information.