The Little Black Bra Trend Is Everywhere

Blame civility politics, gender expectations, or the fact that people don’t like to be reminded that women are, in fact, humans with breasts, but there was a time when exposing your black bra—or any bra—for fun was considered the pinnacle of bad taste.

Doing so still might elicit judgement in questionable settings (some critics thought it best to save the lacy white bustier for cosmos with the girls and button up for a presidential inauguration) but, for the most part, exposed undergarments aren’t scandalous anymore but actually quite stylish, a point of view that’s been cosigned by thinking-women designers like Miuccia Prada, whose Miu Miu and Prada “bra dresses” have been worn by Sydney Sweeney and Scarlett Johansson. We regularly see tiny bandeaus under sheer tops. Wearing a sports bra with no shirt has practically become a mandatory uniform for coffee runs in every city across America. But in each of these cases, the bra is still doing its intended job. Yes, they’re visible, but they’re also lifting, supporting, and mostly covering what women have historically been told isn’t suitable for public viewing.

But recently, it seems some celebrities and influencers are tired of pretending that breasts—two mounds of fat and connective tissue—have a magical ability to defy gravity by opting for a different kind of exposed bra, one that seems to serve no purpose whatsoever other than to subtly be seen underneath an open blouse, blazer, or jacket. I can’t decide whether to call it the pointless black bra (PBB) or the little black bra (LBB) but, honestly, it’s a vibe.

The pointless black bra has no aggressive underwire, no padding, barely any coverage to speak of, and seemingly has its wearers ignoring its adjustable straps. The pointless black bra doesn’t care how big or small your boobs are or what your body type is, it looks good on everyone. It’s more accessory than necessity, like choosing to wear a choker. It’s giving less “this is a considered part of my outfit” and more “I’m headed down to the pool to get chairs.” Like a string bikini, it’s not intended to lift, separate, or conceal. I’d argue its relative futility is what makes it interesting.

INLYRIC Inbarely Triangle Bralette

$26 $20

Amazon

Free People Tori Triangle Bralette

$20

Free People

During the last year, we’ve seen Renee Rapp flash her perfectly pointless little black bra under a cropped jacket while performing alongside Megan Thee Stallion on SNL, Coco Jones pairing her leather version with a sporty jacket and tiny skirt, Chrissy Teigen try out the trend with baggy jeans and a silky blazer, and more than one influencer and street style star expose their PBB on red carpets and the street.

The nipple still might not be free, but I’d argue that the pointless black bra is doing the most to not hide the fact that breasts exist while still upholding the societal expectations that we have to adhere to. It’s like an IRL “censored” bar.

Take a look at how some women—famous and famously stylish—are using the PBB to add some intrest in their looks, and shop some of our favorite variations on the little black bra, too.