No more flashing bra parts - adhesive bras are supposed to help. But how resilient are they really? Three girls take the test

A problem as old as the evening gown

Who hasn't experienced this? The dress is a dream, the neckline is amazing, but what to do with the bra? Silicone should provide the solution. Because not everyone can or wants to do without underwear altogether. Until now, women had exactly three options in such cases: Either they had to come to terms with the flashing straps and back parts, stow the beautiful dress back in the closet after all, or resort to bras with transparent straps, which were also more or less visible.

The challenge

No wonder that backless or very low-cut dresses or tops are a particular challenge for the styling skills of many women. After all, the sexy look is often ruined by visible back parts and fronts. Off-the-shoulder or even asymmetrically cut garments also don't mix well with conventional bras. Silicone can help here. The various adhesive versions of the good old bra do entirely without straps and back bands and still promise secure support for the bust.

Which variants are there and how are they used?

One of the best known is the classic adhesive bra. Silicone cups with an adhesive layer on the inside are simply glued to the breast and, depending on the model, connected with a front closure. This variant has the advantage that it not only comes relatively close to the cups of a normal bra and thus supports the breast somewhat, but that it also achieves a push-up effect at the same time due to the slightly thicker silicone cups.

Putting on the silicone bra is also very simple: first open the front closure and separate the two cups. Always remove the protective film of the adhesive layer only from the cup that you are about to stick on, to avoid soiling the adhesive, otherwise it will not hold. Then press the bra cup onto the breast so that it faces upwards at an angle on the outside. Press the cup firmly for a few seconds until the edges also adhere well. Then do the same with the second half of the bra. At the end, close the front clip. The further out you have placed the two bra silicone cups on your breasts, the greater the push-up effect thus achieved.

The fabric adhesive bra

Similar to the bra made of silicone, also works the variant made of fabric. However, here there are models in which the adhesive surface on the nipples remains free. In addition, there are also variants that are equipped with so-called "wings" on the sides. Unlike the two-part cups of the classic silicone bra, the fabric adhesive bra with wings has a very similar overall shape to a regular balconette bra and is extended at the sides. These adhesive wings on the sides are designed to provide additional support and further minimize the risk of slippage.

Since the fabric version comes in one piece, it must also be attached "in one go". So remove all the protective film from the cups, lean forward a bit and place the bra against your chest. If necessary, you can adjust your breasts with one hand until the cups fit properly. Straighten up, make sure everything fits properly, and then press the bra down for a few seconds until it sticks properly. Then it's on to the side wings. These should be fixed horizontally if possible.

The adhesive bra: silicone cups are not the only solution

If the adhesive cups are still too much for you, you can also use adhesive bras. Here you have the choice between the so-called "Shape-Tape" bras and push-up adhesive strips. These are not made of silicone like other adhesive bras, but are usually made of polyurethane and paper. Unlike the version with cups, tape bras have no shaping function, but simply hold your chest up. However, some models that are taped from the bottom still have a certain push-up effect.

How are the adhesive strips applied?

Putting on the adhesive strip bras is almost even easier than with the bras made of silicone and fabric. To apply the push-up strips, hold your bust up a little with one hand and stick the tape on, starting from the inside of the breast and working outwards. The so-called "Shape-Tape" bras, on the other hand, are stuck on starting from the nipple upwards towards the collarbone. They hold the breast up in this way. In contrast to the adhesive bra with silicone or fabric cups, however, there is a nipple alarm with both variants.

What care is necessary?

Since adhesive bras can usually be used several times, they need to be cared for accordingly. Silicone bras can simply be washed with mild soap and water after use. The adhesive layer of the fabric version can also be cleaned in this way. Allow the good pieces to dry properly with the adhesive surface facing upwards and then reapply the protective film. You should avoid contact with clothing or other linting things, as this reduces the adhesive effect. With proper care, you can reuse the adhesive bras between 50 and 100 times. The situation is different with the adhesive strip variants, as some of these have a paper component and can therefore not be washed.

What are the adhesive bras good for?

Adhesive bras - for all their advantages - are not comparable to their conventional siblings. During wild dancing and when you start sweating, sooner or later they will come off your chest. However, for quiet events, such as visits to theaters or galas, they are very suitable for a sexy low-cut appearance.

Bottom line: adhesive bras made of silicone, fabric or tapes are inexpensive and often reusable, depending on the variant and care. If you're going to an event where you're likely to break a sweat, however, it's better to reach for conventional bras.

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