Bra Strap Babylon

To show or not to show?

For women my age, who were at least few years past legal drinking age before Madonna pioneered the concept of Underwear as Streetwear, the answer is almost always no. Slips, bras, panties...not meant to be a visible part of the ensemble. Daily, at work and play I am confronted with a plethora of VBS's (Visible Bra Straps). Honey, I don't care how pretty your new La Perla is, I don't think the meter maid is the Special Someone you shelled out the big bucks to impress. It's one thing to have a rogue strap trying to make it's escape over the shoulder now and then; we've all been there. But to une femme's eye, this level of strap flashing just looks terribly declassé.

photo Daily Mail UK

"But," you may be thinking, "it's awfully darn hot out these days, and my girls haven't passed the pencil test* since I was twelve years old! Must I choose between covering my shoulders and sweltering or looking like the Poster Girl for Gravity's Toll?"

Une femme says No, there is hope! The often geeky but always fascinating Solutions.com catalog has Just The Thing™. Their Perfect Fit Camis have a built-in underwire bra (which actually fastens with an adjustable hook closure, just like the real thing) and come in several different styles up to size 42DD. These tops are comfortable, and are well engineered to keep the girls "sittin' pretty". While they may be a bit pedestrian for the hardcore fashionista, they are perfect for a picnic by the lake or walking les chiens. Don't forget the sunscreen!

*Pencil test- popular lore from the late 60's when going braless was suddenly de rigeur: if you can hold a pencil under your boob hands-free, and it doesn't drop to the ground, you should be wearing a bra.