Is it spreading? God no.....
Yay - SOMEONE joined me on a lonely hill in the 'I have never...' camp and simultaneously illustrated how the trend chain can filter across the wonderful and weird world wide web. Yes, it's the black bra worn on the exterior which is out to haunt you people.
First comes the catwalk appearance (courtesy of Martin Margiela SS/07).
Then comes the real-life wearer spotted by super-popular streetstyle sight where most fashion-conscious people will be gawking (the girl on Facehunter who I still maintain wore it to great effect).
Then comes the poor person who is semi-inspired by the street-style picture and tries a make-shift, cheapie version for herself to mixed results (my 'I have never outfit...' - quite simply I haven't seen such a clear cut 50/50 split of opinion....)
Then comes the super-super enthusiastic person that is inspired by all of the above and just runs away with the idea. (Diana Bobar of So FASH'on who shares her Bold Black Bra story here)
Supposedly in my head, the chain spreads across the internet until I finally walk into Topshop and boom, what is that I spy? A black bra styled over a t-shirt dress or the like on a mannequin. London young things who have nothing to fear will be donning black bras over their creatively-styled outfits. Black strapless bras from M&S will sell out like wildfire and soon dresses and tops with attached black bras will be on the high street rails in a matter of months.
Of course the above paragraph is in fact a heinous fallacy.... nothing more than a product of my over-imaginative mind. In the mean time though, I'll be timidly wearing my black strapless bra like the following, incurring no stares and looking decidedly underwhelming.
Enough of the faux fashion Chinese whispers for now...
this last picture of you is probably the most 'wearable' one yet, that and diana's red number.... it's a cute look, and playful too.
Posted by: lady coveted | 13 July 2007 at 17:53
also, don't forget how inspirational you are susie... you really are.
Posted by: lady coveted | 13 July 2007 at 17:57
I think your styling is best, although I don't like the trend. But the way you incorporated it was classy and looked like colorblocking... almost like it was part of the dress!
Posted by: maddiejaynesfashionworld | 13 July 2007 at 18:09
Well I am blushed! And feel so very honored to be featured again on your blog. To me this feels like having Anna Wintour nicely talking to a random one of us fashion lovers for the second time!
Seriously, Susie, thank you! I will beat up my mind and think of other "I would never..." outfits, just because it's so fun to see people a bit shocked!
Am I having fun with it? God, yes! Is it a bad thing? Hopefully not. The worst that can happen is for me to develop a thicker skin, just like you said you have.
Yay to fashion on the internet!
Posted by: diana | 13 July 2007 at 18:22
i love your styling and i also love the black bra over the blue mini dress paired with the vest, the purple dress & blazer combo is also quite cute.
it is a tough look to pull off without looking like a...well lets not go there...
Posted by: melanie | 13 July 2007 at 18:40
I like it best with the black blazer and pants because the way it contrasts with the menswear vibe. Very nice Diana! And love the colorblocking look on you Susie!
Posted by: Merideth | 13 July 2007 at 19:16
Personally I don't like this trend either. Wearing the bra on top of dresses, blouses and tees make your/ ones chest area look squashed.
Posted by: blosson | 13 July 2007 at 19:38
this reminds me of a cartoon i watched when I was a kid, where, showing how stupid the fashion industry people and the public is, the catwalk features clown outfits, and everyone swoons and wants a piece of the action. So, I suppose you can guess my opinion...no offense. If you like it, go for it, but I think is this is horrible and if this ever gets to H&M, i'll be thoroughly disappointed.
Posted by: sarah | 13 July 2007 at 19:50
OK maybe this is a really stupid question, but I would assume you just go bra-less underneath it all right? I can't imagine wearing 2 bras at once.
Also, I feel like on me, lady of the tiny bosom, a bra on the outside would be constantly slipping down. I think the look is cute, but how does the damn thing stay up!!? Maybe I could just do some safety pins attached to the shirt to keep it in line.
Posted by: Angie Montreal | 13 July 2007 at 19:50
Angie: Just the one bra will do...to be honest I go braless most of the time anyways since my paps are a little on the small side (though I must say, I do spy a wee bit of cleavage going on in my outfit above...dunno how that happened...)
My strapless bra is pretty snug so no chance of it falling down... I guess going one size down (say a 32 instead of a 34) might work...
Sarah: That's why I was *kidding* when I described that trend pattern. With opinions like your's and blosson's, this CERTAINLY won't take off in that H&M way.... it was all supposed to be in jest....
Posted by: susie_bubble | 13 July 2007 at 20:08
Mmm I wouldn't be so sure it's as much of a fantasy as you might think Susie. I think the whole bra type thing over tops might just catch on (for a fleeting while anyway). Not perhaps in the severe Margiela way (maybe more in the Proenza Schouler way) but I reckon you might see Topshop do something soon enough, as they can throw a curve ball once in a while and be influenced by some pretty obscure designers.
Posted by: DJM | 13 July 2007 at 21:54
haha isn't diana amazing. i could totally see this trend "spiraling out of control" into mainstream stores haha.. you called it!
xoxo
Posted by: Lauren | 13 July 2007 at 22:15
The bra looks like it's sitting a bit low on you, but I do like the sort of "color-blocked" effect you've made.
Posted by: Sullen Girl | 13 July 2007 at 22:28
i REALLY love that outfit you put together. it's perfect - quirky without being in your face about it.
it's a shame i think my own girls are too big and boistorous to really pull this off!
Posted by: amy may | 13 July 2007 at 22:48
This makes me want to go buy a bra* and join in! Mayhaps you have started a fashion meme that'll catch on if not in the real world then at least in the style blogs.
*I don't own any. Shocking, I know! And not even on principle but because of small boobage.
Posted by: the Grey | 13 July 2007 at 23:13
oh it looks nice! on both you and diane. Better with the minimal, colour blocky outfits. Oh, how I envy the less teutonically endowed...
Posted by: miriam | 13 July 2007 at 23:23
I wish, I saw it on the blog and thought it was an ace look but my boobs are waaaay too big for this
Posted by: Dizz | 14 July 2007 at 00:32
i want your shoes.
Posted by: jamie | 14 July 2007 at 02:17
Love how understated you made the outfit with the bra on top. Almost persuades me I could pull it off just as well...almost...
Posted by: Gloria | 14 July 2007 at 06:29
So are you wearing a bra underneath and a bra over or just the bra on top? I agree with whoever said it looked like color blocking. I like it like that. lookin' good susie. I have a super lovely satin agent provaceteur bra that would be styled excellently like this if only I was a little ahem, less endowed.....
Posted by: meg | 14 July 2007 at 06:37
You look great, bubble. The bra trend is intriguing; you've found a way to make it demure and (GASP) wearable! The other stylings have looked costume-ish and vulgar... you look rather tasteful and elegant. Try that one out at high tea.
I'd hop on board if I could... damn you Ds!
Posted by: Aubrey. | 14 July 2007 at 08:05
Grey- that's gross. every woman should wear a bra. Even transexuals wear bras.
Hop on board before they reach your knees.
Posted by: This one is for women everywhere | 14 July 2007 at 08:06
Meg, just the bra on top.... over a thin tank like the one I'm wearing, the bra on top still supports my 'fried eggs'....
Gosh...you ppl are making me jealous with your more voluptuous bods..... ack...
Posted by: susie_bubble | 14 July 2007 at 09:38
I'm sniggering like a teenager at all the words used to describe breasts! "paps" and "boobage" being the best.
Sorry, I've just brought the tone right down.
Posted by: DJM | 14 July 2007 at 09:52
I think you and facehunted girl wear it best.
:)
Posted by: swall | 14 July 2007 at 17:17
The more controversial an outfit is, the more it's going to be remembered.
The more an outfit is remembered, the liklier it is that more people will end up liking it.
Good job with this one. I'd find it pretty cool if I found this in Forever 21 because of you.
Posted by: tennessee lemon trees | 15 July 2007 at 05:00
Look what I found!
http://www.intermixonline.com/jump.jsp?itemID=17441&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C6%2C43&iProductID=17441
Perhaps it wouldn't be such a big leap after all for this to become mainstream. ;)
Posted by: the Grey | 15 July 2007 at 22:05
That Sretsis dress is hot. I loved all the outfits that both Susie and Diana put together. I would wear this look in a second if i too didnt have Ds.
Posted by: Cat | 16 July 2007 at 00:49