Tube Bras

Styles of Tube Bras

Like tube tops, tube bras can come in a few forms. They can have removable cups, they can be ruched in the center for shaping, or they can be longer, almost like a bustier. They can fasten with hooks like an ordinary bra or slip on. Most are made of Lycra for stretch. It’s best to choose the style you need once you have the dress or top that requires a tube bra.

Shopping for Tube Bras

Because they are stretchy, tube bras can be bought online with more assurance than a standard bra, which really needs to be fitted. A tube bra, on the other hand, tends to come in Small, Medium or Large, so you can determine your size via your blouse. With halter and strapless tops being hugely popular summer wear, a tube bra is something a lot of women are turning to, finding it more comfortable and better looking under tight clothes than a strapless bra.

Fresh Pair offers a number of tube bras. The most simple, by Maidenform, is just a minimalist tube made of microfiber with an elastic under-bust band, much like a camisole with a built-in shelf bra, only with better compression support. It is very inexpensive and perfect for wearing under slight tops on a hot day.

The Fashion Forms Bandeau Bra is longer, with a few more details. It achieves non-binding strapless support with reinforced panels, giving you some lift, and seamless construction. The removable cups are lightly padded and there is front ruching for extra shaping. The bra slips on and is designed to create a smooth silhouette with no back bulges, so that it can be worn under the tightest T-shirt.

The Body Wrap Crop Bandeau Bra has the look of a strapless sports bra. It’s one of Body Wrap’s shapewear collection – a seamless microfiber bra that gives you support all day without cups or underwire. It shapes and supports the breasts and offers puckered panels for a contoured fit.

Fashion Forms also makes a long form tube bra, available at Bare Necessities. It is made of stretch nylon, slips over the head and can be converted to a criss-cross or halter. The center gore is shirred for shaping and there are lightly padded cups to enhance the overall look.

The Baby Center Store has a tube bra made for nursing mothers that gets a lot of customer raves. Made of nylon and Spandex, the seamless bra is lightly padded and slips over the head for easy wear. It pulls up for breastfeeding and there is a support sling underneath. The nursing pads fit behind removable cup pads. There is even some nice shirring in front for extra support and shaping. It even comes with removable sheer straps if you need some further support. Mothers cite its comfort for sleeping in or wearing all day.

Caring for Tube Bras

As with a regular bra, if you want your tube bra to last more than one season, you should hand wash it in cold water and hang it up to dry. The stretch can easily give out since there is no underwire to maintain the shape. True, you can buy a new one cheaply enough, but it’s better for the planet and your pocketbook in the long run to keep the one you have in top condition.