Bra accessories are simple, inexpensive items that solve specific problems, and they are consistently underused. Several of them will rescue a bra you were about to throw away, and most cost a fraction of a replacement.
Bra extenders
An extender adds length to the bra band, typically around three inches. It hooks onto the existing band with no sewing required.
The two problems it solves
- A band that is too tight. The extender supplies the length the band falls short of, which makes an otherwise good bra wearable.
- A band that has stretched. This is the more valuable case. When the band goes loose but the cups still fit perfectly, an extender is not what you need, but the reverse situation, where you have gained a little through the ribcage and the cups still fit, is exactly what it is for.
Extenders are an easy and inexpensive alternative to buying a new bra, and they are particularly useful during pregnancy and weight change.
Bra strap cushions
Strap cushions are padded sleeves that convert narrow bra straps into comfortable wide ones. They wrap around the strap and fix with a velcro closure, and no sewing is involved.
What they fix
- Painful dents and straps digging into the shoulders.
- Rubbing and chafing along the strap line.
- Straps that slip off, since the cushion adds friction against the skin.
They are especially helpful for a larger bust, where more weight passes through the strap and a narrow band concentrates that load into a small area.
Materials
Most are foam rubber laminated with nylon tricot. Silicone is also common, and some are made from latex. They are soft, slim and effectively undetectable under clothing, and they come in a range of colors, with white, beige and black being the usual stock.
Bra strap holders
A strap holder is a small clip that draws both straps together behind the back. The ends wrap and hook around the back of each strap, pulling them inward.
This solves slipping straps directly, and it does something else useful: it converts an ordinary bra into a racer-back configuration, which lets you wear it under a racer-back top without buying a specialist bra.
Bra inserts
Inserts are removable pads placed inside the cup, frequently called cookies. They add shape and volume, and because they lift out, they let you change the effect from one wear to the next.
They have a second use that is worth knowing. If one breast is slightly larger than the other, which is true for almost everyone, an insert can be used in one cup only to even the appearance.
Breast shape enhancers
These come in two forms.
Push-up inserts
Semi-circular pads that slip into the front lower part of a push-up cup. They sit beneath the breast and lift it, producing a greater décolletage. They are easy to insert and remove, so any suitable bra becomes a push-up.
Full-cup enhancers
Larger pads that cover and fit over the entire breast. These add volume rather than lift, and can make the bust appear one or two cup sizes fuller. They suit smaller busts best, where the pad has a proportionate effect.
Other useful accessories
- Adhesive bras. Not strictly an accessory, since they replace the bra rather than assist it, but they belong in the same toolkit. They make backless, strapless and low-cut dresses possible by removing every visible sign of a bra. Covered fully in adhesive bras.
- Clothing tape and nipple covers. Double-sided fabric tape holds a neckline in position, and adhesive covers conceal the nipples where no bra is being worn at all.
- Swimwear bust enhancers. Inserts made for swimwear specifically, shaped for a swimsuit cup and made from materials that tolerate water.
- Fashionable bra straps. Decorative replacement straps that clip onto an existing bra, turning a visible strap into a deliberate feature rather than a mistake.
Frequently asked questions
How much length does a bra extender add?
About three inches, and it hooks onto the existing band with no sewing.
What stops bra straps falling off my shoulders?
A strap holder, which clips both straps together behind the back. Strap cushions also help by adding friction.
Can I make an ordinary bra into a racer-back?
Yes, with a strap holder. It draws the straps together into a racer-back configuration.
What are bra cookies?
Removable pads placed inside the cup to add shape. They can be used in one cup only to even out a size difference between sides.
For fitting problems these accessories address, see a properly fitting bra.
