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I hate bras. I avoid them at all costs. And if you see me on the weekend or out and about in my neighborhood, there’s a good chance I’m not wearing one. As someone with small boobs, I find that a bra throws off my outfits. But, unfortunately, there are some life events that require wearing one: the office, Catholic church wedding ceremonies, hanging out with my 86-year-old grandmother, etc. I usually reach for a T-shirt bra for said events because they help smooth the bust area without adding volume.
I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect T-shirt bra for years and, unfortunately, none can compare to Kim Kardashian’s version. I’ve tried the Stealth Mode Demi Bra from Negative and Pepper’s Limitless Wire-Free Scoop Bra, which are both solid, but the fit of the Skims T-shirt Bra was unmatched. Still, it pains me to support the unofficial president of the Elon Musk fan club, and I’m always keeping my eyes peeled for a potential Skims T-shirt Bra replacement.
That hole was filled by the Parade T-shirt bra, part of the Always On Core Bra collection that launched today on your.parade.com. I tested the T-shirt bra for a week before it launched, while cleaning my apartment; in between meetings; and going to the grocery store, to the office, and out to dinner at BondST last Saturday night. The new line marks the brand’s first foray into underwire bras and, since Parade has been reshaping the intimates industry since its inception, I was intrigued. Plus, it’s $38 — $16 cheaper than Ms. Kardashian’s.
Tell me about the Parade Always On bra collection
The 16-piece Always On Core Bra collection features three new styles of bras (Unlined, Push Up, and T-shirt). Since each one is an underwire bra, they offer more lift and support than Parade’s classic bralettes without compromising on comfort. All three styles are available in various colorways and prints, as well as two of Parade’s signature sustainable fabrics: Silky Mesh and Re:Play, which is cool to the touch, is made from supersoft recycled yarns, and features 360-degree stretch technology. I tested the Premium Plum T-shirt bra in Re:Play.
Should I buy the new Parade bra?
Yes. When I opened the package and felt the lightly-lined T-shirt bra, the first thing I noticed was the fabric. The material used to construct the cups felt so thin and weightless, but not flimsy or cheap. When I put it on, I was not disappointed. It looked so seamless from the front, back, and side, which is normally an issue for me with other bras. It even looked smooth and practically invisible under a fitted baby tee from a brand called Campbell & Kramer — the ultimate test for any bra. It’s the best of both worlds, in my opinion: It has that comfy, barely there feel of a sports bra or bralette with the support of an underwire bra. (Reminder: I have very small boobs, so the term support is relative, but the underwire provides some shape and lift.) I also love the mesh side panels. Mesh panels are one of those design details you don’t know you need until you experience it (and it’s one of the reasons the Pepper Limitless Wire-Free Scoop Bra is in my rotation.) It provides so much breathability and ventilation, which is essential in the hot summer months. If you’re a sweaty girl, you really need this bra.
As for the color, Premium Plum is nice and works well under most of my shirts. But if I were to buy another one, I would opt for the tan-colored Blushing Rose instead, so that it wouldn’t show through when I wear white T-shirts or tanks. My biggest critique of this launch is that there is not a nude color for darker skin tones — I would love for Parade to extend the line to include a shade that falls in between Blushing Rose and Eightball (the black colorway).
How do I get it?
The Parade T-shirt bra in Re:Play is available now on your.parade.com, along with the rest of the Always On Core collection.
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