Suddenly, the bras that had concealed my Blackberry curve during uniform checks became something to hide. No longer the Y2K fantasy and now a practical, matronly floatation device, showing it off would be considered a social faux pas. And, just like that, every one of my ostentatious boob holders ended up at the back of my wardrobe, never to see the light of day again. That was until 2026, when having your bra on show has become all the rage once more.

To say the exposed bra has emerged from hiding would be somewhat of a disservice; the style is back with a fierce vengeance. Uniting Gen Z, millennials and over '40s women alike, this year the coolest dressers have reclaimed this version of underwear-as-outerwear, nonchalantly shrugging off any cleavage-related shame, something fashion has chequered experience in.

Whether it's Jean Paul Gaultier's now iconic cone bra (made famous thanks to Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour in 1999), or the nearly-nude chemise that made Vivienne Westwood so revered back in the ‘90s, minimal layering allowed undergarments to become part of the main story. Yet, as we hurtled into the new millennium and the boom of pop culture, bras went through a rather, well, problematic rebrand. Suddenly, they were no longer couture-referencing, high-fashion status symbols, and instead, simply shorthand for the “slut”.

Suddenly, Hollywood framed the bra-exposed heroine as the "ditz in distress" whose sole function was to snare a man. The humble garment that was created with posture support in mind was sent back in time to Wonderbra's Hello Boys campaign. Whether it was Lindsay Lohan's Cady Heron’s failing calculus on purpose in Mean Girls, Cher Horowitz' quest for love in Clueless, or Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, whose string of turbulent relationships routinely left her distressed; the millennial woman was frazzled and naturally, bra-exposed.

And the celebrity style set didn’t exactly do the exposed bra any favours, either. At the time, Paris Hilton was still packaged as the “ditsy blonde”, and her weapon of choice? An exposed bra. As fashion moved into the low-rise, rhinestone-heavy confidence that could only belong in the ‘2000s, Avril Lavigne and Christina Aguilera brought their own wild child energy to the trend, evolving the exposed bra with a rebellious, slightly scandalous femininity that would again, be met with backlash. I know, it's all rooted in misogyny (as so many divisive fashion trends are), but these images made the exposed bra trashier and almost unappealing. Whether the wearer was the ditz or the "slut", she was always wrong.

Fast-forward to today, and there’s something almost ironic about the way fashion is embracing the trend by encompassing all of its bygone eras at once. While the chicest over-40s are leaning into its high-fashion status and pairing with sheer blouses, Gen Z are reclaiming its more recklessly raunchy roots and opting for lurid colours and details. So, whether you're showing off your enviable designer lingerie with an evening look or putting the party into a white tank à la Kylie Jenner and Charli XCX, there’s something refreshing about the way we can wear bras (without feat of judgement) in 2026. Scroll to shop the best bras to show off this year and beyond.

Shop the Bras Worth Exposing in 2026:

She succeeded once more at top-notch intrigue while sitting backstage after the show, chatting to WWD about her halo of newly blond hair. “I’ve had references of Madonna with platinum hair… on my computer forever,” she noted, adding that she’s “happy with it. It’s a look.” And apparently she’ll be keeping the colour for an upcoming campaign, the specifics of which she wouldn’t dare reveal. Cue the endless speculation.

In the meantime, we’ll have to make do with another interesting tidbit: Kardashian’s comfort with redesigning her Céline wares. The item in question? A black coat that was originally white, which she also added a fur collar to. According to West, it’s “now… a really dope coat.” A winning endorsement if there ever was one.

Any guesses on who Kardashian's new campaign is for? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to read the full article over at WWD.

WHO: Anna Winour

YEAR: 2008

THEME: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy

WEAR: Karl Lagerfeld

?WHY: It’s no floral sheath.

WHO: Madonna

YEAR: 2013

THEME: Punk: Chaos to Couture

WEAR: Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci

?WHY: No pants, no problem.

WHO: Karolina Kurkova

YEAR: 2008

THEME: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy

WEAR: Victor & Rolf

?WHY: Because we love you too, Kurkova.

WHO: Miley Cyrus

YEAR: 2013

THEME: Punk: Chaos to Couture

WEAR: Marc Jacobs

?WHY: She was one of the few to get the punk theme right.

WHO: Sarah Jessica Parker

YEAR: 2013

THEME: Punk: Chaos to Couture

WEAR: Giles Deacon

?WHY: All other head accessories (and there were a lot) paled in comparison.

WHO: Beyonce

YEAR: 2012

THEME: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

WEAR: Givenchy

?WHY: That ombré feather train!

WHO: Kate Moss

YEAR: 2009

THEME: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

WEAR: Marc Jacobs

?WHY: Gold turban. Enough said.

WHO: Katy Perry

YEAR: 2013

THEME: Punk: Chaos to Couture

WEAR: Dolce & Gabbana

?WHY: She crowned herself Queen of the Met Ball.

WHO: Florence Welch

YEAR: 2012

THEME: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

WEAR: Alexander McQueen

?WHY: The ultimate twirling dress.

WHO: Katie Holmes

YEAR: 2008

THEME: Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy

WEAR: Armani

?WHY: Suri picked her outfit.

WHO: Nicole Richie

YEAR: 2013

THEME: Punk: Chaos to Couture

WEAR: Topshop

?WHY: Granny gone chic.

WHO: Rihanna

YEAR: 2011

THEME: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

WEAR: Stella McCartney

?WHY: We’re suckers for an illusion panel.

WHO: Elle Fanning

YEAR: 2013

THEME: Punk: Chaos to Couture

WEAR: Rodarte

?WHY: One word: tie-dye.

WHO: Anna Dello Russo

YEAR: 2011

THEME: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

WEAR: Alexander McQueen

?WHY: She made an egg hat look stylish.

WHO: Anja Rubik

YEAR: 2013

THEME: Punk: Chaos to Couture

WEAR: Anthony Vaccarello

WHY: The definition of a femme fatale.

Which look do you think was the most shocking? Let us know in the comments below!?