Last month, I used to be in a household wedding ceremony (largely as a toddler wrangler, however nonetheless). In some flush of optimism, I picked a strappy gown with a plunging neckline. The one concern is that I’m within the vary of a D(+) cup, and after two pregnancies and two rounds of nursing, my boobs not defy gravity. However for some purpose, though I do know higher, I let myself be seduced by the concept that stick-on bras actually work for busty women. (Spoiler alert: They don’t actually, however boob tape simply would possibly. I gotcha coated… extra particulars on that beneath.)

The week earlier than the marriage, I saved wanting on the stick-on bra field and feeling panicked. If it didn’t work on the final minute, THEN WHAT?

However I saved circling again to what occurred once I was preparing for promenade. I’d purchased the ’90s model of a stick-on bra, and even for my at-the-time B cup, they had been a complete last-minute fail, and I wanted assist. So with my theatre child ingenuity, I dug up some Duct Tape and… Duct Taped my boobs. Old-fashioned boob tape, y’all. I really feel just like the story ought to finish right here, with, “And I actually don’t suggest it,” nevertheless it was kind of wonderful. Not horny, very tin man, however wonderful.

So final month, I saved circling round this concept. Had somebody lastly made a extra vogue acceptable—or at the least in-a-variety-of-flesh-tones—model of this product? Was this concept completely bonkers? I work in a vogue adjoining business, WHY DIDN’T I KNOW THE ANSWER?

I’d wish to say that I solved the issue with my in-depth googling expertise and stylist connections. However I didn’t. I solved it by ordering a pile of stick-on bras and vogue tape from Amazon, after which having a display screen pop up that stated, “Individuals who ordered this stuff additionally ordered flesh-colored Gaffer tape.” And in a single SECOND, I knew why. (And never simply because I’m a theatre main who’s used Gaff tape to stay down any variety of cords to the ground and to spike any variety of phases.) A fast google search of Gaffer Tape Bra, lead me to “Kim Kardashian’s boob tape trick,” and I instantly knew it was go-time, and this is able to be the reply to all my worries. (I imply, Kim is infamous for rocking no matter she wears, wherever she goes.)

However because it seems, whereas just a few folks have examined out the Gaffer Tape trick (and Buzzfeed has a nice article demonstrating the way it works on a wide range of cup sizes—too unhealthy the photographs are gone from that submit, now), solely Kim Kardashian was keen to indicate the world the way it seemed (and labored) on her precise boobs. Effectively, until now, as a result of now it’s gonna be Kim and me on the Web with boob tape bras… endlessly (and these photographs will keep, as a result of we love you want that).

After carrying Gaff Tape on the wedding ceremony (it labored like a appeal), and y’all asking me to share extra particulars, we whipped up slightly take a look at within the APW laboratories. First, we tried out two of these stick-on bras (I might take a look at extra for you, nevertheless it grew to become very clear it was pointless). Then we examined out two totally different tape patterns for Gaffer Tape: one for a deep-plunge backless gown, and one for a strapless backless gown. And we additionally examined to see how form-fitting a gown could possibly be earlier than the Gaffer Tape would present. Listed below are our outcomes.

WHAT NO BRA LOOKS LIKE

As a result of we’re scientists (of boobs), we needed to begin with a management. That is what the gown with no boob assist in any respect seems to be like. The gown is pulling actually broad on the high, and the waist is… nicely, it’s not good.

In brief, this isn’t a glance I’d gladly exit in public in. (Although for some purpose I’m wonderful immortalizing it on the Web, in service of all of our boobs.)

The Le Lusion Bra Evaluation (For A D+ Cup)

First up, the stick-on bras. I attempted two kinds: the Le Lusion bra, and the deep U-plunge strapless backless bra. There are different types of stick-on bras, together with the pull-together bra (Buzzfeed reviewed it on totally different cup sizes), and different bras that declare to be backless, strapless, and push-up. I didn’t take a look at all of them, as a result of I can inform you conclusively from the checks that I did, that for a D+ cup (and doubtless sizes beneath that), stick-on bras are many sorts of rubbish. (Cosmo may give you a full rundown of all of the terrible sticky bras on a D cup if you happen to’re into that kind of factor.)

However let’s begin with the Le Lusion bra, which could be the single most unflattering factor I’ve ever placed on my physique.

What is that this? Someone, please clarify. As an alternative of providing any assist, the Le Lusion bra pulled my boobs away from my physique, flattened them, after which dragged them floor-wards. As an alternative of preventing gravity, they helped gravity out. Plus, at the least with this neckline, they confirmed on the facet. Perhaps these work for a smaller cup measurement (although frankly, I’ve my reservations about that), however clearly they need to by no means have been made for a C-cup or above.

Within the gown, they provided extra assist than nothing, but in addition made my boobs look pointy and lumpy, so I’m not calling {that a} win.

The Verdict: Actually probably the most unflattering factor I’ve ever placed on my physique. These can go die.

the deep U-plunge strapless backless bra REview (For a D+ Cup)

Subsequent up, is the deep U-plunge strapless backless bra.

In contrast to the Le Lusion bra, this was not the worst factor I’ve ever placed on my physique, nevertheless it was nonetheless a brief step away from ineffective.

Within the 5 stationary minutes I spent on this bra, I spent 90 % of my time fascinated with the way it felt prefer it was positively about to peel off and that I used to be going to flash somebody. And within the further 5 ambulatory minutes I spent in them, they really did begin to slide off my physique, in a means that felt alarming once I wasn’t out in public. It additionally confirmed on the facet of the gown, which was a lot extra apparent in individual.

Did it supply some assist? Sure. However given the truth that it appeared prefer it was going to take away itself from my physique earlier than I even tried to do something (like say, dance), and it confirmed beneath my gown? I used to be not a fan.

The Verdict:

That is higher than no bra, if solely marginally so. Even higher could be not carrying a gown that necessitated a stick-on bra, that may devour most of my mind house with issues about flashing a crowd.

In brief: Stick-on bras aren’t made for ladies with a lotta boob, full cease.

Gaffer boob Tape Bra Evaluation (For a D+ Cup)

Subsequent up, is the Gaffer Tape bra. To not spoil the plot right here, however this hack is, in actual fact, every thing it’s cracked as much as be. It additionally signifies that I can lastly put on all these plunging and backless clothes which have been firmly on my no-list for twenty years. Right here is the way it works.

How To Apply A Gaffer boob Tape Bra:

Lower strips of Gaffer Tape, and affix them to your physique one after the other, utilizing the tape to sculpt the bra (and cleavage) you need. Anticipate to get actually handsy with your self, transferring your boobs round to get them precisely the place you need them.

Whereas it’s sensible to attempt to hold the Gaffer Tape clean as you place it on, it’s by no means going to be utterly clean. So if you happen to’re carrying a gown with much less forgiving cloth, keep in mind which you can put just a few strips of tape on high to assist clean every thing out. (You too can use much less tape than I used right here, relying on how a lot raise and safety you’re going for.)

Subsequent up, verify your neckline, after which take scissors and trim the tape in order that nothing exhibits. (As soon as the bra is sculpted, you possibly can lower a stunning quantity of the tape off and nonetheless have it work nicely.)

Lastly, use vogue tape. You in all probability don’t need anybody to see that you simply’ve coated your boobs with a product discovered at House Depot, so use vogue tape to affix the gown to your pores and skin to verify it doesn’t transfer round.

Get pleasure from.

Solutions To All Your Different Urgent Gaffer boob Tape Questions:

How A lot Assist Does It Supply? I’m a D+ Cup. That stated, Kim has much more boobs than me, and I can just about assure you that Bey’s post-kid boobs aren’t holding themselves up with #Slay energy, so this trick works for these of us with far more than a handful.

What Necklines Can You Put on This With? We examined this out with two necklines: the backless deep V (you can too see me carrying it with a backless plunge V right here), together with making a strapless backless bra. Each labored shockingly nicely.

The surprises had been that the tape is so sturdy that you simply don’t want to make use of over-the-shoulder assist to get it to work. Past that, the backless strapless bra that I crafted felt extra supportive (and admittedly extra comfy) than my common strapless.

How Lengthy Does It Keep In Place? Since I’d already worn a boob tape bra to a daylong wedding ceremony, I knew that certainly it will supply assist and keep on even by means of sweat and dancing.

How Comfortable Is It? Loads has been written on the Web about how uncomfortable it’s to put on Gaffer Tape in your boobs, and I believe the hype is slightly overblown. Once more, throughout a daylong occasion, I discovered it completely wonderful. However that stated, it does really feel such as you’re carrying tape in your boobs. It doesn’t, in any means, really feel like slipping into an outsized t-shirt and watching Netflix. So if what you’re searching for is comfortable and easy, then for goodness sake choose a gown that means that you can put on a traditional bra. I discovered it considerably comforting to really feel tape on my boobs all day as a result of it let me know that I used to be nonetheless supported and never flashing anybody.

TL;DR: A gaffer tape bra looks like the other of a stick-on bra. As an alternative of the sensation that the bra is falling off your physique, you may have the sensation that the bra is VERY STUCK in your physique. However all in, completely wonderful for an occasion.

Will It Harm Your Pores and skin? I’ve delicate pores and skin and took tape on and off myself 3 times in a single afternoon to shoot this, and my pores and skin wasn’t notably irritated. It feels a bit like ripping off a not-too-sticky Bandaid. That stated, you might be placing GAFF TAPE ON YOUR BOOBS, so if you happen to’re not into going the additional mile for vogue, this isn’t for you.

Ought to I Attempt This If I’m Allergic To Adhesives? No. Please, no. In reality, if that you’ve any related allergy symptoms or sensitivities, do a patch take a look at first. (Be aware: I’ve typically comparatively delicate pores and skin and had no points, however I don’t have any particular allergy symptoms.)

Will It Present By Your Garments? I attempted this boob tape bra with this smooth Halston Heritage robe because it’s the type of gown that likes to spotlight each lump and bump in your physique. When you might in all probability guess that I had one thing beneath the gown if you happen to checked out my chest very intently (however why are you taking a look at my chest that intently?), no regular non-chest-starer would have observed something out of the strange. I wouldn’t use this (or every other) trick beneath silk or satin, nonetheless, since these materials present actually every thing. And I might solely use it beneath a darker coloured and heavier scuba cloth.

The Verdict:

Would I put on this day-to-day, simply to get a deep plunge shirt to work? Hell no. It’s industrial tape. On my boobs. However for an occasion, so long as going the additional mile for garments is one thing that you simply’re down for (and doubtless, let’s be frank, used to), this trick is a Godsend. After twenty years, I’ve realized that I can lastly put on all these backless, strapless, plunging neckline clothes and tops, and I’m so, so, excited.

Bonus? It’s low cost AF. In contrast to these costly and nugatory stick-on bras, my roll of Gaffer Tape value me beneath $20, and it’s going to final me the subsequent decade of boob tape magic (or till I overlook it in a resort room someplace).

So, APW… have you ever tried the Kim Kardashian Gaffer boob Tape Bra Trick? Inform us, how did it go for you? Have you ever discovered a stick-on bra that… ahem… truly works? Drop that within the feedback, too. Share the data.