My 4 Favorite Ways to Make a Bra Strapless

Ever found yourself frustrated with bra straps peeking out from your perfect off-shoulder dress or sleek tank top? I’ve been there, and I know the struggle. Let me guide you through turning any bra into a strapless wonder, ensuring your style remains as uninterrupted and elegant as you envisioned. I share 4 different methods for making a strapless bra.

​How to Make a Bra Strapless

To transform a bra into strapless, use convertible straps, hide the straps, cut the straps, sew the bra into your top, or convert your sports bra. The best choice depends on how much effort you are willing to put into it and how open you are to altering bras permanently.

If you have been struggling with visible bra straps ruining your outfit’s elegance and style, I’m going to walk you through different bra hacks for how to turn a bra into a strapless version on the fly!

Method	Action
Method 1	Reconfigure convertible straps
Method 2	Hide the straps
Method 3	Remove the straps
Method 4	Sew the straps into your top
Method 5	Convert your sports bra

​Method 1: Use Convertible Straps

Convertible straps are typically adjustable and can be repositioned or detached to suit different outfit styles and necklines. They offer flexibility, allowing you to transform your bra from a traditional two-strap design to a strapless or even a cross-back configuration. Using convertible straps is the easiest way to make your old bra a strapless one.

1. Adjust your bra straps to the maximum length. You may adjust them to be shorter later.
2. Wrap it around your ribcage on the left side and your back until you get to where you typically hook in your right strap.
3. ​​Hook the left bra strap into the right hook on the backside of your band until it’s secure, making sure the bra strap doesn’t slip.
4. Now, repeat steps 3 and 4 with the opposite one.
5. Adjust the fit to tighten against the body. However, you should avoid over tightening the straps, as tightening the straps excessively can lead to discomfort, restriction of movement, and potential health issues such as red marks or indentations left on your skin after wearing a bra.

Method 2: Hide the Bra Straps

Hiding the straps doesn’t necessarily turn your bra strap-free forever, which is a better option if you don’t want to alter your regular bra permanently.

Similar to the first method, this hack works best for clothes with little to no coverage in the shoulders such as off-shoulder tops, halter tops, one-shoulder tops, tube-tops, spaghetti strap tops, and cut-out tops and dresses.

• Take the bra and put it on like you usually would. Clasp it on the tightest closure on the band to ensure a snug fit
• Slide the straps off your shoulders and adjust the length to be as short as possible.
• Tuck each one into the side of your bra and the cups to avoid a bumpy appearance.
• Secure them with bra strap clips or converters, which are small accessories that can hold your bra straps closer together, helping keep your bra straps hidden and prevent them from slipping off your shoulders.
• Choose tops or dresses that have built-in bras or supportive linings. These garments provide their own support, eliminating the need for visible bra straps.
• Incorporate scarves, shrugs, cardigans, or boleros into your outfit to cover your bra straps. These accessories not only hide the straps but also add a stylish touch to your overall look.

​Method 3: Cut​​​​​ the Straps

If you can sew and don’t mind permanently altering your bra, this DIY option is a good alternative to hiding the back straps.

1. Lay the bra down on a flat surface. Clip off the straps from the back and front of the bra. Try to cut as close to the seams.
2. Do a zig-zag stitch along the area. This step will help keep the fabric from unraveling and allow you to wash and wear it as if you had bought it this way.

However, note that cutting the straps can compromise the structural integrity of the bra and may result in an ill-fitting or unsupportive garment. Bra straps are designed to distribute weight and provide essential support to the breasts.

You can do this with a needle and thread if you don’t have a sewing machine. Cut a length of thread and thread it through the eye of the needle and use the following steps to stitch without a sewing machine.

1. Double the thread over and knot the ends together to create a secure starting point. 
2. Take the cut end of the bra strap and fold it over to create a small hem. Align the folded edge with the rest of the strap. 
3. Insert the needle from the backside of the strap, near the folded edge. This will hide the knot inside the strap.
4. Take a small stitch through both layers of fabric, starting at the folded edge. Pull the thread through until the knot rests against the fabric. You can use a basic running stitch or a whipstitch, depending on your preference. 
5. Once you have stitched along the entire folded edge, make a small knot by passing the needle through the fabric loop near the last stitch. Repeat this step once or twice to ensure a secure knot. 
6. Use small scissors to carefully trim any excess thread, being cautious not to cut the fabric of the bra.

​Method 4: Sew The Bra Into Your Top

Like the previous method, stitching an old bra in your favorite dress or tank top is another permanent solution. When done, you’ll have a DIY bra that is built into your shirt or tank top.

Similar to the third method I discussed, this option will permanently alter your bra and put your sewing skills to the test. Pull out your sewing machine (or needle and thread) for this method.

1. ​​​​Carefully cut off the straps that go over the shoulders, both in the front and the back (as you did in the third method).
2. Take the bra and cut it on the sides, about an inch from the cup. A hard piece of boning should be on either side to keep the bra’s shape.
3. At this point, you have two options: You can cut directly behind the boning to keep the stronger structure of the undergarment, or choose to cut and remove the boning. If you have a larger chest or prefer more support, I recommend keeping the wiring in and cutting behind it (on the band).
4. Lay out the bra on a flat surface. You should now have the two cups left. Pick out the tank top or dress that you want.
5. Try your top on with the bra cup positioned inside. Move the cups around until they are in the desired place, and then pin the cups to the article of clothing. Do this to avoid extremely lopsided boobs.
6. Carefully begin sewing the undergarment into the top. Start with one cup and work your way around to the other. If your top is thin and has one layer of material, only sew the sides of the bra to the side seams of the top – this way, the thread will blend in.

If you’re unsure about wanting to sew the cups into your top (or maybe you want to test it out for a night to see if it is something you want to sew in permanently), try using double-sided fashion tape before deciding to commit fully!

Method 5: Convert Your Sports Bra

A sports bra is a specialized type of bra designed to provide support, comfort, and stability during physical activities and sports. Sports bras typically feature a wide and supportive elastic band under the bust that provides additional stability and prevents the bra from riding up during exercise.

If you prefer to keep your normal bras intact than sewing them, consider using one of the sports bras you have lying around in your sock drawer. Follow the steps outlined in Method 3 above to cut and remove the straps. From there, you’ll seal up the areas you cut with a little sewing magic, and voila, your bra is now strap-free!

Related Questions

Conclusion

​So there you have it – 4 different ways to make regular bras strap-free. Some of these methods take more effort and offer a more permanent solution than others. When attempting these bra hacks, choose the one that makes you feel the most secure and confident.