4 Methods for How to Make a Bra Strapless

Do you need a strap-free bra and wonder if you even own one? Below we discuss four ways women can convert everyday bras into functional strapless bras.

​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.

We’re going to walk you through different bra hacks for how to turn a bra into a strapless version on the fly!

Ways to Make a Regular Bra Strapless

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

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.

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.

1. 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
2. Slide the straps off your shoulders and adjust the length to be as short as possible.
3. Tuck each one into the side of your bra and the cups to avoid a bumpy appearance.

If they bulge or stick out, secure them with safety pins, fashion tape, boob tape, or even masking tape if you’re in a pinch.

​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. 

You can do this with a needle and thread if you don’t have a sewing machine.

​Method 4: Sewing 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 we 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, we 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

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.