Strapless Tops

Q: What is a strapless top called?

A few things, depending on the cut. A plain, straight-across strapless top is usually called a bandeau or a tube top. Add boning and structure and it becomes a bustier or corset top. You’ll also hear “strapless” used as a catch-all for anything with a bare shoulder and no straps. Whatever the name, the defining feature is the same: nothing over the shoulders, so the neckline sits straight across the bust (or in a soft sweetheart curve).

Q: How do you keep a strapless top up?

Fit does most of the work. Size down slightly so it grips instead of slips, and look for built-in boning, a silicone strip along the top edge, or a good dose of stretch that hugs your ribcage. Fashion tape between the fabric and your skin locks it in place when you want to dance. And a corset or bustier style is the easiest win of all, the structure holds everything up for you, so you can move all night without a single sneaky hoist.

Q: What bra do you wear with a strapless top?

Plenty of options, and none involve visible straps. A strapless bra is the classic, go for silicone grip and underwire if you want proper lift. For lighter support or a smaller bust, a stick-on adhesive bra or reusable silicone cups sit invisibly under the fabric. Boob tape is the move when you want a bare back or a lower cut. And if the top has built-in cups or a shelf, you may not need anything at all. Whatever you pick, match it to your skin tone so nothing peeks out over that straight neckline.

Q: Does Showpo have plus size strapless tops?

Heaps, in every style. You’ll find strapless tops at Showpo in bandeau, corset, bustier, tube and satin, in sizes 4 to 20 with the full plus-size range in curve . The Size Guide is worth a look (strapless fits closer than a strappy top), Returns keeps swaps easy, Shipping covers free-over-£135 and express, and the Blog has more styling.