We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Racerback Bra?

By Kelly Ferguson
Updated: Feb 23, 2024
Views: 25,171
Share

A racerback bra is a style of bra where the straps cross each other or meet in a “T” shape across the back. This style is commonly used in fitness and sports bras, but can really be found in every type of bra, from everyday underwire bras to lacy formal ones. They usually have front closures due to the special back design, but they may have back closures or simply slip on over the head.

Racerback bras are a very popular style of sports bras for several reasons. The design keeps the straps from slipping off of the shoulders during activities and is purported to provide better breast support and enhance posture slightly by pulling the shoulders back, though these benefits vary from bra to bra. A racerback bra can also be useful for dressier occasions, allowing the wearer to wear a sleeveless shirt or dress without showing bra straps. Some racerback bras provide more of a push-up effect than normal bras, giving the breasts a more lifted, rounded look, as opposed to the traditional forward, cone-shaped look.

Many bras come with convertible straps that can be worn either in a traditional way, as a halter, or in a racerback style. This is a convenient way to keep the bra straps hidden beneath many styles of shirts. Some racerback tank tops, for fitness or for everyday wear, have built-in bras so there is no need to wear a separate racerback bra to avoid showing the bra straps. Any regular bra can be easily converted into a racerback bra by pinching the straps together behind the back and securing them, either by sewing them, or with a more temporary measure such as a clip or an elastic band. In fact, there are several products made specifically for temporarily binding bra straps together to form a racerback.

Many women appreciate the freedom of movement and extra support provided by the racerback bra style. Others, however, complain that the close-set straps irritate the sides of the neck, or that the extra support translates to extra weight pulling on the shoulders. Sometimes, improperly fitting racerback bras can also rub the back or shoulder blades uncomfortably. Many women who have reviewed these bras recommend trying on several styles in stores before buying online to make sure they fit well, provide enough support, and do not chafe the neck or back.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-a-racerback-bra.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.