Peekaboo bras are officially making a comeback—here's why this daring layering trend is so popular in 2026.

      Growing up in the early 2000s, wearing an exposed bra was the height of coolness. Every weekend, I would plead with my mom to take me to Westfield to explore the glamorous corridors of Victoria's Secret in search of the next dazzling, firm push-up bra. However, as often happens, my breasts grew. Suddenly, the bras that once hid my Blackberry curve during uniform checks became something to conceal. No longer a Y2K dream, they transformed into a practical, matronly flotation device, and showing them off would be seen as a social misstep. Just like that, all of my flashy bras were pushed to the back of my wardrobe, destined to collect dust. That was until 2026, when having your bra on display became trendy again.

      To say the exposed bra has emerged from obscurity would be somewhat misleading; it has made a fierce comeback. Uniting Gen Z, millennials, and women over 40, this year the most fashionable individuals have reclaimed this style of underwear-as-outerwear, casually dismissing any related shame about cleavage, despite fashion's complicated history with it. Whether it's Jean Paul Gaultier's now-iconic cone bra, popularized by Madonna’s Blond Ambition tour in 1999, or the nearly-nude chemise that made Vivienne Westwood so admired in the 90s, less layering has allowed undergarments to become integral to the outfit. However, as we moved into the new millennium and pop culture exploded, bras underwent a troubling rebranding. They transformed from high-fashion symbols into mere shorthand for "slut."

      Suddenly, Hollywood portrayed the bra-exposed heroine as the "ditzy damsel" whose only purpose was to attract a man. The simple garment designed for posture support was regressed to the era of Wonderbra's Hello Boys campaign. Whether it was Lindsay Lohan's Cady Heron deliberately failing calculus in Mean Girls, Cher Horowitz's love-seeking adventures in Clueless, or Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, whose string of tumultuous relationships left her in distress, the millennial woman was frazzled and, inevitably, bra-exposed. The celebrity style icons didn’t help the exposed bra’s case, either. At that time, Paris Hilton was still marketed as the “ditsy blonde,” wielding her exposed bra as a signature look. As fashion embraced a low-rise, rhinestone-laden aesthetic exclusive to the 2000s, Avril Lavigne and Christina Aguilera infused a wild child spirit into the trend, adding a rebellious, somewhat scandalous femininity that also faced backlash. While it's all rooted in misogyny (as many contentious fashion trends are), these portrayals rendered the exposed bra crass and nearly unappealing. Regardless of whether the wearer was labeled a ditz or a "slut," she was always in the wrong.

      Fast forward to today, and it's almost ironic how fashion is now embracing this trend by integrating all its past incarnations. The most sophisticated women over 40 are pairing it with sheer blouses, while Gen Z is reclaiming its more audacious and risqué origins, opting for bold colors and intricate details. So whether you’re flaunting your coveted designer lingerie as part of an evening outfit or elevating a white tank in the style of Kylie Jenner and Charli XCX, there’s something invigorating about the way we can wear bras (without fear of judgment) in 2026. Scroll down to discover the best bras worth showcasing this year and beyond.

      Shop the Bras Worth Exposing in 2026:

      M&S

      Jasmine Lace Wired Balcony Bra

      The ideal everyday bra.

      Cou Cou Intimates

      The Balconette:

      I’ve been wearing this bra almost every day for months.

      Don't overlook Fruity Booty’s sultry sets this year.

      Victoria's Secret

      Black Add 2 Cups Push Up Bombshell Lace Shine Strap Bra

      This will give you a two-cup size boost.

      Bravissimo

      Millie Balconette Bra

      I’ve been loving mint bras this summer.

      SKIMS

      Ultimate Teardrop Push-Up Bra

      A favorite among Who What Wear UK editors.

      Underdays

      The Everyday Soft Balcony