Ok, I’m in Belgium right now and have in the last couple of weeks noticed something that I don’t remember noticing back in California (could be because I don’t pay enough attention, though). A lot of women here-- young and old-- this summer are wearing bras with transparent plastic straps. They wear them with tank tops/ spaghetti strap things, so they show. They don’t look comfortable-- they’re pretty thick and inelastic-looking and seem to dig in a tad. Now, the things are clearly noticable-- they are shiny and thick and plastic and dig into the flesh. Is this popular in the states, too, and I haven’t noticed? What’s the point? They AREN’T unnoticable or invisible and seem tacky to me. Are people weraing these with the thought that they ARE inconspicuous? Just thin white straps would be less attention-getting. Anyone?
I’ve seen them, but very, very little. I don’t think they’ve really caught on vey well. I, for one, would never buy one. Plastic watchbands make my wrist sweat like crazy – the very idea of those vinyl straps against my skin irritates me!
They’re slightly less inconspicuous than regular bra, and are for the lady with larger wazooms, so that she can wear spaghetti straps. I don’t think they dig in any more than regular straps, and I don’t think they look very nice, but mrs jjimm has a couple.
They’ve been popular here in Japan for 2 or 3 years. They sure aren’t for the lady with larger wazooms, at least not here. Just “invisible” with tube tops and spaghetti straps. On the otherhand special “decorative” straps designed to draw attention to theselves have also been trendy the last few years.
I notice none of the posters are actually in the US. I am in Chicago. Never seen one. Must be spreading from Japan out, and it hasn’t made it here yet.
I’ve seen a few around here; they look awful. Speaking as a lady with large wazooms, I would much rather have the cotton straps of my bras showing than having those strips of plastic stuck to my skin all day.
I’ve seen them, both in Puerto Rico (where I’m from) and in Florida (Miami and Gainesville areas)
[hijack] Dangit! Why do you get to be in Beligium?! Hooverphonic just came out with their new single there last thursday! It wont be in the US for atleast a month! Aghhh! I want one! [/hijack]
never heard of “transparent brastraps” but I’m sure transparent bras and shirts would go along real well with American guys!
I’m in the Chicago area, and I’ve seen them, along with the pretty decorative ones. I am personally of the opinion that it is called “underwear” because it goes under what you wear, and I think visible bra straps of any color or style are tacky.
I have discovered skinny strap tops with built-in bras, and I LOVE these - however, they are not a good look for anyone bigger than, say, a B cup. If you’re any larger than that, these tops tend to make you into the Uniboober.
Note- I meant to spell it Belgium. I was just caught up in the fury of the moment. mybad
Just curious, what’s the Uniboober?
I think a uniboober is when your boobs are so squeezed that it looks like you have one big boob instead of two separate, distinct boobs.
I have seen those bras (clear straps) in Minneapolis - looked uncomfortable. Not anything I would wear. I don’t wear any bra unless I absolutely have to.
Clear straps have been out all over the place for quite a while. Victoria’s Secret has had them for at least a couple of years, as have all of the lingere-only shops in my neighbourhood (Ontario). The more mainstream stores (say, for example, Sears) have only recently started carrying them. The bras are often sold with a pair of clear straps and a pair of colour coordinated straps. The straps are removable, as the plastic generally should not go through a washer or dryer.
The ones I really don’t understand are the clear straps filled with liquid and glitter. The glitter settles to the bottom of the strap when worn - picture it - a big old blob of glitter directly above each boob and shoulder blade, and more than likely below your top, even a spaghetti strap top.
I have seen those up here in Canada… actually they have been around quite a few years because I saw them in the last teen mag I read (which was at least 2 years ago) Personally I would never wear one…
As to bra straps showing, that doesn’t bother me. Several of my bras have wider straps than my tanks… when it’s hot I don’t care so much about fashion as being comfortable. I think it’s not as tacky as having such low cut jeans that your g-string shows… why bother even wearing undies in that case?
The tops with built in bras… I can never find in my size. I wouldn’t wear them anyway as they are too uncomfy I’ve found. Doesn’t help I’ve got a bigger chest too…
They’ve been on sale in the UK for at least 18 months. I went with a female friend when she wanted to buy one (from Marks & Spencer).
You are correct - one big, wide, shelf-shaped boob. The phenomemon is also known as “monobosom.”
Yeah, I’ve been seeing them on Japanese gals on vacation here for quite some time. I’ve had all the thoughts expressed in the OP as well. Plus it’s always reinforced my opinion of certain ladies as ‘fake’ and ‘Barbie dolls.’
I like my women earthy. So I prefer cloth strips of the same color as the shirt. Then it just looks like the chemise has 2 shoulder straps rather then just 1.
Looks down…notices shirt……Oh…well… :o
Uniboob, also known as monoboob (Never heard of the Uniboober – ha! Love it!): A problem afflicting big wazoom’d girls (to use the word already in use in this thread), when the wazooms get smushed together and there is no, ah, lift and separation. (Well, there’s lift, but no separation.) A problem most readily apparent (IME) with sports bras and other bras that don’t have actual cups.
Anybody ever reached in from the side (on the sly) to heave the girls back into place and defeat the dreaded monoboob?
Me neither. 
I recently saw some at Wal-Mart. They had firm, uncomfortable-looking glittery plastic straps, and came in eye-poppingly ugly colors. I was reminded vaguely of those awful jelly shoes that were popular in the eighties. The shoes were made of a similar plastic substance. Ick.