Stylists reveal whether wearing bralettes could actually be DAMAGING - as women ditch underwired bras in favor of less supportive lingerie

Over the last few years, women have ditched constricting underwire bras for comfortable bralettes - but could that actually be damaging? 

While bralettes don't dig, they don't exactly provide loads of support, which could potentially be harmful long-term. 

As Kim Kardashian's Skims brand blew up, celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Cardi B have been snapped showing off different versions of the style, and plenty of A-listers choose to wear the underwear as outerwear, including Kristen Stewart. 

To find out if swapping your bra for a bralette is a lifesaver or ruiner, FEMAIL consulted experts about how to choose the right one and who shouldn't be wearing the design. 

As Kim Kardashian's Skims brand blew up, celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Cardi B have been snapped showing off different versions of the style

Plenty of A-listers choose to wear the underwear as outerwear, including Kristen Stewart, pictured above

New York City-based entrepreneur Alice Kim founded the clothing company PerfectDD, which caters to women with larger breasts. 

Alice told DailyMail.com that bralettes surged in popularity during Covid, as 'many women chose not to wear bras at all but if they did opt to wear a bra, bralettes were the favored for comfort,' leading to 'a massive surge in bralettes and sports bras.' 

Alice Kim founded the clothing company PerfectDD which caters to women with larger chests who want tailored workwear 

Alice told FEMAIL: 'Bralettes can be supportive for every day depending on the weight of your boobs and the construction of the bralette.'

For larger busted ladies, they can still try a bralette as long as they know that 'anything over a DD+ cup may need more support, but there are brands now that specialize in fuller bust.' 

It's also dependent on the activity you're pursuing with your underpinnings - if you're more active it might not be sufficient, but could be fine for working from home. 

'Bigger bust women can wear bralettes for style and low impact activities but I recommend a more supportive underwire bra or a sports bra with compression and encapsulation for high impact activities like running or jumping,' Alice said.

'Skin is elastic so excessive and unsupported bounce can stretch ligaments causing breasts to sag sooner,' Alice advised. 

Alice also warned that 'if the band is too loose around your ribcage, it will not provide proper support.'

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based Kimmay Caldwell has worked in the bra business for twenty years 

The experienced bra fitter has mastered helping people understand the deeply confusing world of sizing

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based Kimmay Caldwell, 39, has worked in the bra business for twenty years and is a bra fitter who has mastered helping people understand the deeply confusing world of sizing. 

The undergarment educator explained 'a loose bra might seem comfortable because we think loose equals comfort for clothing.'

The undergarment educator explained 'a loose bra might seem comfortable because we think loose equals comfort'

Instead, Kimmay said 'bras are best when they fit like a good pair of leggings - snug enough to stay in place without riding around or falling down, and loose enough to allow for movement and avoid digging in or pain.'

Kimmay said her clients often opt for loose bralettes for comfort 'but over longer periods of time or if the client has a fuller bust, the loose bralette can roam around, ride up, and dig into the shoulders or band.' 

She calls bralettes casual or light support and thinks 'they can be wonderful as a fashionable choice or for lounging around.' 

Kimmay compares bras to shoes and said 'we all need different levels of support for different activities,' including 'bralettes, sports bras, French lace bra, t-shirt bra, and strapless bras,' depending on the activity and outfit. 

For those with fuller busts, Kimmay said she prefers 'more structure and support than a bralette can offer' which can 'lift off a lot of the pressure on shoulders.' 

While it can be tempting to reach for a one-size-fits all bralette that pulls on like a sports bra, Kimmay warned that 'those stretchy, non-adjustable bras can have their place' but only fit certain people and can 'squish or roam around on most bodies and busts that don't match up with that specific bust and band size ratio.'

Instead, the expert suggested a wire-free bralette an adjustable band, straps, or ideally, both.

Dani Read, the senior designer at lingerie brand Cosabella who's based in Miami, Florida, said  'bralettes provide the perfect combination of comfort and style for everyday wear' for many

'Women with smaller busts might find bralettes perfectly supportive for daily wear, while those with larger busts might require more structured support,' Dani explained

Dani Read, the senior designer at lingerie brand Cosabella who's based in Miami, Florida, thinks that 'bralettes provide the perfect combination of comfort and style for everyday wear' for many women. 

'Women with smaller busts might find bralettes perfectly supportive for daily wear, while those with larger busts might require more structured support,' Dani explained.

Cosabella has specific lines that cater to women with larger busts who want to wear bralettes with the Super Curvy collection, which goes to an H cup. 

The Ultra Curvy collection has bralettes in sizes I through L. 

Dani said there are several key features to look out for that make a major difference in comfort and support, including a wider band which 'helps distribute the weight of your breasts more evenly' and helps reduce strain on the shoulders and back. 

Adjustable straps are also a better bet, which help with a more customizable fit and avoid slippage, as well as thicker straps for larger busts for a more secure fit and less movement.

Dani said there are several key features to look out for that make a major difference in comfort and support

Brands like Wacoal offer more supportive bralettes, but explain it's a more relaxed style that doesn't have the same construction characteristics as bras and as a result provide less shaping

Despite bralettes being a viable option, at the end of the day, it's best to bolster your bust. 

Miryha Fantegrossi, the senior vice president of merchandising and design at Wacoal, thinks it's still the best bet to wear a real bra. 

Miryha told FEMAIL, 'Bralettes are a more relaxed style that do not have the same construction characteristics as bras, and as a result they provide less shaping.'

'For many women, they feel more supported when wearing a bra because there is less bouncing, more lift, and can provide back or shoulder relief,' Miryha continued. 

Miryha said that it's not the underwear causing the problem if women want to ditch their regular bras - instead, it's because it's not the right size or shape for their body.