Top With Thin Straps – Guide
Short answer: A top with narrow straps is the thinnest layer you can wear under a shirt or a dress, and it does not show at the edge. In return it covers neither bra straps nor shoulders, which makes it a layer rather than a garment in its own right.
What it is good at
The narrow strap disappears under everything: a shirt, a knitted jumper, a dress. It puts a smooth layer between skin and outer fabric without showing as a ridge on the shoulder, and that is the one job where it beats a wide strap.
What it cannot do
It does not cover the bra strap, it does not stay put on a sloping shoulder, and it does not have enough fabric to carry itself. If the top is to be worn alone on a working day, a wider model is the right choice, however pretty the narrow one is.
Under a thin dress
Under a thin summer fabric the top smooths both skin tone and the edge of the underwear beneath. Choose skin tone rather than white, because white fabric throws the light back and shows more clearly, and pick a model without lace at the edge.
Together with a wire free bra
A narrow strap cannot hide a bra strap, so the combination works best when the bra has narrow or clear straps. A bamboo bra without underwire with narrow straps adds the least bulk under the top and gives the smoothest line.
In summer
On the hottest days the narrow strap covers the least and therefore feels coolest. Together with a pair of bamboo shorts for women it is the lightest combination in the wardrobe, and it takes up next to no room in a bag.
The straps should adjust
A narrow strap with no adjuster either fits or it does not, and you only find out after an hour. Choose a model with sliders if you are unsure about the length, or measure against a top you already know sits right.
How to stop them slipping
Narrow straps usually slip because they sit too far out on the shoulder or are too long. Adjust them so the top sits firm without digging in, and choose a model where the straps are set closer to the neck. Have a look at the bamboo tops for women.
Washing and lifespan
Always use a laundry bag so the narrow straps do not tangle with other clothes or get stretched by a zip. Wash at 30 degrees without fabric softener and dry the top flat. The rest of the range sits under bamboo for women. See also bamboo and temperature regulation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a top with narrow straps be worn alone?
At home and in the heat, yes. For work it is too delicate to stand on its own, and there a wider strap covers better and looks more finished.
Why do the straps slip down?
Either because they are too long or because they sit too far out on the shoulder. It is usually the placement rather than the size.
Which colour is most invisible under a thin dress?
Skin tone. White shows most clearly through a thin, pale fabric, because it throws back more light than the skin itself does.
See our range of bamboo tops for women.
