I Asked 4 Celebrity Stylists For Their Favorite Strapless Bras & This Is What They Said!
Plus some key things from the J.Crew Spring Break Sale + my new favorite intuitive blush, yes, that's a thing.
Hi everyone, and welcome back to the newsletter! Not to be overly familiar, but have your dreams been weird this week? Is your March already chaotic? Yeah, me too. Thankfully we live in a world where Chani exists, and she had me well prepared for an insane March, which will undergo multiple retrogrades (Mercury retrograde started on Saturday, and goes through April 7th, plus Venus went retrograde on March 1st, and will be until April 12th), and we just had a blood moon lunar eclipse in Virgo, the first one that’s happened near the South Node (which is a place of clearing things out to heal, per Chani) in almost 19 years. In other words, a whole new chapter. For the record, astrologists have collectively been saying that March 2025 is a weird, crazy, impactful month, so do with that what you will?
(On a side note, after we sold Who What Wear, I had a great boss for a year and a half who is a very cool and kind, well traveled, hard working British woman, who has since left the business. Since she was based in London and I’m in LA, I’d write her an end-of-week update, just sort of a state of the union covering my patch of the business. For reasons I cannot fathom, I started including astrological updates at the top of my report, which might be the most oddly California (and possibly unprofessional?) thing I’ve ever done. Luckily, she was a great sport about it and humored my zodiac proclivities, which I have apparently transferred to you all. Sorry, not sorry? Ha! Miss you, Sophie.)
Moving on!
Strapless Bras
Last week, I wrote about a couple of my recent loves from Reformation, and two perfect dresses from Net-A-Porter, none of which involve traditional underpinnings. Until a few of you mentioned it in comments and direct messages, I didn’t realize that I’d mainly showcased dresses that require a strapless bra, and that was not very thoughtful of me. While everyone was quite kind about it, the sheer number of inquiries about what bra I’d recommend wearing with each dress made me realize that I was the problem.
And sheepishly, I don’t have any great answers, because I don’t own any strapless bras. Well that’s not totally true; I’m pretty sure I own some, but I don’t know where they are in my closet because I hate wearing them. Yes, this is partially a privilege that I don’t have to wear them, but also I tend to pick dresses that have some degree of structure. The dark floral Cara Cara Alba Dress ($695) is the price it is in part because of the gorgeous vintage print, but also because of the construction. The bodice has boning, the back is lightly smocked, and the combination results in such a good fit that I didn’t even think about a bra.
But I heard you! And I know when I don’t know something! So I DM’d a few incredible celebrity stylists and asked them for their recommendations. Because honestly, who is better equipped to tell you what strapless bra really works than folks who have to make their clients look flawless for the red carpet? IMHO: No one.
Karla Welch: To know me is to know I’m going to reach out to celebrity stylist and co-founder/CEO of The Period Company and The Wishi, Karla Welch. (I own and love just about every style from The Period Co, and highly recommend all the styles, including the thong.) Karla dresses so many iconic women, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Olivia Wilde, and Anna Sawai, and is always great about sharing tips and tricks. She recommends the Victoria’s Secret Bare Illusions Lightly Lined Smooth Strapless Bra ($49.95), which is available up to a size 44G. She also noted: “My tip on strapless is that I go down one size because it gives a little more support and lift,” and also noted that this bra works in one’s standard size as well.
Enrique Melendez: One of the first people I reached out to was the amazing Enrique Melendez, who works with a number of incredible clients including Jenna Ortega. If you haven’t heard his episode of the Who What Wear Podcast, I very much recommend it! He recommended Fashion Forms’ U Plunge Backless Strapless Bra ($36), Go Bare Strapless Backless Bra ($36), and the Voluptuous Adhesive Bra ($42), which goes up to a size H. If you’d prefer something with a back strap, he also recommends Natori’s Minimal Contour Underwire Bra ($64).
Wayman & Micah: The brilliant styling duo Wayman and Micah are two of the kindest stylists I’ve ever met, and wildly talented to boot, as evidenced by their ongoing work with Coleman Domingo (who was the best dressed person during this awards season IMHO), and icons like Mary J Blige and Jodie Turner Smith. They immediately suggested the Victoria’s Secret Bare Illusions Smooth Uplift Strapless Bra ($54.95), which comes in nine (so amazing!) different colors, seven different bands sizes, runs up to a G, and can also be worn five different ways. An excellent investment, indeed!
Jamie Mizrahi: I also reached out to one of the busiest talents in the business for her suggestion, the one and only Jamie Mizrahi. You might recognize her work from the most recent awards season, as Mikey Madson is her client, and she also dresses Jennifer Lawrence and Adele, to name a few. Jamie’s suggestion? Third Love’s 24/7 Classic Strapless Bra ($68)—it is currently 25% off with the code SPRING25—which has over 3000 five-star reviews.
Remember how I mentioned that I am trying to enjoy the concept of my upcoming family trip as much as the trip itself, because apparently that’s where as much of the joy comes from. As you know, I bought a couple of gingham dresses at Reformation last week, but I also might have been nosing around on J.Crew and realized they’re having a sale on pieces that will work for spring break. So naturally I thought I should share? Sorry, not sorry?
J.Crew Vintage Jersey Classic Fit Crewneck T-Shirt ($19.50-$26.99 on sale)
These t-shirts are excellent and a bunch of colors and prints are on sale right now. I love the blue and white striped one, personally and take a small in it. I also like the brand’s New Perfect-Fit Short-Sleeve T-Shirt ($19.50) in a smaller stripe and the Classic Mariner Cloth Boatneck T-Shirt ($19.50) which I have in several colors.
J.Crew Stratus Side-Stripe Pant in Textured Satin ($99.50-129.50 on sale)
I own the navy pants (in a M/8, which is slightly too big, to be honest, but also comfortable that way) and also an older black pair, and I swear by them. Legit like wearing fancy pajama pants out of the house in all the best ways. I love the navy with the sporty cream stripe down the side, and these are going to be my airplane outfit (worn with a t-shirt and an oversized cashmere sweater), but also would be great with a tank and a bathing suit for the pool. Very much love them, and you know I’m a fusspot about trousers!
J.Crew Perfect String Bikini Top ($39.50) and Heritage String Hipster Bikini Bottom ($9.99-$26.50)
My long-time favorite J.Crew bikini duo is on major sale right now, and I personally have the clover green set in my cart. I love a string bottom because you can adjust it so it never cuts into your sides, and I’ve had a million versions of this suit over the years. It’s comfortable and holds up. Zero regrets. I also love the French Bikini Top ($9.99) in Cerise, which you could pair with the bottoms for a phenomenal suit for $20. Yes!!!
PS: The Trouser Maxi Skirt ($74.50) I wrote about a couple of weeks ago is 50% off now. It’s so cute and great for work too; I very much recommend! I take a 6 in it and find it TTS.
Custom Blush
Earlier this week, I mentioned I’d found a new product that I’m kind of thrilled about, but I didn’t want to share because I need to test something for a minute before I commit to adding to the discourse. And first, a full disclosure: I love a color-changing product, as someone who fell in love with the Magic Kiss lip balms I used to buy at the ABC Stores in Hawaii as a teenager.
So naturally when I saw that the beauty brand Dibs makes a pH-powered blush and highlighter product—the GlowTour Duo: Aura ($38)—I knew I was going to like it. And guess what? It’s phenomenal. I swipe a small amount on my upper cheek area and then stamp it in with a blush brush and honestly I’m so impressed. The highlighter is great as well, and not too shimmery or juvenile. It’s a great product for travel too, because it streamlines your kit, and I also have been wearing the blush side on my lips too! Honestly, this one is so fun, I think it’s worth your time and money. It’s also available at Ulta, if that matters!
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
This edition reminded me of one of many useful pieces of fashion guidance I remember hearing you impart: if it requires specialty undergarments (or skipping undergarments), it’s probably not an office-appropriate piece. So accurate and I’ve shared that rule of thumb with everyone I’ve ever managed!
Love the blush! Thank you for another great Sunday read and a reminder to start finding a good strapless bra before the time strikes when you need to wear one! Finding out yours doesn’t work in the 11th hour is always a buzzkill.