The weird—but genius—bra hack every woman should know

A crisp white top can really pull an entire outfit together. However, as we all know (and maybe learned the hard way), it’s not as simple as throwing on that nice white shirt. If you've ever gone hunting for the perfect bra to slip under a sheer-ish blouse or your favorite white tee, you know the struggle.

White bras seem like the obvious choice—until they light up under your top like a neon sign. Nude bras? Sure, they’re practical. But really, they’re also kind of uninspired (a huge beige flag). Especially when you’re young, stylish, and embracing city life, beige lingerie just doesn’t cut it.

Ladies, welcome the red bra into your life. Yes, red. Turns out, slipping on a show-stopping red bra under your white shirt doesn’t just feel bold—it’s practically invisible.

Fashion-forward women (especially the effortlessly cool French ones) have been pulling off this trick for ages. That’s right—you can wear a sexy red bra under a white shirt and keep it perfectly concealed. And now, you are in on their little secret.

“The trick of the red bra under a white top is a style trick French women have been doing for years now and is a great way to spice up your classic white tee or blouse when you want both invisibility and sexiness,” explains Josie-Ann Le Diouron, a bra expert and marketing coordinator of a French lingerie company. “The red fabric actually absorbs the light in a way that makes it blend with the color of the skin underneath.”

How to find the right red for the job

There’s an important caveat here: You have to choose the right shade of red for your skin tone. Le Diouron suggests a red with blue undertones, a true red, or something slightly deeper. She says to avoid reds with an orange or pink undertones.

To find the right shade of red for you, take the advice of Adrienne Coleon Gaskell, style expert for a French lingerie company: “Fair skin tones should look for a true blue-red; olive complexions play best with cranberry; darker skin tones can go deep into scarlet or burgundy territory.” Below are some good choices for the job.

Red bras to secretly wear under a white shirt

For low-cut or V-necks: A flirty classic with a modern twist.

This cut of this bra makes it great for a deep V-neck shirt, and the cool red color will blend against fair skin tones. This plunge bralette blends everyday comfort (because traditional bras can be a pain to wear) with delicate details—think floral lace, scalloped edges, and mesh-lined cups for extra coverage. For extra wearability, this bra's camisole lace straps are also hardware-free.

For plunging necklines: A low-cut bra

This lace t-shirt bra with stretch foam cups, an open neckline, and pretty details is a lighter true red, so it will be all but invisible beneath the shirt. While it's more open than other bras, this one is designed to make you feel pulled together, all with complete pillow-soft comfort and breast shaping from the stretchy foam cups.

For tight-fitting and crew-neck tops: A smooth, full-coverage bra

A full-coverage bra with seamless cups and a smooth band is perfect beneath tight-fitting shirts for ultimate invisibility, and the deep red tone blends with darker skin tones. This bra is designed with Wacoal's exclusive SmartWire System™ for true pillow-like comfortability, and there's a pretty embroidery detail in between the cups for extra flair.

For ultimate versatility: A lacey number

Featuring eyelash lace and decorative bows, this deeper true red bra can go beneath low-cut shirts and tight-fitting tees alike without revealing too much. Its delicate design could add a sexy flair to your outfit if you're wearing a sheer top. Just keep in mind that this lacey bra doesn't come with foam cups to prevent nipple show-through—this may be a turn-off for anyone who prefers a smoother look.