Only a decade ago, modern-looking underwear was something like a unicorn: only heard about, never actually seen. It’s still difficult to find, although no longer quite impossible. I find it strange, how in some industries time just seems to freeze. While women started to love the aloof minimalism of Celine and The Row, the lingerie departments were still filled with push-up bras in black, white, red and nude lace. The whole underwear world operated like fashion and feminism didn’t exist and as an ardent follower of both, I was stumped.

Then, along came the triangle bra, looking fresh and cool and comfortable. I think this is still the best option for those who want an alternative to traditional bras – although bandeau styles are starting to look interesting as well. My favourites come from & Other Stories (pictured) who tend to have a good colour selection and some unexpected versions, like this lovely cotton bra. If you want to go seriously trendy, Ten Undies is the favourite of all the IT-girls (people who are so gorgeous that they can wear the most unflattering cuts). On the more mainstream side, Princesse Tam-Tam does nice ones, as does the more pricey Stella McCartney.

Triangle bras work well with shorts and simple briefs, not so well with thongs, as these tend to symbolize the other end of the aesthetic spectrum. I am a big fan of having a yellow bra strap peaking from under a pale blue sweater or a lavender one combined with a green blouse. I am also firmly in the Team Black Bra with White Tank Top or Silk Shirt and if I had money to burn, I’d get this Saint Laurent beauty right this minute.

There is a catch, of course. Or several, to be honest.
1. A soft-cup triangle bra offers minimum support. It’s completely fine for me with my B- cup, but I’ve got two ample-bosomed sisters (one of those cruel jokes of genetics) and I don’t think it would ever work for them.
2. Rather like proper fashion, it’s not flattering in traditional terms. So if you have smaller breasts and are a good candidate for this type of bra, it will do nothing to “enhance your assets”. Again, completely fine with me, but if you’re used to your bra giving you a boost, you must adjust to a slightly different silhouette.
3. This is not an armour bra. Triangle bras are soft and easy and have a second-skin feel. It also means that the natural form of your breast is more exposed than it would be with most bras. (I’m trying to word it in a way that will not get this classified as a soft porn site.) While not a problem for me personally, I have learned that this might be an issue for people around me. So despite my undying love for this kind of bras, I tend to keep it for weekends and home wear, as I really don’t feel like using these on a daily basis.