Side boob? They’ve got it covered
Earlier this year, Constance Murphy and her sister, Matilda, experienced major Kardashian overload. “All that cleavage… urggh, “says Constance. “Baring your back is so much more chic”.
I’m with them on this. However, back-baring comes with its own challenges – the dreaded side boob among them. Acutely aware of the pitfalls, the sisters consulted their mother, Amanda Hartley, an artist, who showed them a favourite backless top from the late Seventies. “The idea was great – that carefree look was exactly what we were after. But essentially it was two triangles. God knows how it stayed on”. Intrigued, the three of them retreated to their mother’s studio in Leicestershire and worked on some more practical, forgiving versions and came up with
a template that is, as they say, “demure from the front, sexy from the back”. That studio now has four fulltime seamstresses producing three shapes, all backless (talk about focused),
all hand-finished. The classic features a high neck with a wide-ribbon neckline that can be knotted in a bow or left tailing down the back. There are two strappier versions. All come with a wide sash tie at the bottom that can be wrapped around the waist, once or twice (the gingham one can also be pulled down to tie at the hips).
Crucially, each one is cut not to show any unflattering side seepage. I’ve tried them and they’re probably about to become my go-to minimaleffort, maximum-impact party standby. Forget two triangles, these are more of an irregular, generous squoivoid. For extra support or coverage, there are backless adhesive bras, £20, and flower-shaped nipple pads, £12 (because a flower-shaped nipple pad is much nicer than a boring round one).
I think this may just qualify as the most ingenious label launch of 2017. If you have zero tolerance to inadequately heated rooms and are conscious about your arms, the tops also work beautifully under tuxedo jackets. In fact, because their chiffons, silks and sequins are ultra soft and fine and also lined in silk, they’re an ideal base.
What’s so clever is the way these tops deliver instant glamour. Slip one on – especially the sequins – with a pair of palazzo pants, denim or a bias-cut maxi and you’re good to go pretty much anywhere. From £155, harmur.co.uk.