The bra’s the star

Chilly? You bet! Tacky? You decide. Adored by the A-list, ‘bra-lets’ are bringing underwear out into the open

IT’S an item of clothing that once never saw light of day or, worse, was burned.

But that was before the bra was reinvented as the bra-let – a bra-cum-croptop that, if you’re brave enough, can be worn without a shirt or blouse.

On the new season catwalks – ie the trends for next spring – the bra-let was adorning models at Alexander Wang, DKNY and, of course, Victoria Beckham, the woman who, as Posh Spice, first had the idea of wearing just her bra under a jacket.

It was tipped as a spring trend, but the bra-let is already being worn now, when there is snow on the ground, with all the main high street stores cashing in.

It has been seen on virtually every female celebrity worth her Botox.

You really know you are getting old when you see a woman in a bra-let and you can’t help remarking: ‘Won’t you be cold?’

Of course, these women hop from limo to super-heated party with barely time to raise a goosebump.

But if you really want to turn up at the Christmas party looking as though you have lost your mind as well as your shirt, here is my brief guide to wearing your briefs in public:

Make sure your bra-let (pronunciations seem to differ) gives ample support, which means you must get a free fitting first: there is nowhere to hide your mistakes in this trend.

Keep the colour black, to avoid looking too tarty.

Keep everything else – legs, midriff – covered up: try a very high-waisted pencil skirt, or black trousers together with a cummerbund.

Don’t just be a cheapskate and give your normal, tired old bra an airing: it has to be more substantial, like a mini-corset. Except, unlike a corset, it won’t be holding any bits of you in!

KENDALL JENNER I think the American model has found a great way to wear a bra-let: over a plain white T, with jeans: it makes it all a bit less sleazy, but it is pretty, too. ALESHA DIXON This is all quite subtle, and instead of a tummy we have...

JANUARY JONES Sorry but this look from the Mad Men star is all too severe, and black, especially with the red lip. No one would talk to this woman at a party, let alone flirt with her. OLA JORDAN As if the Miami Vice jacket wasn’t bad enough, what...

JENNIFER LAWRENCE The Hunger Games actress really can do no wrong. The key is the lack of an exposed midriff, and the fact she actually has some flesh to fill the cups. I like too that everything else is edgy: the bleached hair, the bondage shoes. No...

CATE BLANCHETT This is cheating: it is just a drawing of a bra on a dress. Plus, it all makes her look a little lowslung, not pert at all. But at least the Lord Of The Rings star is warm.

PS THERE’S ALWAYS ONE... ABI CLARKE This is less red carpet, more care in the community for someone who has lost their mind and forgotten to get dressed. What was The Only Way Is Essex star Abi thinking?

GIGI HADID I kind of hate a bra that’s like workout wear. Is the American model meeting me for dinner, or for a bit of crosstraining?