Thread: What are the best bra hooks and how do you ensure yours stays on? Costume Malfunction :(

For the first time ever my bra hook snapped, right in front of my audience who was standing in front of me after tipping me and taking a photo. Luckily they didn't see right when it happened but they saw me holding my bra against my breast and a lady even offered to help me. I just smiled and joked around and they were very nice. I went to fix the problem with a safety pin and came back to close the show. I want to ensure this won't happen again. All my bras have giant hooks and this one did too but it was the first time I used this costume and it only came with one hook and my bad for not adding another. I am thinking of those huge snaps in addition to safety pins. Should this be enough?

Thanks!

I use the big hooks and the big snaps, I also prefer cross straps, but the thing that makes the most difference is just fitting the rib cage with elastic so it hugs when I breathe and allows for moevement.

Originally Posted by shems

I use the big hooks and the big snaps, I also prefer cross straps, but the thing that makes the most difference is just fitting the rib cage with elastic so it hugs when I breathe and allows for moevement.

A lot of my costumes have cross straps but this one I had the accident with is a halter. Would the elastic make a difference even tough it is a halter?

Thanks

wow...i've never thought of adding elastic. sounds like a good idea.

what i do is i have a hook and snap on the outer and then another hook and snap on the inner lining of the bra...if that makes sense....you are doubly protected and they kind of have a give and take thing going so that the pressure of certain arm and chest movements are distributed.

to clarify...cause even i got confused...

both endings of the bra should have a hook and snap on them to hook onto two corresponding locations on the flip sides....

gosh....if i could only draw a diagram...

besides this i always back everything up with two safety pins on my bra....i have super long hair so it covers them up....doesn't work so well if your hair is short...

Good luck!

oh and i think the better hooks are the heavy duty hook and eye ones...they look like regular hook and eye but they are thick ones....cause i have found that the ones that come pre-sewn on most costumes are more liable to pop because the metal edges cut into the thread....

I prefer these:

Hook and Eye (garment accessory) products, buy Hook and Eye (garment accessory) products from alibaba.com


rather than these:

garment hook and eye products, buy garment hook and eye products from alibaba.com


OH...and from bitter experience...check each fastening before each gig...you never know when it might have worn out...

On the end of hte chest strap which goes underneath, add a 1" piece of elastic. At the end, sew on a small hook. On the underside of the top band, add an eye approx 1.5 inches from where the underside of the band ends. This not only acts as a way to keep that wayward under end in place, snugs it up to your chest wall, but also acts as a back up in case your main hook does come undone. It won't last through the second half of a set, but it will keep things in place long enough for you to make an exit and grab a safety pin.

{{{HUGS}}}

I use two kinds of hooks depending mostly on the width of the strap and the type of beadwork on it.

One is this kind. You want the #6 size: Tutu.Com - Notions: Fasteners

The other is this one: Hook & Bar, Trouser or Skirt - $0.50

I use the heaviest thread I can find to sew them on. Usually button/carpet thread or upholstery thread. After I'm done with the costume, I check the hooks every time. Then I check them again before I wear it every time. I reinforce the hooks as I need to. I've never had one come undone or break. (Knocks on wood).

Originally Posted by Aesera

A lot of my costumes have cross straps but this one I had the accident with is a halter. Would the elastic make a difference even tough it is a halter?

Thanks

Assuming your hooks are sewn on well, the reason you pop a hook in performance is because of the expansion of your ribcage. We need our bras to fit snug to avoid underboob and the like, but too snug and a quick inhale will rip that hook right off.

Properly installed elastic would work for a halter bra and most kinds of dance bras in general. I don't put the elastic at the hook, I've had bad luck with that, I attach the elastic to the cups on the inside and run it around the sides towards the back of the bra and I'd stop short of the hooks. I typically use a thick string to sew in a criss-cross casing. It acts a little like an elastic waistband or the stretchy nature of non dance bras. Let me know if you need me to post a photo.

The only bras I haven't been able to do this on are the super skinny strap bras, like most Bellas. On those I have hooks in opposition, one hooked on the inside and one on the outside, like what Zobeida described.

On Sahars, the straps are made of thick elastic and they hug your body as you dance. They'd have to be really worn out to pop.

Adding things like snaps or velcro don't do much if the hook has already popped off, but they will prevent the hook from sliding off and will take some of the pressure off the hook, so it is less likely to pop. I tend not to pin my bras, a) it is a pain to do and b) I've found the pin sometimes helps the hook to slide off as opposed to preventing it.

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

On the end of hte chest strap which goes underneath, add a 1" piece of elastic. At the end, sew on a small hook. On the underside of the top band, add an eye approx 1.5 inches from where the underside of the band ends. This not only acts as a way to keep that wayward under end in place, snugs it up to your chest wall, but also acts as a back up in case your main hook does come undone. It won't last through the second half of a set, but it will keep things in place long enough for you to make an exit and grab a safety pin.

{{{HUGS}}}

I've done this in the past and it didn't work for me. Somehow having the elastic at the end of the chest strap actually somehow managed to get my hook to slip off, just the opposite of what it was supposed to do.

Lately, I try this on two of my customers bras:

I used regular street bra extension sewn on the inside part of the side straps. Than the outside part (flap) goes over and close with hook and eye. The costume's owner said it work very well and they feel very secured. A big snap can also be use instead of the hook.

Hard for me to explain in English, but maybe pics can hep!

qamar...that is a really good idea....I think i might try that with some of my costumes...

just in case the double safety pin trick doesn't work....

Big hooks and instead of safety pins, I use diaper pins. They're much stronger and lock into place.

Thank you all for all the tips!

Shems- I think I got the whole elastic thing and its purpose. It makes a lot of sense.

And I like the hooks Zobeida posted instead of the flat ones. I think the flat ones tend to slip easier or not go all the way in if there's a lot of beading. I will also have to try that bra extension idea since I can't remeber any street bra coming undone (but they are stretchy so Shem's suggestion of the elastic makes sense).

Originally Posted by Qamar60

Lately, I try this on two of my customers bras:

I used regular street bra extension sewn on the inside part of the side straps. Than the outside part (flap) goes over and close with hook and eye. The costume's owner said it work very well and they feel very secured. A big snap can also be use instead of the hook.

Hard for me to explain in English, but maybe pics can hep!

Thanks for adding the photos! I believe they sell those extensions at any fabric store, is that right?

Originally Posted by Aesera

Thanks for adding the photos! I believe they sell those extensions at any fabric store, is that right?

Exactly! There are also different widths, one hook for narrower sidestraps or three hooks for larger ones.

I typically use skirt hooks and a big snap for fastening. Then on the strap close to the cup in the underarm area I'll do some thread casing elastic, like Shems recommends.
Sometimes I'll add my own little elastic and snap doo-hicky on the inside, for extra insurance, but buying the bra extender looks like a prettier idea.

good tips everyone. qamar i need to try that! thanks for the photos.
i've always relied on safety pins...so far i've never flashed anyone

Originally Posted by Aesera

For the first time ever my bra hook snapped, right in front of my audience who was standing in front of me after tipping me and taking a photo. Luckily they didn't see right when it happened but they saw me holding my bra against my breast and a lady even offered to help me. I just smiled and joked around and they were very nice. I went to fix the problem with a safety pin and came back to close the show. I want to ensure this won't happen again. All my bras have giant hooks and this one did too but it was the first time I used this costume and it only came with one hook and my bad for not adding another. I am thinking of those huge snaps in addition to safety pins. Should this be enough?

Thanks!

coats and clark "coat hooks" it is all we use.

Shems - if you wouldn't mind taking the time to post some photos I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Originally Posted by shems

Assuming your hooks are sewn on well, the reason you pop a hook in performance is because of the expansion of your ribcage. We need our bras to fit snug to avoid underboob and the like, but too snug and a quick inhale will rip that hook right off.

Properly installed elastic would work for a halter bra and most kinds of dance bras in general. I don't put the elastic at the hook, I've had bad luck with that, I attach the elastic to the cups on the inside and run it around the sides towards the back of the bra and I'd stop short of the hooks. I typically use a thick string to sew in a criss-cross casing. It acts a little like an elastic waistband or the stretchy nature of non dance bras. Let me know if you need me to post a photo.

The only bras I haven't been able to do this on are the super skinny strap bras, like most Bellas. On those I have hooks in opposition, one hooked on the inside and one on the outside, like what Zobeida described.

On Sahars, the straps are made of thick elastic and they hug your body as you dance. They'd have to be really worn out to pop.

Adding things like snaps or velcro don't do much if the hook has already popped off, but they will prevent the hook from sliding off and will take some of the pressure off the hook, so it is less likely to pop. I tend not to pin my bras, a) it is a pain to do and b) I've found the pin sometimes helps the hook to slide off as opposed to preventing it.

Me too. Thanks.

Originally Posted by SaNoorah

Shems - if you wouldn't mind taking the time to post some photos I would appreciate it. Thanks!

I always just use hooks I buy from Joannes, I always use an outside and an inside hook on both the neck strap and backstrap. one hook is not enough. I use carpet/ upholstery thread to sew it on...b/c it is the strongest..and I reinforce it alot, so that baby is NOT going to pop off. I have never had a hook come off ever.

Originally Posted by shimmygoddess

I always just use hooks I buy from Joannes, I always use an outside and an inside hook on both the neck strap and backstrap. one hook is not enough. I use carpet/ upholstery thread to sew it on...b/c it is the strongest..and I reinforce it alot, so that baby is NOT going to pop off. I have never had a hook come off ever.

Oh and I have the same flat hooks like pictured above..unless I run out and need to use another kind

Finally found a little time to take a photo.

Here is the inside of one of my bras, you can see the heavy duty hook and snap and the huggy elastic attached to the egde of the cup and down the length of the band, sewn in with a thick string casing. Sometimes I send it a little further down, closer to the hook, depending on how much hug I feel I need in that bra.