Covers handle the front, but backless and strapless tops need a little more engineering. CAKES Cleavage bra is a reusable silicone adhesive bra that creates fuller-looking cleavage without padding, and it comes in five sizes. CAKES Tape is a kit of pre-cut silicone strips, and the brand suggests layering a long strip first and adding shorter ones for the shape you want. CAKES Fashion and Clothing Tape is a different thing entirely: a double-sided tape for necklines, hems and straps, clear, and single use. NOOD Shape Up Backless Strapless Bra in Soft Tan is a backless, strapless bra in a soft tan shade. NOOD Light and Airy adhesive bra is the brand's lightest lining, with a reusable medical-grade adhesive it says is waterproof. NOOD Lightly Padded adhesive bra gives a little more shape and is also reusable 50 plus times with care. NOOD Shape Tape in No. 5 and Weekend Travel Tape in Buff are the tapes, and the travel one is what I would toss in a weekend bag.

Prep matters more than the product. Clean, dry skin with no lotion or oil underneath, and press each piece for a few seconds so it settles.

What I would skip: the fashion tape on silk or satin. CAKES says it may leave residue or damage on those fabrics, so use it on sturdier cloth and test a hidden spot first.

Once the structure is sorted, bare shoulders and backs are where a little glow shows up. A body oil is the easy way to get it. PATRICK TA Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil is a bronzing oil made with acai oil and cupuassu butter, and the Major Glow High Shine oil is a lighter mist with meadowfoam seed extract. CYKLAR Vanilla Verve is a silky, non-greasy oil that absorbs quickly and leaves a luminous veil. amika I'm Glistening has oil-soluble vitamin C and is fast absorbing. Supergoop Glow Oil comes as a SPF 50 body oil in two versions, one with a coconut, vanilla and fig scent in a limited edition and one in an easy-pour bottle, and the easy-pour bottle is water and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes. INNBEAUTY PROJECT Bronze Body Glow is a transfer-resistant shimmer oil with squalane. Lux Unfiltered Golden Era is a golden body glow with sandalwood, jasmine and cinnamon.

Apply oil to your shoulders and collarbones only after your covers, tape or bra are on and pressed down, because the brand advises clean skin with no lotions or oils under its tape.

What I would skip: any oil across the chest or under the arms if you are wearing a grippy cover or adhesive that day. Keep the shine above the neckline and along the back.

Start with your size and your shade, because those two decisions matter more than the style. The brand offers a return policy if the sizing does not work, so measure once and then try. Pick grippy if you want no adhesive, and sticky if you need a firmer hold under a plunging neckline. Add tape or an adhesive bra only when the top actually needs it. Rinse each piece with warm water, air dry it away from direct sunlight and store it on its protective sheet, and it will last through many wears. Finish with a little oil on bare shoulders and you are ready to go out.