A bra strap peeking out from a shirt or dress may not be very attractive, unless it's one designed by Lori Butler of Eldersburg.

The handcrafted, bejeweled "Classy Bra Straps" she sells look more like the straps of a fancy dress.

After getting tired of her regular bra straps making unwelcome appearances, Butler started making straps strung with glass or metal beads.

"I would wear them out and everywhere I would go people would ask, 'Is that your bra?' " she said.

That illusion became the core of Butler's new business, which she launched a year ago out of her office at 808 Reisterstown Road, where she also runs a hairstyling business, Lori's Hair Studio.

She has now made more than 1,000 classy straps and has sold about 800, with the help of her husband, Travis, 10-year-old daughter, Riley, and 6-year-old son, McClain.

Each family member has been a major part of the project.

McClain considers himself "the manager of Classy Bra Straps," Butler said, and "my daughter actually came up with a few of my (styles)."

The straps come in about a dozen styles, costing between $25 and $35. They can be adjusted between 13 and 17 inches.

Kristen Colyer, a Westminster resident who gets her hair cut at Butler's studio, has purchased four different pairs.

She said she tried to wear clear bra straps before hearing about Butler's invention.

"I wanted to try it and I absolutely loved it. I just thought these were so much prettier (than clear ones)," she said.

Butler, who shows the product at craft shows, said her straps have impressed many women and girls.

"I have literally had people jumping up and down by my booth," she said.

"You want these (straps) to show," she added. "Everybody tries to have them show instead of trying to cover them up."

For more information, go to www.classybrastraps.com or call 410-456-3164.

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