Your bra wardrobe should have something for all outfits. Always consider the cut of the bra, the style of the fabric (seamless for under clingy tops) and the colour (nude to wear under white and dark for dark clothing).
Here are some common bra styles - the cut of the bra explained!
Balconette / Balcony
It has wide-set straps and less coverage. The effect is uplift and fullness above the breasts, the wires site high in the center gore of the bra.
Plunge Bra.
Usually wired, with a very low plunging front and angled cups, allowing the breasts to plunge together. Usually padded to enhance cleavage, but not always.
Padded Bra
Either a light overall layer of padding providing a definite shape often referred to as moulded, or extremely padded to enhance cleavage or size of bust.
Push-up.
Usually padded bra with extra padding to the lower half of the cup which helps to lift the breast to create fullness above the breasts.
Full cup bra
A bra designed to give maximum coverage and firm support. A full cup fits a fuller figure well.
Demi Cup
Similar to balconette, but slightly higher cup, but not as much as a full cup. This is a popular fit of bra, it is sexy and flattering. Demi - meaning half.
Minimizer
A bra that gives the appearance of a reduced up size by either squashing down the bust or lifting and redistributing breast tissue.
Convertible
A bra designed with straps that move and change to fit the style of the outfit. Some bras come with low back converters and halter-neck straps.
Bustier / Basque
This is usually strapless, and consists of some degree of boning. Bustiers come from bust to waist. Basques come from bust to lower waist and usually have suspenders attached.
Corsets
Similar to a basque but tend to be stronger and sometimes steel boned with option to lace up tight at the back. Some corsets cover the bust and others are designed to sit under.
Moulded / seamless
These bras are heat moulded from one piece of fabric and are ideal under t-shirts, as there are no seams to show through. The do not provide the same lift as a demi bra.
Racerback
It features back straps that curve away from the shoulder blades. Many styles are front fastening. But some are standard fastening bras with straps that hook together at the back.
Sports bra
Sports bras are designed to restrict movement of the breast and therefore protect chest ligaments and prevent breast damage. Available in wired but mainly non wired.
Strapless / bandeau bra
Bras designed to lift and hold and come without straps. They sometimes have silicone or rubber strips on the inner edges to help prevent them slipping down. The heavier the bust the tighter the bra needs to be!
