Every woman wants to look and feel confident and comfortable in her own skin. A good start to feeling your individual best starts with foundation garments, especially the right bra for your body and outfit. However, with so many different types of bras available online and in stores, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the choices. To help simplify this challenge, let’s explore the different bra styles along with their features and benefits to help find which bras may be the right choice for you, your body, and lifestyle.
There are many important factors to consider when choosing a bra, among these are body shape, breast type, clothing style, occasion, and comfort. For instance, if you have a pear-shaped body, a push-up bra can create more volume to the top half of your body and balance out the bottom. Similarly, if you have a larger bust size, a bra with minimizing properties and a full coverage cup can provide necessary support and coverage while minimizing the possibility of spillage. What is spillage? It is a to-be-avoided look that happens when your breasts are spilling out of the top of your bra due to wearing the wrong bra size or style.
With Essential Bodywear’s over 20 years in the bra biz, we have identified the 10 most popular types of bras, each bra style has its own set of features and benefits which make it suitable for certain outfits, occasions, or body types. Let’s get started.
Bras with full coverage cups cover the entire breast tissue area so they provide maximum support, definition, and comfort for women with larger bust sizes. They can be underwire or wire-free designs according to the wearer’s preference. These bras typically have wider straps and supportive sides and backs to help eliminate or reduce bulges, giving a smoother look to any outfit.
T-shirt bras are the go-to bras for everyday wear. These bras provide mid- or full coverage with smooth, seamless silhouettes and comfortable designs. The cups are often lightly padded and/or molded to create a smooth shape and support without adding bulk to your outfit. T-shirt bras may use an underwire or wireless design. Women who regularly wear fitted tees, tanks or other close-fitting tops or dresses are the perfect candidates for a T-shirt bra.
Strapless bras are perfect for dresses, tops or tanks that have spaghetti straps, off the shoulder, one-shoulder, or strapless designs. Most strapless bras have an underwire and extra side support to create a frame for the front of the bra which increases overall support and reduces bounce. Strapless bras typically have a snug fit and either plastic or silicone lining at the edges to help keep them in place. They are often available with detachable straps, making them versatile and convenient as you can also wear them as a super supportive regular bra.
A convertible or multiway bra is a very versatile bra with movable or removable straps. These adaptable straps allow the wearer to change or adjust the straps on the body to accommodate different types of clothing silhouettes such as classic, crisscross, or halter. It’s a great bra to add to your collection, especially for summer fashion and formal occasions.
Push-up bras are a favorite among women looking to add more volume to their chest. These bras have extra padding at the base and/or sides of the cups, pushing the breasts together and up to create cleavage. They work well with low-cut tops or dresses and are perfect for women who want to enhance their curves daily or for a special occasion or outfit.
Plunge bras have a deep V-neckline, allowing you to wear low-cut tops or dresses without your bra showing. They have wide-set straps and provide varying levels of support depending on the bra particulars, making them perfect for many busts.
- Balconette and Demi-Cup Bras
There’s often confusion about the difference between Balconette and Demi-Cup bras. Balconette style bras are perfect for women who are looking for a bra that provides lift and separates their breasts. They have wide-set straps and a low-cut straight-across neckline which create a more rounded shape to the bust. Demi-Cup bras provide about 3/4 coverage of a standard full cup bra, revealing the top half to create cleavage. This bra style has more of a sweetheart neckline shape, so it works well with low-cut tops or v-necklines, creating a lifted and natural shape.
Bralettes are the ideal combination of comfort and style. They are unlined, wire-free, and often have a lacy or mesh design. They are perfect for loungewear or fashion as they can be worn with open back or sheer tops, especially if they have pretty lace, fun trim or are offered in fashion colors.
Lounge & sleep bras are usually interchangeable and exactly as they sound – ultra-comfy wireless bra styles worn for extra support while lounging, sleeping or for casual outings. These are offered in a range of fabrications and can be found in bra or bralette styling.
Sports bras are designed to offer a range of support and comfort during physical activities from high impact activities such as running or jumping to lower impact activities like walking or yoga. It is important to select the sports bra to match your planned activities. These bras are specially made with high-performance fabrics, supportive design features (such as racerback), and have a snug fit to reduce bouncing.
Finding the right bras with the right balance of comfort, fit and style is a key step to looking and feeling your best in any outfit or activity you choose. With so many options, there are sure to be at least a few that will work for your body and lifestyle.
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