Bra types 101
There are so many bras to choose from! From push-up bras to bralettes, bras with or without underwires, front fastening bras, minimisers, maximisers, bustiers... there are so many different bra types. But what is the difference between all these types of bras? We are about to explain! With this bra type overview it will be easy to set them apart and choose your favourite bra(s)!
Balcony bra
A balcony bra is a bra of which the top of the cups have a horizontal cut. A balcony bra lifts your breasts giving you a nice cleavage.
Underwire bra
An underwire bra is a bra with underwire below the cups. Because of these wires, this bra type provides extra support and comfort. An underwire bra is suitable for both women with small or large breasts.
Non-wired bra
A non-wired bra is a bra without any underwire. This bra hugs the natural shape of your breasts.
Bralette
A bralette is a non-padded bra without any underwire. It’s really comfy as you won’t notice you are wearing a bra, but it does provide less support than other bra types.
Demi cup bra
Demi refers to the cup shape. This particular cup shape is low cut and only covers about half of your breast.
Full cup bra
A full cup bra is a bra with a high neckline and cups that completely cover your breasts. It’s a popular bra type among women with bigger cup sizes.
Plus size bras
A plus size bra is especially designed for larger cup sizes. It has longer underwires and wider bra straps for extra support.
Shelf bra
A shelf bra is a bra with a very low cut cup that leaves part of your breasts uncovered. Perfect for sexy occasions.
Longline bra
A longline bra is a bra with a wider bra band that sometimes extents to your waist or hips. The wider bra band provides extra support and accentuates your waist line.
Maximizer bra
A maximizer bra is similar to the push-up bra, the only difference being that it also has extra padding on the sides of the cup adding two cup sizes!
Minimizer bra
A minimizer bra makes your breasts seem smaller as the cups are designed in a way to divide your breast tissue evenly over the cup.
Multiways bras
A multiway bra is a bra with removable straps that can be reattached in different ways (e.g. as racerback).
Non-padded bra
A non-padded bra is a bra without any foam padding. It hugs the natural shape of your breasts.
Stick on bra
A stick on bra is an adhesive bra without any straps or bra band that can be sticked on your breasts. It’s the perfect bra solution for under garments with a low cut back.
Push-up bra
A push-up bra has extra (gel or foam) padding at the bottom of its cups which pushes your breasts towards each other, making them seem bigger and giving you a perfect cleavage. A push-up bra sometimes has removable padding allowing women with bigger breasts to wear this model as well.
Sports bras
A sports bra is a bra designed for working out. It gives extra support and is often made off special fabric that absorbs sweat and dries fast.
Strapless bra
A strapless bra is a bra with removable straps making it the perfect bra for under tops and dresses that show off your shoulders. A strapless bra often has a wider bra band which provides the needed support.
T-shirt bra
A t-shirt bra is a bra with smooth, seamless cups without any lace or other applications. As it is seamless it won’t show under your garments making it the perfect bra to wear underneath tight fitted pieces.