This article was created for eBay via Fractl in fall 2014.
A bra is a bra is a bra, you might think–but there is an entire world of bras out there, with a type to suit every need and every whim. Here is a guide to get you pointed in the right direction.
For General Use
Balcony Bras (Also Balconnet/Balconnette Bras)
Want cleavage? Wear many square or scoop-necked tops? Then this may be a great choice for you, no matter what your size. These bras provide great lift, have wide-set straps, and the cut of the cups creates a straight line across your chest, leaving it pretty and bare for display.
Demi Cup Bras
These bras only cover the lower half of your breasts, leaving the tops exposed—sexy, and practical under low-cut clothing. It is similar to the balcony bra but with less coverage, and more suited to small-to-average sized breasts that are fuller on the bottom than the top. It is often combined with push-up and padding features, and is a favorite for petite women because it has shorter underwires.
Front Closure Bras
These are used for two reasons, with convenience being the first! They are very easy to hook and unhook compared to back closures. The second reason front closures exist is to allow for different styles of straps in the back, such as racerback bras. Tip: Buy these snug, because as the elastic wears, you won’t have the option to adjust them tighter as you do with traditional back closure bras that come with multiple sets of hooks.
Full Coverage Bras
Do you feel like you’re spilling out the tops of your cups, or want a bit more modesty and a smooth appearance under your clothing? Here is a solution for breasts of any size. They are best for women who have some fullness on the top of their breasts, to fill out the upper portion of the cups.
Lace Bras
These can be lined or see-through, and present some of the prettiest choices. Keep in mind that a sheer lace bra typically provides light support and very little modesty. Also, some lace may feel a little rougher against the skin than smooth fabrics.
Molded Cup Bras
These bras are thicker than regular fabric bras and keep their shape even when you take them off. Because of their thicker cups, they conceal nipples very well, and because they provide shape, they are great for holding sagging breasts—whether large or small—in a rounder position.
Push-Up Bras
Calling all women who want a lift! These bras have pads that push the breasts up to a higher position, creating shape, cleavage, and a bigger look. They are also great for women with breasts of different sizes, because you can simply remove the padding on the larger side to even them out.
Stretch Cup Bras
These typically have cups with a smooth, thin, seamless, and stretchy fabric. They are great for women who find it hard to find molded cups that provide an exact fit, or have breasts of different sizes/shapes. Because of the stretch they provide lighter support.
T-Shirt Bras/Contour Bras
For a smooth, seamless look under T-shirts and other lightweight clothing, look no further. Get one in a skin-tone shade so that it’s invisible under sheer fabrics, unlike bright whites or colors.
For Specific Figures
Bralettes
No wires, no molding, no bulk. These provide very lightweight support and superior comfort, ideal for women with smaller breast sizes, those with comfort concerns, or for wearing to bed.
Minimizers
Want your breasts to look smaller and more discrete? These bras streamline your silhouette by distributing your breast tissue in wider and flatter cups, rather than pushing them up and out. This can reduce clothing tightness across the bust—especially helpful for button-down shirts.
Plus Size/Full Figure Bras
Soft, molded cup bras with full coverage are a popular choice for fuller figures, to provide shape and support without the discomfort of underwires.
Training Bras
Need a first bra for a tween or teen? Training bras are usually soft and have thin padding. Rather than providing breast support, they primarily function to protect the nipples from chafing against clothing and to provide privacy. They can be similar to bralettes.
For Special Clothing
Adhesive Bras and Breast Lifts
Yes, you heard right—adhesive bra cups. These stick to your breasts, and sometimes have the option to clip together, to provide shaping and cleavage under tricky clothing such as a backless dress or a plunging neckline. Stick-on breast lifts attempt to provide some lift, as well. These work best for smaller to average sized breasts.
Backless Bras
For a truly backless bra, go with the adhesive cups. If you simply need a lower bra band, go with a convertible bra for better support.
Bandeau Bras
These are pretty much a strip of fabric held up by elastic around the top and bottom. They are typically stretchy, offer just light support, and are used as comfy, strapless bras. Some have built in cups to provide a bit of shape and support.
Bridal Bras/Longline Bras
These bras provide coverage all the way down to your waist or hips, and therefore give extra shaping and support. They are most popularly used under formal dresses and gowns, though some women like them for regular wear because of the way they support the upper body and the weight of the breasts.
Convertible Bras
These have straps and hooks that can be arranged in a variety of ways to suit a variety of tricky clothing styles, such as halter tops and low-backed dresses. They can also be used in a conventional set-up for everyday wear, though clothing sometimes catches on the hooks during dressing and undressing.
Plunge Bras
Wear deep V-necks? This bra is cut low in the center, while still providing great cleavage and support.
Racerback/T-Back Bras
These have shoulder straps that come together at the center of your back. In addition to suiting certain clothing styles, they provide extra support (which is why sports bras often have this design.) They also make an excellent option for women whose shoulders slope downward, to prevent their straps from slipping off.
Strapless Bras
These bras have removable shoulder straps, which women of any size can pull off (so to speak), as long as they are getting their support—as they always should be—from the band of their bra. These bras often have silicone trim to help ensure that they don’t slip down.
For Other Activities
Sleep Bras
Some women like breast support at night—especially those with larger breast sizes or with breast tenderness. Any soft bra devoid of wires, hooks or other hard parts can be a good choice at night, though specialty sleep bras tend to have extra support at the sides, for when you are lying down.
Sports Bras
Like to move? Sports bras are designed to hold your breasts comfortably and firmly in place while you exercise. They can work by compression (and have a flattening effect) and/or have cups to hold your breasts in a structured shape. They also utilize fabrics intended to wick away sweat and dry quickly. Some women wear sports bras as stand-alone tops while exercising, and some wear them as everyday bras because they live active lifestyles or simply like the feel.
For Moms
Maternity Bras
These bras offer soft cups and often some stretch, to accommodate sensitive nipples and rapid fluctuation in breast and body size. A tip for buying these bras: purchase the band size that fits best on its tightest setting, so that you can expand it as your size increases. This is opposite to the traditional advice of fitting a bra at its loosest setting so that you can tighten it as the elastic wears out.
These bras come in a variety of styles, but all offer cups that unclip and fold down for easy access during breastfeeding. Tip: start with bras that are very soft for the most difficult post-partum days, and move up to more structured bras as your size stabilizes and you return to everyday activities and clothing. Don’t forget to insert breastfeeding pads to absorb any milk leakage.
For Medical Needs
For women who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy, or simply have different sized breasts, these bras offer pockets for prostheses/pads and soft fabrics for sensitive skin.
Surgical Bras/Compression Bras
After any type of breast surgery (and following consultation with your physician) these bras can offer comfort and help ease your recovery. They are soft and press down on the breasts to prevent swelling or uncomfortable movement, and often have front closures to accommodate reduced mobility.
Which to Choose
Assess your body type and lifestyle, and try on as many styles as you have time to explore. With so many options, you’re sure to find a style (or several) ideal for you.