Ever get your balconettes and multiways in a mucking fuddle? Lingerie departments and websites nowadays offer oodles of bra styles to choose from, it can be quite bewildering to understand what exactly each model’s defining characteristics are — and get a grip on its pros and cons. To help you expand your knowledge of bra styles, here’s a handy guide.
Balconette: These are perfect if you are a fan of lower cut tops as they are cut lower at the front. They don’t provide the same level of coverage as other bra types but do give the breasts a rounded shape, thanks to their uplifting structure.
Full-cup bra: These are great for women who are bigger breasted as they have fuller coverage than a balconette bra. However, because they sit higher up, they are not so are not good with lower cut tops, unless you like your bra to be glimpsed. Unlike push-up bras, they separate the breasts.
Plunge bra/push-up bra: These are designed to push your breasts together and give you a boosted cleavage. They are also low cut so can be worn with lower cut tops. However, for some women they may find that they don’t offer the same level of support as full-cup bras or balconette bras.
Strapless/multi-way bras: Strapless bras are designed to go under tops where you don’t want the straps to show — great with strapless tops, or tops with halternecks or fine straps. Multi-way bras have detachable straps, which makes them multi-functional, ideal for under halterneck tops, strapless tops, low-backed tops and one shoulder tops.
Sports bras: If you are going to do any kind of sports, you will need a sports bra, as an ordinary bra will not be supportive enough for the breast tissue. Inadequate support can result in pain and, over time, will contribute towards breasts heading South.
Seam-free bras: These have completely smooth cups, with no lace detailing or seams, making them a perfect partner for sheer fitting tops or form-fitting tops like tight T-shirts.
Soft-cup/non-wired bras: These don’t have the underwires beneath the cup, so the cup is completely soft. Some women prefer this style of bra for comfort and even for night-time wear in bed if they feel they need some support, without the discomfort of a wired bra.
Thanks to online store Ellos.co.uk for compiling this glossary of bra types. Online clothes shopping is a popular way to buy lingerie and Ellos.co.uk is a great shopping destination, offering a wide range of lingerie including examples of all the bras mentioned.
This post is in association with Ellos.co.uk
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