What are the different types of bras?

Getting the right fit and style of bra is very important. However, the vast array of styles and functionality can be confusing. Mio Destino has put together this guide to help you navigate the many bras.

Sport Bras Mio Destino Womens Athletic Sports Bras

Athletic Sports bra

See Sports bra

Balconette Mio Destino Womens Balconette Bra

Balconette Bra

A form of low cut demi bra which is particularly suited to smaller cup sizes. It has a certain French vintage style.

Balcony Bra Mio Destino Womens Balcony Bra

Balcony bra

See Balconette bra.

Bandeau Bra Mio Destino Womens Bandeau Bra

Bandeau Bra

A very basic style bra which better suits smaller cup sizes. They are made of elasticated or stretch material.

Bare Bra Mio Destino Womens bare Bra

Bare Bra

See Self-adhesive bra.

Bralette Mio Destino Womens Bralettes

Bralette

This bra has no moulded cups or padding and is non-underwired.

Convertible Bras Mio Destino Womens Convertible Bra

Convertible bra

See Multiway bra.

Crisscross Bras Mio Destino Womens Crisscross Bra

Crisscross bra

See crossover bac

Crossover Bras Mio Destino Womens Crossover Bra

Crossover back bra

Elegant adjustable straps cross over the back making them a feature rather than utilitarian.

Demi Bras Mio Destino Womens Demi Bra

Demi bra

Half-shaped cups with a horizontal look to the bust line. The straps are often set wide on this bra style giving an almost box shape overall. Great for smaller cup sizes where support and coverage of the boobs is less of a necessity.

Everyday Bras Mio Destino Womens Everyday Bra

Everyday bra

A term used for a classic, no frills very wearable and comfortable bra.

Full Coverage Bras Mio Destino Womens Full Coberage Bra

Full coverage bra

See Full-cup Bra.

Full Cup Bras Mio Destino Womens Full Cup Bra

Full-cup bra

A bra which gives great support and gives complete coverage of the breasts. Particularly suited to larger cup sizes.

Halter Bras Mio Destino Womens Halter Bra

Halter neck bra

The bra swoops around the neck instead of over the shoulders. The perfect option for wearing under-halter dresses and outfits. Wearing a halter bra gives the shoulders without coverage.

Lace Bras Mio Destino Womens Lace Bra

Lace bra

These bras look very elegant and luxurious. Being made of lace they can be more expensive.

Layering Bras Mio Destino Womens Layering Bra

Layering bra

A style that a woman wants to be seen under an outer garment.

Lightly Lined Bras Mio Destino Womens Lightly Lined Bra

Lightly lined bra

The name kind of gives I away. It has very thin padding which gives your breasts a very natural shape.

Mastectomy Bras Mio Destino Womens Mastectomy Bra

Mastectomy bra

Made from very soft fabrics with reduced or hidden seams with pockets on both sides, for the insertion of breast forms.

Maternity Bras Mio Destino Womens Maternity Bra

Maternity bra

These bras are suited to women who are breastfeeding. They feature nursing clips on each cup with comfortable seamless cups with wide opening cups for easy feeding.

Minimizer Bras Mio Destino Womens Minimizer Bra

Minimizer bra

These are designed specifically to give good coverage, but also to give the appearance of a smaller bust size. The boob profile can appear to be one to two inches smaller with some brands.

Multiway Bras Mio Destino Womens Multiway Bra

Multiway bra

As the name suggests, it can be worn in different ways by use of detachable or moveable straps. The bras are often made in a standard bra shape and can then convert into styles such as halter neck, strapless, low-back and crossover back style. A woman needs to be careful when buying these types of bras, as each brand may only convert to certain styles.

Nursing Bras Mio Destino Womens Nursing Bras

Nursing bra

See Maternity bra.

Padded Bras Mio Destino Womens Padded Bra

Padded bra

This is fitted with pads to make the size or shape of a woman’s breasts look fuller and more flattering.

Plunge Bras Mio Destino Womens Plunge Bra

Plunge bra

Designed to accentuate a woman’s cleavage. The cups are low cut and very revealing, giving little coverage and the cups are held at the bottom by a thin piece of fabric.

Post Operative Bras Mio Destino Womens Post Operative Bra

Post-operative bra

see Mastectomy bra.

Post Surgery Bras Mio Destino Womens Post Surgery Bra

Post-surgery bras

See Mastectomy bra.

Push Up Bras Mio Destino Womens Push Up Bra

Push-up bra

A bra which has extra padding in the lower cup to give a much fuller bust.

Racerback Bras Mio Destino Womens Racerback Bra

Racerback bra

The Racerback gives extra support because it has a crisscrossed back design. This lets the bra provide extra lift because of the angled crisscross. In many ways similar to a sports bra, they are very flattering under close fitting tops while still giving superb breast lift.

Self-adhesive Bras Mio Destino Womens Self-adhesive Bra

Self-adhesive bra

They are backless and strapless and are often made of silicone. They have strong adhesive inner cup linings and clear wings to provide the superb lift, support, and cleavage. They are great to wear if your outer dress or garment is low back.

Shelf Bras Mio Destino Womens Shelf Bra

Shelf bra

See Balconette.

Sport Bras Mio Destino Womens Sport Bra

Sports bra

These are specifically designed for working out and sports to hold the breasts firmly whilst still giving flexibility and breathability. They help prevent discomfort or injury.

Stick On Bras Mio Destino Womens Stick On Bra

Stick-on bras

See self-adhesive bras.

Strapless Bras Mio Destino Womens Strapless Bra

Strapless bra

A bra which has no shoulder straps – often used when wearing an evening dress or low cut or off the shoulder tops.

T-Shirt Bras Mio Destino Womens T-Shirt Bra

T-shirt bra

A bra designed to give a great shape under a t-shirt or close-fitting top. They have smooth, thin, shaped cups without visible seams. They tend to be very comfortable.

Transparent Bras Mio Destino Womens Transparent Bra

Transparent bra

See Transparent strap bra.

Transparent Strap Bras Mio Destino Womens Transparent Strap Bra

Transparent strap bra

As the name says they look the same as a regular bra, but they have transparent or invisible bra straps on the back and the sides. Though not completely invisible from close-up they give great support and work very well with an off-shoulder outfit, tank top, tube top or backless dress.

Triangle Bras Mio Destino Womens Triangle Bra

Triangle bra

These are called after the triangle-shaped cups. They can give good support to small and medium sized breasts, and they tend to look very feminine and sexy.

Underwired Bras Mio Destino Womens Underwired Bra

Underwired bra

An underwire bra (aka under wire, under-wire, or underwired) is a bra which is well suited to medium and larger breast sizes.  They have a narrow, c-shaped piece of rigid resin, metal or plastic fitted into the fabric. This gives better stability and helps shape, support, lift and separate women’s breasts.

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