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.
Athletic Sports bra
See Sports 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
See Balconette bra.
Bandeau Bra
A very basic style bra which better suits smaller cup sizes. They are made of elasticated or stretch material.
Bare Bra
See Self-adhesive bra.
Bralette
This bra has no moulded cups or padding and is non-underwired.
Convertible bra
See Multiway bra.
Crisscross bra
See crossover bac
Crossover back bra
Elegant adjustable straps cross over the back making them a feature rather than utilitarian.
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 bra
A term used for a classic, no frills very wearable and comfortable bra.
Full coverage bra
See 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 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 bra
These bras look very elegant and luxurious. Being made of lace they can be more expensive.
Layering bra
A style that a woman wants to be seen under an outer garment.
Lightly lined bra
The name kind of gives I away. It has very thin padding which gives your breasts a very natural shape.
Mastectomy bra
Made from very soft fabrics with reduced or hidden seams with pockets on both sides, for the insertion of breast forms.
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 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 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 bra
See Maternity 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 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 bra
see Mastectomy bra.
Post-surgery bras
See Mastectomy bra.
Push-up bra
A bra which has extra padding in the lower cup to give a much fuller bust.
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 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 bra
See Balconette.
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
See self-adhesive bras.
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 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 bra
See 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 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 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.
