Simple Bra Style Guide
Bra Styles
By Elena Ognivtseva
Full form wire bra
Features
- Covers the upper breast completely
- Supporting strip under the cups for extra support in cups D and E only
- Good fit for many different breast types
- Wire: high in central front panel and under armpits
Effect
- Slimming effect
- Creates naturally curved bosom
- Lifting effect
- Functional and comfortable shoulder straps
When
- Every day
- All activities
Balconnet
Features
- Covers approximately ¾ breast
- Good fit for 8 out of 10 women
- Narrow and embellished shoulder straps
Effects
- Young and seductive necklines
When
- Low cut clothing with round or square necklines
- Every day
- Nights out
- Sexy look
Moulded soft bra
Features
- Covers breast completely
- Full cup
- Moulded pre-formed, seamless with out padding
- Good fit for all breast types
- Wire: high in central front panel and under armpits
Effects
- Extra support and breasts are lifted
- Young and natural look
- Pronounced and round bosom
When
- Ideal smooth look under tight clothes
- Every day
Strapless
Features
- Moulded padded cup (pre-formed) covered with a decorative fabric
- Wire: high in central front panel and under armpits
- Shoulder straps : detachable and set apart
Effects
- Bra feels tighter due to silicone strip in the back panel: can be worn without straps
- Horizontal neckline, possibly with bare shoulders
- The fastener can be worn very low in order to reveal the bare back
When
- Clothing with a wide square neckline or bare shoulders
- Worn with clear straps under spaghetti strap tops
- Ideal for smooth look under tight clothes
- Parties and weddings
Padded bra
Features
- Covers ¾ of the breast
- Moulded padded cup (pre-formed) covered with a decorative fabric
- Straps continue into the padded cups
- Wire: low in central front panel, higher under armpits
- Shoulder straps: set wider apart, sometimes halter option
Effects
- Straps pull on the side of cups (under armpits) no incision in upper breast
- Very good fit for many breast types
- Nice shape, pre-formed cups offers extra figure correction
- More pronounced and round bosom: sexy look
When
- Ideal for a smooth look under tight clothes
- Every day
- Halterneck straps can be displayed like a piece of jewellery
Padded push-up bra
Features
- Covers 3/5 of the breast
- Moulded padding in the lower cup, covered with decorative fabric
- This padded push-up bra might fit smaller than other padded bras: women might need a size bigger than usual
- Wire: low in central front panel, higher under armpits
- Narrow and embellished shoulder straps centred
Effects
- Push-up reveals more breast
- Women with small breasts can finally show a nice bosom because the lower part of breast is pushed upwards
When
- Low v-shaped necklines
- Nights out
- Sexy look
Basque
Features
- Moulded padded (pre-formed) covered with decorative fabric
- Vertical bones in front and back panel
- Covers the waist
- Sometimes with suspenders
- Detachable shoulder straps
Effects
- Figure correction: creates a slim waist
- Wide horizontal neckline reveals upper breast
When
- Low cut clothing with round or square neckline
- Evening gowns or wedding dresses
- In smooth fabrics the basque can be worn as outerwear
- Sexy look