The bra or brassiere has undergone some serious transformation, and finally in the late 19th century, it evolved into a design, which has now earned an eminent place in every woman’s cupboard.
Gone are the days, when more emphasis was put on waist than on the upper part. Such kind of inner wear not only supports and elevates the breasts, but also gives an impressive shape to the wearer’s figure.
Here Are Top 35 Best Selling Different Types Of Bra
The degree to which the bra constructs the breasts, differ as per style, fashion, texture and functionality. However, one must be aware of the do’s and don’ts while shopping for bras. The fashion industry has come up with multifarious designs and bra types.
1. Bridal Bra
A bridal bra or corset holds and shapes the upper part of the body into a desired shape, thereby helping the bride to smartly fit into the wedding dress. Besides, it also renders great posture and is as light as a normal brassiere. The bride can comfortably be at her best on her wedding day! This is one of the types of bras where women spend maximum time to consider before picking the final one. This type of bra, although falls under bridal category, must be picked depending on the wedding outfit. If the bride is wearing a backless wedding gown, then a strapless bridal bra would be an ideal pick. If the bride is wearing a deep cut blouse, then a balcony bra would be ideal.
But the most important things is to try the type of bra with the wedding outfit before buying it as the comfort and fit must go hand-in-hand for the big day and this cannot be compromised at all.
2. Adhesive Bra
This type of bra, as the name suggests, it adheres to the breasts. It is strapless and features no bands of any sort, but at the same time it provides little support to the breasts. This kind of inner wear is highly intended for backless dresses or tops. These also work well with sheer dresses.
Again this type of bra is further categorized into two sub-types; the disposable paper ones, which use a strong adhesive and the reusable ones, which use silicone that is washable.
3. Belly Dance Bra
Many people believe that belly dancing type of bra is always the same as that of the size of a normal bra, but actually it is not. For e.g. if your size is 32C then you can also comfortably fit into a 34B size, with some minor adjustments.
4. Bandeau Bra
One of the best Indian bra types, this is a plain simple band of cloth piece wrapped around the breasts, thereby providing little support. These work well to those who are just beginning to wear bras. These can also be work when at home or while going to bed.
5. Convertible Bra
This kind of lingerie features straps, which can be detached and rearranged in various ways, thereby suiting the outfit. This type of bras are also available with beaded and clear plastic straps, which provide both support and style. Some of the best online lingerie brands in India, such as Zivame, Lovable, etc have these bra’s for women who love to experiment with the different styles of clothes.
7. Cupless Bra
This kind of lingerie as the name suggests does not feature cups and is rather comprised of only frames, thereby exposing nipples through modeled support cups. These particular types are considered under erotic inner wear category, as they let the nipples to be visible through the outfit. This is a unique type of bra which is mostly worn in the western countries.
8. Demi Bra
These types of bra features half-shaped cup along-with broad straps and a horizontal bust line. It renders great cleavage and a frame-like effect, thereby enhancing the sensuality of the dress. It is ideal for deep-neck garments. Women with small breasts can wear this bra to give an illusion of bigger breasts.
9. Full Support Bra
This kind of inner wear is designed to render great support for the entire breasts and come under typical regular wear. Most Indian bra’s have this style of bra’s. Mostly, older women prefer wearing these traditional types of bras.
This bra also works well for heavy breast women.
10. Front Closure Bra
It features closure i.e. hooks and eyes on the front rather than at the back, as seen in normal wears. It lies completely flat at the back and goes well with tank tops, provided it features a racer back design. This type of bra is easier to wear and take off, when compared to the other bra’s that close at the back.
11. Mastectomy Bra
Such kind of under cloth is intended for those, who have either lost one or both the breasts in mastectomy treatment for breast cancer. It is specially designed so that a prosthesis can be held in place.
12. Male Bra
This may sound bit weird, but it is a therapeutic undershirt for men with Gynecomastia. It does not give support rather helps them flatten and conceal their breasts.
13. Minimizer Bra
Theses types of bra is specially designed to play down the bust and is ideal for women with 34C and above. It compresses and minimizes the breasts, thereby creating an impression of a cup size smaller than the original one.
14. Maternity Bra
This is ideal for pregnant ladies. Its expandable nature helps them deal with increase in size of their breasts during the course of pregnancy.
15. Nursling Bra
It helps in breastfeeding, by enabling baby to easily access the nipple. The cups of such bra are covered with flaps, which be pulled down to expose the breast.
16. Padded Bra
These types of bra features padding inside its lining, thereby enabling a fuller shape to ladies, having small breasts. It is mainly worn to enhance the figure. These bra’s also help in concealing the stiff nipples.
17. Pushup Bra
As Miranda Kher is seen here in a pushup bra, it is an advanced design inner wear, used to lift the breasts, thereby enhancing the cleavage. The Wonder-bra is the all time popular brand for such kind of lingerie. Most of the push-up brassieres feature padding, either made up of rubber or foam and even some containing gel-filled pads.
A padded type can be distinguished from the push-up type, by considering if the padding is done at the under each breast to lift them or is done outside the center so as to push the breast inwards.
18. Sport Bra
It provides firm support to the breasts and helps prevent any kind of discomfort to the wearer during vigorous work-outs.
19. T-Shirt Bra
It is specially designed for T-Shirts and helps prevent breasts or nipples from being visible. It is also available with padded cups to hide nipples, thereby providing a smooth line.
20. Vintage Bra
This is a full-support traditional brassiere, usually in the shape of a parabolic with its axis perpendicular to the breast. It was widely used from 1940s till late 1960s. It is also known as bullet bra.
You can buy these and all other types of bra here.
21. Peephole Bra
The Peephole Bra is considered as an exotic lingerie design. These bras have holes in the cups so that the nipples can be visible or they can protrude through the dress.
22. Racerback Bra
This is an apt choice of bra when wearing a racerback tank top or strapless dress or tops. The shoulder straps are closer to the necks and come over your shoulders in a V neck pattern. These are great if you don’t want the regular straps to be seen.
23. Plunge Bra
The Plunge Bras are designed in such a way that that the cups are at a distance from each other and joined low by a thin center piece. You can also find U-Plunge bras where a U-shape is formed in the center. This is the ideal bra for outfits which have deeper necklines.
24. Sheer Bra
Sheer Bras are usually made up of satin, lace or nets. These are mostly see through bras and are known for their glamorous effect rather than support. They are used as part of exotic luxury designs.
25. Shelf Bra
Shelf Bras are also known as Cupless bras since they usually don’t have any cups. Considered as an erotic lingerie piece, this bra is supported only with the frames that cover a very small part of the breast.
26. Backless Bra
How many times have you skipped wearing that sexy backless blouse or the low-back LBD only because you were worried about showing off your bra straps? Well, now you can show off your sexy back by wearing a backless bra. With the help of such low back bras, you can confidently carry off any backless dress and flaunt your sexy back!
27. Balconette Bra
The next bra in our types of bra article is the balconette bra or the balcony bra. You can get a better appearance for your breast with the help of these this bra. Though it might look like a full cup bra, it provides lesser coverage. Some of the benefits of wearing a balcony bra are it adds extra volume to the breasts due to the padding on the underside, you can choose from a number of patterns and colors, it enhances the look of your cleavage, etc.
28. Silicone Bra
Silicone bra or sticky bra is ideal for women who have A, B or C cup size. This can be another option for you when you want to wear a backless or strapless outfit. As the name suggests, it is made of silicone and polyurethane and comes with a self adhesive which aids in giving a natural shape. You can choose from a number of self adhesive bra patterns.
29. Transparent Bra
Transparent bra or invisible bra or see through bra; all of these refer to the same kind of bra. The word transparent can either refer to the bra cup or to the bra straps. A bra with transparent straps is ideal to wear with tube tops, sleeveless dresses, spaghetti strap tops, etc.
30. Lace Bra
Don’t we women love our frills and lace? Be it a lacy top with frills or a dress made of lace; we all have that one favorite lace outfit, don’t we? If you like us are a lace lover then we are sure that by now you would definitely be owning at least one pair of lacy bra! Among all the different types of bra, this is definitely on top of every woman’s list of favorite bra. If you still haven’t updated your closet, then the below images of lacy women’s bra will have you reaching for your wallet!
31. Longline Bra
A longline bra is a kind of ladies bra which covers your waist and hips as well. One of the reasons why women prefer this type of bra is because it gives better support than your regular bra and it also helps in shaping your waist. These are also great for women who have back or shoulder problems as the wide band of the longline bra will help in giving your body part the required support. You just need to be careful while picking up this bra type. Ensure that you are comfortable with the length and fit of the bra. They are perfect for wearing under strapless dresses or long dresses.
32. Halter Bra
The next time you wear a halter dress or a halter top, instead of wearing a bra with transparent straps or a strapless bra, you can simply opt for a halter bra. You can find a number of patterns and designs for a halter neck bra such as halter bra with transparent strap or halter bras with strings that can be tied at the nape of your neck, etc. Halter bras are definitely a sexy addition to your bra collection. You can pick up cotton bras or lacy bras or sheer bras in the halter pattern.
33. Multiway Bra
A multiway bra is a bra that comes with detachable straps which can be attached or detached as required. They usually have a lot of hooks in place so that you can attach the straps in such a way that it would look perfect with what you are wearing. Also known as convertible bras, they are one of the most essential kinds of bra that you need to have in your lingerie closet. You need to be careful while choosing a multiway bra since different bras will have hooks in different places. So choose wisely!
34. Wireless Bras
Well, these are pretty much self-explanatory, right? Bras that usually come without the underwire are known as wireless bras. These bras usually have a softer cup and are not as rigid as the underwire bras. Also, if you don’t want a bra that lifts up your breasts and if you are aiming for a natural look, then the wireless bras are the right choice. They are super comfortable and can be worn for any occasion. They can also be used if you have recently undergone a surgery since the underwire bras may be painful or uncomfortable.
35. Seamless Bras
Imagine you are dressed to the nines in your favorite outfit and you are all set to step out of your house when you suddenly notice the seams of your bra showing through your outfit. Isn’t that one of the most frustrating moments for a girl? If you have found yourself in such situations a couple of times, then it is about time that you push those bras with seams aside and start wearing seamless bras. If a smooth look and finish is what you want, then the bras without seams like a T-shirt bra would be your best choice.
The best bra brands in India provide most of these types of bra. Be wise and choose the bra your figure needs. If you are not sure about your bra size, do not be ashamed to ask the assistant. It’s your right to feel beautiful from within. It’s time to give your lingerie wardrobe a makeover with some sexy A cup bras, U cup bras, gel bras, half bras, strapless backless bras, etc.
PS: Wearing a bra while sleeping is not as harmful as it has been said. However, for your comfort it is best to avoid it, so as to let your skin breath.
Images Source: pinterest.com, touchofmodern.com
1 comment
Which are the best sports bras available in India? Is racerback better or the regular broad back bra for high impact workouts?