Bra Terms
Confused about bra terms? Ever wonder what a "Balconette" or "Bustier" is? Here is a guide to help you understand bra terminology and find the right bra for you!
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Balconette The Balconette bra is very similar to the half cup or demi bra but a little more revealing. Offering little to no coverage, balconettes create dramatic uplift and cleavage. They also include a little padding to enhance bust size.
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Bralet A bralet, or bralette, is an unlined, soft cup bra, typically designed to be pulled over the head or clasped in the back and resembles a crop top. It does not have a signification amount of support and is a great option in a comfortable bra for relaxing or sleeping in.
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Bustier A structured garment extending down to the waist or hip. Most bustiers, also known as corsets, have flexible boning throughout the body of the garment and often help produce a distinctive "hourglass" shape. They can be strapless or have convertible straps or garters and also small hooks that usually run up the front or the back. Perfect for any special occasion providing both shape and lift.
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Comfort Straps Wide cushioned straps to help relieve shoulder pressure, alleviate back pain, and prevent strap dig-in. They are padded or lined to help more evenly distribute the weight of the breast and increase the level of comfort.
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Convertible Bras that have straps which detach and can be worn in various ways including - criss-cross, halter, strapless or one shouldered. These are a great addition as they are a flexible option and can be worn with a variety outfits from boat neck, halter, to asymmetrical necklines.
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Demi A "demi", meaning half, cup bra offers less coverage than a full cup and more than a balconette and is perfect for low cut tops. A popular selection because of the "barely there" coverage and is suitable for petite to average figure wearers.
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Front Close A bra that fastens in the front between the cups making it easier to put on and to take off.
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Full Figure Bras Full figure bras are designed with comfort and support in mind especially for voluptuous women. Cups and band sizes are available in a larger range to accommodate even the most curvaceous figure.
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Maternity During pregnancy, a woman’s breasts become more sensitive, heavier and larger. Maternity bras come in softer fabrics, are adjustable, and can expand to accommodate these changes.
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Maximizer Similar to a push-up bra, special or unique padding lift the breasts and emphasize cleavage giving an all-over enhancement for a fuller, more natural look.
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Minimizer A minimizer bra reduces bust appearance by up to one cup size by shaping the breasts outward to reduce projection but still maintaining support.
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No Wire Soft Cup A soft cup, or wirefree bra is a comfortable, wireless option. They offer light to moderate support for petite to average figures.
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Nursing A nursing bra is worn to ease the breastfeeding process. The cups have special openings or flaps for easy access while keeping the breast supported.
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Padded Padded Bras contain padding, lining in the cups leaving the bust looking fuller. The popular graduated padding is thicker at the base of the cups becomes thinner near the top of the bra creating a natural looking silhouette as well as the appearance of increased cleavage. Some styles include "cookies", or small inserts that are removable.
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Plunge Plunge bras include very low front cup angles and a thin center gore creating the appearance of increased cleavage. They are not generally as heavily padded as a push-up bra but can include padding or lining to increase the curves. Minimum coverage enables the cleavage to be exposed, creating the desired appearance under clothes.
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Push-Up Designed to offer the utmost cleavage, the push-up bra provides a medium level of support while offering maximum shape. Using angled cups and often an underwire to enhance the breasts by lifting them up.
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Racerback The back straps of a racerback bra are designed for a no-show fit leaving the shoulder and shoulder blades exposed. Extremely popular style for under tank tops and in some sports bras. Many convertible bras have racerback options built in.
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Seamless A seamless bra uses a single piece of fabric for the cups, so there's no stitching on the cups giving a virtually invisible look under clothing. Perfect for under t-shirts or tight-fitting tops.
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Sports Bra Designed to give the right amount of support during moderate to intense levels of physical activity, a sports bra provides firm support for the breasts and prevents excess bouncing.
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Strapless Bras that do have shoulder straps are known as strapless bras. They are designed for wearing under clothes that reveal the shoulders and sometimes come with rubber strips which line the inside edge of the bra to grip the body and remain in place.
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Triangle With triangle shaped cups, a triangle bra offers the perfect amount of coverage and support for petite to average figures. They may be padded or lined but typically do not have underwires, but most have thin straps, center gore and back wings.
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T-Shirt Bra T-Shirt bras are designed without raised seams so they appear invisible under the thinnest of fabrics. They are seamless, often padded and contoured styles to provide a smooth look under your favourite top.
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Underwire An underwire bra has a thin, flexible wire that runs under the cups for added support. Today's styles are made with comfortable underwires which don't poke.
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Wirefree A soft cup, or wirefree bra is a comfortable, wireless option. They offer light to moderate support for petite to average figures.
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