Bra Style Guide

The Right Bra For The Right Time

There are a wide variety of Bra Styles on the market today; all of which are designed with specific purpose in mind.

Some Bra Styles are designed out of specific needs and purpose such as Nursing Bras, Sports Bras or Mastectomy and Prosthetic Bras. Other Bra Styles are designed to uplift the breasts, or flatten the breasts or enhance an already beautiful figure.

With so many Bra Styles on the market, it is sometimes difficult and oftentimes confusing as to which Bra Styles are best for your body and most importantly, to support your breasts properly in order to maintain your overall breast health.

In this Bra Styles, you are introduced to each variable bra style so you can make an informed choice and conscious decision as to which bra is best for you and which of the many Bra Styles will enhance your figure in the manner you are currently seeking.

Bra Style Guide
Balcony Bra - The cups on a balcony bra, also known as a balconette bra, end just where the breast swells out from the chest, covering the nipples but lifting the top half of your breasts up. A balcony bra, or balconette bra, normally provides one half to three fourths the coverage of a full cup bra and the straps of a balcony bra are set wider apart than most bras.
Bridal Bras & Corsets - Choosing a bridal bra or corset can seem overwhelming at first, but the secret is in understanding what to look for. After selecting your wedding dress, you'll want to find a bridal bra or corset that foremost compliments the wedding dress, but will also make you feel sexy and sensual all on its own. Depending on your dress, you will want to choose a bridal bra or corset that's strapless, off the shoulder, has a low back, comes with a loose or close fit, has a deep plunge cut or a more full cup style, and so on.Shop This Style!!
Comfort Strap Bras - The idea behind a comfort strap bra is simple. Softly padded, lined or wider than normal straps - or a combination of the three - work to increase comfort. Bigger Bras offers comfort bras in sizes as small as A cup bras and B cup bras
Convertible Bras - Convertible bras are designed with modifiable and sometimes removable bra straps in order to give you the option of achieving many different strap-styles for the bra. Convertible bras are a practical solution of what to wear under halter tops or halter dresses, racerback shirts, cross back style tops, and most any basic top from a t-shirt to a dress. Most convertible bras have straps that can be positioned in a variety of ways, such as wide set, criss-cross, halter or backless.
Cotton Bras - A cotton bra is simply a bra composed either predominately or 100% of cotton. A cotton bra has several advantages. Among them, cotton bras are very comfortable, and women with sensitive breasts who get discomfort from most bras will particularly appreciate the soft feel of cotton against their skin. Cotton bras also absorb moisture so it keeps your breasts cool in hot weather and helps to minimize sweat.
Demi Bras - Demi bras are popular bras that feature underwire and cups that are partially cut away to expose the top half of the breast. Demi is actually French for "half", which makes sense since demi bras usually reach about half way up from the nipples or bust point in coverage and are sometimes called half cup bras. This is normally one to one and a half inch above your nipples in practical terms.
Embroidered Bras - Embroidered bras are bras that are cut and sewn, rather than being designed from foam, polyester or other bra fabrics that are pressed into shape. Many plus size bras are cut-and-sewn and decorated with pretty embroideries because the architecture of these bras provide such great support.
Front Closure Bras - Like the name suggests, a front closure bra fastens in the front rather than in the back. One major perk of these bras is how easy and comfortable they are to take on and off. For some women, fastening and unfastening hooks in the back is tiring and cumbersome or simply a hassle, and if this is the case, you're sure to love the convenience of front closure bras.
Full Cup Bras - A full cup bra is defined by the style of the cut and coverage in the cups. A full cup bra typically offers fuller coverage, meaning it covers most of the breast, which both offers more support and a more conservative look.
Full Figure Bras - The first thing to know about full figure bras is who falls into this category and who doesn't. You may be surprised to learn that full figure bras can be both appropriate for plus size women and women with closer to average band sizes. Here at Bigger Bras, we want to make it easy for everyone to find their bra size, and our band sizes go up to 56.
Lace Bras - A lace bra is, quite simply, a bra that's designed with lace, either all over or on certain sections of the cup. A lace bra can range in coverage and types of cuts, but the designs are almost always more feminine and sensual.
Longline Bras - A longline bra is a style of bra that covers down the stomach to about one to three inches above your belly button. The longline bra is a style that most women either forgot or have never taken the time to learn about, but the features of a longline bra are vast and these bras can easily become a staple in your lingerie wardrobe.
Maternity & Nursing Bras - There are many difficulties, surprises and frustrations that come with pregnancy and breast feeding. Why should picking the right specialty maternity bra or nursing bra be one of them?
Medical & Mastectomy Bras - A mastectomy, post mastectomy, or prosthesis bra are special bras that are designed with pockets inside them to hold your breast prosthesis. We offer many attractive bras in a variety of styles and colors and in cup sizes that range from A and AA cups to D and DD mastectomy bras. The pockets in these prosthesis bras, mastectomy bras and medical bras come in soft, breathable fabrics that are discreetly and comfortable designed.
Minimizer Bras - A good minimizer bra reduces your cup size, downplaying your curves so your clothing fits better, slims your silhouette, and makes you feel more comfortable in your clothes. A minimizer bra should have ample support and fit exactly to your measurements and follow the shape of your breasts. Technically, a minimizer bra reduces your breast size in one of two ways: by mashing down your bust line, or by lifting and redistributing breast tissue to give the appearance of a trimmer figure.
Molded Cup Bras - A molded cup is a seamless style defined by the way the cups of the bras are made. A flat piece of fabric is heat-molded over molds of breasts to form the shape of the cup, and no seams are ever created in the bra. This makes these bras virtually invisible under even the tightest fitting clothing. Molded cup bras also contour your breasts, which creates a great shape. This feature also compensates for and hides the fact if one of your breasts is slightly larger than the other.
Padded Cup Bras - A padded cup bra is a bra that contains padding inside the cups to make the bras more comfortable and add fullness to the bust line. Most push up bras have padded cups, but not all padded cup bras are push up bras. The padding in the cups are sometimes actually removable inserts. Other padded cup bras have built in, graduated padding which tends to be thicker at the base of the cup and can give a more natural, rounded look.
Plunge Bras - A plunge bra is defined by the low, plunging front of it. Unlike a push up bra that may hold your breasts up and may not be appropriate to wear with deep v-neck shirts, blouses or dresses, a plunge bra gives you cleavage but has a low enough cut so it's perfect for lower cut tops. You still get great cleavage and lift, just in a lower cut style.
Posture Bras - A posture bra can help to correct years of damage. The intricate design of these bras will cause you to stand and sit up straight, helping to eliminate slouching and bad posture. The comfort straps and durable band and cups make sure that the support comes from the bra and the bra's band, not your shoulders, and not your back or neck.
Push Up Bras - A push up bra works by holding the breasts up, lifting and pushing them together with an adequate amount of separation to create cleavage. You'll find many other techniques in push up bras, such as molded foam built into each cup and padding inside the pockets of the cups that give you a visually enhanced look. This padding is often removable so the "added cup size" can literally be taken in and out at your convenience. There are also many other styles of push up bras, including water bras and gel inserts, however push up molded cups remains the most popular of the choices.
Seamless Bras - A seamless bra is defined by the way it's made. The bra cups of a seamless bra are made of one piece of fabric, typically factory molded stretch nylon or similar material, with no internal seams. Seamless bras have no seams or stitching on the cups, giving the bra a smooth and transparent look that's perfect for pairing with sheer or tight clothing. Seamless bras are typically made with simple, elegant designs and are the appropriate bra for a woman who needs an all day bra with a clean, smooth look.
Shelf Bras - A shelf bra is essentially just the band and underwire of a bra. It cups and lifts your breasts but offers no actual coverage, leaving you completely exposed, just with added uplift and support. Shelf bras are also known as open bust bras, open tipped bras, open bras or open cup bras.
Sleep & Leisure Bras - A sleep leisure bra is a bra designed for lounging around the house and sleeping in. Whether you wear it for downtime or bed time, these bras keep your breasts contained and shapely and you'll barely notice they're there.
Sports Bras - Sports bras protect chest ligaments, eliminate bounce that is both cumbersome and embarrassing during work outs, and also prevent breast tissue damage. It's imperative to not only wear a sports bra while working out, but to wear one that is comfortable and supports you. Even moderate activity like cycling, long distant walking and free weights put a strain on your breasts. The stress that exercise puts on your breasts can cause long term damage, sagging and discomfort.
Strapless Bras - A strapless bra is a bra that doesn't have shoulder straps, and these bras normally instead are lined with silicone or rubber strips, often using foam cups for added support. It's these support systems, as well as sometimes the additional use of underwire, and the overall structure of the bra that keeps you contained in the bra without sagging, falling out or bouncing around.
T-Shirt Bras - A t-shirt bra, simply defined, is a bra that is invisible under even the most tight fitting t-shirts, sweaters and blouses. Naturally, t-shirt bras are seamless and the cups will be smooth and molded. Comfort and fit are extremely important in t-shirt bras, because as well as providing an attractive shape under clothing, you more than likely will expect prolonged use out of them.