Bra short for brassiere, is a form-fitting undergarment designed to support or cover the wearer’s breast
Any outfit worn by a women looses its charm if you are not wearing a perfect Bra underneath. A bra is not only a piece of inner wear but is also responsible for how confidently you carry yourself in public. The right kind of bra not only is good for the health of your breasts but also affects the way your dresses look on you.The market has come up with a plethora of designs and options when you go out shopping for your perfect bra.
Below are some types of bras and guides on them;
1.Built-in Bra
These are supportive bra cups that are stitched inside the tank tops or dresses. There is no need to wear an additional bra with these.
Good for: Women who hate wearing Bras!!!
Wear Beneath: Tank Tops, Bulky dresses, Lounge wear
2. Adhesive Bras
Very popular these days, these stick to the breasts and do not have the straps providing little support to the breasts. These are usually disposable ones made of paper and silicone.
One should keep in mind that these bras have shorter life than traditional bras and can stop functioning while sweating.
Good for: Women with self supported Breasts
Wear Beneath: Backless and Strapless Outfits
3. Front Closure Bra
These have hooks or eyes at the front rather than the back and provide a seamless back. Also because of the front closure they provide better support.
Good for: Women who have heavy breasts
Wear Beneath: Tight Dresses
Best of Breast Shape: Side Set, Round, Tear Drop
4. Corset Bras
This bra is designed so that it shapes the upper part of the body and makes it easier for the bride to fit in her wedding dress. This one is usually done to decrease volume and give shape to the overall upper part of women.
Wear Beneath: Wedding Dresses, Tight Fitted Dresses
5. Bustier Bra
Say hello to the ultra-modern corset with Bustier Bra which has been designed especially to highlight the best part of a woman’s body – her curves. Extending up to your bosom these sexy strapless thing defines your waistline while pushing up your breasts for that kinky cleavage show.
Good for: Creating Mounding and Cleavage
Wear Beneath: Short-Waisted Women
Worst Pick: Women’s who have small Busts
Best of Breast Shape: Medium to Heavy Busts
6. Cage Bra
Show off your naughtier side with this summer must have. Pair it with a sheer top and let the pee-a-boo game turn on the guy you always had hots for. Sort the season’s hottest street style looks with these thickly padded cups which fade out nipple show in its entirety.
Good for: Peek-a-Boo Effect
Wear Beneath: Loose Tanks, Open Back Tops and Cut up Tees, Low Cut & Sheer Back
Worst Pick: Very Small Boobs
Best of Breast Shape: Small to Heavy Busts
7. Balconette/Demi Bra
This one creates a perfect square with the straps and is usually preferred for low cut tops and dresses.
Good for: Women with either larger or smaller busts
Wear Beneath: Low cut Dresses or tops
Best of Breast Shape: For All breast shapes
8. Halter Neck Bra
This bra is meant for sports wear and provides good support as the straps form a halter neck.
Good for: Gym Wear
Wear Beneath: Backless or Low Back Dresses or Tops
9. Mastectomy Bra
Specially designed for those who have undergone mastectomy for breast cancer, these hold the prosthesis at place.
10. Full Support Bra
This is a regular wear bra that provides support and coverage to entire breasts and hides the cleavage as well.
Good for: Heavy Busted Women
Wear Beneath: Work wear, Casual Wear
Best of Breast Shape: Bell Shape, East West
11. Minimizer Bra
Minimizer Bra is usually worn to minimize the bust size and is apt for women with atleast 34C and above sizes. It creates an impression of smaller bust.
Good for: Women who have heavy breasts
12. Padded Bra
This one has extra padding in the cups and worn to provide volume to smaller breasts. These are different than push-up bras as these just add volume to breasts but do not lift them up.
Good for: Women with smaller Breasts
Wear Beneath: T-shirts, Dresses with Thin fabric
13. Novelty Bra
These are more of sensual and show-off bras and come in various unusual designs. Rather than wearing these underneath their outfits, women prefer to wear these just like that.
Good for: Sensual Wear
Wear Beneath: Beachwear, Pool Parties
14. Maternity Bra
These are specially designed for pregnant women who may have varying breast sizes in the course of their pregnancy. Usually, maternity bras come devoid of an underwire so as to allow the breasts to grow freely with best comfort. They are seamless stretchable bra with full coverage cups.
Good for: Pregnant women
15. Push-Up Bra
These bras use foam or gel to lift the breasts so as to make them look bigger without adding volume. These also are worn to create cleavage.
Good for: Women with subtle Breasts
Wear Beneath: Deep necklines
Websites to Buy: Zivame.com, Enamor, Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret
Best of Breast Shape: Asymmetric, Athletic, Bell Shape, Relaxed, East West, Round, Side Set, Slender, Tear Drop
16. Sheer Bra
It is a see-through bra that is usually more of glamour than just support and is usually used as a part of lingerie. It is mostly made of nets and lacy material.
Good for: Lingerie wear
Wear Beneath: Night Gowns
17. Sports Bra
This bra is used by sports women as they give better support making the shoulder movement much easier. These are designed to make physical activity much easier and comfortable.
Good for: Women who workout, Sports Women
Wear Beneath: T-shirts
18. Strapless Bra
As the name indicates this doesn’t have straps and is usually supported by the underband that closes at the back or front. Since the straps are absent this one can ditch you when its comes to support and comfort.
Good for: Subtle Bust sizes
Wear Beneath: Halter Tops, Low Neck dresses
19. Wirefree Bra
Think exceptional support think wire-free bras. Scoring full marks on the comfort parameter and providing 3/4th bust coverage, Wire free bra with its uniquely designed moulded, panned or lined cups, crisscross frames, inner under cup slings surely won’t let your assets down. Teenage, sports, maternity and plus size bras usually adhere to the wire free mechanism.
Good for: Small to Medium Bust and Eliminating Under-Bust Crease
Wear Beneath: Casual Wear
Worst Pick: Heavy Busted
Best of Breast Shape: Pendulous Breasts, Wide-set Breasts
20. Trainer Bra
As the name suggests, this bra is meant for young girls whose breasts have just started to swell up. These are meant to give support and yet not be too tight to let them from developing up.
Good for: Women with developing breasts
Wear Beneath: Any Dress
21. T- Shirt Bra
Wear your clingy T-shirts with confidence as the seamless T-shirt Bra runs smoothly over your boobs without revealing your inner secret. Lightly padded with polyfill or lined with sleek foam the T-shirt bra guarantees full nipple coverage and fine shaping.
Good for: Camouflaging Erect Nipples
Wear Beneath: T-shirts and other Clingy or Form-fitting clothes
Worst Pick: Full Breasted
Best of Breast Shape: Uneven breasts, shallow breasts, Thin Breasts, or Conical Breasts
22. Molded Cup Bra
Made of a fabric which moulds into a cone shaped form around the bust area, the molded cup bra contours in line with the curves of your body and feels like a second skin. Now reveal that yummy cleavage without showing off the bra straps with lower front cut and wide back wings.
Good for: Women with Sensitive Nipples
Wear Beneath: Form-fitting Tops, Clingy Fabrics (Silk, Satin), T-shirts
Worst Pick: Uneven Breasts, Breast Sizes Larger than a DDD cup size
Best of Breast Shape: Breasts that is Self-supporting
23. Under-Wire Bra
This one is meant for better support and endurance as it has an underwire stitched in the fabric below the cups so as to keep the breasts at the place.
Good for: Women With larger Bust Sizes
Wear Beneath: Any outfits
24. Brallet Bra
The kid sister of Underwire bra, this lacy, flimsy thing with minimal padding and maximum sex appeal is the best way to flaunt your assets in the god gifted way. The fuss free Bralette having over the nipple detailing and superfluous straps usually come in basic sizes.
Good for: Leisure and Sleeping
Wear Beneath: Sheer Tops, Tailored Blazer or it can be paired with A High-Waisted Skirt/Jeans
Best of Breast Shape: All Busts
25. Racerback Bra
A favorite backbone for sports and fitness underwear’s, the racerback bra has the straps crossing each other at the back. Mostly found in front closure variants, slip on over the head and back closure versions are also available in lingerie stores. So get set for your favourite game of tennis without any fear of slipping straps and give your assets a rounded and firm shape which will go a long way in scoring you brownie points both on and off the court.
Good for: Sloping Shoulder & Narrow Shoulders, Hiding Straps in Tank Tops
Wear Beneath: Tank Tops, Sheer Shirts
Worst Pick: Women with Sensitive Neck Tendons
Best of Breast Shape: Small to Heavy Busts
26. Longline Bra
Go vintage with the Longline bra which provides that much needed support to your bust without compromising on the coverage part. Whether you are looking for your everyday office wear or some special occasion, these high on style bras create a smooth line under your dress along with imparting relief to your back.
Good for: Reducing Stress on Shoulders and Back & Eliminating Bumps from the Underbust
Wear Beneath: Formal and Evening Wear
Worst Pick: Short-Waisted Women, Pear and Tomato-Shaped Bodies
Best of Breast Shape: Medium to Heavy Busts
27. Nursing Bra
These are specially designed for mothers who are in the nursing phase. The cups of this bra are covered with flaps of fabrics that can be unclasped from the straps at the time of breastfeeding. Unlike maternity bra, these ones do come with an underwire for increased support and to prevent sagging of breasts.
Good for: Nursing Mothers
29. Cami Bra
Made up of molded microfiber fabric which ensures an invisible run under even the tightest of fits, the Cami Bra is the go-go underwear for low cut dresses and tops. Such types of bras do not have any fitted cups but just an elastic band which sits below the breast giving the required support.
Good for: Every Day Wear, Low Impact Sports
Wear Beneath: Sheer Shirt, Open Cardigan
Best of Breast Shape: Big Busts
30. Strappy Bra
Cover it up or flaunt it with that back revealing maxi dress, this magic crop top can rock all the looks with equal ease. The adjustable bra straps will make sure that you feel all breezy and comfy. Already a Coachella favourite, the strappy bra never fails to make a statement.
Good for: Casual, Workouts
Wear Beneath: Tank Tops, Low Back Tops or Dresses
Best of Breast Shape: All Busts
31. Leisure/ Sleep Bra
The easy to wear and comfortable alternative to going braless is ideal for slumber time. Mostly made of breathable nylon or cotton such type of bras get full marks in the comfort frontier without being rough on skin. They come as a blessing for busty women who feel more at ease with their bra on at night.
Good for: Night Time Wear
Wear Beneath: Lounge Wear
Worst Pick: For Women Wanting Support & Breast Definition
Best of Breast Shape: Large Busts
32. High Neck Bra
Ever thought of getting the support of a Bra and coverage of a Cami in single lingerie? That’s what the High Neck bra is all about. For the conservative ladies who would say a big NO to cleavage show and YES to anti spillage, this bra made of polyamide fabric can be your every day’s inner wear. Wear it like a cool crop top or pair it with a cashmere cardigan, the choices are endless.
Good for: Avoiding Cleavage Show, Workouts
Wear Beneath: Low-cut Tops, Sheer Tops, Tank Tops
Worst Pick: Heavy Busts
Best of Breast Shape: Small to Medium Busts
33. Low Back Bra
Show off those sexy shoulders without having any worries of straps causing discomfort with the strapless low back bra. Wardrobe choices become limitless with the wide frontal slaps which provide full coverage and support and the U-shaped back which is sure to set tongues wagging.
Wear Beneath: Low Back Tops & Summer Dress
Worst Pick: Fuller Busts
Best of Breast Shape: Small to Medium Busts
34. Full Cup Bra
For all those lovely voluptuous ladies who are a toast amongst friends circle for their envious assets, the full cup bra as the name suggests provides full coverage. Providing a perfect blend of maximum coverage and all day comfort, these wired bras also restricts frontal and side spillage.
Good for: All Day Comfort and Maximum Coverage
Wear Beneath: T-shirts, Formal Wear
Worst Pick: Smaller Breasts, Firm Breasts and those who prefer less coverage
Best of Breast Shape: Heavy Busts
35. Compression Bra
Especially used after breast surgery which includes the likes of breast reconstructions, breast augmentation and breast reduction, this comfortable bra provides gentle compression to the torso of women healing from post-surgical discomfort. With detachable shoulder straps which can be adjusted and cushioned front zipper, this bra provides full coverage and lifts up those droopy beasts.
Good for: Minimizing Breast Bounce, Great Coverage & Support
Wear Beneath: Sports Tees
Worst Pick: For Every Day Wear
Best of Breast Shape: All Busts
36. Convertible/Multiway Bra
This has detachable straps that can be rearranged in various ways as per your outfit.
Good for: All Purpose Bra
Wear Beneath: Any dress you want to
Best of Breast Shape: All Breast Shapes depending on the cup shape
Source: https://www.looksgud.in/blog/types-of-bra-styles-cups-names-sizes/