“What every woman should know”: types of bras - their pros and cons

Someone said: “Beautiful lingerie for a girl is like a weapon for a man - it may not be useful, but it gives confidence.” Few girls don’t have a weakness for sexy, lace lingerie, and it would seem that we know everything about it. But is this really so? Today we’ll talk about how to choose the right bra and conduct a short educational program about popular types of women’s underwear.

How to choose a bra

Despite the fact that we all want to wear only the most beautiful underwear every day, and sometimes we put comfort in the background, or even in the background, we need to do it differently. The primary task of underwear is to support and protect the most delicate areas of the body from dirt, friction and other adverse factors of the external environment. The main requirement for it is the quality of the material, comfort and only then beauty. And for comfort to be present, you need to be able to choose the right bra, because health is also at stake!

So, initially you need to know your size. Many girls will note the capriciousness of this question. This is also due to the difference in the size grids of each manufacturer, so it is recommended to purchase underwear from the same manufacturer so as not to make a mistake. According to the standard, the size is determined as follows:

1. Measure the circumference under the bust with a measuring tape. The received data will have a numerical value, which is always located next to the alphabetic one. At 68-71 cm = p.70; 72-76= RUR 75, etc.
2. Next, take measurements along the most protruding parts of the chest.  From the resulting figure, subtract the one obtained in step 1. The difference is the size: 10-11 cm (AA); 12-13 cm (A); 14-15 cm (H); 16-17 cm (C); 18-19 cm (D); 20-21 (DD).

And then attention! Everyone's breast shape is different, so with a standard approach, the data obtained by the measurements mentioned may not correspond to reality. If you have “vague” breasts, when measuring along the protruding areas, lean forward a little and measure in this way.

And now some rules for selection and selection.

• If you have delicate skin, choose bras without wires and rough straps.
• Bras made of very thin fabric are suitable only for “special” occasions, but not for every day.
• If you have a small back but large breasts, give preference to bras with a one-piece cup.
• If you have wide-set breasts, you need to buy bras with hard underwires, as only they can move the breasts to the center.
• If you need to tighten your breasts, you need a bra with a padded bottom.

When buying a bra, pay attention to:

• back - it should not be too high, as this increases the load on the spine;
• the side and back of the bra should be flush with the underwires;
• the straps should not dig into your shoulders, otherwise try on a smaller cup so that the weight of your breasts falls on it;
• a bra for large breasts should have wide straps;
• if folds form between the arm and chest, the cup is too small, try on more, or check to see if the straps are too tight;
• if at the junction of the strap and the cup there is a spacious space between the bra and the chest, the cup is too large, choose a smaller one, or look at a different shape;
• The center of the bra should fit snugly to the body.

Silicone bra

Unable to support the breasts, his goal is to give them a beautiful shape. Can add volume. An ideal option for summer T-shirts and dresses with an open back, since the bodice itself has no back.

Suitable when you need to enlarge your breasts and give them fullness. Those who need to tighten their breasts and hold them confidently will not like it. Not suitable for large breasts.

Bra bra

Bra (its full name is brallette) is a textile bra, which is sewn without using underwires. It also has no fasteners, so it can only be worn over the head. The bralettes have no lining, which makes them uncomfortable for large breasts, but just right for small ones. It can be used for sleep and relaxation, as well as for those who do not need breast support. But it is not suitable for girls with large breasts and those who want to use a bra to correct the shape of their bust.

Seamless bra

The cups of this bra are sewn without seams, they are made of solid material, thanks to which they give the breasts the ideal look intended by the manufacturer. As a rule, the breasts acquire a rounded and natural shape, and no seams are visible through the tight material of T-shirts and blouses. It fits very tightly, it is not visible under clothes - this is one of the most versatile types of bras.

However, despite all its advantages, it may not be suitable for women whose breast size exceeds D. This is due to the fact that, unlike soft cups, seamless cups cannot take on a different shape than the one assigned to it from the factory. Under the weight of large breasts, the cups can sag and become deformed, and the breast itself can fall out of it. But you can also choose it for ladies with curvy figures, but it will be more difficult to do it than for a petite one.

A seamless bra is suitable for those who do not need additional volume, who do not need breast support, but want to significantly correct the shape of the breast, making it more rounded and natural.

Not suitable for those who have breast asymmetry (except when the bra cups are elastic). Girls with large breasts and those whose breasts have sagged and lost their elasticity, who need high-quality support.

Bra corset

A corset bra (often called a bustier) is a bralette that is usually secured with lacing or several rows of loops or hooks. You can often find a corset bra with demi cups, which are aimed at emphasizing exclusively the upper part of the chest.

The peculiarity of these bras is that they have a special structure and fit very tightly to the body. Their length can be up to the waist or up to the hips (T-shirt length). Like a corset, this bra is equipped with underwires. Often decorated with various garters, embroidery and other decorative elements, and may include straps.

Sometimes designers are so zealous with the design that girls feel free to wear it as the main item of clothing rather than underwear.

The mentioned model is perfect for girls with outstanding shapes both in the chest and waist. For those who want to create a beautiful décolleté area (refined cleavage) and lift their breasts. Women who need back support.

But there are also those who obviously do not like or do not like a corset bra. This includes girls with wide-set breasts that physically cannot form a cleavage. Women who have a narrow waist, as the corset may simply be too big. Girls with spinal deformity (curvature).

Bra with front closure

The main difference between this type of bra and the others is that its clasp is located in the front and not in the back. They are especially popular among women precisely for this reason, because it is much easier to put on and fasten.

But if you “buy” into such a bait, you can be fully convinced of its non-functionality. Let's start with the fact that it is simply impossible to adjust its volume, since, unlike conventional models, there is only one clasp. Therefore, when purchasing, you need to carefully monitor its comfort in volume. However, recently you can find very rare models on store shelves that still allow adjustment.

Another disadvantage of the model is the lack of the usual support, since there is no high-quality bridge of the cups. In such bras it is not so strong and is often soft.

Manufacturers of just such bras receive more returns and complaints from consumers due to poor quality - this says a lot. This has led to factories gradually reducing the production of front-clasp bras.

So, the bra is suitable for those who find it difficult to fasten it in the usual way. Girls with wide-set breasts will like it, as it can move them to the center. But for those who have breast symmastia (fused mammary glands), such a bust will seem tight and uncomfortable. Those who expect support from a bra should also avoid bras with a front clasp. Since the bodice can often unfasten on its own, it is not suitable for prolonged wear.

Half grace bra

An elongated type of bra, reaching to the waist, or even lower. In the modern world they are no longer so popular, but in vain. And now you will understand why.

What he can give to his owner:

• smooth silhouette - there are no folds on the back that occur when wearing classic bras;
• good support, which is achieved due to the wide belt - the load is removed from the shoulders and back;
• high-quality grace underwear can correct your figure so much that you will need a blouse one size smaller;
• it tightens the waist and belt, the area of ​​the shoulder blades and lower back;
• since the clothes will fit perfectly, the owner will feel more confident, and this is the psychological side of the issue.

Suitable for those who want to reduce the load on their shoulders and back. For those who experience back pain when wearing regular underwear, or simply want to wear shapewear and a bra in one “face”.

Not suitable for girls with small bodies; the bodice may be long. Shapes by type apple and for girls who have a severely curved spine.

Minimizer bra

The direct purpose of the bra is to visually reduce breast size. For this, it is very valuable among girls and women with curvy figures. With it, the breasts acquire a graceful round shape, in addition, it provides ideal support.

The cup has a large diameter, due to which the breasts are evenly distributed throughout the entire space of the bodice, from the middle of the chest to just above the waist. Using a minimizer, you can reduce breast volume from 1.5 - 3.2 cm and above.

When buying a bra, you need to take into account your size and choose the right bra. Don't think that if you wear a smaller bra you will achieve better results.

With this model you can wear blouses and not worry about buttons constantly coming undone. For women with a full figure, it will help them look slimmer. A hollow will appear between the breasts. Ideal for breasts that for some reason have lost their shape and need visual correction.

Not suitable for those who want to enlarge their breasts with the help of a bra, for those who have a small torso, since the breasts can rise to the neck, which is not very beautiful. If you are experiencing problems with sweating, then such a bra can chafe.

Gel bra

In appearance, a gel bra is difficult and almost impossible to distinguish from a regular one. Its only difference is that it uses gel instead of foam. Due to this, even with a large layer of it, the breasts are very soft to the touch and look natural. Well suited for small and medium breasts, as it can add volume and increase breast size. And on large breasts it does not look so impressive, since it will not be able to provide support.

Plunge bra

The strap of this bra is very low, so you can wear dresses and blouses with a deep neckline with it. Creates the perfect cleavage, but it will not suit girls with a size smaller than a size three. Not suitable for those who often bend over, as the low cups will not tightly hold the breasts and they may constantly fall out.

Sports bra

The bodice model does not imply the presence of underwires. The name speaks for itself. This bra is needed exclusively for sports activities. It is designed to hold the breast so that it does not get injured, and the owner does not experience pain during jumping, for example.

Manufacturers classify such products depending on the type of load. If you engage in sports of varying intensity, then you need to purchase several bras. There are three types:

• Compression - similar to a bandage. He presses his chest to his chest in such a way that they seem to merge into a single whole. Great for small breasts: A and B.
• Another type involves two cups, where each breast is in its place. It has wide straps that perfectly hold the chest in one position.
• The third type is a combination of the two above. The combination of beauty, convenience and practicality makes them the most popular.

Suitable for absolutely all women who diligently engage in sports activities and do not want to visually enlarge their breasts at this time.

Bra without wires

This bra has no underwire at all. It is ideal for wide-set breasts, breasts that need light support. If you need full coverage, extra comfort, and a natural breast shape, a wire-free bra is what you need.

If you need to make your breasts expressive, highlight the cleavage, or a bra that can be worn in a deep neckline, or visually increase the size, refrain from buying it.

Bra with underwire

It combines two tasks at once - to support the breasts and give them a beautiful shape. There is a wide variety of such bras: with a push-up effect, demi, without straps, for a deep neckline.

But, unfortunately, such a bra is not suitable for everyone. Ideally, a bra will fit a rectangular figure, but on others the underwires may bend and create discomfort. But modern diversity makes it accessible to the majority, as more and more models with additional jumpers appear every year.

Push-up bra

Such bras differ in the amount of filler, but their essence is the same - to adjust, and mainly increase the size of the breast. Even girls with wide-set breasts can get closer to the coveted cleavage if they choose the right amount of foam rubber and its location. You can find bras whose inserts are removable. It's hard to find a push-up bra that's larger than a C size.

The bra is simply created for small breasts and can cure many complexes associated with this. It will create an elegant silhouette, especially suitable for deep necklines of blouses and dresses.

But on sagging breasts, breasts with size AA, it will not have the desired effect.

Balconette bra

A flirty bra model with cups and underwire. The cup has a low horizontal cutout and the straps are widely spaced. As a rule, the balconette hides the breasts only halfway, the nipples are barely covered. Due to this quality, it does not look so beautiful on large breasts, but on small and medium breasts it looks very attractive. Checking the reliability of the bra is easy. When trying on, bend down, if the breasts remain in place and do not fall out, everything is fine. If it falls out, you should look at another model, with more closed cups. Wear it very well with rectangular and round deep necklines.

Bandeau bra

Often, this is an elastic bra that looks like a strip of stretchy fabric gathered in the center. In general, it is very difficult to call it lingerie; it has bright colors and can often be decorated with various sequins and embroidery. Worn in tandem with some outfits purposefully so as to be noticeable.

Bra for deep neckline

The cups of this bra are connected to each other at the very bottom, and often have a figured cutout both between the cups and on the sides. Sometimes the neckline can reach the navel, all so that even with the deepest neckline it is not noticeable to others. Suitable only for small breasts, otherwise everything will simply fall out. You can, of course, choose a bra for large breasts, but there can be no question of practicality here.