The Ultimate Bra Guide for All

Bra –
the garment that supports two bags of muscular mass
(that sometimes function milk packets and sexual tool, too).

When walking into a lingerie store or department, the first thing we feel is overwhelm. A thousand different kinds of bras, in a hundred cloth materials and neck-types, masquerading in tens of colours and more confusing sizes. Worry not because in this article, we will try and ease the confusion quotient and hopefully leave you a little more confident than before. Because, you NEED to slay, always. Presenting you The Ultimate Bra Guide –

SIZE:

We will begin at the basics – size. Now, boobies are almost always ever changing – length, girth and all! But bra sizes are MEASURED. Like any other garment. Walk into any store and tell them you’d like to be measured et violà! They will tell you your ideal size; because,  of course, it can alert over a period of time, across brands and through different types. Be patient. Some stores do not allow trial or exchange of undergarments – it is a bummer. But a workaround is to listen to the salesperson (experienced, folks!)

Bra Size comprises of two components – a number and a letter. The number (from 28 to 40 mostly) is the size of the band that goes around your chest and back; the piece of garment that is connected to the hooks. And the letters (AA, A, B, C, D, DD, E, etc) is the size of your cup. Cup size is – take your palm and grab one of your breasts, that is roughly what cup size is.

TYPES:

Would you believe us if we told you there are as many bra types as there are boob types?! There is one for everyone. And when you find ‘the one’, bliss it is! Regardless, here, for the sake of simplicity, we will go over the most common kinds.

Beginner’s Bra

* Highlight – Training Bra

* Use – For teens beginning to develop breasts

* Note – Mostly non-padded & wireless

 

 

T-shirt Bra

* Highlight – Seamless
(Meaning no bumps, threads, lumps will be seen. Smooth finish)

* Use – mostly under form-fitting t-shirts, body-con dresses etc.

* Note – Comfortable, but support is so-so

 

Sports Bra

* Highlight – Firm, wide-strapped and can handle movements without pain & discomfort

* Use – Made for sports and workout;
(Highly recommended for the same; in fact for especially, high intensity workouts sports bras are a must)

* Note – Made of spandex and gives full coverage

Brallete

* Highlight – Cross between t-shirt a crop top.

* Use – Under anything really; the point is for the bra not to look like a typical bra. Under pretty dresses & tops.

* Note – Ideally recommended for small-average sized cups; but you do you!

 

 

Push-up Bra

* Highlight – Enhances cleavage by pushing the breasts together and giving them a gentle lift

* Use – Again, upto you. The shaping it provides is legendary.

* Note – Average support; Silicon gel or foam used inside the bras to provide the life

 

 

Maternity/Nursing Bra

* Highlight – Has detachable corners to expose breast or flexible cups

* Use – For maternity and nursing needs

* Note – Comfort is a main pillar. Available in different styles of side-support, multi-layered to minimize dampening from the milk, etc.

 

Strapless Bra

* Highlight – No straps!

* Use – Mostly Cold-shoulder tops but also halter necks, etc., anywhere you don’t want to show ’em straps

* Note – It is a running joke that strapless bras tend to ‘fall down’; i.e., slip towards the abdomen. Alas, finding your right fit and brand is the only solution.

 

Minimizer Bra

* Highlight – Makes the bust look smaller

* Use – Under shirts that pop that button; for those looking for more support

* Note – For the bigger busted ladies; the breast tissues are spread across evenly; comfortable

 

 

Front Open Bra

* Highlight – Easy functionality: hooks on the front!

* Use – Your call.

* Note – Well, you would want one.

 

 

Backless Bra

* Highlight – Transparent back hooks to create an almost no bra look

* Use – Specifically for backless dresses, tops, etc

* Note – Sometimes the back straps are transparent too!

 

 

Tube Bra

* Highlight – Cross between strapless bra and tube top. No hooks; slip it over your neck

* Use – Flattens the bust, as a bikini top; under scoop necks; anything?!

* Note – Easy to wear; not the most comfortable

 

 

Nipple Pasties

* Highlight – Not technically a Bra; just covers the aerolar area

* Use – if you do not want the discomfort of the bra but also don’t want your nipples poking through your t-shirt; sexual too

* Note – No support at all; came out as a loophole for an anti-topless rule in the 1950’s.

 

 

Gynecomastia Bra

* Highlight – For men on the bigger side

* Use – Due to medical conditions and in sports to prevent nipple chaffing

* Note – Also called compresssion bras

 

Built-ins

Sometimes pads are put in in chemises, blouses and dresses to mimick the comfort and feel of a bra; so that you don’t have to wear one! Wouldn’t vouch of its effectiveness for the bustier ladies.

* One bra can fall under multiple categories, i.e., a backless bra can also be a push-up bra. 🙂

Now, important TRIVIA:-

1. Seamless –

   Most of the above bras can be either seamless or not-seamless. Again, seamless is without threads and things adorning the bra exterior. Seamed seem to provide more support.

2. Wired & Non-Wired –

   Underwire is a semi-circular strip of rigid material places under the cups of the bra. It is there for keeping the cups in position, mostly. Wired bras have that underwire. Again, almost all bras above will give the options of both wired and non-wired. Some women find it uncomfortable and it has a tendency to bend and well, go wrong.

3. Padded & Non-Padded –

   Pads are exactly that, pads. Pads are inserted in the cups of the bra to give a fuller appearance. Or even sometimes, for some extra support. Bras can be padded or non-padded. But there is criticism out there for padded bras; it is linked to decreased blood circulation in breasts, unnatural pressing down of the tissues and even, breast cancer. So, not a great idea to wear it daily. Your body is da best!

4. Coverage –

   Coverage means how much of the breasts are covered with the bra.

   • High coverage refers to that almost the entire boobies are covered; associated with high coverage.
   • Medium coverage is most basic bras out there; 3/4 of the babies ;o
   • Low coverage essentially only covers the bottom part of the breasts. Bigger ladies’ breasts tends to escape out.

ALSO READ: What is a BRA really for?

MATERIAL:

Bras are made from almost all sorts of cloth materials out there. There is lacy (sexy-sexy), cotton, cotton blend, etc. You will have to find your fit.

NECK & BACK:

All bras do also provide umpteen number of options for the neck and back designs.

Necks:

Plunging V (deep V), Sweetheart neckline, demi (low coverage), Halter neck, etc

Backs:

Racer-back (wide strap down the central back, i.e., no shoulder straps), cross-over back (like a ‘wrong’ sign), etc.

COLOURS:

Nudes never go wrong! It is always a good idea to have a pair of go-to nude bra; you can wear it under anything! Also, develop your inner rainbow – have common colours like blacks, whites, maroons, etc. Prints are fun as well, gives you the edge you need on some days. But again, why do you need advice on this, go pick up neon green, for all we care!

WASH & CARE:

Bras are delicate little things. So although machine wash seems like the easy way out, do not do it at least for padded, push-up and lacy bras. It will just ruin the structure eventually. Hand wash is the best option for all types of boob clothes.

BRANDS:

Like mentioned before, you will just have to trial and error. Now, bras are expensive but it is also a very good investment. Jockey, Amanté, Clovia, Juliet, Pretty Secrets are good bets. There is Calvin Klein and most recently, Van Heusen on the price-r side.

PIECE OF ADVICE:

There is no perfect manual for bra instruction, like we said before. You will have to get dirty in the quicksand yourself for your best picks. While shopping, we recommend going with another trusted buddy of the same gender (mothers, sisters, friends); whoever you’re comfortable with. It will make the experience a little less daunting.

IMAGE SOURCE: Zivame