- Full Cup Bra
The most common bra. It provides full support, has underwired cups and covers most of the breasts. It is especially popular with larger-breasted women. - Demi Cup Bra
My personal favorite. Also known as the Balcony bra or ‘balconette’, this bra covers only half the breasts with cups coming up above the nipples, which makes it excellent for plunging necklines. This bra is supportive, yet provides maximum exposure of the breasts - yay! - Padded Bra
Popular with younger girls and smaller-breasted women, this bra comes with padding inside the cup linings, adding overall extra volume. - Maximizer/Push-Up Bra
Also known as the Push-Up Bra, this is the most sought-after bra of today. It lifts the breasts and emphasizes cleavage through its unique structure and extra padding (usually foam or silicone). The goal is to give a fuller, more natural look to breasts of all sizes. - Minimizer Bra
Popular with larger-breasted women who want to decrease their bust’s appearance by a cup or two. - The Plunge Bra
This bra has a deep, U-shaped neckline and strong underwire support. As the name would suggest, it was designed specifically for outfits with deep-plunging necklines. - T-Shirt Bra
A bra made without a raised seam in order to appear invisible when worn under a body-fitting t-shirt.
- Sports Bra
Ugly but practical bra. Designed to support breasts during intense physical activities – like running or jumping. Women with smaller breasts may not need to wear these at all. - Strapless Bra
A bra with removable straps or no straps at all. Usually has rubbery trim around the edges to help stay put. Comes in handy with tube dresses and halter tops.
There are also erotic bras such as the Shelf bra (only covers the lower part of breasts leaving nipples exposed), a Peephole bra (has holes around the nipples) and the famous Cone bra, worn by Madonna during the Blonde Ambition tour.
Now that we have figured out which bra you want (it’s the Peephole, isn’t it?! ;)), it’s time to determine your bra size. Did you know that 7 out of 10 women wear wrong size bra? (Believe it or not, I was one of them! I always thought I was a 34A but apparently I’m a 34B – no wonder my boobies were always spilling out a little, and not in a sexy way!) Bra size consists of a two-digit number which refers to band size, and a letter which stands for cup size. This article will help you determine your correct bra size once and for all.
‘Till next week, Deerlings!
I enjoyed the article but your info about smaller girls not needing to wear one is false. I’m very athletic and flat as a board, and some tearing of the breast tissue can occur even with small breasts and moderate support during intense physical activity. I strongly advise going for the sports bra whatever your size and risking injury. Its always best to be as supported as possible when working out, right?
This would have been helpful earlier!
Another thing for people to consider is the company making the bras and the way THEY standardize sizing. Victoria’s Secret may use a different method than Lane Bryant from Macy’s.
I always have issues with the “Add 5 inches to your underbust to get your band. Subtract Band from Bust to get cup.” At this measurement, I’d be a AA, when I easily fill a B or C cup.
It also bothers me how people assume because you have a large band, you have large breasts. My band may be big, but my breasts aren’t! So why don’t I deserve the pretty bras?
Violet – that would depend on a woman and the size/weight of her breasts. If you feel that your breasts need support when you’re training, you should definitely wear a bra.
I just had a day of squeeing over bras, so this article made me smile. I go yellow and red silk bras and I’m giggling like a schoolgirl with happiness over the colours! Bra’s are wonderful things, as are boobs which they contain.
Though above comment is so true, the larger busted women do seem to really miss out on the beautiful styles. Anyoe heard of Freya? They design for larger sizes but some very ctue prints and designs.
I always have problems to fiend some cute bras, because my boobs are so big and I’m a slim person.
Clara – I’m SO adding what you said about boobs into my quote collection! :)))
Since we are all talking boobs here..does anyone know where us TINY and weird shaped 36 AA girls can find CUTE bras? The only luck I have is with Playtex and their Nearly sizes..but their style is very plain. Any help would be GREAT! XOXO!
Ashe Mischief, Mini & Faeriesmak – I hear you! Sometimes it can be hard finding cute bras in certain sizes. You guys gave me an idea – to make a Cutifying Your Bra tutorial, with pictures! Because everyone needs and deserves a cute bra!
lol I am flatter it was quote worthy. But is true, boobs are wonderful things. :D
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What an amazing coincidence of timing for this article :) my best friend and I recently went on a bra shopping expedition.. I figured out my size long ago, but recently noticed how lacking my bestie was in that area.. being me I told her honestly.. “You need new bras” any woman wants her set to be perky and cute right? so I went to the mall with her and we walked into Victoria’s Secret.. marched proudly to the dressing room and told the attendant my friend needed to be measured and fitted, she came out of the dressing room sometime later extremely gleeful finding that she #1 had been wearing the incorrect size and #2 that wearing a properly fitting bra made her girls perky as she had so desired, and extremely happy about it. Even better yet, she got in on the by one Bio-fit bra get one panty from anywhere in the store for free.. she walked out of the store super happy with her THREE new bras and Two new FREE panties.. needless to say she commented on how thankful she was of me saying.. “You need new bras” .. nearly the entire rest of the day and all the way home :D
I was actually wearing the wrong bra size for about two years after my breasts grew to their full size. My mom kept buying me 34B bras, but I noticed that they all made my boobs looking oddly-shaped, so I got myself measured at a Victoria’s Secret and discovered that they were actually 36C. :D
Hmm, I’ve always thought the peephole bras were for Mothers who were breastfeeding.
I always have issues with the “Add 5 inches to your underbust to get your band. Subtract Band from Bust to get cup.” At this measurement, I’d be a AA, when I easily fill a B or C cup.
I am only an A cup, I always buy my gel bras from http://www.MaxCleavage.com. They have the best selection!
The measurement thing just doesn’t make any sense! I currently wear a 32 E, and according to that site I should be wearing a 38 A? And yet according to her tips for bra fitting I need to be wearing a SMALLER band size.
Bras are so confusing.
Great read , I am going to spend more time researching this topic