It is often stated that as many as 80% of women either wear an improperly fitted bra and/or they wear a bra of the incorrect size. Many women say that the wires dig in, the straps fall off their shoulders, or their bra is riding up at the back.

General aging, pregnancy, exercise, birth control pills, dieting, and water retention cycles change your body and breast shape. Even a small change of body weight can change your bra size.

Different women have different body shapes and breast shapes. There are different styles and shapes of bras to cater for the different body and breast shapes. When choosing a bra, different brands and styles can lead to differences in bra sizes. Even cup sizes can vary from one brand to another.

It is very important to wear a properly fitting bra not only for comfort, but also for your health. A properly fitting bra can alleviate strain on the back and shoulders as well as keeping the breast tissue from breaking down. Breast tissue does not repair itself and if the breasts are not supported properly the breast tissue will break down and lose its firmness.

Mostly, a tape measure is only accurate on an A-D cup size up to a band size of 16. Since measuring does not always work, if you need help to find the right bra size for you, please contact us so that we can be of assistance to you.

When trying on different bras, make sure that the area in between the two cups actually comes into contact with your chest.

Generally, as you decrease the band size, you will need to increase your cup size, while a larger band will call for a smaller cup.

The bra straps should be completely loosened when first putting on the bra, and adjusted only once the garment is on the body.

The bra straps should be adjusted enough to have the breasts lifted and sitting half way between the shoulder and the elbow.

A common mistake women make is to wear their bras very high up their back. This can result in a lack of support for the bra, body strain, and a saggy bustline.

If a bra is too tight, it will cut into the body and cause severe indentations. Fasten the hook and eye in the middle.

This guide contains general guidelines for establishing a good starting point, and will help you to properly measure your bust, so that you can find the right size bra for you. The sizes may vary, depending on the style of bra.

Here are some general guidelines to find out what bra size is best for you. Sizes may vary, depending on what make of bra and style of bra you are wearing.

The measurements should be taken while wearing a bra. Begin by wearing your best fitting standard underwired bra (not padded, push up, minimiser, or sports bra).

If you are sagging in this bra, tighten your straps until the crest of your breasts is approximately half way between your shoulder and your elbow (this is the proper alignment for most breasts).

You should remain in a relaxed standing position, with your back and shoulders comfortably straight. It can be difficult to measure yourself so you may have to ask a good friend to assist. This will enable you to stand in the perfect position for measuring and allow you to keep your arms down by your sides.

Use a soft (cloth) tape measure for all measurements.

Under Bust (Rib Cage or Frame Size) Measurement.

To obtain your under bust (rib cage or frame size) measurement, measure very snugly around the back, under your arm pits, around your rib cage, just underneath your breasts. This at the position the bra would normally be worn. The tape measure should feel firm but not tight, as snug as you want the band of the bra to feel when you wear it.

Be sure that the tape measure lies straight and level all the way around.

There should be no breast tissue measured while determining your under bust measurement.

Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number, either up or down. This is your under bust measurement. Add 5 to this under bust measurement to get your bust size.

If the measurement is in inches, and the number you get is an odd number, then round up to the next even number.

You can round down to the previous even number, and this will result in a tighter band and bigger cup size.

For example, if your measurement is 26", when you add 5 to this you get 31". You should then round up from 31" to 32". This gives you a bust size of 32".

If the measurement is in centimetres, and the number you get is not a multiple of 5, then round up to the next multiple of 5.

You can round down to the previous multiple of 5, and this will result in a tighter band and a bigger cup size.

For example, if your measurement is 86 cms, when you add 5 to this you get 91 cms. You should then round up from 91 cms to 95 cms. This gives you a bust size of 95 cms.

Using The Under Bust (Rib Cage or Frame Size) Measurement.

After taking the under bust measurement, you may use the Band Size Chart below to find out what your band size is.

Example: measure 33", and add 5 to get a bust size of "38". Use the Band Size Chart below to then get your band size.

Example: a bust size of "38” is also a bust size of 95 cms, a band size of 38 in the UK/USA, which is equal to a band size of 16 in Australia/New Zealand.

Example: measure 90 cms, and add 5 to get a bust size of 95 cms. Use the Band Size Chart below to then get your band size.

Example: a bust size of 95 cms is also a bust size of 38", a band size of 38 in the UK/USA, which is equal to a band size of 16 in Australia/New Zealand.

Over Bust Measurement.

Measure snugly around the back, under your armpits, over your rib cage above your breasts while keeping the tape measure straight and level all the way around. This will usually give you a smaller bust size than the over bust measurement.

There should be no breast tissue measured while determining your over bust measurement.

Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number, either up or down. This is your over bust measurement.

If the measurement is in inches and the measurement is an odd number, then round up to the next even number.

For example: if your measurement is 37", you should then round up from 37" to 38". This gives you a bust size of 38".

Example: if your measurement is 38", use the Band Size Chart below to then get your band size. Example: 38" gives a bust size of 38", a band size of 38 in the UK/USA, which is equal to a band size of 16 in Australia/New Zealand.

If the measurement is in centimetres, and the number you get is not a multiple of 5, then round up to the next multiple of 5.

For example, if your measurement is 91 cms, you should then round up from 91 cms to 95 cms. This gives you a bust size of 95 cms.

Example: if your measurement is 95 cms, use the Band Size Chart below to then get your band size. Example: 95cms gives a bust size of 38", a band size of 38 in the UK/USA, which is equal to a band size of 16 in Australia/New Zealand.

Cup Size Measurement.

Many women have one breast larger than the other by up to one cup size, do not think you are the only one facing this dilemma. The cup size should be chosen to fit the larger breast. You can shorten the strap on the smaller side to bring that breast up to the same level as the larger one. Alternatively, the smaller breast may be padded to the same size as the larger breast, or you may wear wear a Breast Enhancer. Put the Breast Enhancer in the cup for the smaller breast to alter the size of the breast. Play around with the position of the enhancer to achieve the desired look. A moulded cup bra will help to hide any padding and make both sides look the same size.

Measure loosely around your back, under the armpits and around the fullest part of your bust (usually over the nipples), keeping the tape measure straight and level all the way around your body. Do leave some room to breathe.

You should take this measurement while wearing a comfortable bra (the bra you wore for the previous measurements). This gives you the diameter of your chest and breast.

You may also take the bust size measurement without wearing your bra. As you did for the band measuremnt, take the tape measure around the back, but bring the tape measure across the largest part of the bust. This measurement should be comfortable, not so tight that the tape measure makes indentations in the breast tissue, but not loose enough forthe tape measure to fall down.

In either method of taking the cup size measurement, round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number, either up or down. The difference between your band size and this cup size measurement is an indicator of your cup size.

If your measurement is in inches, and you subtract your band measurement from this and the result is 5", yourcup size is DD.

Example: It the cup size measurement is 43" and the bust size measurement is 38", then 43 ” – 38 ” = 5 inches = DD Cup Size (refer to the Cup Size Chart below).

If your measurement is in cms, and you subtract your band measurement from this and the result is 11 cms, yourcup size is DD.

Example: If the cup size measurement is 106 cms and the bust size measurement is 95 cms, then 106 cms – 95 cms = 11 cms = DD Cup Size (refer to the Cup Size Chart below).

Here we have some points for you to condider when making your choice of bra, and some tips as well.

To be well supported and make your bra fit properly, you need to ensure that all of your breast tissue is fully within the cups of your bra.

To put a bra on correctly, place your arms through the bra straps and lean forward, bending slightly from the waist. Place all breast tissue from each breast into each of the cups by letting the each breast fall gently into its own bra cup. Fasten the back clip at the centre hook position. Stand up straight. Slip your hands inside the bra cups and adjust your breasts as necessary until you are comfortable. Your nipples should be aligned with the seam of the bra. Adjust the back bra clip, tighter or looser as you require. Adjust the straps so that they feel comfortable but firm. If the straps drag the bra cups up and distort the shape of your bra, then the straps are too tight

The edges of the cups should lie flat against your chest. The bottom front of the bra and the back band should be parallel to the floor or slightly lower in the back band.

The centre panel of the bra, between the cups, should sit firmly against your ribcage (sternum). Women with full breasts that are close together may not be able to get the centre panel to touch their sternum. The centre panel of wire-free (soft cup) bras may also not sit quite as firmly against your chest.

For the best support and most comfort, the lower edge of the back band of your bra should be anchored at or below your shoulder blades. The lower the back fits, the better the support that is given to your breasts.

The fabric of the cup should be smooth, stable, give support, as well as giving an enhanced shaped breast. There should be no overflow of the breasts from the bra cups. The apex of your breasts should be mid-way between your shoulders and your elbows. Breasts look more youthful and tend to give a slimming appearance when they are uplifted.

Your breasts should face the front, and not sag or fall to the sides, to allow you to have freedom of arm movement. Your breasts should be secure, even when you lift your arms, twist, dance, or jump around.

The bra straps should stay in position, without being too tight.

The bra band should be snug, but not too tight, when you use the centre hooks. The bra band fits if it is level (not riding up or drooping) across your back. You should be able to run a finger under the front band.

Since our ribcages tend to expand while we are sitting, ensure that your bra is comfortable to wear while you are sitting.

When your breasts require more support than can be obtained by wearing a well fitted bra, the extra support can be provided by support panels. These are additional panels of stiff fabric that is placed along the outer edge of the cup, along the bottom of the bra cup, or around all the sides of the bra cup. The support panels can be either internal or external. If they are external, they are incorporated into the design of the cup. If the support panel is along the outer edge of the cup, it is designed to move the breast tissue out from under the arm and move it towards your centre. If the support panel is along the bottom of the cup, it is designed to give better breast uplift. If the support panel encircles the edge of the cup, it is designed to create a clearer breast definition and to move the breast tissue towards the front. The centre panel can be a triangular shape, or it can be an extension of the band of the bra. A bra that provides good support will have a centre panel both above and below the horizontal nipple line or apex of your bust line. The width of the centre panel decreases as the cup sizes increase. This makes sense when you remember that as breasts get larger, they also get closer together. The centre panel width at the apex line generally measures as follows: AA=1-1/2" or 4 cms , A= 1-1/4" or 3 cms , B=1" or 2 1/2 cms , C= 3/4" or 2 cms , D and larger =1/2"or 1 cm . The centre panel increases in height as the cup size increases.

The bra band is basically the foundation of the bra and it is designed to carry both the weight and thrust of the breasts. A bra band or bra frame is that part of the bra that goes horizontally around the width of the body just below the breasts. The cups of the bra are sewn either into or onto the band. The bra band can be made in one of several ways: as a continuous single piece it provides the best support, the band can start and stop at the outer sides of the bra cup, or the band can be made of several pieces.

Women who are overweight can have a problem with the bottom edge of the band under their arms folding up over itself. This problem can be overcome with side boning placed vertically in the band's side seams, but if you are short-waisted and this boning pokes into you, just look for a bra with a band made of a heavier gauge fabric.

The fabric that the bra back is made of is what really separates a cheap bra from a quality bra. An inferior fabric that is flimsy and over stretches easy also fatigues quickly, rendering the bra useless. Most women desire bras that have single hook closures on the bra backs must be worn more tightly to provide sufficient support. The resulting bulges above and below the bra band make the wearer look fat from behind. A wider bra back with a 3 hook or more closurer will always give greater support while giving a smoother appearance.

Bra straps should carry no more than 10% of the breast's weight because they are designed to act as stabilisers for the bra. Camisole straps and leotard straps are the two basic types of bra strap attachments. They can be all or part elastic, all or part rigid, wide, narrow, padded, and usually length adjustable. Whatever their style, the bra straps should lie flat against your chest (unless you have had a breast augmentation).

If you need to read this, please consider this list of common problems, and try the adjustments suggested.

You should never wear a bra that is not comfortable. If your bra is the wrong size, or style, you will not be getting the support you need and you may as well not wear it.

If your bra is the correct size and style for you, you should hardly be aware that you are wearing a bra.
You should have a collection of bras that can be drawn from for everyday wear.
A bra should have a minimum respite of 24 hours before being worn again. One of the fabrics that is used to make bras is spandex. The heat from your body tends to relax the fabric, and it needs time to return to its original shape.
The extra day off also lets the bra air out and it will feel fresher the next time you wear it.
Your collection of everyday bras can be seamless or seamed, the choice is yours.
For winter consider bras that have some padding because the padding provides some extra warmth.
For summer consider lightweight, cotton bras because they are cooler and more comfortable to wear in the heat.

The Centre Front Panel of the Bra Is Uncomfortable:

The centre front panel should sit flat against your breastbone (sternum). This will only vary if you have a concave chest, where the centre front will never successfully sit flat against the chest.

If the centre of the bra rubs, pinches, or doesn't lie flat against your body, then your cup size is too small. Try one cup size up. Minimizer bras tend to not rest against the breastbone, this is the way they are.

The Bra Feels Tight Across The Rib Cage:

If the bra feels tight across the rib cage (and the cup size is correct) and the front of the band is too tight to get a finger under it, try to adjust it by using a looser hook. If you are already using the loosest hook, try a band size up and use a lower cup size.
For example: If you were a 14DD, and the cup is a perfect fit but the back band is too tight, you should try a 16D.


The Bra Back Band Rides Up:

The band size of the bra is too big if the back of the bra is riding up towards your neck. The band is not supporting your breasts properly if the band size is too big. Try to adjust it by using a tighter hook or loosening the bra straps. If you are already using the tightest hook setting, try a band size down.
If you drop down a band size, make sure you go up one cup size when ordering (this is equivilent to the current size bra that you have).

For example: If you were a 16DD, and the cup is a perfect fit but the back band is riding up, you should try a 14E.

The Bra Straps Leave Marks:

The straps should rest firmly and comfortably on the shoulder without cutting into your skin. If the straps are too tight, it will pull the back gore up. The back gore should sit low, beneath the shoulder blades.

If the shoulder straps are as loose as possible, then the cup size is too small or the band size is too big. Try a larger cup size or a smaller band size. You may need a style of bra that is more supportive, or one that has padded straps.

Do not make the straps support your breast alone, the band is designed to provide 90% of the support.

If the straps are providing most of the support, it is not only very uncomfortable over long periods of time, the bra will quickly wear out, and the pressure on the straps can cause back problems or neck strain.

If you are finding that the band sizes differ between the manuafacturers, you should also change your cup size between brands.

Breasts Overflow The Cups:

If your breasts overflow the cup at the top, or the sides of the cup, or the bottom of your bra, the cup size is too small. Try the next cup size up, or try a Full Coverage Bra.

The Cups Are Wrinkly, or Pucker or Gape:

If your breast tissue does not fill the cups, you will need a smaller cup size. If there is a gap (especially with padded bras), you will need a smaller cup size.

If the cups are wrinkly, particularly at top and sides, or the cups aren’t lying smooth, then you could tighten the band. If this doesn’t fix the problem, cup size is too large. Try one cup size down or consider a demi cup style where there is no extra fabric to buch up at the top of the cup.

If the cups are sitting too high at your under arms and the cups are cutting, or chaffing of the under arm occurs, try one cup size down or consider a demi cup style.

However, if the wrinkling is only at the tip of the cup, this could be an indication that the cup size is too small because your breast cannot fit into the cups properly. Try one cup size up.

The Bra Straps Slip Down:

If the bra straps are too loose they will slip off the shoulders and make the breast appear saggy.

If the bra straps slip down, try adjusting the straps, tighten the band by changing the hooks, or try a band size down.

Generally speaking, straps fall off shoulders because the straps are too wide-set both in the front and back of the bra; the straps have been sewn on at an angle; or the straps are attached to rings that allow too much swiveling. If strap slippage is a common problem for you, the trick is to find a style of bra where the straps are either sewn closer to the center in the front or the back. A racer back stylet has the bra straps closer together towards the middle of each cup and not at the edges of the cups.

Bra straps that are wide-set are most common on push-up bras because they tend to push the breast tissue inwards to maximize cleavage. If you're wearing push up bras and are having the staps fall down, you should consider another style of bra.
The problem of falling bra straps could be caused by the slope of your shoulders being too steep. Try a T-back bra to compensate for this problem.


The Sliding Strapless Bra:

If you have a strapless bra that slides around, the band size is just too big for you. Try going down a band size and up a cup size.


The Underwire Is Uncomfortable:

The underwire should fit completely around the base of the breast and sit flat against the rib cage. The whole of the breast must be fully encased in the bra cup. The wire should not sit on top of any breast tissue at any point, especially at the sides or root of the bust.

The wire on the side of the bra should sit on the ribcage without digging in. If the underwire digs in, or if the underwire is rubbing, try a larger cup size for the correct underwire fit. This could also be an indication that the side wings of the bra are not large enough, so you may need a different style of bra.

If the wires dig in under the arms, try a bra with smaller side wings.

The Bra Back Band Bulges:

If the bra back band bulges, the band is too tight. Try to adjust it by using a looser hook. If you are already using the loosest hook setting, try a band size up. A bra with a wide back band made of a stretchy fabric, such as mesh, that won't grab onto anything should be your first choice.

The Bra Is Cutting Into The Back:

The band size is too small if the back of the bra is cutting into your back and causing exaggerated bulging. Try a band size up and a cup size down.

The Bra Cups Are Cutting Into The Breast Tissue:

The bra cups are too small if they cut into your breast tissue, or if the centre front of the bra is sitting away from your sternum. Try one cup size up.

Adhesive Bra

An adhesive bra is one that adheres to the breasts and has no bra straps or a band. This type of bra is intended for backless and strapless fashions. There are two types of adhesive bras; disposable paper ones that use a strong adhesive, and the re-usable ones that use silicone and can be washed and re-used.


Backless Bra

This bra is a must-have for formal attire. Some backless bras can be converted to strapless for more versatility. If you don’t wear low-back clothing, you need not add this to your lingerie wardrobe.


Balconette Cup

A balconette cup is another name for a demi cup that has a little less coverage. However, manufacturers use this name on many styles that are not balconette. A true balconette cup will be cut horizontally just above the bust line and give ones breast the look of fullness and uplift. A balconette cup usually has a little padding to enhance bust size as well. The name balconette comes from men in the balcony of a theater looking down upon women.--a balconette bra could not be seen from above.


Bandeau Bra

A bandeau bra is a simple band of cloth that is worn across the breasts, providing little support or shaping. They work best for the young and self-supporting breasts.


Bralet or Bralette Bra

This name is given to an unlined wireless bra that usually pulls over your head. It is more of a leisure bra or a bra for a woman not wanting much support. This bra style is best for small busted women or for some support while sleeping.


Built In Bra

A built in bra, sometimes known as a shelf bra (not to be confused with the shelf bra described below), is a supportive bra like structure on the inside of another garment, such as a swimsuit or tank top, which provides support for the bust without the need for a separate bra. In most such garments, these consist of a horizontal elastic strip, although some do have cups and underwires as with other bra types. They are easily removed, if desired.


Bullet Bra

A bullet bra is a type of full-support bra that has the bra cups in the shape of a parabola.


Camisole Strap

The camisole strap style attachment has the straps sewn onto the back at a right angle to create a box like shape at the back of the bra. This strap attachment style is also used on traditional camisoles and slips. The camisole attachment style works for all bra sizes, and is particularly good for larger bra sizes because it allows the bra back to have as many hook closings as is necessary, it allows the straps to be made out of either an elastic or a more rigid material, and it can be easily altered. When a bra has a very narrow back with only one or two hooks for closing, the camisole attachment can pull up on the bra back making it ride high on the back.


Contour Cup

A contour cup holds its shape, even when not worn. The cups have an underwire and fiber fill or foam lining molded into a specific shape. Contour cups are a perfect choice for any woman seeking a sculpted silhouette, as they offer a specific round and symmetrical breast shape. A contour bra can also add definition (not size) to the breast, a smooth shape, and elimination of nipple contours. Contour Bras are a good choice for in-between bra sizes, or a woman with uneven breasts.


Convertible Bra

A convertible bra has straps that can be detached, rearranged in different ways such as a halter, racer-back, one-shoulder, or strapless style depending on the outfit. It is a great versatile bra, and handy to have in case you need a quick solution without time to go shopping for a new bra. The convertible bra is not really for anyone with heavy or large breasts because the bra straps may be too uncomfortable.


Cupless Bra

A cupless bra, also known as an open cup bra, is a bra frame with no support cups, or is a bra that exposes the nipples with notched or contoured support cups. Usually worn as erotic lingerie, a cupless bra can cause the shape of the nipples to be prominently visible on an outer garment.



Demi Cup Bra

A demi bra, also known as a balconette bra, is a contoured, underwired half-cup bra style, whose cups are partially cut away to expose the top of the breast. This bra style almost always has wide set shoulder straps as well as a horizontal bust line. It is often seamed or boned, and it gives a great cleavage and a frame-like effect. It's a very flattering style and it comes in handy when you find yourself with a low cut, wide scoop or square neckline without your bra being seen. The manufacturers generally cut a demi cup to 1" or 2 1/4 cms above the nipple point. Most push-up bras are demi cups to show more cleavage. The underwires of a demi cup are much shallower or shorter. Also, most demi cups are designed with a slight tilt to push the breasts towards the center for more cleavage and remove breast tissue from under the arms. A demi cup in large band sizes is simply not going to give the same support as a full cup bra.



Foam Cup Bra

A foam cup bra has padding made of foam in the cup of the bra. This gives the bra a smooth look and the padding does not bunch up during washing. See the moulded cup bra below.



Front Closure Bra

Front closure bras are popular with many women because they're easy to put on and take off. However, if you've been shopping for one recently, you've discovered there are very few to be found and for good reason. Front closure bras can be limiting since by definition they have only one non-adjusting clasp at the center front. The bra must fit perfectly because it cannot be adjusted. The center front clasp is not as strong or as supportive as a bra with a center panel. Consequently, the bra cups can shift around thus reducing support. Finally, a front closure bra will not last as long because of its inability to adjust tighter. Adding to all of this is the fact that front closure bras are the styles about which manufacturers get the most customer complaints. They have the highest return rate and greatest customer dissatisfaction. Rather than making a controversial high return front closure bra, most manufacturers have removed them from their offerings. If you love front closure, just understand that bra manufacturers do not and this is why they are hard to find.



Full Cup Bra

A full cup bra is designed to offer good support for the whole of the breasts and, as such, are a typical, practical bra for everyday wear. A full cup bra is perfect for women that need a larger cup size.



Gel Cup Bra

A Gel bra consists of two moulded, silicon gel filled cups that have a reusable adhesive on the inside of the cups and are designed to clip together to draw the breasts together and upwards without the use of bra straps or a band.



Half Cup Bra

A half cup bra offers less support than full cup bras. The bra cups are designed to stop just above the nipple line. A half cup bra is great for low necklines on tops and dresses, and also for achieving a sexy cleavage. Half cup bras often have moulded cups to give support and shape and have wider centrepieces to ensure a good snug fit. Non-moulded half cup bras are usually decorated with embroidery or lace for added interest. Half cup bras are best for smaller busts that need less support, and a sexy evening look.



Leotard Strap

The leotard strap gives a round look on the back. This back style usually has some elastic to give the rounded shape gives you the flexibility to raise your arms or bend over without having to adjust the bra afterwards. To keep the arch styling, the straps attach to the back at a slight angle. The number of back fasteners is limited with this strap design. The adjusting bra strap has metal or plastic rings on each strap to help to adjust the length of your bra straps. When this ring is sewn directly on to either the top of the cup or the bra back, it will allow the strap to swivel to the right or left, and fall in a more comfortable position for you. If the "U" shape is too wide, the straps can fall off your shoulders. If you have sloping shoulders or are prone to having your straps fall off, avoid leotard strap bras. For the best support, the straps should attach directly above the apex or point of each breast. Balconnette and demi-cup bras have the straps attached closer to the arm. The leotard straps will accommodate a wider neckline, and the straps attached on the outside of the bra cup create more cleavage by spilling the breast tissue towards the centre.



Lined Cup

A lined cup has additional support and added the cup is see through.



Long Line Bra

A long-line bra is a designed to create a midriff-slimming effect. It has to-the-waist panels that provide for extra smoothing for form-fitting outfits. It will virtually eliminate bumps from the neck down. A long line bra distributes the support over a greater amount of your upper body, thus reducing stress to any one area like shoulders or back. A long-line bra is a great solution when you put on a blouse or dress and want a smooth silhouette.



Mastectomy Bra

A mastectomy bra is designed so that a prosthesis may be held in place and are intended for those women who have unfortunately lost one or both breasts in a mastectomy.



Maternity Bra

A maternity bra is designed so that it can be expanded to adjust as the breasts increase in size over the course of a pregnancy. Maternity bras come with inside underbust bands and full coverage cups. The maternity bra cups are also made in fabrics that breathe to prevent breast tissue irritation.



Minimizer Bra

A minimizer bra is designed to de-emphasize the bust, in particular the bust projection of large-breasted women (34 C or above). It does not reduce your bust size, but it just redistributes the breast tissue more under the arms, towards your centre cleavage, down your waist, and up your chest. Some minimizers push your breast tissue more in one of these directions than others. Instead of pointed breasts, the breast changes to a more firmly held mound. In general, a minimizer bra reduces your breast circumference measurement as follows: a B cup reduces by 1/2" or 1 1/4 cms, a C cup reduces by 3/4" or 2 cms, a D cup reduces by 1" or 2 1/2 cms, a DD cup and larger reduces by 1-1/4" or 3 cms or more. When buying a minimizer bra, since the bust reduction measurement is allowed for, you should buy one in your normal bra size. If you are full busted and find that some button-down blouses have that pulling look around the bust-line, or look tight, a minimizer bra can quickly solve this problem. Some women complain that the cure is worse than the original problem.



Moulded Cup Bra

A moulded cup bra has cups that maintain the breast shape whether it is being worn or not. The cups are moulded from a thin foam to give your breast a great pre-determined shape. The moulded bra totally eliminates any nipple show-through for the more modest woman. The shape of the cups on a moulded bra may not always be a good match for your breast shape. The moulded cups can be quite rigid and if yu have wide breasts, a moulded cup may not fully encase your breasts. Women that have undergone a breast augmentation often find that contour moulded bras do not fit well because their breasts are not as malleable as a natural breasts. Seamed cups (especially 3 section cups) offer more support than a moulded cup bra. Rigid moulded cup bras need some extra special care. If you fold one cup inside out in order to nest the two cups together, the shape the shape of the reversed cup will become deformed. If the cups of a moulded cup bra becomes squashed they will get wrinkles and bumps that deform the shape of the cups. When travelling, fill each moulded cup with a pair of socks or rolled up pantyhose to keep their shape in packing. If the moulded cups do wrinkle, it is sometimes possible to remove these wrinkles by placing the wrinkle between your hands and rubbing the area. You can also try using the steam from a steam iron, but do not directly iron a wrinkle because that will not work and will probably damage the bra.



Nursing Bra

A nursing bra is a bra with specially designed cups to help make breastfeeding simpler by allowing for easy access to the nipple. Traditionally, nursing bras are made with flaps of fabric over the cup which can be unclasped and pulled down to access the breast.



Padded Cup Bra

A padded cup bra has cups that contain fibre fill, but any bra with some kind of padding in the cups is called a padded bra and the name is used to describe any bra that does not have soft fabric cups. This padding definition to give a well-proportioned look to smaller bust lines, can increase the cup size, and eliminates any nipple definition. The padding can be light, medium or heavy, but can also have built up padded areas at the bottom and/or along the sides of a cup and these pads are called bump pads. Padded cup bras that have removable pads (called cookies) are one solution for a woman who has one breast larger than the other. The padding can be fibre fill or it can be moulded foam. Lined cups give additional support and added opaqueness to the cup. The padding can also make breasts look larger. Padded bras may have a deep plunging neckline or a larger centre piece which gives the bra a balcony style. A padded cup bra is suitable for women whose cup size is up to a D or DD.



Push-up Bra

A push up bra is designed with additional padding, or a combination of underwiring and padding, at the bottom of the cup, so that the breasts are lifted and placed closer together to enhance the cleavage and to to give the illusion of a larger breast size. The main difference between padded bras and push up bras that use padding is whether the padding is under each breast to lift the breasts, or whether the padding is to the side of each breast such that it pushes the breasts inwards. The padding that is used in push up bras is made from foam, or rubber, or gel-filled pads. If the padding is removable, the padding is known as a cookie. Some push up cups have pads of a wide "U" that sits at the bottom and along the outside edge, just inside the cup, to give a more extreme push up and greater cleavage. Most push up bras also have wide-set straps to further assist in directing the breast tissue towards the centre to further enhance your cleavage. Push up bras often have a deep V neckline finishing in a small centrepiece between the cups and they are usually worn with eveningwear. Push up cup bras are designed primarily for cup sizes up to a C cup, but suit any cup size up to a D or DD cup.



Racerback Bra

A racerback bra, also known as a T-back bra or a sportback bra, is any design for the back that allows for the maximum amount of movement of your back and arms. They can have a high curve near the neckline with a T-strap down the centre back, or have the bra straps attached close together on a back with a centre back panel, or have cut-outs around the shoulder blades. A racer-back bra will most commonly be front closure bra, refer to the front closure bra above. For some women, the strap placement may be too close to the neck, and push down the nerves that go from the neck to the shoulders. The resultant pressure can cause headaches, neck pain, numbness, and shoulder pain. A racerback bra is ideal for sleeveless or racerback style tops, and the style also prevents the bra straps from slipping off the shoulders.


Seamed Cup Bra

A seamed cup bra has a cup that is made with 2 or more pieces of fabric, and were the only option prior to the advent of moulded cup bras. The use of seams on a bra cup allows for more variations in the shape of bra cups. Vertical and diagonal cup seams add to the cups support and tend to be more flattering to your breasts. The seamed cups (particularly the 3 section cups) are always be more supportive than a moulded cup. A seamed bra cup can be made out of many fabrics such as lace, satin, silk, cotton, etc and may have many beautiful design details.



Seamless Cup Bra

The seamless cup bra has moulded cups and thus no seams. It gives a smooth and almost transparent look under clothing which is great when you want a bra that is almost invisible for sheer or clingy fabrics. See moulded cup bras above.



Shelf Bra

A shelf bra is essentially a rigid band (underwired) along the area where the under breast and the chest meet that pushes up without actually covering any, or only a thin strip of the breast. Smaller breasted women can them in place of a bra if they want the natural look but without the sagging.



Soft Cup Bra

A soft cup bra is a bra with moulded cups and no underwire or padding, and this lack of structure makes it very comfortable to wear. However, the soft cup bras offer very little in the way of support, lift or definition. It is most popular with with women who wear bras with a cup size of A or B.



Sports Bra

Sports bras are worn during exercise for support, to reduce breast bounce, and are meant to prevent discomfort or embarrassment during vigorous exercise. Th breasts are supported by non-elastic ligaments and frequent exercise breaks down the ligaments and causes permanent sagging in your breasts. Even if you are only moderately active, a sports bra will help prevent damage to the breast tissue. The design of the sports bra includes wider straps, a broad cup coverage, and incorporates either the compression of the breasts or encapsulation of each breast. The compression of the breasts against the chest works well for women with cup sizes up to B, and its tank or t-shape design allows many women to work out without embarrassment. The encapsulation of each breast tends to resemble a full cup coverage bra with wide straps, clasps, and in some cases, underwires to keep the breasts in place. Bra manufacturers tend to categorize their sports bra line by the level of impact and exercise intensity, and if you take part in various sports or exercise activities, you may need several different sports bras.



Strapless Bra

A strapless bra does not have shoulder straps and are designed for to be worn under shoulder revealing clothes, such as a strapless top or an evening gown. A strapless bra has wide sides and relies on the strength of the fabric, the design of the band, and the shape of the underwires to stay in place and provide support. The most successful strapless bras have a wide band, boning under the arms and at the centre front, deep underwires, silicone strips along the inside, and special elastic with exposed small rubber loops to help grip. Some strapless bras even put boning in the cups to give additional support to larger breasts. Strapless underwires are differ from other underwires because the wires they taller and they curve inwards to encompass the breast more than a normal underwire does. A strapless bra works well for women who have a bra size up to an 18D. If you wear a bigger bra size, you are better off with a long line bra.



Triangle bra

A triangle bra has less breast coverage and is normally has two triangular pieces of fabric which cover the breasts, and the bra straps attach to the top point of each triangle. The fabric is normally unpadded and is fairly thin, perhaps lacy or sheer. Some triangle bras have foam lined cups and/or underwiring to give added shape and support. A triangle bra is best for women with smaller busts that do not require much support. Women with larger breasts will have breast spillage and almost no support.



Underwire Bra

An underwire bra is any bra that has underwiring running along the bottom of each bra cup which gives support and lift from underneath the breasts. Demi cup bras, push up bras, strapless bras and low plunge bras are all underwire bras. The underwired bras may have unpadded soft cups, be padded, or have moulded cups. Some women prefer underwiring in both their everyday and evening bras because it gives support and lift. The underwire bra is a less than suitable choice if a woman is particularly irritated by underwiring or find unwiring is uncomfortable because of her body shape, or has very small breasts and underwiring is not necessarily needed. Underwire bras are also be problematic for women with wider than normal breasts, and for those that have had a breast augmentation. Underwire bras that have a cup size of DD and up will not provide as much support as a soft cup bra with encircling support panels built into the cups. Underwire bras give a very narrow surface area to support the breast, and the weight of the breasts is transferred more to the shoulder straps. Support panels have more surface area in contact with the underside of large breasts to hold them up. Wire-free bras are a great solution for women who don't enjoy wearing underwire bras and for women looking for comfortable bras.



Wide Set Bras

A wide set bra has widely spaced shoulder straps and the style is great for boat neck and wide, squared necklines. Many demi cup bras and pushup bras have wide set straps, but wide set strap bras are not ideal for women whose straps constanlty slip off their shoulders.



Wire Free Bras

A wire free bra is a great solution for women who do not enjoy wearing underwire bras. The wire free bra is a very comfortable solution for every woman, particularly those women who wear bras with a size DD cup or larger, or are curvy, or petite in stature. Underwire bras in DD cup size and up will not provide as much support as a soft cup bra with encircling support panels built into the cups. Support panels have more surface area in contact with the underside of large breasts to hold them up. A wire free bra is suitable for women with wider than normal breasts, and for those women that have had a breast augmentation.