What is a Shelf Bra?
What is a shelf bra? Read on to find out.
We have various types of bras in the market like full coverage bras, push up bras, bralettes to mention a few. Several times, we can picture the bra and know its use. However, other bra types get you questioning what it could be. Let’s take an example of a shelf bra. What exactly is a shelf bra? The shelf bra also comes in different types: the quarter cup and built-in.
Both of these bras are quite different when you compare them. At first, this may sound confusing. But this article will help you have a clear difference between the two and also know when to wear.
Built-in Shelf Bra
Most women tire from putting on many pieces when they want to wear a tank top! You wouldn’t want to leave your chest bare. You can cue the built-in shelf bra in your camisoles. When coming up with this bra, the designer had in mind the daily struggles of constant contraptions women always wiggle.
Built-in shelf bras are said to be that additional piece of material found within any outwear you will find it attached to, like swimsuits and camisoles — most of the times a single piece. The built-in shelf bras support system comprises an elastic band where the designer positions the underwire. It uses compression or padding to keep the breasts in place. Most of these bras are super comfortable, making it an ideal everyday alternative.
Keep in mind what you pay for is what you get! When you get a cheap shelf bra, you will also realize that its quality is equally inexpensive. At least, ensure the band at the bottom is quite thick to keep in place all through the day. If the band is thin, it may end up rolling under the bust after a few hours into wearing.
When choosing a new built-in shelf bra camisole, remember the temperature which you plan on wearing the new tank underneath. If you tend to suffer from severe boob sweat, many women tend to experience this, especially during summer! You might want to stick to dull colors to prevent the sweat stains from showing.
Additionally, you can try to find camisoles which are made of pure cotton to enhance the breast breathability. Putting on cotton camisoles tends to open up the doors to several color spectrum for different seasons which you may decide to pull it out.
Similar to a bralette, a perfect shelf bra should be available in many different colors. In this case, you should be bold enough to choose a color which will add an extra pop to the outfit you intend to wear.
Padding Options
The likelihood of the nipples showing through the fabric is high since there’s a thin layer between the real camisole and the built-in shelf bra. So, to avoid this, it is recommendable to get a camisole with some padding. You can remove most of these pads, and this means that you can pop them in and out as you please.
If you get a camisole that has no padding in the shelf bra, you can fix the dilemma quickly without any hassle. Get some bra pad inserts either in a store or online, then you can add it yourself. Alternatively, go for self-adhesive bras with no straps and back. It will help customize the padding to the specifications you desire.
Hanes Women’s Stretch Cotton Cami with built-in shelf bra is the best built-in shelf bra. It’s quite simple and underlying meaning it’s easy to match it with almost anything. The camisole is affordable, and its rate is also high. What’s more, the straps are adjustable! Check the bra on Amazon.
Platform Shelf Bra
The platform shelf bras are also known as the quarter cups, half cup, open cup, or split cup bras. Unlike their counterparts, the Platform only covers a part of the breasts.
The Platform does compose some lace fabric which covers the bottom part of the bust. And an elastic band which serves as the underwire. It also features thin straps for secrecy.
Instead of being built-in to tops like the other shelf bra, the platform shelf bra stands on its own like a standard bra. It resembles open cup bras due to the amount of exposure of the chest when you closely look at it.
The difference is, not every shelf bra exposes the nipples like the open cup bras. Before we look at how you can wear the shelf bra, we can first analyze this anatomy a little.
The Band Structure
The band of the bra can either have hook and eye closure, a thin strap or be elastic. Most of the times, the back of the bra’s band is a small piece of material. If you have large breasts or love extra support, take your time to get one that has thick straps for additional back and chest support. You can also try to get a bra with two to three hook and eye closures.
Cup Structure
The bar either comes with one or two cups put on top of each other. When you get a shelf bra that has two cups, one cup is for decoration while the other is for support. The central cup typically molds to the breast’s quarter half. The other cup usually is a rigid fabric like nylon or lace. It’s for preventing spillage while maintaining the seductive appearance of the bra.
Figleaves Stella Lace Quarter Cup Lace Bra is the best platform shelf bra. The bra has a three-quarter cup which features some lace details making it super sexy.
Pros of Each Type of Shelf Bra
The two shelf bras are very distinct from each other. It’s normal to expect quite some differences when it comes to advantages of each on what they offer.
Advantages of Built-in Shelf Bras
Picking a built-in shelf bra isn’t just an alternative in bra. It’s an option for almost all of your collection. And this is because you will find them already attached on the camisole. The advantages will help you find out if built-in shelf bras are your thing:
- Comfortability – Any shelf bra requires a pad. You might get bras that already have padding, and they are generally not built like the standard bras. Their bra may offer less support, but you won’t experience any pokes, chafing, or any tightness which quite annoying on regular bras.
- Compression – The built-in shelf bras does compensate for its support through compression. The cups are not separate like on standard bras, therefore pushes the breasts to the chest. It makes the breasts stay in place despite some features lacking. You will experience no bounce and zero pain on the shoulders with the built-in bra.
- Economy – Most of us love the economy and convenience of an outfit that is all-in-one. The built-in shelf bra may not be an entire outfit, but it’s a top with an inbuilt bra. It does combine two layers to become one. That minimizes the number of clothing you should worry about when wearing.
- Versatility – Currently, you’ll not only see shelf bras in camisoles but also other garments. You will find them in tank tops, tankinis, bikinis, and also leotards.
- Sexy yet appropriate – The bras appeal is quite versatile. You can dress them up appropriately for conservative settings but can be shy and sexy for lounging and sleeping purposes.
- Simple braless hack – Nowadays, going braless has become a trend. But, instead of completely doing away with the bra, the built-in shelf bra offers a doable solution for people who want to try it out.
- Easy to find – Luckily, you can choose the litter in places which carry in-built bra camisoles. You can find them in an array of venues, from the general store at the neighborhood to the high-end department stores.
Advantages of Platform Bras
When you want to get a new brassiere, bear in mind what the seductive garment has to offer, like:
- Pure cotton – One of the most significant advantages of the shelf bra is that several consists of cotton. Depending on which fabric you prefer, this might be a relief since cotton has many benefits.
- Make the breasts appear fuller – Woman with small breasts can benefit from the full-breast appearance which quarter-cups provides. Especially one with two cup system. The central cup is molded and pushes the breasts up, and the other quarter cups rounds it off. It ensures you achieve supple, smooth look underneath the clothes.
- Support and lift – Like its counterpart, shelf bras are specially designed to provide a lift to the breasts which rests on it. C cup sizes and below should be okay with no underwires which most quarter cups fail to include. However, cup size D would benefit getting a shelf bra that has a super comfortable underwire for high-level support.
- Insulation – The bra has too short to no cups. It covers the lower part of the breasts only. It, therefore, sits quite comfortably underneath thick outfits to help you keep warm during winter and under thin tops to cool you off during summer.
- Durability – When you take care of it well, it can last up to years.
- Hypoallergenic – The bra’s material rarely causes any allergic reactions.
- Environment-friendly – Some shelf bras are made from organic cotton, thereby producing less carbon as a result of the production free of chemical.
Ideal Breast Sizes for Each Type of Shelf Bras
When it comes shelf bras – both the platform bra and the built-in, are incredibly comfortable and convenient undergarment to wear, it’s a common alternative to wear for several occasions. But who is to wear them?
Built-in Shelf Bras for People with Small Breasts
Small cup sizes which don’t require a large amount of support find this bra quite a catch. It offers you the freedom to wear it in double low-impact situations.
It additionally gives you a break from the famous traditional constricting, underwire bites, tightly fit straps which come with regular bras and push-up bras for smaller breasts.
Built-in Shelf Bras for Big Breasts
Women who wear bra cup sizes ranging from A to C can wear any variety of this bra available. Those with big breasts who put on supportive push-up bras for the plus size need to be extra selective.
Instead of camisoles with a thin lining for the bra, go for those with padding and thick band. Some shelf bras have a structured cup, and this helps in keeping the breasts in place all through the day.
Check out the link to see the best built-in shelf bra for a large bust.
If you need extra support, you can wear a regular bra as a central base underneath the camisole. It defeats the purpose in a certain way, of getting a top with a built-in bra. But it will work if the need arises.
Platform Bras for Smaller Breasts
Fuller breast appearance features among the advantages of platform bras. From that, you can incur that the bra has more benefits for women with smaller breasts than their counterparts.
The bra’s underwire tends to push the breasts up, and this makes them appear more significant than their actual size. The platform bras do focus on the lower part of the breasts more, though they don’t compress as much as the standard bra. Or, built-in shelf bras that tend to make the chest flatter.
A Shelf-bra in a Swim Suit
Along with tank tops which you can wear every day, you can also find this bra in swimsuits! We all have that one piece we always trust. Most times than not, it has an inbuilt shelf bra.
A shelf bra in a swimsuit is some secret lifesaver which helps to keep everything compressed. One-piece swimsuits, tankinis, bikinis, halters all apply the in-built weapon in the garments to offer an extra lift. Unfortunately, this is not possible for Mai Tai’s poolside.
However, you will find it difficult getting a shelf bra in the most common two-piece and bikini suits.
Many first-time mothers, patients who have undergone mastectomy recently, or those suffering from tender melons can find this bra ideal since it has a soft cotton material.
For additional comfort, you can do away with a tag in it. It will prevent you from suffering any itch, which tends to occur some times.
When and How-to Put-on Shelf Bras
There’s always an occasion, time, and a garment that matches each bra. And this includes the shelf bra no matter how timeless and versatile they are. You can get to learn the ideal circumstances and how to wear shelf bras, be it a platform bra or a built-in camisole bra.
How You Can Wear Built-in Shelf Bras
You can wear these built-in bras for your everyday use or low impact activities. You shouldn’t expect to thrive in it when undertaking those high-impact exercises during the gym sessions. Get a fitting sports bra for that! However, it can do a perfect job on its own when it comes to yoga.
Since it has low support and structure, you have to strategize the outfits which you will wear with this built-in camisole bra. You can try to pair a camisole with a scoop neck under a light sports jacket when running errands. Or you can choose to wear it underneath any knit sweater. You can also use it when nursing.
Instead of a bralette, use a camisole with a spaghetti strap as a button-up undershirt to achieve a smooth appearance. You can even wear it to work. For women with large breasts, this is an ideal way to cover up yourself while still wearing your favorite button-up shirt.
How to Wear A Platform Bra
When you compare it to a regular bra, you will notice three-quarters missing. It means that wearing this bra underneath any outfit in public can be challenging. And it gets worse if you have large breasts, especially if you want them to appear a bit small.
The designer was making shelf bras with quarter cups for lingerie purposes only. But society always finds a way of turning anything to fashion. Women out there are wearing this shelf bra everywhere.
When it comes to any bra, the fit is vital. When for the first time you get to try the quarter cup shelf bra on, don’t fear to grab any size out of your range. Since it has an intricate lace cup, you might need a larger cup with a smaller band to ensure it fits snugly.
When you wear the bra under a V-neck, some people find the delicate lace beautiful. Others enjoy the straps which can be visible above your neckline like it does when you wear a bralette. Some would prefer to include it in their collection of lingerie’s since it does expose some skin and its lack of support.
Regardless of which one you go for; you will always find countless ways to add shelf bras in your collection. You can choose to be daring and try several outfits until you get the way it will work for you.
Great Under Big Clothes
Get shelf bras with quarter cups that feature an intricate strap system, either at the front or back. The look pairs well with an oversized sweater. Shelf bras offer a sassy peek-a-boo especially when the shirt has a cutout at the back or some significant holes on the shoulders.
If you are bold enough, go an extra mile by getting a sweater that has a V-neck at the front. It gives a subtle snippet of the lace details, which is always at the top of the shelf bra. Show off your taste in fashion on loungewear.
When you intend to wear a quarter cup out in public, then pasties are necessary. When you wear a pasty, it will prevent your nipples from showing inappropriately.
Include to Your Lingerie Collection
When you choose carefully, you might end up adding alluring lingerie, which tends to provide a feminine touch on wearing.
The bra is a power piece regardless of your status in terms of relationships. Match a lace shelf bra with a panty to a cute satin robe when you in at night. You will fall in love with the empowering feeling it tends to bring.
Shelf Bras for Large Breasts
Majority of women with big breasts are already asking themselves how a thin strap would work in their favor. Don’t worry! Some companies are already doing something to cater to your needs.
Features of Shelf Bras for Big Breasts
For many women with big breasts, a minimizer bra does the magic, especially in making the size of the chest to appear smaller. But a shelf bra can be significant in adding shape and also offers an attractive appeal.
You should look for:
- Adjustable straps
- Customized fit
- Three columns and row hook and eye back closure
- Durable underwires
- The lace should have a quality stretch
Most shelf bras don’t provide high-level support. It means that it can’t be the perfect alternative for a posture corrector bra.
However, it still depends on your preference with the support and movement of that specific quarter cup shelf bra.
Conclusion
Notice the two types are shelf bras are quite different. You can wear the built-in shelf bra daily and is also comfortable, while the quarter cup is risqué with little coverage. When looking for a shelf bra, bear in mind that quarter cups has to have an appropriate fit. And when it comes to built-in shelf bras, style and fabric are all that matters.
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