[Ultimate Guide]Types of Bras Every Woman Should Have at Least Once in their Lifetime

types of bras

[Ultimate Guide]Types of Bras Every Woman Should Have at Least Once in their Lifetime

How many types of bras do you have? Do you even know more than 5 types of bras? This ultimate guide has images of the most common types of bras that you may need for different occasions.

There are various types of bras that you will need to wear, depending on the activity you are doing or event you are attending. In this guide, we have listed various types of bras with images to help you understand the various options available.

This is braeducation at its best!

20 Types of Bras With Images and Names

1. Balconette Bra

balconette bra

A balconette bra is mainly characterized by the cups. The bra’s coverage is slightly more than a half cup, just covering an inch above the nipple line. Moreover, its straps are wide set to compliment your broad neckline outfits.

Recommended Resources

Best Balconette Bras

2. Bandeau Bra

Bandeaus are strapless, stretchy pieces of fabric with a thick band on the top and bottom. The elastic is meant to hold everything in place, while the soft fabric ensures you are comfortable all day long.

Recommended Resources

Best Bandeau Bras

bandeau bra

3. Training/Beginner’s Bra

training bra

A training or beginner’s bra is lightweight and specifically designed for girls in the developing stage. The bra is made of soft fabric and lacks defined cups that give a regular bra shape and lift. A training bra is a bra version of a camisole or slip.

Recommended Resources

Best Training Bras

4. Bralette

A bralette is an undergarment designed to cover but not really support the sisters. It is more of a breast cover than supportive undergarment. A bralette looks like a bra in shape or style but lacks the engineering or construction of a bra. Bralettes are popular alternatives to a regular bra for the less endowed.

Recommended Resources

Best Bralettes

bralette

5. Bridal Bra

bridal bra

Bridal bras are designed to create a sleek silhouette underneath a wedding gown. The bras have an extra-long band that offers shaping at the waist and creates a smooth, seamless line underneath the gown. These bras also offer great support without straps, especially for large bust women.

Recommended Resources

Best Bridal/Wedding Bras

6. Built-in Bra

Some tops have hidden support bras built into them. The most common type of built-in bra is  called a shelf bra (not to be confused with a cupless shelf bra). A second layer of fabric is sewn underneath the singlet. This fabric stops just under the bust and is pulled in with a line of elastic.

Recommended Resources

Best Clothes with Built-in Bras

built-in bra

7. Cage Bra

cage bra

A cage bra has the elements of both classic and contemporary styles. Any number of bras can be called cage bras, as long as a portion of them has crisscrossed strips that form a literal cage.

Recommended Resources

Best Cage Bras

8. Convertible Bra

A convertible bra is a bra whose straps are designed to be worn in different ways or removed entirely. Some convertible bras can be worn with straps while others are strapless. These bras bring great versatility to your wardrobe.

Recommended Resources

Best Convertible Bras

convertible bra

9. Cupless Bra (Open-Tip or Shelf Bra)

cupless bra

If you’re looking for something sexy, cupless bras are the way to go. These unique and innovative bras come in all sorts of designs – some with 1/4 cups, others with a peek-a-boo style, and others with completely open cup bras.

Recommended Resources

Best Cupless Bras

10. Demi Bra

a demi-cup bra is sometimes referred to as a half- or shelf bra. This is a partial-cup bra style that covers half to three-quarters of the breast, creating cleavage and uplift. Most demi-cup bras are designed with a slight tilt to push the breasts towards the center to display more cleavage.

Recommended Resources

Best Demi Bras

demi bra

11. Front Closure Bra (Front-Open Bra)

front closure bra

A front closure bra has a clasp between the breasts rather than the back. The versatile design is used for everything, from supportive sports bras to sexy push up styles. Front closure bras are popular because they are easy to wear.

Recommended Resources

Best Front Closure Bras

12. Full Coverage Bra

A full coverage bra has a high neckline that is designed to cover almost all of the breast tissue. These bras are available in various cup styles, including molded cups, stretch fabric cups, and seamed fabric cups.

Recommended Resources

Best Full Coverage Bras

full coverage bra

13. Full Figure Bra

full figure bra

Full figure bras are specifically designed to offer maximum comfort and support for larger breasts. The bras typically feature molded or padded cups, wider comfort straps, and larger hook-and-eye closures.

Recommended Resources

Best Full Figure Bras

14. Halter Bra

A halter bra  has a strap that goes around the neck or two straps that can be tied together at the back of the neck. This can be a padded bra or a non-padded bra.

Recommended Resources

Best Halter Bras

halter bra

15. Longline Bra

longline bra

A longline bra extends down to the waist or hips. This category includes a wide range of bras, from practical basics to bridal lingerie. A longline bra has an extra wide band that provides more support than a regular bra. Many longlines also offer shaping for the waist.

Recommended Resources

Best Longline Bras

16. Mastectomy Bra

A mastectomy bra is specially designed for women who have undergone a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. The bra can be worn with breast prostheses. Also known as post-surgical bras, the undergarments have specially designed discreet pockets inside the cups.

Recommended Resources

Best Mastectomy Bras

mastectomy bra

17. Maternity Bra

maternity bra

A maternity bra is designed to be safe and comfortable for pregnant women. During pregnancy, the breasts get heavier and more sensitive than usual. These bras provide excellent support.

Recommended Resources

Best Maternity Bras

18. Nursing Bra

A nursing bra provides additional support to lactating women, enabling them to breastfeed comfortably without having to remove the bra. The bra has specially designed cups with flaps that can be opened with one hand to expose the nipple.

Recommended Resources

Best Nursing Bras

nursing bra

19. Minimizer Bra

minimizer bra

A minimizer bra designed to make the breasts appear smaller. These bras work in two ways: either by lifting and redistributing your breast tissue to look flatter or by simply squeezing the bust in an attempt to reduce protrusion.

Recommended Resources

Best Minimizer Bras

20. Molded Cup Bra

A molded cup bra has seamless cups with thicker lining than a traditional bra. The term ‘molded’ refers to how this type of bra is made. These bras keep their shape when you take them off. When you wear a molded cup, the breasts conforms to the shape of the bra.

Recommended Resources

Best Molded Cup Bras

molded cup bra

21. Padded Bra

padded bra

Padded bras have padded cups. The padding inside the cups helps to add fullness to the bust line, thus enhancing the appearance of your bust. Padded bras can make your breasts look larger and firmer.

Recommended Resources

Best Padded Bras

22. Peep Hole Bra

Peephole bras feature holes around the nipples, sideways or otherwise. The functional aspect of a bra is absent in these bras as they may or may not have cups.

Recommended Resources

Best Peep Hole Bras

peep hole bra

23. Plunge Bra

plunge bra

A plunge bra has cups that are very low at the center, forming a deep V-neckline. This bra is a must-have for low cut tops that would show the top of a regular bra. The shape of the cup push the breasts together and upwards to provide maximum cleavage in the most natural way.

Recommended Resources

Best Plunge Bras

24. Push Up Bra

Push-up bras create the appearance of increased cleavage. The bras have padded angled cups that push the breasts inwards and upwards, towards the centre of the chest. A push-up bra is usually a demi-cup bra. The Wonderbra was the first push-up bra made.

Recommended Resources

Best Push- Up Bras

push up bra

25. Racerback Bra

racerback bra

A racerback bra features a racerback style. The style is simply a  central strap that comes up from the center back of the bra, and then splits into a Y or V shape between the shoulder blades to cross over the shoulder on either side of the neck.

Recommended Resources

Best Racerback Bras

26. Seamless Bra

A seamless bra is designed to be invisible under your clothes. The bra has no seams that might show through. Seamless bras feature cups that are usually covered with a single piece of seamless and stitch-free fabric. These types of bras typically feature a molded cup for shaping and support.

Recommended Resources

Best Seamless Bras

seamless bra

27. Silicone Bra

silicone bra

Silicone bras are in vogue and really multi-purpose. The bras are strapless, backless, self adhesive and self supportive. These bras are made up of a special gel called silicone that looks seamless and gives your breasts a smooth finish.

Recommended Resources

Best Silicone Bras

28. Strapless Bra

A strapless bra is designed to be worn with no shoulder straps. The bras typically include design features like silicone or rubber linings that prevent slippage and provide support.

Recommended Resources

Best Strapless Bras

strapless bra

29. Stick On Bra

stick on bra

Stick-on bra, sticky bra, adhesive bra. Three words, one meaning: a bra without a band or straps that stick to your breasts. A stick-on bra supports the bra but is invisible. The bra is perfect under backless and low-cut tops and dresses!

Recommended Resources

Best Stick-On Bras

30. Sports Bra

A sports bra supports the breasts during physical exercise. Sturdier than typical bras, the bras minimize breast movement and alleviate discomfort.

Recommended Resources

Best Sports Bras

sports bra

31. Transparent Bra

transparent bra

Transparent bras come with transparent straps. Unlike the name suggests, these bras are not invisible. Instead, they feature straps that are less visible than those of regular bras.

Recommended Resources

Best Transparent Bras

32. Triangle Bra

Triangle bras are designed to enhance the natural shape of your bust. Their design is closer to that of a bralette than a t-shirt bra. For a rounded shape, look for a triangle demi bra, t-shirt bra, or padded bra. In most cases, you’ll need a bra with molded cups to get the rounded shape you’re looking for.

Recommended Resources

Best Triangle Bras

triangle bra

33. T-Shirt Bra

t shirt bra

A t-shirt bra is a kind of seamless, molded cup bra. The cups are designed not to show any lumps, bumps, or textures through your clothing — even when worn under the most form-fitting t-shirt or tee. Some t-shirt bras are not molded or padded.

Recommended Resources

Best T-shirt Bras

34. Underwire Bra

An underwire bra (also known as an underwire bra, underwire bra, or an underwire bra) has a thin, semi-circular strip of rigid material fitted inside the fabric. The wire may be made of metal, plastic, or resin and helps to lift, separate, shape, and support the woman.

Recommended Resources

Best Underwire Bras

underwire bra

35. Unlined Bra

unlined bra

An unlined bra lacks any lining or padding. This bra is free of the extra layers of fabric and padding that lined bras have in the cups.

Recommended Resources

Best Unlined Bras

36. Wireless Bra

A wireless bra has no underwire. Bralettes and sports bras without wire can also be considered as wireless bras.

Recommended Resources

Best Wireless Bras

37. Full Support Bra

full support bra

Full support bras are engineered to provide maximum comfort without spillage or ill-fit issue. At the bottom of every bra, there is a broadband for reinforced support. The shaper panels of these super support bras offer a lift to the sagging breasts.

Recommended Resources

Best Full Support Bras

38. Low Back Bra

As the name suggests, a low back bra is designed to be worn with dress with low backs. The bra’s straps are typically sewn lower than those of the regular bra to ensure they can be seen when you are wearing a low back dress.

Recommended Resources

Best Low Back Bras

low back bra

39. Belly Dance Bra


belly dance bra

A belly dance bra is a beautiful bra with embellishments that is meant to be worn with club wear or a bellydance costume. The bras are typically come in sequin, beaded, lace, velvet, studded, rhinestone, fringe and other designs.

Recommended Resources

Best Belly Dance Bras

40. Tank Bra

A tank bra is a comfortable bra that is soft, double-layered and supportive. The bra has an elastic band for a perfect fit and does not push nor have any padding.

Recommended Resources

  • Tank Top with Built in Underwire Bra
  • Tank Tops with Built in Bra Support
  • Tank Top with Built in Bra (Plus Size)

Best Tank Bras

tank bra

41. Sheer Bra

sheer bra

A sheer bra is fashion bra made of translucent material that reveals the nipples. The bra can be padded or unpadded, or wired or non-wired.

Recommended Resources

  • Best Sheer Bra
  • Best Sheer Bralettes

Best Sheer Bras

42. Shelf Bra

A shelf bra is a type of bra that usually does not (or can barely) cover the nipples or the upper portion of the breasts. Its function is to lift the breasts up and provide some form of support.

Recommended Resources

Best Shelf Bras

shelf bra

Top

Jeanette is a certified professional bra fitter. Originally from Lyons, France, Jeanette moved to Houston, TX to head the Brabbly content team. When not talking about bras and underthings, she's usually tucked in her study writing a sci-fi novel.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Size Guidelines

Shopping Cart0

Cart