Imagine your breasts pointing down south? The thought itself can damage your self-confidence! Perfect shaped, firm looking breasts are every woman’s dream! However, going bare-breasted for long can ruin your figure and end up making you look elderly. The answer – Bras! The bra is a boon to every woman who wishes to flaunt her feminine side in an elegant manner. Apart from adding a smooth curve to breasts, bras also support the underlying tissues to prevent them from getting damaged. The first known bra was invented in the year 1889 by a French lady called Herminie Cadolle, who was frustrated with her worn-out Corsets and Camisoles. Over the years, bra types have evolved to meet the requirements of the modern woman, for who this undergarment is not just a luxury, but a necessity.
30 Different Types of Bra In India and Their Names:
Let’s Get to Know More About The Importance of Bras And Explore The Best Bras for Your Breasts:
Importance Of Wearing A Bra:
So why is Bra so important to a woman? It is because the breast muscles are rather heavy and cannot stand on their own. Bras are designed in such a way to support them from underneath and make them stay in their ‘intended’ place. Modern-day bras are lightweight, comfortable and come in different varieties to serve different purposes. Whether you need the right amount of cleavage or firmness while working out, a bra can be your saviour!
Different Types Of Bras:
Listed below are the various types of Bra styles which you need to know:
- Padded Bras: They come with a soft pad to conceal your nipples and offer a definition to your breasts.
- Non-Padded Bras: These bras have no pad and come with plain cotton or elastic material.
- Push-Up Bra: These are padded bras that have wired support underneath to push your breasts upwards and create a cleavage.
- T-Shirt Bra: Designed for t-shirts, these bras can smooth out your breasts and make them look seamless.
- Strapless Bra: They have no shoulder straps and are ideal for backless, off-shoulder dresses.
- Sports Bra: They are non-wired bras with good shoulder support and elastic around the waist.
- Bralette: They are the combination of bras and tops, which can be worn as inners or as outer garments.
- Maternity Bra: These come with a removable flap on the cups for comfortable feeding and the right support.
Fabrics Used In Bras:
The thumb rule for choosing the right fabric for a bra is comfort and movement. Several experiments have led to the usage of modern materials that offer both styles, support and sensuality. Some of the prominently used fabrics for making bras are:
- Cotton
- Silk
- Lace
- Wool
- Rayon
- Viscose
- Modal or Art Silk
- Tactel
- Lycra
- Dacron
- Polyesters
- Elastane
Latest Bra Types For Girls And Women With Pictures:
Are you aware of the range of ladies bra and the types of bra cups? Well, there are several types of bras in the women fashion world. This article would educate you a bit more about 30 different types of bra designs, along with the types of bra with images, available out there in markets that are easily accessible.
1. The Bridal Bra:
A bridal bra is also known as a corset. It is supposed to hold up the weight of your bust. It gives an illusion of the perfect shape of the upper body. The bridal dresses are mostly off-shoulder ones so, good bra support is a must for flaunting your figure in such a dress.
The bridal bra also helps to make your posture look very smart & Elegant. This latest bra design is light and comfortable to wear and walk around with. It is always advisable to try a couple of bridal bras along with your wedding outfit to get a perfect idea of the fit & comfort of the bra.
- Good For: Wedding Nights
- Wear It Under: Blouses, Night Wear
- Worst Pick For: T-Shirts
2. The Adhesive Bra Or Stick On Bra:
The name of this bra is self suggestive, it can stick on to your breasts. Stick on bra is a strapless variety and there are no bands as such only a small tag that connects the bra cups.
This variety of bra is suitable for a backless dress, dresses in a sheer fabric at the back or deep back blouses. It only helps to define the shape of your breasts and cannot be expected to provide much support to your breast.
- Good For: Party Wear
- Wear It Under: Strapless, Backless Dresses
- Worst Pick For: Everyday wear
3. Stick Bra:
The stick-on bras are of roughly two types. Use and throw ones which are made up of paper and can be disposed of after one use. You may opt for the silicone ones too. These are washable. The silicone ones usually extend to the sides as wings which allows additional area for effortless fitting. They come with an adhesive and you should always do a patch test with the adhesive to rule out chances of any allergies that might be present.
This is a new style bra model! After removing this type of bra, you might have a sticky residue left behind that can be removed with baby oil or some alcohol-based cleanser just like you remove your makeup products. This type of bra design is effective when you opt for tank tops or backless tops.
- Good For: Parties, Short time events
- Wear It Under: Strapless, Backless Dresses
- Worst Pick For: Longer Durations and Work Wear
4. The Quarter Bra Or Shelf Bra:
This ladies’ bra is usually not a preferred choice among the best ladies’ bra design. The reason is just that the bra is more open and sexy and can be a good choice of bra to wear at home or to relax while not feeling the pain of wearing one.
The bra cups are very small in size and barely cover your nipples and in some types of the bra cup, not even nipples. These bras also act as push up bras and fall under seductive lingerie than a functional one.
- Good For: Seducing Nights, Parties
- Wear It Under: Low Neck Dresses
- Worst Pick For: Daily Wear Dresses and T-Shirts
5. The Belly Dance Bra:
This different bra design is ideal for belly dancers, just as the name suggests. The main idea of this variety of bra is that it gives the right contours to the cleave while appropriately holding the cups on the place. The bra image below will give you a hint.
These bras come in a variety of bright and catchy colours with beautiful embellishments and sometimes with feather and beady hangings. These provide good support to bust & make sure your breasts get a shaped. Usually, the belly dancing bra varies a little in size as compared to a normal bra.
- Good For: Party Dresses
- Wear It Under: Low Neck Dresses
- Worst Pick For: Daily Wear Dresses, T-Shirts
6. The Bandeau Bra:
This traditional ladies’ bra was the popular choice in the older days. It is also an ideal bra design for teenagers who are starting to wear bras.
This perfect women’s bra design is one of the most comfortable and simple bra design that was popularly worn by Indian women in the past. This bra design has a simple band of cloth piece wrapped around the breasts. This type of bra holds your breasts in place but is capable of providing somewhat little support. These are comfortable to walk around with. You can wear these types of bra designs when you are casually roaming about in-home or retiring to sleep.
- Good For: Ball Parties
- Wear It Under: Strapless Dresses
- Worst Pick For: Chudidars and Blouses
7. The Convertible Bra Or Multi-Way Bra:
Expect to find this as your perfect bra when it comes to wearing attires of your choice. So, you don’t have to worry about having a range of bras for different occasion. The image below will show you how.
Now, this is one type of bra design comes very handy and helpful In this type of bra, the bra straps are such that they can be detached from the cups and they can be rearranged in various styles. So, you can achieve various fits with a single bra as per what suits your outfit, the best. This bra can be worn in the plain old way, criss-cross straps, like a halter, strapless, low back and also on a single shoulder. The straps can be made out of fabric or could be transparent.
- Good For: Regular and Party Wear
- Wear It Under: Strapless, Sleeveless Dresses
- Worst Pick For: Nightwear
8. The Built-In Bra:
The next comfort bra is the built-in bra that comes attached to the garment. This kind of bra design is perfect because there is no need for another innerwear. The bra image below will help you understand.
This type of garments has supportive cups which are placed inside the garment, itself. Mostly, built-in bras are incorporated as part of Saree blouses, off shoulder gowns, party gowns, tank tops & swimsuits. Built-in bras are often padded and come with underwire. In some garments, the built-in bra might be detachable.
- Good For: Sleep Wear, Workouts
- Wear It Under: Tops, T-Shirts
- Worst Pick For: Party Wear
9. The Cupless Bra:
The cupless bra falls under the sensual bra design that is mostly not a preferred choice of wear while opting to go out.
This type of innerwear comes under the category of erotic wear and the design is more based on arousal & Sensuality rather than serving any functional purpose. The name rightly suggests that this type of bra comes without any cups, therefore, revealing the fleshy part of your breasts as well as the nipples. This bra forms a framework around your cups rather than covering them up. However, there might be some lacework or net frills to make the framework look more sensual.
- Good For: Erotic Nights
- Wear It Under: Night Wear and Blouses
- Worst Pick For: T-Shirts
10. The Water Bra:
This new type of bra is padded and is the latest bra design available in the markets today.
This type of bra has cups that are filled with gel or water to act as padding and make your cups appear bigger. This type of bra is a must-have for every lady since it can be worn in so many different ways, thus, saving a lot of your bucks!
- Good For: Everyday wear
- Wear It Under: Tops, T-Shirts
- Worst Pick For: Strapless Dresses
See More: Latest Tops For Girls
11. The Trainer Bra:
One of the most comfortable kind, this bra design is usually the first choice for growing teenagers. They are not very tight and are just meant for some comfort.
These are meant for young girls in early teenage years and are not very tight. They are meant to develop a habit of wearing bras in girls and do not offer much support, as such. Most of the women said that it is one of the comfortable and best bra design. So this could be your child’s first bra that you can select from the list of different types of bra designs that are available.
- Good For: Young Teens
- Wear It Under: T-Shirts, Gym Wear
- Worst Pick For: Party Wear Clothes
12. The Novelty Bra:
Triggered by fashion, this latest bra design is sheer creativity. This variety of bra is a new concept and is a fancy for the many women out there.
These are made up of unconventional materials like leather, coconuts and other such things. These are more a part of fashion fads rather than daily use. This bras style has started getting more prominent among the list of different types of bra designs.
- Good For: Parties, Bachelorettes
- Wear It Under: Transparent Tops
- Worst Pick For: Everyday wear
13. The Demi Bra Or Half Cup Bra:
For those with smaller breasts, here is the right ladies’ bra design for you. This perfect bra design is meant and woven to benefit the ladies who have small breasts along with providing the necessary comfort.
This type of bra comes as a great option for women who have smaller sized breasts and want to create an illusion of a fuller figure. This bra has half cups & broader shoulder straps as compared to regular bras. The bust line design is kept horizontal to push your breasts up & Give a deep cleavage. So, next time you want to wear a dress with a plunging neckline, think of this bra. The Demi Bra is sure to increase the sensuality of your dress by many folds.
- Good For: Weddings
- Wear It Under: Gowns, Dresses
- Worst Pick For: T-Shirts, Activewear
14. The Classic Full Support Bra:
The latest classic full support bra is truly supportive and offers a decent look to your dressing. This kind is known to fit every woman perfectly while offering effective comfort.
Most women in India prefer these types of bra as it comfortably supports the weight of breasts. There are wide shoulder straps with a back strap that has a hook panel. The straps are also adjustable as per a woman’s comfort. Ladies with medium to heavy breasts should opt for the full support bra for day to day use.
- Good For: Evening Parties
- Wear It Under: Strapless Gowns
- Worst Pick For: T-Shirts, Activewear
15. The Front Closure Bra:
Fancy the latest bra design with hooks on the front? Here is the one you have been searching for!
For those of you, who find it rather difficult to hook and unhook your bra, at the back, there is yet another variety of bra called the front closer bra with the hooks and eye panel in the front. The back design is flat and many women prefer this over the conventional varieties because the hooks are easier to reach and you can avoid fumbling by hooking your bra at the back. This type of bra is also recommended for people who have medical problems which make very difficult to manage with a back-hook system.
- Good For: Comfortable Everyday Clothing
- Wear It Under: Any Indian Dress, Blouse
- Worst Pick For: Strapless Dresses
16. The Minimizer Bra:
The minimizer bra as the name suggests is designed to ensure an ideal bust size. So now, for the women who are worried about bigger breasts, here is our solution.
This type of bra is used to create an impression of smaller bust size. Women who have bust size more than 34 c sometimes need to make their breasts appear smaller for an outfit to look smart. So, depending on your size, you can expect your breast like to look smaller by an inch or so with the help of minimizer bra. The bra cups of such bra are full size and are made up of elastic-like fabric which helps to compress the bust. Underwires are often incorporated for support. This bra occupies the top place in the list of different types of bras.
- Good For: Longer Business Hours, Travels
- Wear It Under: Shirt, T-Shirts, Chudidhars
- Worst Pick For: Strapless Dresses
17. The Maternity Bra:
The maternity bra is most of the most chosen bra design by the mothers to be. This one is truly comfortable and ensures it serves its purpose accurately.
During pregnancy, the size of breasts tends to increase due to overall weight gain & Fluctuations in hormones in a woman’s body. There might be a progressive increase in bust size during pregnancy and it is really not practical to keep buying a new bra size every few weeks. In such a situation, the maternity bra comes in really handy. These are special bras designed for pregnant ladies and their cup size is expandable nature.
- Good For: Maternity Purpose
- Wear It Under: Maternity Tops, Dresses
- Worst Pick For: Strapless Dresses
18. The Nursing Bra:
The nursing bra is the next best choice for new mothers. It is meant to feed your baby without any hassle.
The name of this bra us self explanatory. It is really helpful for women who have babies on breastfeed. Now, you need to feed babies for five to six times a day. It is not always an option to remove your bra so many times in a day. So, nursing bras which allow you to undo the strap and at times removing a portion of your bra cup could be very helpful. This bra allows you to breastfeed without much hassle. The cups of such nursing bras are covered with flaps. These flaps can be pulled down to expose your bust.
- Good For: Maternity Purpose
- Wear It Under: Maternity Tops, Dresses
- Worst Pick For: Strapless Dresses
19. The Padded Bra:
Padded bras are the ladies preferred the choice to match their outfit. While it can be a little heavy to carry, it nevertheless is a perfect bra design for some outfits.
These types of bras have padded bra cups. There are soft fabric pads which are placed inside the lining of the bra. Many women face an embarrassing problem of nipples getting stiffened at odd occasions. The padded bra can be really helpful to avoid such incidents. Also, not to mention, they make your breast size appear bigger and fuller. So, this enhances the beauty of your outfits. This is one of the fittest types of bra designs.
- Good For: Dark Coloured Party Wear
- Wear It Under: Low Cut Dresses, Blouses
- Worst Pick For: Active Wear
20. The Sports Bra Or Racer Back Bra:
Racer back bras are common and are known to provide utmost comfort for the athlete or sportswoman.
These are designed to firmly support the breasts from all sides to provide total comfort to the wearer while running, work out or any kind of sports activity. The straps would not keep dislocating and such back design allows a good degree of movement along the shoulder region.
- Good For: Active Wear
- Wear It Under: Tank Tops, Jerseys
- Worst Pick For: Party Dresses
See More: Types Of Panties For Girls
21. The Push-Up Bra:
Push up bras are yet another variant of padded bras, but this time, the padding below the cups.
These are the padded type of bras that have padding below the cups and outer surface. They create an illusion of deep cleavage by pushing the breasts, closer together. The padding in such bras could be done in foam, gel or rubber. So, these push up bras push your breasts inwards as well as upwards. This type of bra design is very helpful for having small breasts.
- Good For: Active Wear
- Wear It Under: Tank Tops, Jerseys
- Worst Pick For: Party Dresses
22. The T-Shirt Bra:
The T-shirt bra is a type of bra that every woman has in her wardrobe. Ideal and comfortable, this one has a perfectly rounded cup and fits like easy and matches with your tee.
These types of bras have light padding and the cups do not have seams from stitching like traditional bras to give an appearance of smooth surface, a nice fit of the T-shirt & also helps in preventing your nipples from popping out through the light fabric of your T-Shirt.
- Good For: Everyday wear
- Wear It Under: Any normal dress, blouse or top
- Worst Pick For: Strapless, low cut dress
23. The Mastectomy Bras:
The mastectomy bras are meant for breast cancer patients. This type of bra is designed specifically for them, covering their body needs.
It is also called as Medical or Surgical bras. Unfortunately, some woman has to get their breast removed as a consequence of breast cancer. Mastectomy bras have pockets inside to insert the breast prosthesis into. Such provision can be for one or both the breasts, depending upon individual requirements. This kind of bras gives real confidence to women who have undergone a lot of pain during the phase of bad health.
- Good For: Women who have undergone surgery.
- Wear It Under: Any normal dress, blouse or top.
- Worst Pick For: Strapless, low cut dress.
24. The Plunge Bra:
How scared are you of your bra popping up when wearing low necks? Well, the plunge bras come to your rescue. This ladies bra design is yet another preferred choice of bra by the ladies.
This one is yet another bra that allows you to wear low cut and plunging necklines without displaying your bra. The connector string/ band between the cups runs low, somewhere near the base of bra. The straps are also kept wide apart, mostly in this bra pattern.
- Good For: Sensuous Parties.
- Wear It Under: Low Necked Dress.
- Worst Pick For: T-Shirts, Activewear.
25. The U Plunge Bra:
The U plunge bar is ideally meant for the really low neckline dresses. They come in as useful and is a typically preferred party wear bra design for your outfit.
This is a plunge bra that has been modified for really plunging necklines like the ones in Hollywood events. These are helpful when your outfit is really low in the front, say until almost your upper abdomen and you prefer not going braless, you can pick a U plunge bra for yourself in such case. These plunge bras have underwires and boning at the sides to provide enough support to the bust.
- Good For: Specifically customized outfits.
- Wear It Under: plunging necklines with no backs.
- Worst Pick For: Workwear, activewear.
26. The Halter Neck Bra:
Planning to wear an off-shoulder top tonight? Well, the halter neck bra design will help and sit comfortably with your dress.
These halter neck bras have straps with clasps. The clasps get buckled at the back of the neck. There cover up a major portion of your breasts and are suitable to wear with off-shoulder dresses. This one is the most excellent types of bra.
- Good For: Beach Look.
- Wear It Under: Strapless, Halter neck Dresses.
- Worst Pick For: Party wear.
27. Peep-Hole Bra:
Planning to flaunt the sexy side of you? This one could be your perfect ladies bra design for the day!
The Peep -Hole bra features transparent synthetic material cups which are non-padded with lace strip running around the edges of the bra and the strap is made up of thick flat elastic strap lined up with lace strip with thick hook system which is buckled at the back which makes it sexier and comfortable to wear on for women. This bra covers the breast completely or semi-cups which are bounded loosely except the nipples which make the revealing sharp cut at the centre which makes the bra more appealing and sexy — finished with a satin bow at the centre.
- Good For: Erotic Nights.
- Wear It Under: Transparent Night Wear.
- Worst Pick For: Business Formals, T-Shirts.
28. Soft-Cup Bra:
This is an everyday usable bra design that is comfortable and offers effective support.
Women out there who are in search of non-padded, women who are allergic to underwire material, for ladies who think underwire bra does not bring out the shape or fit the shape of the breast, soft cup bras are ideal bras which give good support without underwire or pads. It is recommended as daily wear bra to give good and comfortable support for all age group of ladies during errands when relaxing at home or for daily office going ladies.
- Good For: Business wear, travels.
- Wear It Under: Shirts, Dresses.
- Worst Pick For: Low Cut dresses.
29. Fire Starter Bra:
Take control of sagging breasts at an early age! The fire started bra is the best bra for girl that is lightweight and meant for the early bra wearers.
It is also called a Starter bra or bralette became common around the year 1950 to prevent sagging of breast an early age. It is a lightweight bra used by young girls who have begun to wear brassiere due to the development of breast after her puberty stage. This type of bra is very light to carry it along the whole day which is lined with soft cup design made usually from cotton fabric which is sold in different sizes according to the age and development. It is not wired unlined bra. Some bras are build up like camisoles. Since it is made from pure cotton the chance of rashes and allergies are avoided, which gives a positive attitude for a young girl to carry a new clothing design which she is not used to.
- Good For: Newbies to Bras.
- Wear It Under: Shirts, Dresses.
- Worst Pick For: Low Cut dresses.
30. Vintage Bra:
The vintage bra is also known as the centre circle stitch bra. Take a look at this bra design in the image below.
Bringing out 1950’s silhouette needs a great amount of creativity and artistic outlook. To bring out the old fashion into a new trend is the vintage bra. In this type of bra the material used is mostly synthetic which covers the breasts fully and the difference between other bra is that the cups of vintage bra forms a parabolic shape which can also be described as a bullet-shaped bra, which forms a perpendicular axis to the breast or with a centre circle stitch for ladies who wants to avoid the centre funnel-shaped pointy look with a hidden under cup stretch which gives underwire look. To make it sexier nowadays, this type of bra is sold in a satin material which can be full covering cup design or semi-cup design paired up with high-level panties and garter belt.
- Good For: Retro Nights.
- Wear It Under: Dresses, Tops.
- Worst Pick For: Formal wear, Active Wear.
See More: Best Women’s Camisole
Which Type Of Bra Suits Your Breast Type?
When it comes to bras, there is no “one size fits all!”. Each woman has a different type of breast that needs special love and care. Here is your mini-guide to understanding the different kinds of Bras for your breasts:
- Asymmetric: When one breast is bigger than the other breast; Suitable Bras Types: T-Shirt Bra, Padded Coverage Bra, Balconette Bra
- Athletic: When the breasts are wider but have less muscle; Suitable Bras: T-Shirt Bra, Sports Bra, Plunge Bra, Balconette Bra
- Bell Shape: When the breasts are slimmer in shape from up but are bulky downwards; Suitable Bras: Push-up, heavy Padded bras
- Teardrop: Fuller at the top and slender down the bottom; Suitable Bras: Any bra is suitable for these breasts
- Round: Perfect round-shaped boob; Suitable Bras: Any light padded bras
Which Bras Are Ideal For Your Outfits?
Just the way each breast needs a different bra, each outfit has a special requirement too. Here’s how to choose the right bra to enhance the look of your ensemble! Familiarise yourself with these basic bras names:
- Strapless Bras: Ideal for strapless, sleeveless tops and dresses
- T-Shirt Bras: Suitable under T-Shirts and Tank Tops
- Push Up Bras: Ideal for low necked dresses and shirts
- Sports Bras: Good for gym outfits
- Balconette Bras: Perfect for low neckline dresses
- Plunge: Good for Indian blouses, Dresses
- Padded Bras: Suits both Indian and Western Clothes
The main reason for bringing in bra concept is to prevent sagging of the breast and to prevent the skin from getting exposed to bright sunlight and from chemical products like perfume or roll-on deodorant. Bras are generally recommended to be replaced every 6 months since the straps lose its elasticity and the hooks also bend or breaks. For ladies who are prone to allergic reactions must use the only cotton with non-padded bras since cotton absorbs moisture and prevents from any fungal infection. Nylon or satin bras are worn mostly during parties or during a date to look more attractive and sexy.
Bras are sometimes pain and burden too. Make sure you choose from the different types of bras for different occasion. Some of them are specifically designed keeping an outfit in mind. Keep this in mind when you go brassiere shopping the next time and shine bright without worrying a bit about wardrobe malfunctioning. Do try out the Bra to make sure it fits well!
