A warning about names. There is no standard definition. One brand's demi is another's balconette, and in the UK "balcony" and "balconette" mean the same thing. Judge a bra by its coverage and neckline in the photos, not by what it is called.
Side by side
| Balconette | Demi / half cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | About two-thirds to three-quarters | About half |
| Top edge | Straight and horizontal | Lower; straight or slightly angled |
| Straps | Wide set | Wide set |
| Effect | Lifted and rounded, contained | Strong lift, more of the upper breast shown |
| Support | Good at all sizes | Best for small to medium busts |
| Size range | Very wide, including full-bust | Narrower |
| Necklines | Square, scoop, wide | Low square, sweetheart, wide |
The balconette
The balconette is the workhorse of the lower-cut styles. Its cups are open at the top, the straps sit towards the outer edges, and the lift comes from underneath. It is made lined, unlined, moulded and seamed, in almost every size.
Suits: most shapes. It is particularly good for full-on-bottom shapes, because there is less upper cup to gape, and for wide roots, because the wires tend to be wider than in a plunge.
Watch for: straps slipping, if your shoulders are narrow or sloping. Look for one with straps set slightly further in, or a version with a closer back.
The demi or half cup
A demi takes the same idea further. The cup is cut lower, often with vertical seams that push the breast upward, and the top edge sits just above the nipple line.
Suits: shallow shapes, full-on-bottom shapes and short roots. With little upper cup there is nothing to stand empty. It also suits wide-set breasts, as the centre is usually fairly wide.
Watch for: spilling over the top if you are full on top or have soft tissue, and less security at larger cup sizes.
Which should you choose?
- For everyday wear at any size: balconette.
- If full-coverage and balconette cups gape at the top: try a demi or half cup.
- If you spill out of lower-cut styles: balconette with a stretch-lace upper, or a full cup.
- For a low, wide neckline: whichever sits below the edge of the garment.
- For an F cup or above: balconette, in an unlined seamed construction.
Sizing
Both are normally worn in your usual size. Because the top edge is lower, they show a cup that is too small sooner than a full cup would. After a scoop and swoop, check side-on for a ridge. If there is one, go up a cup, or choose the higher-cut of the two styles. How fullness affects the upper cup is explained in full on top vs full on bottom.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a balconette and a demi bra?
Both are lower-cut than a full cup. A balconette has a fairly straight, horizontal top edge and wide-set straps, and covers roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the breast. A demi covers about half, with a more angled top edge. Brands do not use the terms consistently.
Is a half cup the same as a demi cup?
Near enough. "Demi" is French for half. Some UK brands use "half cup" for a style cut very straight across with vertical seams, which is lower than a typical demi.
Which is more supportive, balconette or demi?
The balconette, because it covers more of the breast. It is made in the full range of sizes, while demi and half-cup styles are less common at larger cup sizes.
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