Bra Styles Explained

Styles at a glance

By cut

Full cup

Covers most of the breast, with a high top edge and a tall centre panel. It contains everything and gives the most support, which is why it is common at larger cup sizes. On shapes with little upper fullness the top can gape.

Balconette or balcony

A straighter, more open neckline, with straps set towards the outer edge of the cups. It lifts from below and gives a rounded shape. This is the most versatile cut and a good first style to try.

Plunge

Cups angled towards a low, narrow centre, for V-necklines. The wires are usually narrower and shorter at the centre. It suits close-set breasts especially well. On soft or full-on-top shapes, tissue can escape at the centre.

Half cup and demi

Cut low and straight across, covering roughly the lower half to two-thirds of the breast. They suit shallow and full-on-bottom shapes and give a lifted look. The difference between these and a balconette is covered in balconette vs demi bra.

Side support

Any cut with an extra panel or sling at the outer edge of the cup. It brings tissue forward and narrows the outline from the front.

By construction

T-shirt or moulded

A smooth, seamless foam cup that is invisible under thin tops. The cup has a fixed shape, so it fits well when your shape matches it and gapes when it does not. See the T-shirt bra size guide.

Unlined and seamed

Cups made from two to four panels of fabric with no foam. They adapt to you, give the most lift and are the standard construction for fuller busts.

Spacer

A thin, breathable knitted foam. Smooth like a T-shirt bra and more flexible, so it suits more shapes.

Padded and push-up

Padded means foam throughout the cup. Push-up means extra padding at the bottom or side to lift and bring the breasts together. See plunge vs push-up bra.

Non-wired

Any style made without underwires. Support comes from the band, the cup seams and sometimes a moulded cradle. Modern ones are available and supportive at a wide range of sizes.

By purpose

• Bralette: soft, unstructured and usually non-wired. See the bralette size guide.
• Strapless and multiway: a firm band with silicone grip and removable straps. See the strapless bra size guide.
• Everyday sports bra wear: see can you wear a sports bra every day?
• Minimiser: redistributes tissue to reduce projection. See minimiser bras explained.
• Sports bra: built to limit movement. See the sports bra calculator.
• Nursing bra: cups that unclip for feeding. See the nursing bra calculator.
• Longline: a band that extends down the ribcage, for a smoother line and extra anchorage.
• Front fastening: a clasp between the cups, helpful if reaching behind is difficult.
• Post-surgery and pocketed: soft, with pockets for a prosthesis. See post-mastectomy bra fitting.

Choosing between them

Start from your shape, and use the neckline you want to wear as a second filter. Which bra style suits my shape? matches the two.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a balcony and a balconette bra?

In the UK the two names are used for the same thing: a bra with a fairly straight, open neckline and wide-set straps. Some brands use "balconette" for a slightly lower-cut version.

What is the most supportive bra style?

A full-cup or side-support bra with seamed cups, a deep band and wide straps. Coverage and construction give the support. A well-fitted balconette is also very supportive at most sizes.

Which bra style is best for everyday wear?

Whichever fits your shape and is comfortable for a full day. For many people that is a balconette or a T-shirt bra. Fit matters far more than the name of the style.