Side by side
| Plunge | Push-up | |
|---|---|---|
| What the word describes | The cut | The padding |
| Defining feature | Low, narrow centre; cups angled inward | Extra padding at the bottom or outer cup |
| Effect | Stays hidden under low necklines | Lifts, adds fullness, brings breasts together |
| Can be unpadded? | Yes | No |
| Typical size range | All sizes | Mostly AA to D or DD |
The plunge
A plunge bra has a centre panel that sits low on the breastbone, with cups that slant from the outer edge towards it. That shape disappears under V-necks and wrap tops.
Plunges come lined, unlined, moulded and seamed, with or without padding. The wires are usually narrower and shorter at the centre than in other styles.
Suits
- Close-set breasts, because the centre is low and narrow
- Narrow roots
- Less upper fullness, since there is little upper cup to gape
Can be difficult for
- Soft tissue or a lot of upper fullness, which can escape at the centre when you lean forward
- Wide-set breasts, if the centre is so narrow that the inner cups sit on flat chest
The push-up
A push-up bra has padding built into, or pocketed in, the lower and outer part of each cup. The pad takes up space under and beside the breast and moves the tissue upward and towards the centre. Padding levels range from a light lift to "two sizes bigger".
Suits
- Smaller busts wanting more shape or cleavage
- Shallow shapes, where the pad fills cup depth that would otherwise stand empty
- Less upper fullness, since lifting from below adds roundness at the top
Can be difficult for
- Fuller busts. Padding takes up room, and there is rarely enough cup left.
- Full-on-top shapes, where the lift causes overflow at the edge.
Sizing notes
- Push-up: the pad occupies part of the cup, so many people need one cup size up from their usual. If you get a ridge at the top edge, go up.
- Plunge: usually your normal size. Lean forward in the fitting room to check you stay in at the centre.
- Either: the band should be as firm as in any other bra. Lift comes from the cup, and the band still holds everything in place.
Fashion-led retailers build much of their range around these two styles. Fit notes for two of them are in our guides to Ann Summers and Boux Avenue.
Which do you want?
| You want | Choose |
|---|---|
| A bra that does not show under a V-neck | Plunge |
| More fullness or cleavage | Push-up |
| Both of the above | Padded or push-up plunge |
| Lift with a fuller bust, without added size | Unlined seamed plunge or balconette with side support |
| A lifted look under a square or scoop neck | Balconette or half-cup |
For the lower-cut alternatives, see balconette vs demi bra. Every style is described in bra styles explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is a plunge bra the same as a push-up bra?
No. Plunge describes the cut: cups angled to a low centre. Push-up describes padding that lifts the breasts. A bra can be one, the other, both or neither.
Which gives more cleavage, plunge or push-up?
A push-up, because its padding moves tissue up and inward. A plunge with no padding shows the cleavage you have by lowering the centre. A padded plunge does both.
Do push-up bras work for larger busts?
They are made mainly for A to D cups. At larger sizes extra padding is rarely needed, and lift is better achieved with seamed cups and side support.
Not measured recently? It takes two minutes.
Open the bra size calculator →