Bra Style Guide

Many women don't know the difference between the various different bra styles. Read this style guide and let us help you find the best styles for your body.

Unlined Bra

This one is pretty self explanatory. An unlined bra will not have lined or padded cups, which means it will be more lightweight and comfortable. This doesn't mean it won't offer lift and support! Women of all sizes love our unlined Lace bra by Ewa Michalak or the Caitlyn by Elomi.

Padded Bra

Padded bras are a great option for women, and we're not talking about stuffing tissues into a bra like you may have thought about in middle school. Removable padding can offer shape and definition when necessary, or help a woman with uneven breasts to fit into a supportive bra. Padding can mask protruding nipples, and comes in a variety of materials. We sell padded bras both with underwire (like our Cappuccino by Ewa Michalak) and without underwire (like the Toffee bra by Cake lingerie).

T-shirt Bra

Women love t-shirt bras because they are comfortable, like your favorite t-shirt. T-shirt bras are smooth and often invisible under shirts, and the molded cups are great for hiding nipples. This feature makes t-shirt bras especially attractive to nursing moms. Our Bella Materna t-shirt nursing bra offers flexible underwire support while the LLLI Vanessa is a wireless option. We also have non-nursing t-shirt bras: check out our Freya Deco Vibe bra.

Balconette Bra

This type of bra is also called a balcony bra. Its main job is to lift the top portion of your breast, creating a round shape but not necessarily covering the whole breast. The straps of a balconette bra are often set wider, so this bra can accommodate more types of necklines. A balconette bra usually features seamed cups to help give the bust a nice shape, and these bras are more often lacy or embellished. Check out our Pearl Balconette Bra or our Clara full coverage bra.

Plunge Bra

Much like its name suggests, a plunge bra has a deep plunge between the cups. The shape of the low profile bra is great for plunging or v-shaped necklines. Our Deco Vibe bra from Freya is both a plunge bra and a t-shirt bra, so it will give you a smooth, full shape no matter what you're wearing! Our Carmen plunge bra by Elomi can also convert into a racerback for more support and more clothing options. Plunge bras can be both lined and unlined, and we have plunge options for all cup sizes.

Not sure which style is best for you? Come on in for one our personalized fittings or, if you're not local, check out our Virtual Fitting to learn the best options for your body.