Whether it’s a shaadi or just an office party, we love shopping for that perfect outfit. And while shopping for that outfit it is unconsciously, almost involuntary, that we have thought of what bra we would wear. 64% of women wear the wrong size of bra! And ironically, 24% know for a fact that they are wearing the wrong size. And topping it off, most women wear the wrong kinds of bras with their outfits.
No wonder we just can’t wait to pull the bra off the moment we reach home!
You cannot be wearing a Push-up bra all the time as the wire can pinch you; or how about those broad strapped bras with a backless choli that leaves you with marks on your skin? Each outfit has a perfect partner bra that gives you the support and coverage you need. Wearing the right size of bra and the correct type under your outfit not only elevates your look but also gives you confidence. Here are some bra types to choose from and everything about them to help you find your perfect match.
Types Of Bras and How To Pair Them
1. Push-Up Bra
Push-up bras are the holy grail and the affordable option to boost your bust without plastic surgery. This is based on a simple mechanism of adding lift and volume to the breasts so that they are symmetric, closer, and fuller. Giving women with smaller breasts, breasts that don’t stay up and women with larger breasts a fuller fit and natural appearance. Push-up bras come in a variety of silhouettes offering support under outerwear, with a plunging centre front with a demi cup to be worn under revealing tops and dresses.
2. Underwired Bra
The underwire bra can either be padded or without pads. They offer your breasts great support and help you look curvier. Although the thought of wires might make you cringe and scroll away, the right size of bra will bring no such issue. The reason that the wire of your underwire bra sticks out and pokes you is because of its incorrect size. The right-sized wired bra will make you feel comfortable, supported and shapely without poking and digging. Wearing the right-sized wired bra will eliminate all the comfort-related problems and you will be free to enjoy a well-supported, well-shaped bustline.
3. Padded Bra
The one bra that every woman must own is the padded bra. The padded bra comes with wires or without, either way, it looks and feels comfortable. It’s the perfect fit for T-shirts and body-hugging outfits as the padded cups of the bra prevent nipple show. An added plus of the padded type of bra is that it has different necklines and coverages for different breast sizes. You can choose the best kind of bra for you.
4. Balconette Bra
Balconettes and demi bras are similar, but they’re not the same. This style is a little more revealing than a full-coverage style because the cups are cut smaller and show more of the top half of the breast. It’s usually suited for small and medium-sized breasts. The balconette bra is what you need for formal events and parties when you’re wearing low-cut, wide scoop or square necklines. The support for this type of bra comes from the thick straps and underwire.
5. Bralette
A dainty bra with minimal padding and wires, mostly lacy and flimsy. They are comfortable and casual, the athleisure of unmentionables. Bralettes come in various designs and are often structured to feel like you’re wearing nothing. They are no-fuss undergarments. There is no hard and fast rule for wearing a bralette. It goes with see-through dresses, backless tops or anything. Unlike the usual bras, they can be worn just as they are and still look flawless.
6. Compression Bra
Compression bras are designed to be as comfortable as possible, very convenient to put on and take off, and even give you good shape and support. Many women who use a compression bra after breast augmentation surgery find that they like to wear the bra even after they have completely recovered from their surgery. Most compression bras are similar to a regular bras, but provide additional support and cosy compression. Many have the same shape but have wider, more comfortable straps that are also adjustable. That adjustability helps to ensure a perfect fit. They are also often opened and closed in the front so that it’s easy for you to take the bra on and off.
Here are some pro tips before buying a bra.
7. Strapless Bra
When it comes to buying strapless, many doubts flood your mind. How does it stay? Will it stay or let go? But believe it or not, the support of any bra, whether it’s a strapless bra or a regular bra, comes from the band. Almost every woman can wear strapless and rock it! But it’s all about finding the right size! Apart from the size, a few things you can look into is the grip – a silicone elastic at the edge that helps it not slip, boning on sides – for structure, and strap options.
8. Plunge Bra
There is a perfect bra for every outfit you own. Be it a backless choli or the deep neck top. And in cases of deep-neck outfits, plunge bras are your buddy. A plunge bra is designed to flash your cleavage under deep-neck body-hugging tops. It has a deep centre gore and cups that cut away on the sides, that effortlessly mould to the shape of your breast. More often than not, these also act as push-up bras and give added support.
9. T-Shirt Bra
The T-shirt bra is the most comfortable and non-negotiable kind of bra. It is the kind of bra that goes with your everyday outfit. They are a must-have for a smooth and seamless look, particularly when you’re wearing thin fabrics or snug fits. A daily essential, where one isn’t enough. T-shirt bras are soft padded with or without underwires. They offer coverage and a minimised look.
10. Nursing Bra
Pregnancy changes a lot about you, including your breasts which enlarge as you progress, prepping for lactation. And, women must invest in good maternity clothing—inside, out. Nursing bras are bras specially designed for breastfeeding mums, which allow you to reveal your nipples or whole breast, for your baby to feed. They are smooth, provide full coverage and hold the breasts intact. The best time to buy a nursing bra is from around 36 weeks of pregnancy. Choose to buy a bra with 3 sets of hooks and one that allows flexible adjustment. The bra should be fitted to its widest setting so you can use its tighter settings after birth. Go for one with a high cotton content as your breasts will often feel hot. It’s important to wear the correct size of bra as good support prevents sagging, and a bra that’s too tight might interfere with your milk supply and even lead to blocked ducts.
11. Minimiser Bra
As the name suggests, the minimiser bra is used to make the bust appear smaller. They help your breasts appear smaller without compromising the natural shape of your bust and body. Minimizer bras are a saviour for women with larger breasts. They have a layer of comfortable padding that extends throughout the entirety of the bra, not just at the bottom of the cups. This padding provides the support and security that women with larger busts need to get through the day. However, the padding is even throughout the bra so it doesn’t make your breasts look bigger like other padded bras do. Minimiser Bras offer support while creating an illusion of smaller breasts without compromising your shape is the best of all worlds.
12. Stick-On Bra
We all need a bra in our life that sticks with us through thick and thin, to wear under those backless and sheer back outfits. And the stick-on bra is exactly that! The adhesive stick-on bras are designed with a gentle adhesive substance along with the cups and wings and glue seamlessly onto your curves. There are also silicone stick-on bras that come without side wings and work as an efficient alternative. They provide the same support and finish as any other bra. Pair stick-on bras with your silky slip dress to avoid bra lines.
Matching Making Bras With Your Outfits
1. Sarees
Sarees are beautiful and they give you a “straight out of a Bollywood movie” feel. But the wrong bra could ruin your outfit. Saree blouses are sometimes with deep necklines or backless. If the blouse has a built-in bra (padded) you don’t need an additional bra, but you can consider a stick-on bra for those backless moments, try a plunge bra for a deep neckline or even a balconette bra.
2. Salwar–Kurtis
Salwar–kurtis are made with materials that are thin and wearing a lacy bra won’t give full nipple coverage. It will also show off the lining in an awkward manner. While wearing a kurta, try wearing a plunge bra, push-up bra, t-shirt or a balconette bra with padded cups.
3. Western Wear
Depending on the outfit you can mix and match with any type of bra. For example, shirts and jackets look great with bralettes, t-shirt bras, and balconette bras. For a workout outfit, sports bras or even a minimiser bras work great giving you fuller coverage and more support. You could also wear your bralette as a crop top.
Bras According To Your Body Type
1. Smaller Breasts
If you have smaller breasts then all you need is a little push and support. Go with bras that have padding and that can round off the shape to look fuller. Bras like Balconette bras, Push-up bras, and bralettes work wonders in creating an illusion of a fuller bust.
2. Big Busts
It is a common misconception that women with bigger breasts do not have a variety of bras to select from. Women juggle and settle for ill-fitting bras and the wrong types. Wireless, T-shirt bras, plunge bras, and minimisers, sports bras can be your go-too!
You’d have to admit that undergarments and outfits go together like jam and bread. They have to be matched perfectly. And there are tons of different types, designs and patterns of bras that will work perfectly for you. So get that bra and march onward with confidence!
But remember to get yourself measured before any purchase.