Every Type Of Bra You Should Own & Why
By Ellen Hoffman
The backbone of a good wardrobe, bras get the most wear and the least love of anything in the delicates section. Many of us have been wearing the same two or three every day for years and, despite owning roughly 20 options (a conservative estimate), we can’t seem to get the majority into rotation. Maybe it’s that they’re the wrong size, don’t offer enough support, aren’t comfortable, or are simply incompatible with our breast type. (Yeah, look into it.)
To remedy that situation, we enlisted fit experts from Cosabella, Negative, and ThirdLove to break down the 10 bra styles every woman should own. Open your drawers; are categories like T-shirt, plunge, balconette, push-up, contour, and more all represented? If not, your next stop should be the fitting room.
Related: Marilyn Monroe’s Bra Sold For $20,000
Illustrated by Anna Sudit
The T-Shirt Bra
It seems only fitting to begin this breakdown with the T-shirt bra. It’s more than likely the style you wear most often — due in large part to its minimalist design and focus on comfort. “The T-shirt bra is really any style of bra that has a seamless, smooth look under a fitted shirt,” say Negative cofounders Marissa Vosper and Lauren Schwab. “Bells and whistles get in the way of the intent of the bra. Think smooth cotton, lycra, nylon, and silk — lace generally doesn’t cut it here.”
While other styles are more overtly sexy, this one’s purpose is invisibility. There’s a lot to be said for not having to “worry about lumps, bumps, and nip slips,” explains ThirdLove director of design Ra’el Cohen. “It’s perfect for everyday wear and works great for all breast shapes.” (Not sure what your breast type is? More on that here.)
A nude T-shirt bra is a must according to our experts. While they advise having a few great options on hand, a skin-tone one is best for an invisible look.
A T-shirt bra doesn’t have to be full-coverage; they come in demi cups as well.
Negative White Boa Demi Bra, $75, available at Negative.
A little lift and soft, sleek cups make this an ideal everyday piece. Its smooth design will disappear under anything — even that clingy tee.
Victoria’s Secret The T-Shirt Demi Bra, $39.50, available at Victoria’s Secret.
A black T-shirt bra is another underwear-drawer must-have.
Triumph Magic Wire T-Shirt Bra, $46, available at True&Co.
Related: Here’s How Victoria’s Secret’s 88-Pound Bra Gets Made
Illustrated by Anna Sudit
The Balconette Bra
Balconettes are your sexier wear-everyday bra. “They give breasts a natural lift while also creating cleavage,” explains Cosabella’s head designer, Elise Granjot. “Its wide-set straps create a more open neckline,” adds Cohen. This is a particularly appealing option if you’re wearing a lower-cut top.
“The term ‘balconette’ actually comes from ‘balcony’ for a reason,” explains Vosper. “The U-shaped underwire and straight cut across the cups and underband is meant to give the effect of placing your décolletage on a balcony, so to speak.” Schwab adds that, “While the open décolletage will play up your assets and highlight your clavicles in lower-cut tops, the style creates a great shape without overdoing it on the cleavage."
The good news is that it’s also pretty universally flattering among breast types — especially for those with a wide breast separation. In addition to coverage and support, this silhouette offers a distinctly retro feel.
Balconettes are also known among the lingerie circuit as “shelf bras.”
La Perla Studio Elodie Balconette Bra, $94, available at Journelle.
"The cups can be unlined or have foam, but either way you cut it, you’ll get a decent amount of cleavage with this shorter cup,” says Cohen.
Topshop Lace Balconette Bra, $38, available at Topshop.
Between the bra’s intricate embroidery, retro silhouette, and open décolletage, what’s not to love?
Myla Roxanne Padded Balcony, $78.94, available at Myla.
Related: The No-Bullsh*t Guide To Bra Shopping
Illustrated by Anna Sudit
The Bralette
“Bralettes are wireless bras with a bit more shape to them than a bandeau, and with a bit more sex appeal than a sports bra,” explains Schwab. “Depending on the brand, some can actually give you a great shape, though generally they work best with smaller cup sizes (cups A through C, to be safe) and augmented chests that don’t require as much support,” interjects Vosper. They’re an ideal choice for lazy weekend days spent lounging around your apartment or for quick errand runs when you can’t be bothered with an underwire.
Like longline bras, the style has also received a warm embrace from the fashion community in recent years, which means the selection available — from high-end designers like Araks,Kiki de Montparnasse, and Fleur of England to more affordable ones like Free People, Only Hearts, and Eberjey — is vast and varied. Whatever your particular predilection, there’s undoubtedly a bralette to fit it.
Free People’s selection of bralettes is pretty top-notch. This triangular-shaped piece is a favorite for its strappy design.
FP X Bebe Bralette, $38, available at Free People.
A love story of the sartorial kind.
Love Stories Intimates Love Lace Flirty Triangle Bralette, $71.39, available at Love Stories Intimates.
It doesn’t get much flirtier than a see-through, lace bralette.
Kriss Soonik Silvia Lace Bra, $87, available at Kriss Soonik.
Want to see the rest of the bras you need to own? Click here.
