Brassiere designs

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Main article: Brassiere

A wide range of styles of brassieres now exists, to be worn in a variety of situations, and with a variety of outergarments. The degree of shaping and coverage of the breasts varies between styles, varying in both functionality and fashion, fabric, and colour, from purely utilitarian to sensual. Others include various accessory structures such as padding and 'underwiring'. Many bras will fall into more than one category, such as a maternity bra designed for facilitating access to the nipple, but also designed to provide the lift that a push-up bra would. Definitions are not always very accurate or exclusive (e.g. shelf bra).

1 Alphabetical list of brassiere designs
2 Sports bras and exercise
3 Training bras
4 References

[edit] Alphabetical list of brassiere designs

Balconette bras, a half-cup bra style which provides push-up support, with wide-set straps and horizontal bust line. Often seamed or boned, it gives great cleavage and a frame-like effect.

Built-in bras, sometimes known as shelf bras^[1] (not to be confused with the shelf-bra described below), are a supportive brassiere-like structure on the inside of another garment, such as a swimsuit or tank top, which provides support for the bust without the need for a separate bra. In most such garments, these consist of a horizontal elastic strip, although some do have cups and underwires as with other bra types. These are easily removed, if desired.

Bullet bras are a type of full-support bra with cups in the shape of a paraboloid of revolution with its axis perpendicular to the breast. Bullet bras were invented in the late-1940s.^[2]

Convertible bras have straps which may be detached and rearranged in different ways depending on the outfit. Alternatives to regular straps for strapless bras are beaded bra straps or clear plastic bra straps that provide support and style.

Demi bras, also known as balconette bras, have lower cut cups, covering approximately half the breasts. These offer less support, but enable low cut garments to be worn without the bra being seen. Demi bras may be designed to provide lift as a push-up bra does.

Full support bras are a type of bra designed to offer good support for the whole of the breasts and, as such, are a typical, practical bra for everyday wear.

Handbra is a modeling technique wherein the woman, though topless, conceals her areolae by covering both breasts with her hands.

Mastectomy bras are designed so that a prosthesis may be held in place and are intended for individuals who have lost one or both breasts in mastectomy treatment for breast cancer.

Maternity bras are slightly different from nursing bras, though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Maternity bras are designed such that they can be expanded to adjust as the breasts increase in size over the course of a pregnancy.

Minimizer bras are designed to de-emphasize the bust, in particular of large-breasted women (34 C or above). Minimizers, by compressing and shaping the breasts, help to create the illusion of being a cup size or two smaller. ^[3]

Novelty bras designed more for show, and sensuality than function. Include unusual materials, such as leather, or design such as Peephole bras, which have cups which loosely cover the breasts, but include holes around the nipples.

Nursing bras are designed to help make breastfeeding simpler by allowing for easy access to the nipple. Traditionally, nursing bras are made with flaps of fabric over the cup which can be unclasped and pulled down to access the breast. Even with the flap pulled down, the cup of the bra supports the breast. No-flap versions made of stretchable fabric which can pulled to the side at feeding time are also available. Though readily available, underwire versions of nursing bras can constrict the breast and cause either blocked ducts or mastitis. Wearing an underwire nursing bra while sleeping carries a high risk of mastitis.^[4]

Padded bras are simply bras with padding inside the lining. They are designed to provide a fuller shape for small breasts and an alternative to bra stuffing, a practice among teen-aged girls in which tissues, sugar packets, cotton balls, or socks are placed inside a bra to simulate larger breasts. Unlike push-up bras, however, most padded bras support the breasts but do not significantly lift them. (see also Water bras)

"Push-up" bras are structured so that the breasts are lifted to enhance cleavage. The best known brand of push-up bra is the Wonderbra. Many push-up bras contain padding, typically made of foam or rubber, but some contain gel-filled pads.

Shelf bras^[5] essentially a rigid band (underwired) along the inframammary line, that pushes up without actually covering any, or only a thin strip of the breast.

Sports bras (see below)

Strapless bras, with no shoulder straps, are designed for wearing with clothes that reveal the shoulders, such as halterneck tops.

T-shirt bras are designed without raised seams, so that a tight t-shirt may be worn without the bra being visible.

Training bras (see below)

Water bras, were a vogue, in which bras were padded with a water gel. Air bras were a similar concept. ^[6]

Other There is no standardised system of bra design categorisation. Other terms include Full figure, Bridal, BBW, Underwire, Vintage, Teen (see Training), Belly dance.^[7]

Currently underwired bras are the fastest growing segment of the market.^[8]

[edit] Sports bras and exercise

Sports bras, or jogging bras, are worn by women during exercise. They are more sturdy in their construction than regular bras and offer greater support for the chest, thus increasing comfort and reducing the chance of damage to the ligaments of the chest during high-impact exercises, such as jogging.

The first sports bra dates from 1977. Two women cut up a pair of jockstraps and sewed them together into a bra (Jogbra). Other designs use gel and water pads, silver fibres, and air bags. A stitchless bra was made by Wacoal, molded, compressed, and shaped. Other bras are knitted in circular patterns, giving varying stretch and support.^[9] A common basis is a stretchable, absorbent fabric such as Lycra, and may be designed to draw perspiration away from the skin to reduce irritation. Sports brassieres can be classified into either encapsulation brassieres (with molded cups), or compression brassieres that restrict movement by flattening the breasts. Encapsulation is thought to be more effective, especially for larger breasts.

A number of women, particularly those with large breasts, find sports bras helpful for exercise, if breast movement causing pain, discomfort, or embarrassment prevents them from participating. Some sports bras are worn as outerwear (see Brandi Chastain). Most bra research has concentrated on sports bras, where discomfort can be shown to be directly related to the degree of nipple movement. The more the sports bra reduces nipple movement, the more it reduces discomfort. Although sports bras are more effective in this regard than standard bras, they also vary considerably in their effectiveness.

About 50% of women report some pain or discomfort in their breasts during exercise. This varies considerably in intensity and may depend on what they are wearing. In an Australian study three women (ages 17–21, cup sizes B and C) were photographed exercising bare breasted, with two models of a bra, and with a particular sports bra. As expected, breast motion was reduced by bras, and the sports bra was the most effective. The women reported less discomfort with bras and especially with the sports bra.

Not all sports bras are created equal, and they should be properly fitted.^[10] The more effective bras tend to be the least comfortable.^[11] Although some women athletes are concerned that a sports bra may interfere with breathing, and increased pressure on the rib cage has been demonstrated, no significant effect on breathing can be shown.^[12]

[edit] Training bras

Training bras are designed for girls who have begun to develop breasts but have yet to develop enough to allow for a standard-sized bra to fit properly. They are of simple construction and offer little, if any, support. Training bras were invented in the 1950s in response to the desire of adolescent and pre-adolescent girls to "fit in" among their more developed peers. However heavy marketing probably contributed to some of the demand.

Training bras and the age at which girls first wear bras has become a controversial topic. Some observers believe that training bras serve no functional purpose and are exploitative in that they allow entrepreneurs to benefit from, and even encourage, precocious sexuality in young girls. ^[13] Still, others recognize developing tissue as sensitive and, at times, in need of coverage in order to maintain comfort.^{[citation needed]} One manufacturer, at least, states that it is up to mothers to decide this.^[14] ^[15]