Bra Structure and Design Tips

Read these 16 Bra Structure and Design Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Bra tips and hundreds of other topics.

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What Brand Makes a Comfortable Bra With Soft Fabric?

Bra Fabric Is An Important Factor

One of the most important considerations when choosing intimate lingerie is the fabric of your bra. You need a bra that is comfortable but also offers you support and shaping. Cotton is soft and breathes, but is not your only choice for comfort. Also, cotton by itself may not offer enough shaping and support. Nylon and polyester are supportive and can be woven into luxurious lace, lustrous satin or light microfibers that feel smooth against your skin. Look for bras with spandex added for the comfort of stretch. A fabric blend is often your best choice for the perfect combination of skin pampering and pretty shaping.

   
Is There A Specific Way My Breasts Should Rest In My Bra?

Bras Should Be Worn Properly

Bras are designed to be worn a certain way. Here are some tips to making sure your bra fits the right way:

  • Straps should run straight up and down and should not ride up in the back at all.
  • Breasts should be completely enclosed in the cups with no spillage out of the sides or front
  • Underwires should lay flat against the top of the rib cage and should not poke, prod or push against the skin in any way.

   
How Are Bras Structured?

Understanding Bra Structure

Bras are structured to keep breasts from moving around. They are supposed to prevent sagging and strain on the neck and back. The purpose of the cups is to hold the breasts; the underband then holds the bra in place. The straps help to mete out the weight around the shoulders and upper back area.

Bra structure is important to understand because you should know how your bra works and how it should fit on your body. The straps should not be crucial to the support of the bra. They do help to mete out the weight around the shoulders and upper back area.

   
Do Bra Measurements Vary?

Bra Measurements Vary

Bra measurements consist of cup and band sizes. It is important to note that most manufacturers have sizes available from A-DD. Plus size bras used to be harder to find, but now are increasingly available in department and mass-merchandise stores.

Bra sizes can get confusing because some manufacturers use sizes AAA or FF. Overseas manufacturers go from AAA- J. The size of the cup also varies depending on the band size. The cup of a 34C is smaller than that of a 36C or 38C.

   
Are Bras With Seams Bad?

Seams Get Bad Rap

Although seamless bras are very popular at the moment, there is a purpose behind bra designs with seams. These bras are cut and sewn, which provides a special structure for extra support. The seams of the bra allow for precise shaping of the bra and restrict the amount of the stretching the bra can do.

While seamless bras may look better under certain clothing, bras with seams often last longer and sometimes offer better long-term support than their seamless counterparts offer.

   
Where Exactly Should My Breasts Sit On My Chest?

Bras Should Lift Breasts To Middle of the Chest

One important factor of bras is their "lift" ability. Some bras provide more lift than others do, so how do you know when you're getting the best lift?

The way to know if your breasts are in the right place is to bend your arm at the elbow and form a 90-degree angle. Then, lay your arm down across the middle. Your breasts should be sitting about half way between your shoulders and your elbow.

   
What Is The Basic Design of a Bra?

Understanding Bra Design

In order to understand how a bra should fit, it is important to understand bra structure.

A bra consists of an area to hold the breasts (cups), a band to run around the body and hold the bra in place, a center panel, and shoulder straps on each side. Strapless bra designs do not have straps. The bra should have fastener hooks for adjustment purposes on either the front or the back of the bra. Some bra designs incorporate padding to give a look of additional fullness and lift. The band around the body should bears the weight your breasts; not the shoulder straps.

   
Is It Worth It To Get My Bra Custom Made?

Bras Are Designed To Fit Your Body

Your bra is designed to fit your body -- not the other way around. If you require a speciality bra, or have a larger or smaller than average bust size, consider shopping online for speciality bras that are designed to fit your body type properly. The right fit will ensure that your breasts are properly supported in a bra that will really hold you in and lift you up. This will be important long-term, so that your breasts don't sag because of a lack of support.

   
How Important A Consideration Is Fabric In A Bra?

Bra Fabric Is Important Factor

When choosing intimate lingerie, fabric is one of the most important considerations. Whether underwire or wirefree, bra fabric should maximize comfort. Lacy bras are pretty, but can easily irritate skin. Satin bras are also pretty and often comfortable, but usually need to be hand-washed and require extensive extra care.

Cotton is probably the most comfortable fabric for most intimate lingerie, but is not quite as racy or sexy as other fabrics. Cotton bras can usually be machine-washed and tend to last must longer than fancier bras with radical embellishments.

   
Are There Two Kinds of Shelf Bras?

Shelf Bra Gives Maximum Lift

Bra designs run the gamut from full coverage to minimal; underwire to soft cup. A unique bra design is the shelf bra. The shelf bra works like a real bra but instead of covering your breast, this bra sits underneath your breasts to push them up for maximum cleavage. This is a great choice for those who want to go braless, but still need some lift, and they are great for lounging around the house when you don't want to wear a bra. Shelf bras are also great for wearing very low-cut shirts. Keep in mind, though, that these shelf bras will not work very well for large breasts and are really only recommended for A, B and C cups.

   
I Want To Purchase a Mesh Bra. How Much Support Will It Give Me?

Combine Mesh With Other Fabrics

Mesh is a common fabric used in many bra designs. While it looks nice and adds breathability, it is not always reliable for long-term wear. Mesh fabric can irritate for your skin and doesn't offer the best overall support, unless mixed with cotton, spandex, etc.

Everyday bras stay away from using too much mesh in their bra designs. The ensures that their product is durable and will offer full support throughout the day.

   
What Are Back Wings?

Back Wings Are Important To Bra Design

Back wings are an aspect of bra design rarely mentioned when talking about styles, fitting, etc. Back wings are the pieces of fabric that go from the bottom of the cup in front to the back. They help secure the bra properly in place.

It is important to know whether the fabric of your backwings stretches and how much. This is also where your bra hooks into place, so the kinds of hooks and how many inches are available in this area is also an important aspect of your overall bra design.

   
What Is A Bustier?

Bustiers Great Addition To Lingerie Collection

A great bra-like addition to your intimate lingerie collection is a bustier. Bustiers have really made a comeback in the fashion world. This garment extends from the bust to the hips. Bustiers are usually very slimming because of their corset features. They can also have removable straps and great for special occasion wear.

You should purchase a bustier based on your current breast size. Because many of them also double as a bra, it's important that your bustier offers the right support and fit for your breasts.

   
What Brand Applies To Various Shapes and Sizes?

Unique Bra Designs

Some bra designs provide coverage to more than one type of bust. A bra with side seams which provides full support for your breasts. These bras also have a front lining for extra support and pockets for women who have a prosthesis.

   
How Important A Consideration Is Fabric In A Bra?

Bra Fabric Is Important Factor

When choosing intimate lingerie, fabric is one of the most important considerations. Whether underwire or wirefree, bra fabric should maximize comfort. Lacy bras are pretty, but can easily irritate skin. Satin bras are also pretty and often comfortable, but usually need to be hand-washed and require extensive extra care.

Cotton is probably the most comfortable fabric for most intimate lingerie, but is not quite as racy or sexy as other fabrics. Cotton bras can usually be machine-washed and tend to last must longer than fancier bras with radical embellishments.

   
What Do You Do If Your Breasts Are Unevenly Sized?

What Do You Do If Your Breasts Are Unevenly Sized?

Bras are designed to distribute equal lift and support to your breasts. So, what do you do if one breast is bigger than the other?

This is a common problem for many women, with some having more extreme differences than others have. The best solution to this problem is to purchase a bra with stretch cups.

   
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