All women have a love hate relationship with bras. We cannot do without them but at the same time we can’t stop cursing them.
However, you can’t deny that we love bra shopping! Plus size bras are easy to find these days. Gone are those days when plus size bra shopping was a real problem.
Nowadays, all the famous brands offer a variety of ranges for all purposes.
Plus size women have to be a bit more stressed when it comes to choosing the right type of bra for themselves for the obvious reason of their healthier body size.
They have to keep a lot of things in mind before selecting one or multiple types of bras for themselves. Simply put, bra shopping for plus size women is not as easy a task as it seems for the rest.
Having mentioned the perils when it comes to selecting the perfect bra for plus size ladies, here is a list of all the bra types that a plus size woman can buy.
Soft Cup Bra
A practical design that does not use underwire for support. Traditionally regarded as offering less support than underwire models, soft-cup bras now offer competitive support and shaping.
This is accomplished by using crisscross frames, inner under-cup slings that rise no more than half the height of the cup itself.
The soft cup bra provides amazing support, with four hook-and-eye closures, plus non-stretch lace cups and non-stretch straps.
Though non-stretch straps may be a downside for some folks, they can be totally necessary for others, especially if you, like me, have ruined several bras by stretching the straps out of their ability to support.
Demi Cup Bra
Sometimes referred to as a half or shelf bra. A partial-cup bra style that covers from half to three-quarters of the breast and creates cleavage and uplift.
Most demi-cup bras are designed with a slight tilt that pushes the breasts towards the centre to display more cleavage. The straps usually attach at the outer edge of the cup.
There is a general tendency in the market that plus size ladies are told not to wear push-up bras, but some push-ups offer excellent support.
They come in sizes up to 44H, and offers three-piece cups made of breathable power mesh, plus a wide, three-hook closure in the back.
Minimizer Bras
These are the most common type of bras you get when it comes to plus size bras. These make you look firm and fit. They make your breasts appear flatter and more compact. You can use these bras on a daily basis.
They go very well with formal clothing as well. There are certain minimizer bras that have certain prints that make you look thin. You can opt for them as well.
What makes the minimizer bras so popular among the plus size ladies is their ability to compress and flatten the breasts. They are designed in such a way that the emphasis is on de-emphasizing the bosom.
Sports Bra
Designed for athletic activities to provide firm support and minimize breast movement during exercise. Various designs are suitable for a range of exercise, ranging from yoga to running.
Usually made of stretchable, absorbent fabric like Lycra, and designed to wick perspiration from the skin to reduce irritation.
But if regular bras with underwires can be uncomfortable, sports bras seem like they’re twice as bad — the wrong placement of underwire and your run becomes a 45-minute torture session.
But the underwire in a sports bra offers mesh panels, and doesn’t compress your breasts while still managing to hold them in place.
The Comfortable Ones
If you are a bit busty, wearing bra straps can be really uncomfortable for you. You get bras which have soft shoulders.
These help in supporting the weight of your breasts and you look perfect. These bras are generally wireless, hence saving you the uncomfortable feeling of wires under your breasts.
Push Up Bras
A fashion bra that creates the appearance of increased cleavage. Uses angled cups containing padding that pushes the breasts inwards and upwards, towards the centre of the chest. A push-up bra is usually a demi-cup bra.
Push up bras are a great choice if you want to do it the sexy way. Push up bras highlight your cleavage and necklines. At the same time, the wires underneath hold your breath in the right place. They can be a perfect choice for any party or even casual dates.
Other Types
You have different varieties such as strapless bras and backless bras. These come in handy when you want to wear off shoulder dresses or backless tops. You also get laced bras for special occasions and t-shirt bras for daily use.
Strapless bra is a fashion bra that relies on an extra-wide band for breast support. Achieve their strength through a longer underwire that encompasses more of the breast, and cups with added padding, boning, and shaping panels. Suitable for bare-shoulder outer garments like a strapless evening gown that exposes the shoulders and chest, as low as the tops of the areola.
Backless bras are suitable for bare-shoulder outer garments like a backless evening gown that exposes the back. These are the ones that are usually preferred when going on romantic dinner dates and are extremely comfortable for a plus size lady.
Flawless lace bras are another popular bra option for the plus size women. Available in sizes up to 46H, it’s made of nylon and Spandex, with double-layer underwire cups, super wide side panels, non-stretch straps, and cups that are made to mirror your natural shape, a big plus for those of us used to spending all day with our chests squished.
The only factor you need to take into consideration when selecting one of these or all of these bra types is the comfort that you get from each one of them. They are made for everyday use and also for fancy occasions, select the ones that suit your body type the best and make you look pretty and make you feel comfortable as well.