facebookLingerie Definitions
Bra Styles
- Full Coverage Bra- A bra that’s cup fully covers and encapsulates the entire breast.
- Demi Bra- A demi bra is a low-cut bra that’s designed to enhance the cleavage.
- Balconette Bra- A balconette bra appears to be horizontal across the bust with wide set straps and fuller cups than a demi bra, which helps provide shape and support.
- Plunge Bra- A plunge bra has the lowest center front, often allowing for greater cleavage and the opportunity to wear more revealing tops.
- T-Shirt Bra- Is a bra that allows the wearer to have a more smooth bust so they will be able to be wear clingy knit tops without seams and nipple show-through, typically this achieved by having lightly lined or padded cups.
Bra Terms
- Underwire- An underwire bra has a wire that runs under the cups for extra support.
- Wireless- A bra that does not have an underwire to support the breasts.
- Softcup- A style of bra without padding or structured cups.
- Band- The anchor of the bra, the elastic band that goes around your ribcage beneath you bust. It should fit very snug.
- Frame- The frame of a bra holds the cups and sides together, and runs from the center of the bra, around the cups, and around to the sides.
- Cup- The fabric that surrounds and supports the breasts.
- Gore- The area of the bra between the breasts.
- Center Front- The area of the bra between the breasts.
- Wings- The parts of the bra that extend beyond the cups to the back of the bra.
- Sling- An added support element, a strip of fabric that rests under the bust from the underarm toward the center front.
- Molded Pad- a seamless shaped foam pad that smoothes and shapes the breast.
- Seamed Pad- a pad that is composed of two or more parts sewn or fused together to shape the breast.
- Molded Cup- A seamless bra uses a single piece of fabric for the cups, so there’s no stitching on the cups, giving a smooth appearance.
- Seamless- A seamless bra uses a single piece of fabric for the cups, so there’s no stitching on the cups, giving a smooth appearance.
- Cut & Sew- Cut and sewn cups have seams because they’re made of two or three pieces of material sewn together. The seams can show through clothing.
- Seamed Cup- Cut and sewn cups have seams because they’re made of two or three pieces of material sewn together. The seams can show through clothing.
- Padded- A padded bra uses fiberfill or foam padding to create a contoured look. It’s also designed to reduce nipple outlines, providing a smooth look.
- Lightly Lined- A very thin layer of foam or fiberfill padding.
- Push Up- Bra cups with padding or wires designed to enhance and push up breasts giving a fuller look to create a flattering cleavage.
- Ballet Back- A comfort and support feature where the back straps attach to the back wings and extend to the hooks to create a ‘U’ shape.
- Built Up Straps- Wider straps that extend from the cups that provide additional support and comfort, and can be beautiful feature as well.
- Convertible- A convertible bra is an innovation that gives a woman flexibility with a single garment. The straps can be worn on or detached, can be criss-crossed in the back or worn like a halter top.
Panty Styles
- Brief- A panty style that rests just below the waist and has full bottom coverage with a low leg line.
- Bikini- A panty style with more coverage than a thong but less than a brief. Typically sits below the navel and on the hips. Its sides are usually high cut with fabric separating the front and back coverage areas.
- String Bikini- A bikini panty with thin string sides.
- Shorts- A panty style that extends longer on the leg.
- Thong- An underwear style with a thin fabric back that rests between the buttocks.
- G-string- Type of panty similar to a thong where the front fabric panel is connected by very thin string-like band of fabric or elastic that rides along the hips or just below and fits between the buttocks.
Panty Terms
- High Cut- Panty style cut high over the thigh and sides but with total back coverage.
- High Rise- Provides more coverage in front and in back with the elastic band resting just below the waist.
- Low Rise- Panty style that is cut low in the front and back.