Bra Styles Defined:
- Back
Closure: Bras or bustiers specially designed to wear under low
back tops.
- Balconette/Balcony:
A bra that closes in the back typically with two rows of hook
and eye closures and three adjustment levels.
- Boning: With straps which are wider
apart than normal and a
square neckline, this underwire bra lifts the bust to create a full
cleavage effect. Also know as a demi cup.
- Bustier: A fashionable compromise
between a bra and a
merrywidow, this style extends towards the waist for an added touch of
seduction. Additional features may include detachable garters, flexible
boning, optional shoulder straps, and a lace-up closing.
Cami Top: Made
of microfiber, this camisole-looking shapewear gives a seamless, toned
look under knits. It gives very light control and is a perfect solution
for sheer, form-fitting tops in order to reveal the least amount of
lines or seams.
Clear Straps: A bra with discreet
clear straps. Use made out of plastic or vinyl. Corset: Boned and close fitting. It
is almost always hooked and
laced. It begins either above or just below the bust and extends down
to the waist or below the hips. Usually garters are attached at its
base. Demi Cup: This
style offers less coverage for a more
provocative cleavage. Ideal for wearing under low cut necklines or
skimpy tops. The shoulder straps are also set farther apart. Also
called Shelf bra. Front
Closure: A bra that closes in the front with either a plastic
barrel closure or a hook and eye closure. Full Cup: The cup fully embraces the
breast creating a V-shape
neckline, maximum coverage and support. This style is particularly
suited for larger cup sizes and for wearing under clinging tops as it
gives a defined shape. Liquid
or Air Filled: A technologically advanced padding that enhances
your bust size. Available in wither a liquid or more lightweight air
pocket. - Long Line: A
midriff-slimming bra with to-the-waist panels for extra smoothing. This
can offer the shaping of a corset.
- Maternity/Nursing: Bras that have a drop cup or zip cup
to allow you to breastfeed at any time without taking your bra off.
- Merrywidow: Similar to a bustier,
the merrywidow reaches down
to the hips and comes with underwire cups or corset-like boning. Ideal
under a bridal gown, it may also function as a garter belt and feature
detachable straps.
- Minimizer: This
style is designed for larger cup sizes to reduce
the bust by up to three inches. It is ideal for wearing under front
fastened tops like shirts to avoid gaping buttons and to create a
smoother, more streamlined silhouette.
- Multiway/Convertible: Totally or partially detachable
straps
can be arranged in a variety of combinations to hide under various tops
i.e. Halter, scoopback, or cross backed.
- Padded: A light layer of padding
provides a defined shape and
enhanced support. The padding may also function as a bust enhancer
depending on its shape and thickness. Padding is sometimes removable.
- Plunge/Décolleté: This style
literally plunges your breasts
together for a bossted cleavage effect. Ideal under V-necks. This style
always features an underwire.
Push-up: This
style maximizes your cleavage by pushing the breast together and
upwards to achieve a full round shape. This type of bra is usually
combined with balconette or plunge bra styles, and can be enhanced by
padding, gel or air inserts.
- Racerback: This bra is named after
racing swimsuits that also
have straps meeting in a "V" shape on the back between the shoulder
blades. This bra style is an excellent solution for sleeveless tops. It
also prevents straps from slipping off the shoulders.
Seamed: Any bra that has seams
running though the cup. A seamed bra tends to give more support than a
seamless bra.
- Seamless/Sculpted/Contour/Molded/Smooth: This
style boasts a natural shape and enhanced comfort as well as a smooth
look under tight tops. Eradicates nipple contours.
- Soft Cup/Bralette: A bra with a
molded cup and no underwire or padding.
Sports: A
combination of comfort and functionality strategically designed to
support and protect your breast during exercise. Available in different
grades to cater all levels of activity and a wide range of sizes to fit
all bust sizes.
Strapless/Bandeau: A
bra specially designed to support the breast without the help of
straps. When detachable straps are provided this bra can be transformed
into a multiway. The bandeau version has concealed underwires or no
wires at all. Teddy: A
camisole and panty combined into one piece. It can be fitted to the
body or loose. Triangle:
The cup has a triangular shape and can have underwires
or no wires. This style is usually only available in smaller cup sizes
where the support is minimal. T-Shirt: Seamless
cups provide a supper smooth effect under clinging tops. Choose a
padded style to avoid nipple contours and a little more support. Underwire: Bras with sewn-in molded
wiring that runs underneath
the breast in each bra cup. This support feature helps to lift,
separate and shore up the bustline for better shape and extra support-
especially for full-figured women. The underwire can now be a flexible
wire, a plastic coated piece of metal, or a molded plastic shape.
Panty
Styles Defined
- Bikini:
A panty whose waistband rests below the navel, and on
the hips. Usually has a high-cut leg line. The sides can be anything
from a string to a thicker side panel. Back coverage depends on the
style of the bikini.
- Body
Briefer: A panty that has a snap crotch (also called a gusset
closure) and a control panel at the tummy for support.
Boyshorts:
Reminiscent
of hot pants, this style brief has legs that come to the top of the
thigh. The waist sits low on the hips, and the back has full coverage.
It is usually seamed in the center front and back for definition. Worn
under hip-hugger style bottoms or short skirts to give a smooth line
from waist to hip. Brief: A panty whose waistband rests at or just below the
navel, provides full back coverage, and may have a high-cut leg.
- Full Coverage: Total coverage with
the comfort of microfiber and cotton.
- Garter: A strap hanging from garter belt or bustier to
support stockings (not pantyhose).
- Garter Belt: A belt worn around the waist with four clips
or garters to keep stockings (not pantyhose) up and in place.
- G-String: Consists of a small front
panel held to the body
entirely with strings. Worn to prevent panty lines under tight-fitting
garments. Less coverage than a thong.
- Gussett Closure: The name given to a hook and eye or snap
crotch closure. Usually seen in body briefer
- High Leg/High: Cut This style is high
cut at the sides which
elongates the look of your legs. Offers full coverage in back. Also
called French Cut.
- Low
Rise/Hipsters: This style sits low on the sides and is ideal
under low rise pants and skirts.
- Panties/Briefs: Classic design that offers full coverage
to the front and back.
- Seamless:
The latest technology in knitwear brings the smoothest underwear
ever and makes visible seams a thing of the past.
- String Bikini: A bikini panty with a
high cut leg line, thin string sides and full back coverage.
Thong: Ideal
for a smooth line under tight pants. If it’s even less coverage you are
after, then opt for a G-string with simple strings at the sides and
rear.
Fabric
Defined
- Chiffon: A
very lightweight, sheer material with a plain weave usually made from
silk.
- Cotton: A natural
fiber from the cotton plant, which is soft to touch and allows the skin
to breathe.
- Elastane: An alternative name for
spandex.
- Embroidery: Either
a hand or machine embellishment of a fabric which adds colors, texture,
and design.
- Filigree: Delicate
and intricate detailing usually in metallic thread.
- Gossamer: A gauze-like fabric of the
very finest texture.
- Jacquard:
A fabric which has a design woven onto it in a different color
or texture.
- Keyhole: Design
detail usually on the back of a panty or thong which resembles a
keyhole.
- Linen: A
fabric made of fibers from the flax plant. Very cool
and absorbent but can crease easily. Is often blended with manufactured
fibers.
Lycra:
A strong and durable synthetic fiber. It is usually blended with other
fabrics to produce a lightweight, stretchy material which holds its
shape. Mesh: A
net-like material, often sheer and invisible under clothes. Microfiber: A
fine synthetic fiber with enhanced washability, breathability, and
water repellency. It is incredibly soft and comfortable as it fits the
body shape well. Nylon:
Very strong and with excellent resilience, this hard wearing
fabric was the first ever completely synthetic fiber produced. Opaque: A fabric which is neither
translucent nor transparent. Polyamide: The alternative name for nylon. Polyester: A popular fabric used for
lingerie as it is strong, stretchy and extremely resilient. Quick
Drying. Rayon: A
regenerated cellulose fiber. Scallop: A decorative edging made up of semicircular
curves. Sheer: A
very thin, fine, and transparent fabric. Spandex: A synthetic fabric with
incredibly high elasticity. Tactel: A form of nylon with a silkier, softer finish. It
is also lightweight and quick drying. Tulle: A fine net of silk, nylon and
rayon. Viscose: The
alternative name for rayons
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