Bra style questions
Hi. Hope all are well! I've been wearing bras a long time but I'm still not sure of a few things. I'm hoping someone can clear up a few questions I have about a few bra style descriptions. So, here they are.
1. "What is the difference in a full-cup and a balconette bra?"
2. "Are side- support bras considered full-cup or balconette bras?"
3. "What are plunge bras? Full-coverage or blaconette or could they be both?
I'm kind of confused because some bras that are called balconette bras look to me that they should be called full-coverage because the cups seem to cover more of the upper part of the breast. It seems to me that what are usually called 'balconette bras' the top of the cups are cut straight across horizonally kind of like a balcony.
Thanks to anyone who can clue me in!
Filed under Bras ups and downs
https://www.brastop.com/t/bra-style-guide
From what I understand, the difference between the two is construction. A full-cup bra often has straps that are more centered on the cup, balconette bras tend to have straps that are attached closer to the edge of the cup (closer to the armpit). Balconettes do tend to have a "straighter" line across the top compared to other bra styles. Usually, a full-cup bra covers more of the breasts, but I have seen bras labeled full-cup that are not "full coverage", and bras labeled as "balconette" that basically cover the entire breast. Marketing weirdness? Construction diagnostic I don't see or know exists??
I think a side support bra can be either full-cup or balconette, it simply has a panel or sling on the side that pushes the breast closer to the center. If you see a bra described as a "4-part cup", it almost certainly has side-support.
A plunge bra is a bra with a low gore. The cups are generally lower cut in the center and higher cut on the part close to the arms. Some cover more of the breast than others, but the "diagnostic" quality is the low gore.
A lot of sites and blogs have different descriptions (some contradictory), so it is no wonder people get confused. If you REALLY want to make yourself crazy, try to define the difference between 3/4 cups, balconette, and demi-cups. Even if you manage to define it for yourself, no two sites or blogs will agree with you or each other.