Parts of a Bra
This page will show you the different parts of a bra and where they are. The model is a (fictitious) plunge bra with a partial band. :)
Cups
The cups of the bra are the place into which you put your breasts. They're usually round (or a little pointy), and altogether rather easily identifiable. Sometimes there are two cups, sometimes there's only one space for both your breasts, for example in sports bras.
Band
The band of your bra is the part which will hold the bra to your body. It should sit rather tight, so it can carry most of the weight of your breasts. It's made up of the wings and the center gore.
Wings
The wings of your bra are the part of the band which starts at the cups and ends at the closure of the band. The height of the wings can be an issue - if for example your breasts sit rather high on your chest, high wings can cut into your armpits.
Center gore
The center gore is the part of the band which sits between the cups. Its height and shape can be an issue. For breasts which sit very closely together, a too high center gore can be annoying and hard to wear, women with protruding sternums can have problems with inward facing center gores.
Apex
The apex is the part of the bra's cups where they meet the straps. Shape and space here can be interesting. Very newly fitted women often experience gaping here, and women who have a lot of breast tissue on the top of their breast can experience cutting in of the bra cups and the straps if there isn't enough space for them.
Hook and Eye
The hook and eye are where you close your bra. You know the saying: "Always close a new bra on the loosest setting"... :)
Underwire
The underwires (if existing) are in a canal in the lower part of your bra's cups. They may not fill out the entire canal. They're usually made out of metal - and you should always check for the right fit.
Straps
The straps of your bra shouldn't carry the weight of your breasts - that can lead to back and shoulder pain. They should, however, stabilize the bra's fit on you. They're also the strap adjustments (if existing), which may adjust the entire length or maybe only part of the length of the straps, so they fit your body well.
Seams
To find out what different types of seams (or no seams) in bras mean, please look at the article on types of bras.