Were you aware of the different types of bras available?

There are about 31 different bra styles for various clothing styles, silhouettes and physical activities. Whew! Who would have thought that something as simple as bra coverage and support could be as varied as a supermarket?

We’ve put together a list of the 7 most popular bra styles:

1. Push Up Bra – also known as maximizer bra, these wonder bras are structured and padded so that the breasts are pushed up and together to enhance the cleavage. The padding is typically made of foam but some bra styles contain gel-filled pads or water-sacks inserts. The design of push up bras is quite different from a regular padded bra in that the padding is positioned outside the breasts to push the breasts inwards and upwards for maximum lift. If you want a lush cleavage then a push up bra is really the best choice.

2. Demi Bra – these are also known as half cup bras and have wide-set straps and a unique horizontal bust line. Demi bras cover half the breasts to just above the nipples. Ideal for showing the decollete as it accentuates and frames the cleavage.

3. Shelf Bra – these open bras leave the breasts exposed as they rest on a supportive shelf, hence the name shelf bras. Generally worn for romantic evenings, shelf bras provide minimal breast support and virtually no coverage. This is a favorite exotic lingerie style because of its sexy design.

4. T Shirt Bra – this bra style is the ideal invisible look for clingy shirts and snug tops as it is designed with seamless bra cups. Usually T-shirt bras have light padding in the molded bra cups for a smoother fit.

5. Training Bra – this first bra is designed for young ladies in their pre-teen or teen years who are in their early breast stage development. The majority of training bras do not have underwire support and are smaller than regular sized bras.

6. Strapless Bra – this bra style is designed without bra straps and has a wide band for support together with small silicone strips along the inside to ensure a better fit. This bra style is perfect for your strapless, summer, halter dresses and summer fashions.

7. Sports Bra – these brassieres are constructed to support the breasts while you exercise with minimal bounce. Sports bras generally have wider straps and fuller cups for better support and come in a multitude of styles for low impact exercises to high impact exercises, including the compression bra and encapsulation bra. Sports bras with a hint of lycra or spandex will give you a comfortable fit.

You can find the more popular types of bras like push up bras, T shirt bras, demi bras, maternity bras, long line bras and sports bras at most specialty lingerie stores, and naturally at online lingerie stores.

Take your time with brassieres and lingerie and begin exploring the different bra styles aside from the ones listed here. The more you know about bras, lingerie and intimate apparel, the more spectacular you will look and feel.

Author Bio: Carmen Petitclerc is a lingerie designer and enthusiast from Toronto who loves lingerie and intimate apparel. Follow her insider lingerie tips, bra style info and lingerie blog.

Category: Advice
Keywords: types of bras,push up bra,training bra,shelf bra,sports bra