Bra Glossary
All About Bras
Not sure how demi bras differ from push-up bras? Wondering what a cut-and-sewn cup is? This is the place to search for definitions and answers, either alphabetically or by your choice of topics.
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A-C
Activity Bra: These bras are designed to add support and limit bounce. Activity bras help prevent breast tissue from breaking down and sagging. They are usually designed with wide under-bust bands and nonstretch or limited-stretch straps. Cotton is frequently used to prevent abrasion and provide absorbency.
Average-Figure Bra: Provides light to moderate support and less cup coverage, yet still offers a sleek appearance. Made of both rigid and stretchy fabrics, they typically have narrow straps, sides and backs. Thank Goodness It Fits®, Everyday Basics®, Half Sizes Too™, and Nursing bras offer styles for the average-figured woman.
Backs: See "Sides and Backs."
Bandeau Bra: See "Strapless/Bandeau Bra."
Cami Bra: A term used for a lighter constructed bra look that's a cross between a camisole and a bra.
Camisole Straps: Camisole straps create a smooth shoulder line because the cups build up to become the straps. Camisole straps come in adjustable and nonadjustable styles. Adjustments will be made at the back of the bra for a smooth look in front. They're used most frequently on full-figure bras. The 18 Hour® Smooth Support bra, style #4013, Cross Your Heart® Lightly Lined bra, style #4210, Playtex Secrets® Lace Underwire bra, style #4309, and Playtex Secrets® Signature Florals® Underwire bra, style #4422, are a few styles designed with this type of strap.
Convertible Straps: These straps can be worn in a halter, crisscross back or conventional style, and are often detachable. The Feel Beautiful® 2-Way Convertible Underwire bra, style #7551, is a favorite of Playtex® bra customers.
Cut-and-Sewn Cups: Also known as seamed, this cup style uses two or three pieces of fabric sewn together to create the bra cups for added support. The 18 Hour® Original Comfort Strap® bra, style #4693, and Playtex Secrets® Signature Florals® Underwire bra, style #4422, are popular styles that feature cut-and-sewn cups.
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D-F
Demi Bra: A minimal coverage bra, typically with an underwire, with reduced top coverage combined with a shallow bottom that may be lined or unlined. A demi bra is designed with straps set wider toward the shoulder. This bra style gives more bust definition and can be worn with lower-cut dresses.
Full-Figure Bra: Gives more coverage and best support for larger cup sizes. Full-figure bras are typically made of more supportive fabrics, with camisole or wider straps, side panels — some with extra support — as well as a wider banded bottom or set-in cup frames. 18 Hour®, Playtex Secrets®, Cross Your Heart®, Everyday Basics®, Feel Beautiful® and Nursing bras offer both larger cup sizes and styles with extra support.
Fully Padded: Fully padded bras give the bust line a smooth look under clothing. Fiberfill or foam lining adds to the size and figure definition of a small breast. The addition could be up to a full size. The Thank Goodness It Fits® Add-A-Size Wire Free bra, style #4436, uses full padding.
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G-N
Lightly Lined: These bras usually have a light fiberfill or thin foam, which offers women a variety of advantages, including:
- A smooth appearance
- Reduced nipple show-through
- An attractive fit when bust measures in between standard cup sizes
- A way to even out differences between smaller and larger breasts
- More definition and shaping for smaller busts
All Playtex® bra collections offer one or more lightly lined styles.
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Light Support Bra: Offering less coverage, this bra is designed for average-to-smaller figures and is typically made of lightweight fabrics, narrow backs, and stretchy materials. Thank Goodness It Fits®, Everyday Basics® and Half Sizes Too™ bras offer styles for the average-to-smaller figured woman.
Maternity/Nursing Bra: Maternity/nursing bras should be purchased with support, comfort and adaptability in mind. A maternity bra should expand with your changing figure. For moms-to-be who plan to breast feed, look for a nursing bra that offers easy, one-handed clasp access. Nursing bras come in both an underwire and wire-free style. For more maternity and nursing bra fit tips, visit our Fitting Room Maternity and Nursing Bras area.
Minimizer: A bra designed to reduce cup projection up to an inch by shaping breasts towards cup sides without a loss of support. Ideal for full-busted women who have problems finding ready-to-wear clothing that will fit without straining across the bustline. Also perfect for women who want to reduce their bustline to achieve a more balanced silhouette.
Nonstretch or Rigid Straps: These straps offer support and stability and are ideal for athletic activities or full-figured women.
Nursing Bra: See "Maternity/Nursing Bra."
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P-R
Padding: See either "Fully Padded" or "Lightly Lined."
Push-Up Bra: This cleavage-enhancing bra is designed to flatter every woman's silhouette, especially underneath the most alluring of necklines. This bra usually features an underwire design and lined or padded cups. The underwire and padding gently bring breasts closer together to create a deeper cleavage. The Thank Goodness It Fits® Delightful Dots Underwire bra, style #4018, is an example of this bra type.
Rigid Straps: See "Nonstretch or Rigid Straps."
Rings and Slides: Both of these components adjust strap length and are most commonly attached to the top of cup for easy front adjustment or behind the shoulder for a clean, smooth look in front. All Playtex® bras are designed with ring-and-slide-style straps.
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S
Seamless Cups: Constructed differently than cut-and-sewn cups, the seamless one-piece cup design offers women the advantage of a smoother silhouette, because there are no sewn seams to potentially show through tight fitting or sheer clothing. The Thank Goodness It Fits® Seamless Stretch Foam Wire Free bra, style #4406, and Half Sizes Too™ Oh So Seamless Wire Free bra, style #7006, are favorites among women who purchase Playtex® seamless cup bras.
Sides and Backs: These keep a bra securely anchored around body. The width of sides and back depend on whether the bra is made for an average or full figure.
Size: Combines two measures, the band size — a number like 34, 36 or 38 — and a cup size — such as B, C or D. Unfortunately, Playtex® bra fitting clinics have found that 7 out of 10 women wear the wrong bra size. Cup and band sizes can change with weight gain or loss, monthly changes, pregnancy, exercise, or other life events that affect your shape and size. To make sure you look and feel your best underneath, visit our Fitting Room.
Slides: See "Rings and Slides."
Soft Cup Bra: See "Wire-Free/Soft Cup Bra."
Sports Bra: See "Activity Bra."
Strapless/Bandeau Bras: A bra that maintains shaping and control without the use of straps. Stays in place by incorporating unique design features, including fiberfill or thin foam lining for shaping, narrow gripper elastic, side stays and wider backs for better anchoring. Often designed with an underwire for additional shaping.
Stretch Straps: Stretch straps provide a controlled fit and added comfort. They're usually designed with low-stretch elastic to reduce bounce.
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U-Z
Underwire Bra: Bra that uses a flexible arc shaped metal or plastic material as the frame. The arc is inserted into a channel of fabric and functions as the anchor to which the other fabrics and components are added. Underwires can be banded, which includes an extension below the wire channel for extra control and security. With bandless styles, the wire channel acts as the bottom of the cup, with sides and center section directly attached for a smooth, sleek look with less coverage. Playtex Secrets® Forever Lace® Underwire bra, style #4233, Half Sizes Too™ Totally Touchable Underwire™ bra, style #7010, and the Feel Beautiful® Cotton Blend Jacquard Underwire bra, style #7536, are three well-known underwire styles.
Wire-Free/Soft Cup Bra: This bra style uses stretchy elastics at the bottom band area instead of a metal underwire. Banded soft cups, also called set-in cups, work like a banded underwire but without application of wire and channel. The 18 Hour® Posture bra, style #4379, Cross Your Heart® Lightly Lined bra, style #4210, and Thank Goodness It Fits® Daisy Jacquard Wire Free bra, style #4606, are three well-liked, soft-cup bras.
Wrap-Around Elastic Band: This is attached on the outside of the bra and goes completely around the entire frame. It anchors and keeps the bra in place and is frequently used in sports bras.
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Bra Coverage and Sizes
Bra Size: Combines two measures, the band size — a number like 34, 36 or 38 — and a cup size — such as B, C or D. Unfortunately, Playtex® bra clinics have found that seven out of 10 women wear the wrong bra size. Cup and band sizes can change with weight gain or loss, monthly changes, pregnancy, exercise, or other life events that affect your shape and size. To make sure you look and feel your best underneath, visit our Fitting Room.
Light Support Bra: Offering less coverage, this bra is designed for average-to-smaller figures and is typically made of lightweight fabrics, narrow backs, and stretchy materials. Thank Goodness It Fits®, Everyday Basics® and Half Sizes Too™ bras offer styles for the average-to-smaller figured woman.
Average-Figure Bra: Provides light to moderate support and less cup coverage, yet still offers a sleek appearance. Made of both rigid and stretchy fabrics, they typically have narrow straps, sides and backs. Thank Goodness It Fits®, Everyday Basics®, Half Sizes Too™, and Nursing bras offer styles for the average-figured woman.
Full-Figure Bra: Gives more coverage and best support for larger cup sizes. Full-figure bras are typically made of more supportive fabrics, with camisole or wider straps, side panels — some with extra support — as well as a wider banded bottom or set-in cup frames. 18 Hour®, Playtex Secrets®, Cross Your Heart®, Everyday Basics®, Feel Beautiful® and Nursing bras offer both larger cup sizes and styles with extra support.
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Bra Types
Activity: These bras are designed to add support and limit bounce. Activity bras help prevent breast tissue from breaking down and sagging. They are usually designed with wide under-bust bands and nonstretch or limited-stretch straps. Cotton is frequently used to prevent abrasion and provide absorbency.
Cami Bra: A term used for a lighter constructed bra look that's a cross between a camisole and a bra.
Demi Bra: A minimal coverage bra, typically with an underwire, with reduced top coverage combined with a shallow bottom that may be lined or unlined. A demi bra is designed with straps set wider toward the shoulder. This bra style gives more bust definition and can be worn with lower-cut dresses.
Minimizer: A bra designed to reduce cup projection up to an inch by shaping and fitting breasts outwards towards cup sides without a loss of support. Ideal for full-figured women who have problems finding ready-to-wear clothing that will fit without straining across the bustline. Also perfect for women who want to reduce their bustline to achieve a more balanced silhouette.
Push-Up Bra: This cleavage-enhancing bra is designed to flatter every woman's silhouette, especially underneath the most alluring of necklines. This bra usually features an underwire design and lined or padded cups. The underwire and padding gently bring breasts closer together to create a deeper cleavage. The Thank Goodness It Fits® Delightful Dots Underwire bra, style #4021, is an example of this bra type.
Maternity/Nursing Bra: Maternity/nursing bras should be purchased with support, comfort and adaptability in mind. A maternity bra should expand with your changing figure. For moms-to-be who plan to breast feed, look for a nursing bra that offers easy, one-handed clasp access. Nursing bras come in both an underwire and wire-free style. For more maternity and nursing bra fit tips, visit our Fitting Room Maternity and Nursing Bras area.
Soft Cup Bra: See "Wire-Free/Soft Cup Bra."
Sports Bra: See "Activity Bra."
Strapless/Bandeau Bras: A bra that maintains shaping and control without the use of straps. Stays in place by incorporating unique design features, including fiberfill or thin foam lining for shaping, narrow gripper elastic, side stays and wider backs for better anchoring. Often designed with an underwire for additional shaping.
Underwire Bra: Bra that uses a flexible arc shaped metal or plastic material as the frame. The arc is inserted into a channel of fabric and functions as the anchor to which the other fabrics and components are added. Underwires can be banded, which includes an extension below the wire channel for extra control and security. With bandless styles, the wire channel acts as the bottom of the cup, with sides and center section directly attached for a smooth, sleek look with less coverage. Playtex Secrets® Forever Lace® Underwire bra, style #4233, Half Sizes Too™ Totally Touchable Underwire™ bra, style #7010, and the Feel Beautiful® Cotton Blend Jacquard Underwire bra, style #7536, are three well-known underwire styles.
Wire-Free/Soft Cup Bra: This bra style uses stretchy elastics at the bottom band area instead of a metal underwire. Banded soft cups, also called set-in cups, work like a banded underwire but without application of wire and channel. The 18 Hour® Posture bra, style #4379, Cross Your Heart® Lightly Lined bra, style #4210, and Thank Goodness It Fits® Daisy Jacquard Wire Free bra, style #4606, are three well-liked, soft-cup bras.
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Bra Padding
Fully Padded: Fully padded bras give the bust line a smooth look under clothing. Fiberfill or foam lining adds to the size and figure definition of a small breast. The addition could be up to a full size. The Thank Goodness It Fits® Add-A-Size Wire Free bra, style #4436, uses full padding.
Lightly Lined: These bras usually have a light fiberfill or thin foam, which offers women a variety of advantages, including:
- A smooth appearance.
- Reduced nipple show-through.
- An attractive fit when bust measures in between standard cup sizes.
- A way to even out differences between smaller and larger breasts.
- More definition and shaping for smaller busts.
All Playtex® bra collections offer one or more lightly lined styles.
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Bra Straps
Camisole Straps: Camisole straps create a smooth shoulder line because the cups build up to become the straps. Camisole straps come in adjustable and nonadjustable styles. Adjustments will be made at the back of the bra for a smooth look in front. They're used most frequently on full-figure bras. The 18 Hour® Smooth Support bra, style #4013, Cross Your Heart® Lightly Lined bra, style #4210, Playtex Secrets® Lace Underwire bra, style #4309, and Playtex Secrets® Signature Florals® Underwire bra, style #4422, are a few styles designed with this type of strap.
Convertible Straps: These straps can be worn in a halter, crisscross back or conventional style, and are often detachable. The Feel Beautiful® 2-Way Convertible Underwire bra, style #7551, is a favorite of Playtex® bra customers.
Nonstretch or Rigid Straps: These straps offer support and stability and are ideal for athletic activities or full-figured women.
Stretch Straps: Stretch straps provide a controlled fit and added comfort. They're usually designed with low-stretch elastic to reduce bounce.
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Bra Cup Types
Cut-and-Sewn Cups: Also known as seamed, this cup style uses two or three pieces of fabric sewn together to create the bra cups. The 18 Hour® Original Comfort Strap® bra, style #4693, and Playtex Secrets® Signature Florals® Underwire bra, style #4422, are popular styles that feature cut-and-sewn cups.
Seamless Cups: Constructed differently than cut-and-sewn cups, the seamless one-piece cup design offers women the advantage of a smoother silhouette, because there are no sewn seams to potentially show through tight fitting or sheer clothing. The Thank Goodness It Fits® Seamless Stretch Foam Wire Free bra, style #4406, and Half Sizes Too™ Oh So Seamless Wire Free bra, style #7006, are favorites among women who purchase Playtex® seamless cup bras.
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Other Bra Elements
Frame: The frame of the bra is the anchor to which the cups and sides are attached. It usually extends from the bra center down and around cups, extending to the sides and holds the bra together.
Rings and Slides: Both of these components adjust strap length and are most commonly attached to the top of cup for easy front adjustment or behind the shoulder for a clean, smooth look in front. All Playtex® bras are designed with ring-and-slide-style straps.
Sides and Backs: These keep a bra securely anchored around body. The width of sides and back depend on whether the bra is made for an average or full figure. Wrap-Around Elastic Band: This is attached on the outside of the bra and goes completely around the entire frame. It anchors and keeps the bra in place and is frequently used in sports bras.
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