- Band
- The part that wraps around the ribcage. It should provide most of the support and remain level from front to back.
Sizing- Cup
- The part that contains breast tissue. A cup letter represents volume only in combination with its band size.
Sizing- Cup volume
- The three-dimensional capacity of a cup. The same letter has a different volume on different band sizes.
Sizing- Sister size
- A nearby size with a different band label and approximately similar cup volume, such as UK 34DD and 32E.
Sizing- UK cup progression
- The common UK sequence uses double letters at several steps, including D, DD, E, F, FF, G and GG.
Sizing- Breast root
- The boundary where breast tissue meets the chest wall. A well-matched underwire follows this line rather than sitting on tissue.
Anatomy- Root width
- How broad or narrow the breast root is across the chest. Wire width should be compared with the root, not cup letter alone.
Anatomy- Projection
- How far supported breast tissue extends forward from the chest relative to its root area. Projected shapes often need more cup depth.
Anatomy- Fullness distribution
- Whether supported tissue is fuller above the nipple, below it or relatively even. It can affect which necklines stay smooth.
Anatomy- Close-set breasts
- Breast roots with little space between them at the center. A low or narrow gore may be easier to position without touching tissue.
Anatomy- Shallow shape
- Tissue distributed across a broader or taller chest area with less forward depth. This describes shape, not breast size.
Anatomy- Scoop and swoop
- A fitting step that guides breast tissue from the sides and underneath into the cups before judging cup and wire fit.
Fit- Band riding up
- The back of the band moves higher than the front. It often indicates a loose band or straps carrying too much tension.
Fit- Cup overflow
- Breast tissue bulges over an edge or between cups. It can indicate insufficient volume or a neckline that is too closed for the shape.
Fit- Cup gaping
- Visible space or wrinkling between the cup and breast. It can come from excess volume, cup height or a shape mismatch.
Fit- Center gore
- The panel connecting the cups at the center front. On most wired bras it should sit against the sternum without resting on breast tissue.
Construction- Underwire
- A curved support channel beneath and around the cup. Its width, height and shape should follow the breast root comfortably.
Construction- Seamed cup
- A cup made from multiple joined fabric panels. Seam placement can create lift, projection, roundness or forward shaping.
Construction- Moulded cup
- A cup formed as one seamless piece. Its fixed shape may remain visible when it does not closely match the wearer.
Construction- Spacer cup
- A lightweight, breathable moulded cup made from three-dimensional spacer fabric, usually more flexible than rigid foam.
Construction- Side support
- An outer cup panel or sling designed to guide tissue forward and reduce outward spread.
Construction- Balconette bra
- A bra with a relatively horizontal, open neckline and straps placed farther toward the sides than on many full-cup styles.
Styles- Plunge bra
- A bra with a low center gore for deep necklines or closely spaced breast roots. Cup height and coverage vary by brand.
Styles- Full-cup bra
- A style with taller cup coverage intended to contain more upper and center tissue. Full coverage does not always mean a closed neckline.
Styles- Wireless bra
- A bra without underwires. Support may come from the band, fabric structure, internal slings, seams or compression.
Styles
