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[[File:Bra-band-heat-map.jpg|thumb|The regions of the bra which support the most weight are colored in dark red; the least supportive regions are blue. This heat map illustrates the level of support a bra band should provide.<ref name="gh">[http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/fashion/how-to-buy-a-bra-3#slide-1 ''Good Housekeeping'': "How to Buy a Bra"]</ref>]]
 
[[File:Bra-band-heat-map.jpg|thumb|The regions of the bra which support the most weight are colored in dark red; the least supportive regions are blue. This heat map illustrates the level of support a bra band should provide.<ref name="gh">[http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/fashion/how-to-buy-a-bra-3#slide-1 ''Good Housekeeping'': "How to Buy a Bra"]</ref>]]
   
One of the most important parts of a bra, the bra band is the part of a bra which runs around the ribcage of the wearer. The cups are attached to the front of the bra band, the straps to the back, and in the center of the bra band is where the hook and eye closures are typically located (either the front or the back).
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One of the most important parts of a bra, the bra band is the part of a bra which runs around the ribcage of the wearer. The cups are attached to the front of the bra band, the straps to the back, and in the center of the bra band is where the hook and eye closures are typically located (either the front or the back). The center gore is actually a part of the band.
   
 
The bra band contributes the most to a bra's fit. In a well-designed bra, most of the weight of the breast is distributed throughout the bra band. If the bra band is not tight enough, or otherwise ill-fitting, the bra will ultimately prove uncomfortable and unsupportive. As such, it is imperative to wear [[How-to determine bra size|the correct band size]].
 
The bra band contributes the most to a bra's fit. In a well-designed bra, most of the weight of the breast is distributed throughout the bra band. If the bra band is not tight enough, or otherwise ill-fitting, the bra will ultimately prove uncomfortable and unsupportive. As such, it is imperative to wear [[How-to determine bra size|the correct band size]].

Revision as of 01:41, 27 September 2012

Anatomy-of-a-bra

There are many parts of a bra.[1]

Bra anatomy, or the parts of a bra, may vary from bra to bra, yet a few basic structures remain common to most all bras. By varying these structures, more or less support for the breasts can be provided. Thus, understanding the anatomy of a bra can help with adjusting the bra to create the perfect fit.

Bra parts

There are many parts of a bra.[1][2][3][4]

Band

Bra-band-heat-map

The regions of the bra which support the most weight are colored in dark red; the least supportive regions are blue. This heat map illustrates the level of support a bra band should provide.[5]

One of the most important parts of a bra, the bra band is the part of a bra which runs around the ribcage of the wearer. The cups are attached to the front of the bra band, the straps to the back, and in the center of the bra band is where the hook and eye closures are typically located (either the front or the back). The center gore is actually a part of the band.

The bra band contributes the most to a bra's fit. In a well-designed bra, most of the weight of the breast is distributed throughout the bra band. If the bra band is not tight enough, or otherwise ill-fitting, the bra will ultimately prove uncomfortable and unsupportive. As such, it is imperative to wear the correct band size.

Cup

Apex

Neckline

Gore

The gore is the center of the cups, where the underwire forms a little bridge. It should touch one's torso.

Side panel

Side panels are also known as side wings.

Underwire

Strap

The straps go over the shoulders, keeping a bra in place. It is of note that the straps are intended to keep the cup in place, not support the entire weight of the breasts.[1] If the straps dig painfully into the wearer's shoulders, then most likely the bra band is too loose or too large to be properly supportive.

If there is a ring dividing a strap into two sections, then the front portion is called the front strap and the rear portion the back strap.

Ring

The ring is the metal or plastic join (typically in the shape of a ring) that connects the straps to the band. The more durable the material used by the ring, the longer the bra will last. Older, plastic rings that have been repeatedly washed will snap.

Slider

The sliders are the clips located directly on the straps. A strap can be shortened or lengthened as required by moving the slider. Some straps are fully adjustable, meaning the slider can move along the entire length of the strap; some bras lack full adjustability, as the slider can only move along a portion of the strap. Typically the non-adjustable region is in the front, which is thicker for aesthetic purposes.

Strap join

Leotardbraback

The leotard bra back illustrates the curved attachment of the strap to the band and the continuation of the strap material (the red arrow).[4]

The strap join is where the straps attach to the cup in the front and the bra band in the back. The strap join in the back is the most important. There are two types of back strap join: the camisole and the leotard, or ballet.

The camisole strap is simply a strap connected to a ring connected to a band at a right angle. This produces a more square shape in the back. The leotard strap is a strap connected to a ring connected to the band at a more oblique angle, producing a more curved, or leotard-like shape in the back.

One of the ways to identify a more supportive bra is by the presence of a leotard strap, where the strap is connected to a ring, which is attached to more strap material which is itself sewn into the band. This distributes weight more evenly throughout the band, taking weight out of the straps and the shoulders.

Closure

The most popular option is a hook and eye closure on the middle center.

References