The ABC’s of lingerie

Bra – a type of ladies’ lingerie, whose purpose is to support, model and show off breasts. Properly selected, not only emphasizes but also corrects the figure.

Low cut under wire bra – a model of bra glorified in the 1950s by Brigitte Bardot. Special cut (gathering and supporting breasts) and silicone lining allow to wear the bra without shoulder straps. Ideal model for dresses and blouses with open shoulders.

Briefs – classic, lower part of ladies’ lingerie, covering the whole buttocks.

Whalebones – strengthening of the construction, which prevents rolling up of the bra’s material. Made of plastics of high resistance, guarantee the maintenance of the bra’s construction.

Corset – elegant part of ladies’ lingerie, usually with whalebones, making the waist look slender and shaping and lifting up breasts. Frequently with unfastened shoulder straps or garter belts.

Construction of bra (model) – the method of the bra’s execution from the constructional point of view. Every construction is different, intended for different breasts and meets different expectations. 

Cups – The main constructional part of the bra directly sticking to breasts. The cup, in order to perform its function properly, cannot be too small or too large, see What influences the bra’s size. 

Seamless cups – smooth cups without visible seams, from soft and thin sponge covered with cloth or made of special, elastic cloth shaped into an anatomical form.

Circumference under the breasts – measured in cemtimetres allows to define the size of bra e.g. 65, 70, 85, 105, whereas the difference between circumference of the breasts and circumference under the breast allows to define the size of the cup A, B, C, D.

Push-up – specially shaped bra lifting up breasts, with small pockets hidden in the lower part of the cup for material or silicone insertions, thanks to which the breasts appear larger.

Shoulder straps – correctly adjusted shoulder straps are the complement of properly selected bra. Too long shoulder straps will fall down, whereas too short may cause lifting up of the bra’s circumference at the back and may bite into shoulders. Shoulder straps are adjusted to the bra size, the larger the size, the wider the straps. Very often the original shoulder straps are unfastened, thanks to which they may be replaced.

String bikini – type of pants, mostly  for ladies (there are also men’s), whose back part is a narrow strap, hiding between buttocks.

centre – constructional element of bra, to which cups and circumference are sewn on.

Tanga – a type of ladies pants, partly exposing buttocks. More cut out, on hips they are connected by a narrow strap of material, rubber band or ribbon.

Triangle – also called neck, material joining cups, it doesn’t join the circumference, it’s a separate part of br.