The Language of Lingerie Series: Cup Coverage Level

The Language of Lingerie Series: Level of Cup Coverage

Our series continues!  Now you know how to identify the parts of the bra.  This week we'll focus on one of those many parts: the cup.  Specifically, the level of coverage the cup gives you.  First, let's debunk a few myths about the cup:

Myth #1: The more coverage a cup has, the more support it has.

In Reality: The level of support a cup provides is determined by the fabric that the cup is made of     in conjunction with the design of the cup.  A fabric with more stretch will ultimately yield less support.  Don't forget that all of this talk about the cup is assuming the band fits snugly! 

Myth #2: The straps of a bra are there to pull the cups up for better lift.

In Reality: Ouch!  If you rely on the straps to pull the cups of your bra up, and ultimately the weight of your breast tissue, you're going to need to hire a full time masseuse to ease the awful neck and shoulder tension you're going to experience!  The straps are there to adjust the hem/edge of the cup to sit flush against your body.  The band should be doing the heavy lifting- your torso can support the weight of your breast tissue much better than your shoulders.  

Myth #3: If your have cup gap (along the top hem/edge) your cup is too big. 

In Reality: How counter intuitive is this explanation?  Most of the times we see cup gap, it's due to the cup being too small!  If there is too much breast tissue for the cup to accommodate, the breast tissue pushes the cup away from the body.  Often times, women experience cup gap and cup spillage at the same time due to wearing too small a cup.  

Surprised about the realities of some of those myths?  Don't worry, you're not alone.  Many women have been lacking the information and explanations needed to shop for well fitting bras.  That's what B.R.A. is here for! 

Now, let's take a look at some examples of styles we carry to explain the levels of cup coverage:

Demi: The least amount of cup coverage.  Demi cups typically have a top hem that runs across the fullest part of the bust, leaving the top portion of the breast tissue exposed.  

Ciao Bella by B.Tempted

Balcony:  Also referred to as a 3/4 cup, this style offers a bit more coverage than the demi cup.  The balcony is characterized by a cup hem that attaches higher at the straps and dips slightly deeper towards the center gore (where the underwires meet between the cups).  

Illusion by Conturelle

Plunge: This style is characterized by a cup hem that attaches high at the strap and has a sharp angle descending towards a center gore of shorter proportion, creating a bit of cleavage for outfits with a lower neckline.  

Bijou by Elomi

Full Coverage: Offering the most amount of breast tissue coverage, this style has a cup hem that connects high at the strap and also a higher center gore.  

Cassiopee By Empreinte

Having a variety of bras with different levels of cup coverage is essential for giving you the most options for your wardrobe.  Schedule an appointment with one of B.R.A.'s professional fitters to see which types of cups work best for your body and your wardrobe!  

Best Rack Around is a lingerie & bra fitting boutique located in Market Station in Leesburg, Virginia in beautiful Loudoun County.  We proudly serve women of all ages, body types, and stages of life.  In addition to the selection of every day bras and special occasion bras, we also have nursing bras, sports bras, mastectomy bras & forms and post-surgical bras.  Call us at (571) 918-4738 to schedule a fitting or visit our website to book an appointment online!