How Should a Balconette Bra Fit?

Fit Experts

Balconette bras have a distinct look and offer unique features that support and enhance your breasts. Before you dive in and buy one, you must know what to look for in a balconette Balconette bras have a distinct look and offer unique features that support and enhance your breasts. Before you dive in and buy one, you must know what to look for in a balconette bra so that you can achieve a great fit. This blog will outline the features of a balconette bra, why these unique features exist and what these features actually do for you whilst giving you the rundown on how to ensure your balconette bra fits you perfectly. As lingerie fit experts who know the ins and outs of all bra styles, we’re very excited to be taking you through the fit of an absolute classic and one of our favourite styles so that you can see why the balconette bra is loved by many.

But first, what is a balconette bra?

A balconette bra, also known as balcony bra, shelf bra, demi bra or half-cup, can be spotted in a bra line up by its wide-set straps and horizontally-cut shallow cups. There are a couple of different theories about where the balconette bra got its name. Some people believe this style is supposed to function as a “balcony” for the breasts. While others believe that it’s because if you were standing on a balcony looking down at a woman wearing a balconette bra, you wouldn’t be able to see the bra because of the shallow cups. Whichever theory you prefer, this bra style is a must-have for every lingerie drawer because who knows when someone’s going to be peering down at your cleavage from a balcony up above (jokes, that’s weird!?) but most of all this style pairs well with several different breast shapes and outfit necklines.

Who should wear a balconette bra?

Due to the unique half-cup design, the balconette bra is especially great for women with teardrop-shaped breasts. Full coverage bras can cause discomfort for those with breasts that are fuller at the bottom. This is because the top of the cups can gape where the breasts are shallow, so the balconette bra is an ideal alternative as it supports the breasts at their fullest part. However, small breasts, round breasts and athletic-shaped breasts also benefit from this style that creates a subtle forward projection and a natural lift from the horizontally cut cups, ultimately creating a rounder and fuller bust.

How to find the perfect balconette bra?

Since the beginning of time, this popular style has been designed, adapted, and produced by all lingerie brands worldwide. This means there are an overwhelmingly large amount of balconette bra options available to you. Using our expert lingerie knowledge, we’ve put together our top tips to help guide you through the world of balconette bras so that you can find the perfect style for you.

Get professionally fitted

Repeat this mantra after us, getting fitted is a non-negotiable when shopping for any bra. Not only does a bra fitting at Bendon provide you with your correct size, but our fit experts have incredible knowledge about bra styles, breast shapes, and overall breast health; they’re the guiding gurus that will help you find the styles that will meet your wants and needs.

Ensure the bra band fits firmly

If you made it into our store for a bra fitting, then you’ll know that ensuring the brand fits firmly is important. This goes for any bra style, the underband should fit firmly around your torso and sit levelled around your underbust.

The fit should feel snug yet comfortable, as the underband is one of the key bra features that provide you with support. However, it’s important to ensure that your under-band isn’t too tight otherwise this will cause discomfort and you’ll be lucky to make it to midday without wanting to rip the damn thing off. And on the contrary, if you find your under-band is riding up in the back then you’ll need to consider a smaller size.

Hot Tip: Make sure you can fit two fingers underneath the band in the back, and one finger underneath the band in the front, this will indicate that your under-band is the perfect level of snugness!

Make sure the straps are comfortable

Straps are another key bra feature that provides you with support. As mentioned earlier, balconette bras are known for their wide-set straps that sit closer to the outer shoulder, as opposed to regular bra straps that sit further inwards. Because of this strap positioning, balconette bra straps can cause inconvenience and discomfort if the bra doesn’t fit perfectly.

When your bra straps are too tight or too loose this will compromise the support your balconette bra can achieve. Similar to your under-band, your bra straps should sit snugly on your shoulders. If your bra straps are slipping off it is often a sign that you need to try a larger band size, or simply tighten your straps. If the bra straps are digging into your shoulders, it is often an indication that you should go down a band size, or simply loosen your straps.

Hot Tip:Make sure you can comfortably fit two fingers underneath your shoulder and your bra strap, this is a sign that your bra straps are fitting well.

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Now you know the ins and outs of what makes a balconette bra different from all other bra styles, and why balconette bras are a must-have in any lingerie drawer. Don’t forget all of our important fitting notes and tips, these golden nuggets of information come from years of lingerie design and fit experience that will ensure your balconette bra fits you perfectly.