What Is A Shelf Bra and How to Choose the Best One?

The most common type of bras – full-coverage bras, push-up bras, and even nursing bras are a part of that list among many others. But then what about what is a shelf bra?

For women who have not heard about this term before, you may have a lot to find out about the unique structure here that looks like it doesn’t hand out too much support but then when you wear the bra, provided you get the right size (lengthy discussion about this below), you question your decision-making skills. Why didn’t I ever think of buying a shelf bra before this!

If I have intensified your curiosity or if you’re just here to know more about what a shelf bra looks like and does, then you’ve come to the right place!

Shelf Bra – What It Is and the Different Types

The shelf bra design consists of double layers. These are placed between the outer material of the bra and your breasts. And the two layers form double padding, which may be thin but is very supportive. Although the structure of the padding is not the same as any regular bra; the padding is placed below the bust in order to LIFT IT UP.

What the below-the-bust padding does is hold your boobs up without showing the top or middle parts of your breasts. The goal here is to add more volume and a rounder, fuller shape to your chest.

But then you can’t wear a shelf bra with all your casual outfits as it’s likely to feel a little uncomfortable. For example, under formal clothing. On the other hand, for date nights and other such occasions, a shelf bra can really make you feel more confident and sexy. It’s also a delightful choice as intimate wear.

Built-In Shelf Bra

What a built-in shelf bra (mostly found in swimsuits) does is cover just about enough of your breasts. The coverage is more in comparison to the platform-style shelf bra.

The design is pretty much like a push-up but with no underwire and a thicker band to keep the bra from riding up. Then the cups have the right amount of padding in them and the whole structure is seamless. Thus, the bra feels firm and strong for holding, supporting, and cushioning the breasts. Perfect for daily wear too if you like!

How to Wear Built-In Shelf Bra

The built-in style of shelf bra is the most suitable for casual and low-impact outfits. Needless to say, you cannot wear it for intense HIIT/yoga sessions or any kind of such movements. For that, what works best is a sports bra indeed.

But a built-in shelf bra is good for holding and supporting your chest so it doesn’t get in the way of your everyday movements, like bending over or sideways, stretching the arms over the head, etc.

Platform Shelf Bra

Quarter-cup or platform bras do not provide as much coverage as a built-in shelf bra. So it’s safe to say that a platform shelf bra is less modest and shows more cleavage. No wonder it’s designed using sexy, intimate lace fabric. The design also consists of an elastic band placed below the bust, along with thinner, narrower straps.

Both types of shelf bras have no underwire. And in both styles, the elastic band is supportive and firm for holding your breasts up to lift and shape them.

How to Wear Platform Shelf Bra

Since the top area of the bra is missing, it can be a little tricky when it comes to figuring out how to wear the bra. But then you can wear it just like a built-in shelf bra, but that’s only if you don’t have big breasts. Because if your boobs are fuller, then the missing top part of a platform bra will end up showing most of your breasts.

In that case, platform bras are the best for bedroom, intimate wear. Or for personal social get-togethers, date nights, and the like.

As for what kind of outfits, plunging necklines, deep V-shaped necklines, etc. Be it tops or dresses!

Shelf Bra – Choosing the Right Size

Comfort is a part of the whole shelf bra experience, and so is support and even coverage to a certain extent. But this only makes sense if you get the right fit, which means if you pick the correct size of bra.

In the case of shelf bras, choosing the right size means choosing based on how small or big your breasts are.

For Small Breasts

With small breasts, you obviously don’t need a lot of coverage, right? So, at such times, a shelf bra might feel like a blessing in disguise. In that case, the less impact of shelf bras doesn’t really matter. Even if it’s the quarter-cup type, support, lift, and coverage are well taken care of.

For Big Breasts

Cup sizes A-C are the best, most suitable for women with fuller breasts. Larger breasts demand a thicker elastic band, more padding, and wider and thicker straps. Taking that into account, a shelf bra may not be the most ideal option.

But you can wear one if you like, just make sure the bra you select has a slightly thicker elastic band for adequate support and double padding for supporting and lifting your breasts. Make sure there’s no side-boob bulge either; meaning the fit should be like these comfortable bras that prevent side spillage.

Shelf Bra – Why Wear It?

Are shelf bras a good idea? Let’s find out the benefits of wearing such a minimal-coverage bra.

To Make Breasts Look Bigger or Fuller

If your breast size and shape are not as generous as you would like them to be, then a shelf bra can certainly change that. Your boobs are then bound to look not only bigger but also fuller. More specifically, the quarter-cup or platform type of shelf bra with double or molded cups really works when it comes to lifting and rounding off your breasts.

To Be Able to Wear All Kinds of Outfits

Shelf bras, because of their shorter, minimal-coverage cups that cover only the bottom part of your breasts, can be worn with both thin and thick clothing.

To Enhance Breast Support Without Underwire

The beauty of a shelf bra is to provide the much-needed support and lift without the use of an underwire. However, if you have larger breasts (D+ cup size), then it’s in the best interest of your breasts to choose a shelf bra outfitted with an underwire.

To Prevent Bouncy Boobs

Compression, to a certain level, is a part of wearing a shelf bra. And with compression, you can keep your breast tissue from flying about. Just the perfect supportive and comfortable braless hack, right!

Shelf Bra – Is it Really Supportive?

After all, when you wear a shelf bra, the greater part of your breasts is not covered. The bra literally rests under your bust. In that case, where does the support come from then? Precisely from below the bust!

The elastic band that’s built into the bra has one job – to hold your breasts in order to lift them, so they look perky and feel well-supported.

The proof of just how supportive shelf bras really are is their inclusion as built-in shelf bras in swimsuits, camisoles, tank tops, and the like.

Conclusion

Regular or normal bras, hands down, feel more comfortable than any other bra there is. But then that doesn’t mean something more experimental like a shelf bra is bound to feel uncomfortable or unsupportive. This type of bra is designed for shaping and lifting the breasts while also supporting them, even with little coverage and no underwire.

But then keep in mind that shelf bras are the best only for low-impact activities and wear. You cannot and SHOULD NOT wear one for your workout or training sessions. Even though a well-designed shelf bra features compression for eliminating bouncy boobs, wearing it even for yoga is a bad idea.

Speaking of well-designed, just make sure you get a high-quality shelf bra and not the cheap ones built using flimsy materials. The latter is definitely not going to feel supportive, comfortable, or durable.

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