Invisible Bras, Adhesive Bras - Is There A Difference? Find out.
There are lots of lingerie brands that seem to have created a new category in lingerie - the 'invisible' bra?
Is it lingerie for superheros - or has someone found a way to replicate the sci-fi fabric technology made famous in all those Harry Potter movies? (I'm talking about the disappearing cloak, of course.)
But no, an invisible bra isn't actually invisible, of course. Lingerie fans will have to wait a little longer before this fantasy becomes reality.
So - is an 'invisible' bra like an adhesive bra? Nope - wrong again. Read on, to find out the difference.
Brands use the name "invisible" bras, typically, to describe styles that are designed to stay "invisible" underneath your clothes. This means they are designed to "disappear" under your clothes. And of course, these are one of the many slight exaggerations made up by marketers to get women interested in a brand's new bra styles - and, apparently, it is working. (Do a Google search for "invisible bras" and you're likely to find over 4 million results!)
But - included in those search results are also lots of adhesive bra styles, which are described in more detail below.
When you find a bra that looks like a typical style, but it's described as "invisible," it means it is designed to not show an outline underneath your clothes - even under the most form-fitting tops and dresses.
The part of a bra that is most likely to show its shape, right through a top, is the bra's cups.
This happens when the cups are held together by one or two seams, which are called two-part or three- part cups.
Seamless cups have become a much more popular cup style, in the U.S., at least. They are molded together, which is a fusing process that doesn't require a seam. Contour cups are made in the same way.
Bras that have these seamless cup styles are often called T-Shirt bras - but it seems like that was a more popular buzzword for 2013, while Invisible bras are all the rage for 2014. These descriptions can mean the same thing - or not, depending on the brand.
Sometimes. It depends on the brand. (But - an Invisible Bra can also mean an Adhesive bra - see below).
Often, the difference between a T-Shirt bra and an Invisible Bra is padding. A T-Shirt bra sometimes has molded contour cups, which are padded. And, sometimes an Invisible bra has the same cup style.
Alternative bra styles, such as adhesive bras, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are so small, and come in clear silicone or flesh tones, which makes them look practically "invisible."
Many adhesive bra styles are self-sticking - and they're usually just cups, minus the back, sides and straps. This type of bra won't show, even under a backless dress that looks almost completely bare - and even under a low plunging neckline, and/or side cutouts. It's the bra style that celebs wear with Red Carpet gowns.
(Read more: Is an Adhesive Bra the Same as Pasties?)
All types of Invisible Bras are designed to deliver one major benefit - to stay hidden underneath your clothes. That means you'll be able to wear the most curve-hugging, skin-tight tops and dresses, and no one will be able to see the shape of your bra through your clothes.
If you're wearing an Invisible Bra that resembles a typical bra style, this means it probably isn't made with any raised seams. Instead, the seams are designed to lie flat against your body.
The fabric the bra is made from will typically be very soft, thin and lightweight, and will fit close to the body, like a second skin.
If you choose the type of Invisible Bra that's more like an alternative bra style, such as an adhesive bra, then the one major benefit is that you won't look like you're wearing a bra. But, you will be more covered up, for modesty, and also more supported (depending on the style) than if you went braless.
These alternative bra styles, or "no-bra bras," are made to wear under the most revealing outfits - even the raciest styles that leave little to the imagination, when you wouldn't think it wouldn't be possible to fit a bra underneath.
Is it lingerie for superheros - or has someone found a way to replicate the sci-fi fabric technology made famous in all those Harry Potter movies? (I'm talking about the disappearing cloak, of course.)
But no, an invisible bra isn't actually invisible, of course. Lingerie fans will have to wait a little longer before this fantasy becomes reality.
So - is an 'invisible' bra like an adhesive bra? Nope - wrong again. Read on, to find out the difference.
'Invisible' Bra Styles
Brands use the name "invisible" bras, typically, to describe styles that are designed to stay "invisible" underneath your clothes. This means they are designed to "disappear" under your clothes. And of course, these are one of the many slight exaggerations made up by marketers to get women interested in a brand's new bra styles - and, apparently, it is working. (Do a Google search for "invisible bras" and you're likely to find over 4 million results!)
But - included in those search results are also lots of adhesive bra styles, which are described in more detail below.
When you find a bra that looks like a typical style, but it's described as "invisible," it means it is designed to not show an outline underneath your clothes - even under the most form-fitting tops and dresses.
The part of a bra that is most likely to show its shape, right through a top, is the bra's cups.
This happens when the cups are held together by one or two seams, which are called two-part or three- part cups.
Seamless cups have become a much more popular cup style, in the U.S., at least. They are molded together, which is a fusing process that doesn't require a seam. Contour cups are made in the same way.
Bras that have these seamless cup styles are often called T-Shirt bras - but it seems like that was a more popular buzzword for 2013, while Invisible bras are all the rage for 2014. These descriptions can mean the same thing - or not, depending on the brand.
Is a T-Shirt Bra Always the Same as an Invisible Bra?
Sometimes. It depends on the brand. (But - an Invisible Bra can also mean an Adhesive bra - see below).
Often, the difference between a T-Shirt bra and an Invisible Bra is padding. A T-Shirt bra sometimes has molded contour cups, which are padded. And, sometimes an Invisible bra has the same cup style.
Adhesive Bras
Alternative bra styles, such as adhesive bras, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are so small, and come in clear silicone or flesh tones, which makes them look practically "invisible."
Many adhesive bra styles are self-sticking - and they're usually just cups, minus the back, sides and straps. This type of bra won't show, even under a backless dress that looks almost completely bare - and even under a low plunging neckline, and/or side cutouts. It's the bra style that celebs wear with Red Carpet gowns.
(Read more: Is an Adhesive Bra the Same as Pasties?)
The Benefits
All types of Invisible Bras are designed to deliver one major benefit - to stay hidden underneath your clothes. That means you'll be able to wear the most curve-hugging, skin-tight tops and dresses, and no one will be able to see the shape of your bra through your clothes.
If you're wearing an Invisible Bra that resembles a typical bra style, this means it probably isn't made with any raised seams. Instead, the seams are designed to lie flat against your body.
The fabric the bra is made from will typically be very soft, thin and lightweight, and will fit close to the body, like a second skin.
If you choose the type of Invisible Bra that's more like an alternative bra style, such as an adhesive bra, then the one major benefit is that you won't look like you're wearing a bra. But, you will be more covered up, for modesty, and also more supported (depending on the style) than if you went braless.
These alternative bra styles, or "no-bra bras," are made to wear under the most revealing outfits - even the raciest styles that leave little to the imagination, when you wouldn't think it wouldn't be possible to fit a bra underneath.
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