Welche BH-Arten gibt es?

Die gängigsten BH-Arten sind Triangel-BH, Plunge-BH, Balconette-BH, Bandeau, Bralette, Bustier, vorgeformter BH und Sport-BH. Dazu kommen BH-Arten, die über ihre Funktion definiert sind, etwa Push-up, Minimizer oder Spacer-BH. Fast jede Form gibt es mit und ohne Bügel.

Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Plunge und Balconette?

Beim Plunge-BH treffen sich die Cups tief in der Mitte und bilden ein V, er passt zu tiefen Ausschnitten. Beim Balconette-BH schließen die Cups oben waagerecht ab und die Träger sitzen weiter außen, er passt zu eckigen oder weiten Ausschnitten.

Gibt es einen Balconette-BH ohne Bügel?

Ja. Klassisch wird der Balconette mit Bügel gebaut, er funktioniert aber auch ohne. Unser Sleek Lace Balconette BH ist bügellos, mit Mesh unterfüttert und in den Größen 75B bis 85E erhältlich.

Welche BH-Art gibt am meisten Halt?

Das hängt weniger von der Form ab als von der Konstruktion. Viel Halt geben Modelle mit Körbchengrößen, breitem Unterbrustband, vorgeformten oder mehrteiligen Cups und breiten Trägern. Wie viel Halt ein Modell gibt, steht bei uns auf jeder Produktseite.

Welcher BH zeichnet sich unter einem T-Shirt am wenigsten ab?

Unter glatten, eng anliegenden Shirts zeichnet sich ein vorgeformter BH mit festen Cups am wenigsten ab. Weiche Spitzen-BHs können sich dagegen durch ihre Struktur leicht abzeichnen.

Führt erlich textil BHs mit Bügel?

Nein. Alle BHs und Bralettes, die wir aktuell führen, sind bügellos, auch unsere Modelle mit Körbchengrößen bis Cup E. Den Halt übernehmen Schnitt, Cups, Unterbrustband und Träger.

Bra types explained: an overview of all styles

The most important bra types differ primarily in the cut of their cups: triangle, plunge, balconette, bandeau, bralette, bustier, and moulded bra. Whether or not a bra has an underwire is independent of this; almost every style works without one as well. Here, you can see every bra type with its typical support, suitable neckline, and the models we carry.

Bra types at a glance

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Style	How to recognize it	Typical support	Goes well with
Triangle bra	triangular cups, usually unpadded	light to medium	everyday wear, loose tops
Plunge bra	deep center, V-shaped neckline	light to medium	low-cut V-necklines
Balconette bra	cups are horizontally finished at the top, straps positioned further out	medium	square and wide necklines
Bandeau	wide, straight band as a top	light	tops, at home, relaxed days
Bralette	soft, unpadded, usually without a closure	light	at home, sleeping, visible under open tops
Bustier	extends further down, looks like a short top	light to medium	long days, loungewear
Moulded bra	cups with a fixed shape	medium to strong	smooth, tight-fitting shirts
Sports bra	designed for movement	depends on the model	sports

We do not carry underwired bras

All bras and bralettes we currently carry are wire-free. This applies not only to bralettes and bandeaus, but also to our models with cup sizes up to E. Support is provided by the cut, cup construction, underbust band, and straps. Our new Sleek Lace collection demonstrates this particularly clearly: the Sleek Lace Moulded Bra and the Sleek Lace Balconette Bra are tailored in cup sizes up to 85E and still function without underwire.

An underwire is a reinforcement made of wire or plastic underneath the cups. It provides stronger stabilization for the breasts and is the oldest form of bra design. Without an underwire, other factors are required: a wide, well-fitting underbust band that takes on a large part of the support, multi-piece or moulded cups, and wider straps. The Sleek Lace Moulded Bra uses thermally moulded cups and a lace underbust band, while the balconette uses a mesh lining. Our Anni model solves this with three-piece, unlined cups and a wide underbust band, available up to size 95E.

Whether you prefer to wear bras with or without underwire is a matter of comfort. If you have only worn underwired bras before, a wire-free model often feels unusually free at first. You can see which models provide how much support in our collections for bras with light support, medium support, and strong support.

The bra types in detail

Triangle bra

A triangle bra has two triangular cups that taper to a point at the top and are suspended by thin straps. It is usually unpadded and rests softly against the skin rather than shaping the breasts. This makes it one of the most comfortable types of bras for everyday wear.

We offer triangle bras in lace and cotton. According to their product pages, the Iconic Lace Triangle Bra and the Dreamy Lace Triangle Bra offer light to medium support, while the Classy Lace Triangle Bra offers light support. In cotton, we offer the Casual Cotton Triangle Bralette in sizes XS to XXL.

Plunge bra

With a plunge bra, the cups are angled and meet deep in the center. This creates a V-shaped neckline that does not show under low-cut tops. The name comes from the act of plunging.

Our plunge bras are all wire-free. The Sleek Lace Plunge Bra combines a deep-cut silhouette with a mesh lining and, according to the product page, provides light to medium support in sizes 34 to 44. The Iconic Lace Plunge Bra and the Dreamy Lace Plunge Bra provide the same level of support according to their product pages. In cotton, we offer the Casual Cotton Plunge Bra in sizes XS to XXL.

Balconette bra

A balconette bra has cups that are finished horizontally at the top, and straps that are positioned further outward. It lifts the breasts slightly and fits well with square or wide necklines, where a plunge bra would sit too low. Classically, the balconette is designed with an underwire, but it works without one as well.

Our Sleek Lace Balconette Bra is wire-free, mesh-lined, and offers medium support according to the product page. It is available in sizes 75B to 85E.

Bandeau

A bandeau is a wide, straight band that lies across the breasts. Classically, it is often strapless. Because it lacks distinct cups, it lies flat and unobtrusive, making it great under tops or just at home.

Our bandeau bralettes from the Iconic Lace, Dreamy Lace, and Fluid Lace collections have adjustable straps, are unpadded, and have no closure. According to the product pages, they provide light support.

Bralette

A bralette is a soft, wire-free, and usually unpadded bra that prioritizes comfort over strong support. Most bralettes have no closure and are pulled over the head, though some models do feature one. We have explained exactly what makes a bralette and how it differs from a classic bra in detail in What is a bralette?.

We offer bralettes in lace, cotton, and TENCEL™ Modal x Micro, which can be found under bras and bralettes.

Bustier

A bustier extends further down than a classic bra and looks almost like a short top. The wider underbust band lies flat against the body and cuts in less than a narrow band.

With our Edith bustier made of TENCEL™ Modal x Micro, the double-layered front provides sufficient support up to cup C according to the product page. For larger cups, there is Alisa, our Big Cup Bustier in sizes 34C to 42E, featuring wider straps and a wider underbust band. Both have no closure and are pulled over the head.

Moulded bra

With a moulded bra, also called a shell bra, the cups have a fixed shape that they retain even when not being worn. Less shows through under smooth, tight-fitting shirts compared to soft cups.

The Sleek Lace Moulded Bra has thermally moulded cups and is available in sizes 75C to 85E. Elisabeth and Amela have moulded, unlined cups in sizes 70A to 85E. Franziska is a shell bra with moulded pads in sizes 36 A/B to 42 A/B. All four are wire-free.

Sports bra

A sports bra is built to support the breasts during movement. How much support it provides depends heavily on the model and the type of sport.

Our Lula is a sports bralette with a racerback and a wide underbust band. According to the product page, it is suitable for low-impact sports and lighter activities like stretching or yoga.

Other bra types

In addition to these styles, there are bra types defined by their function. A push-up bra has padding in the lower part of the cups to lift the breasts. A minimizer distributes volume to make the breasts appear flatter. A spacer bra has shape-retaining, thin cups made of a three-dimensional spacer fabric. We do not carry push-up or spacer bras; we used to have a minimizer in our range, but we currently do not.

Which bra type fits what

The right bra type depends primarily on what you are wearing over it and how much support you want.

Deep V-neckline: a plunge bra, because the center sits low, such as the Sleek Lace Plunge Bra.
Square or wide neckline: a balconette bra, because the cups are finished straight at the top, such as the Sleek Lace Balconette Bra.
Smooth, tight-fitting shirt: a moulded bra, because fixed cups show through less, such as the Sleek Lace Moulded Bra.
At home, sleeping, relaxed days: a bralette, a bandeau, or a bustier.
Movement: a sports bra, suitable for the type of sport.

For larger cup sizes, it depends less on the shape and more on the construction. Look for models tailored to cup sizes instead of standard clothing sizes, a wide underbust band, and a closure that allows you to adjust the fit. For smaller cups, soft shapes like triangles or bralettes often work without padding. We explain which size you need in our article on cup sizes.

Frequently asked questions

What bra types are there?

The most common bra types are triangle bra, plunge bra, balconette bra, bandeau, bralette, bustier, moulded bra, and sports bra. In addition, there are bra types defined by their function, such as push-up, minimizer, or spacer bras. Almost every style is available with or without underwire.

What is the difference between plunge and balconette?

With a plunge bra, the cups meet deep in the center to form a V; it fits deep necklines. With a balconette bra, the cups are finished horizontally at the top and the straps sit further out; it fits square or wide necklines.

Is there a balconette bra without underwire?

Yes. Classically, the balconette is designed with an underwire, but it works without one as well. Our Sleek Lace Balconette Bra is wire-free, mesh-lined, and available in sizes 75B to 85E.

Which bra type provides the most support?

This depends less on the shape and more on the construction. Models with specific cup sizes, a wide underbust band, moulded or multi-piece cups, and wide straps provide a lot of support. You can find how much support a model provides on each of our product pages.

Which bra shows the least through a T-shirt?

A moulded bra with fixed cups shows the least through smooth, tight-fitting shirts. Soft lace bras, on the other hand, may show through slightly due to their texture.

Does erlich textil carry underwired bras?

No. All bras and bralettes we currently carry are wire-free, including our models with cup sizes up to E. Support is provided by the cut, cups, underbust band, and straps.