Oftentimes, when I ask a customer if they prefer a demi vs. a push-up bra, they look at me as though I just asked them to answer an algebra equation. We are girls, and we should know the difference between a push-up, plunge, or straight-up underwire bra, right? Well, not really. We know (thanks to Oprah and various studies) that 85% of women are wearing the wrong bra size–what makes us think we should know what style we are wearing?

Here are some tips to help you figure out what styles you like. It will make your life easier when shopping for bras.

A Demi bra, also called a half-cup, has a low bustline that exposes more breast and is therefore a very sexy bra. This style typically has vertical seaming, which creates a nice, round breast shape. Note that some companies call any bra that reveals a lot of breast a demi- just meaning there is less coverage. The demi above is from Agent Provacateur, one of my favorite designers.

Who should wear this: Petite and average breast sizes, tear-drop shaped breasts.

Balconette styles work well for most breast shapes. They typically have a diagnally seamed bustline that offers a little more coverage that a demi. The underwire reaches up in-between the breasts in a U-shape. Horizontal or diagonal seams in a traditional balconette provide a natural shape, whereas vertical seams in a demi-balconette offer a round shape. You can find lined or unlined versions of this style. Panache makes several styles of balconettes for those with ample bosoms.

Who should wear this: Everyone:)

Push-up bras are available with or without padding. You can spot them by looking at the cup shape – it resembles a triangle (see Calvin Klein above), with scarce underwire in-between the breasts, it reaches up higher up on the sides. This causes the breasts to push towards one another which creates cleavage!

Who should wear this: Anyone who wants some cleavage. Especially good after children or dramatic weight loss to regain the look of “top boob.”

Plunge bras do exactly what they say: they plunge at the neckline. You can spot them by the deep V-shape they make in-between the breasts. These bras allow you to wear deep v-neck tops with no worries. While they are very sexy you can find plunge styles with less or fuller coverage, depending upon the style. This Huit bra in an unlined plunge (love the color!).

Who should wear this: Anyone who owns a low-neckline top or dress. Full-busted women who want a sexier option than a full-cup bra.

A T-Shirt bra is an incredibly popular style that works well under the clingiest of fabrics and tight-fitted tops. You can find them in traditional nude, black, and a variety of colors (Gap bra above). This style typically has a molded or contour cup*.

Who should wear this: Everyone.

In case you were wondering: A molded cup is created by using a heat-process to mold the cup with a round shape. Some molded cups are lined, but others are

simply underwire with no lining. Molded cups are a trickier fit if you have less than round breasts (like most of us!) you will have gapping at the top of the cup.  

A contour cup bra is what you see in the picture here–a bra with a built-in contour lining that creates the perfect breast shape. Even if you are lop-sided or petite, this cup type does the trick to even things out and present a uniform, round shape.

This is hardly a complete list of styles, but a good start. I will definitely be revealing more lingerie and bra styles in the future! For a comprehensive look at lingerie and lingerie styles, buy my book!