Bra Types I Own and Why I Actually Wear Them

I used to think I was being ridiculous for owning so many different bras.

They all seemed to do basically the same thing. At least, that’s what I thought when I was younger. You put one on, it does its job, and that’s it.

Then I actually started paying attention to what I was wearing.

A bra that works perfectly with one outfit can be completely wrong for another. One might be comfortable enough to wear all day, while another is much better when I want a certain shape. Some disappear under a T-shirt, while others are much easier to wear with a dress or a low-cut top.

So, over time, I ended up with quite a collection.

My everyday bras

Most of my bras are still pretty boring.

These are the ones I reach for most often, especially when I’m wearing normal clothes and don’t really want to think about my bra.

I have several T-shirt bras because they’re just useful. They’re usually smooth enough that I don’t have to worry about the bra showing through my clothes, and they work with a lot of the things I wear.

I also have both underwire and wireless bras.

I used to think I’d eventually decide that I preferred one or the other, but that hasn’t happened. Sometimes I want the extra support and shape from an underwire bra. Other times, especially if I’m going to be wearing it for hours, I’d rather have something that feels less restrictive.

Some bras are really about the outfit

This is probably the biggest reason my collection got out of hand.

There are tops and dresses where a normal everyday bra just doesn’t work.

A strapless bra is the obvious example. I don’t wear one very often, but when I need one, a normal bra isn’t exactly a substitute.

The same thing happens with plunge bras. I don’t suddenly want to wear one every day, but with certain necklines, it makes a huge difference.

I have also ended up with bras with different strap arrangements. Some tops just don’t cooperate with normal bra straps.

So even though I might only wear a particular bra occasionally, there’s usually a reason I keep it.

Sports bras are a completely different thing

I don’t really think of sports bras as interchangeable with my regular bras.

I have a few because they’re useful for completely different situations.

The amount of support I want also depends on what I’m doing. Something that feels fine for walking isn’t necessarily what I’d choose for running or a more intense workout.

And honestly, comfort matters much more to me with a sports bra. I’m not particularly interested in how it looks if I’m exercising. I just want everything to stay where it’s supposed to and not have the bra itself become another thing I’m thinking about.

I have bras I barely wear

This is probably the part that makes the whole collection seem a little silly.

There are bras in my drawer that I haven’t worn in ages.

Sometimes I bought one because I really liked how it looked. Then I realized it wasn’t particularly comfortable.

Other times, I bought one for a specific outfit that I hardly ever wear.

And there are definitely bras that seemed like a good idea when I bought them but turned out not to be something I actually reach for.

I don’t necessarily regret buying them, though. You don’t always know what you’re going to like until you’ve actually worn something for a while.

Comfort has become much more important to me

My idea of a good bra has changed quite a bit.

When I was younger, I was much more willing to put up with an uncomfortable bra if I liked the way it looked.

I don’t have the same patience anymore.

If something digs into me, feels too tight, or constantly needs adjusting, I’m probably not going to wear it very often regardless of how nice it looks.

That’s probably why I have more simple bras now than I used to.

A pretty bra is nice. A bra that I can forget I’m wearing is even better.

So why do I need so many?

I don’t think I actually need as many as I own.

But I do think having different types makes sense.

A T-shirt bra, a wireless bra, an underwire bra, a sports bra, a strapless bra and a plunge bra aren’t really doing exactly the same job.

Even within those categories, there can be a big difference in how they feel and how they work with different clothes.

That’s how I ended up with a drawer full of bras that, at first glance, all seem to serve the same purpose.

They don’t.

Some are for comfort. Some are for support. Some work better under certain clothes. Some are there because I like how they look.

And some are still sitting in the back of the drawer waiting for the very specific occasion that I bought them for.