Moulded vs. non-moulded bras; our experts explain

Many women gasp in horror when they're recommended a moulded bra in our stores or via our online fitting services. Our master fitters are here to cut through the jargon and misinformation and get down to the serious business of dispelling some bra myths, and why you should try a moulded bra if you're a D Cup & Up.

"Wait… a moulded bra is a push up bra? My boobs are already big enough without extra padding!"

A moulded bra is very different from a padded bra! A padded bra is designed to increase your cup by 1 - 2 cup sizes, something most D Cup & Up women want to avoid… but power to you if that's what you want, go for it! Moulded bras are made of a contoured foam, usually a single piece of fabric that lifts the bust, gives shape and doesn't add any extra bulk to your bust or increase your size. If anything, moulded bras can make you look smaller by lifting the bust higher to reveal your waist! Some love the added bonus of nipple coverage, plus the absence of seams in most styles prevents irritation if that's a sensitive area for you. We've also covered the myth of "moulded cups will make me look bigger" before on this very blog as we've heard this so many times!

The moulding in cups can vary in thickness between styles; for a softer moulding with a natural, rounded shape, try the Fantasie Rebecca Moulded Spacer Bra. If you're looking for uplifted and perky, the Fantasie Smoothing Moulded Bra will be your go-to. For something in between, try the Corin Virginia Moulded Bra, and if you're in the G - K cup range, we LOVE Ewa Michalak Szykus and Bezus. Please note, Ewa Michalak moulded bras DO come with removable padded inserts; these are intended for correcting asymmetry in the bust (i.e. one boob bigger than the other, a pretty common experience), but can be used for some extra oomph too!

"If moulded bras are so good, why aren't all of your bras moulded?"

Moulded bras are not for everyone and that's OK; it usually comes down to personal preference or the structure not quite working with the shape of the bust as they are more rigid than a non-moulded bra. Because the bust must form to the shape of the mould, sometimes they're not compatible and we can achieve a better fit with a non-moulded bra. Some people feel like they're wearing a suit of armour and just prefer a lighter and more breathable style.

In short, non-moulded bras are just as great as moulded for giving shape and lift, they just rely on either seams or a heat moulded technique without the foam lining for the structure to shape the cups.

"Is a T-Shirt Bra always a Moulded Bra?"

Moulded bras make for great t-shirt bras; if you're looking for something versatile, smooth, and invisible underneath fitted clothing, a moulded bra will do all this and give you great shape too.

But don't dismiss non-moulded bras with flat-locked seams like the Prima Donna Madison Full Cup Bra; although you may see some light seams if the fabric is very clingy, the comfort and fit are still a winner every time.

There are also non-moulded smooth t-shirt bras available like the beautiful heat-moulded lace cups of the Empreinte Melody Full Cup Bra, as well as the Prima Donna Every Woman Bra which we love for catering to a range of skin tones, making it inclusive and invisible.

The Prima Donna Every Woman Bra is a beautiful, non-moulded t-shirt bra that comes in a variety of different skin tones.

Then there are moulded bras that do have seams like the Ewa Michalak Szykus and Bezus styles that combine the lift of a moulded bra with the structure of a non-moulded bra, a design necessity to help fuller busts defy gravity. These still look great under t-shirts and fitted tops and are pretty darn close to invisible.

"Which is better, moulded or non-moulded bras?"

How long is a piece of string? It really comes down to your personal preference and needs when picking a moulded or a non-moulded bra, and we've met plenty of women who sit firmly in either camp, or those who are happy to be guided by us. We've converted plenty of women to exclusively moulded bras, or have those who have dabbled and decided they prefer non-moulded. Brava fitters are experts and will make bra recommendations based on your bra size, needs and wants, and while we will certainly encourage you to try options that you may never have been offered in other lingerie stores, we'll always ensure that you're comfortable, and that you leave with a bra that fits well, does what you need it to do, and that you will be delighted to wear.