BALCONETTE BRA AND BARDOTTE BRA - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
There are many different styles of bras on the market. They differ from each other in structure, and therefore also in the functions they can perform. Some of them allow for a clear lift of the bust, while others shape it aesthetically. Not every bra cut fits under blouses and dresses with cut-out necklines. The most popular types of bras include balconettes and bardottes. How do these models differ from each other? In what case will a balconette suit work, and when is it better to go for a bardotte?
The history of balconettes and bardottes
Both bardotte and balconette were promoted by sex symbols from the beginning of the 20th century, i.e. Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot. These women showed bras not only as a functional element of clothing, but also as a sexy addition to the whole outfit. These types of bras allow you to expose the breasts and optically enlarge them. The products are equipped with a push-up, which is a soft layer, thanks to which the bust seems larger by size.
Bardotte and balconette are products ideal for blouses and dresses with a higher neckline. They have been appearing on the market for over a hundred years and are currently one of the sexiest and most popular bra models. In lingerie stores you can find bras with such a cut, both in a minimalist version and with lace, interesting stitching, rhinestones or bows.
A balconette bra and a bardotte bra
Balconette bra and bardotte are push-up models that are often confused. All because of a fairly similar shape. At first glance, these products may seem similar, but there are several elements worth paying attention to. These bras are designed for a completely different type of figure. How to distinguish a balconette from a bardotte? What is the biggest difference between these bra styles?
Bardotte consists of cups cut in half, referred to as half-cup. She lifts the breasts and exposes them at the top. Currently, on the market you can find bardotte bras with straps, although originally these bras were devoid of such elements. Bardottes reveal a much larger part of the bust than balconettes. Their cups end just above the nipples. The bardotka also has underwire under the bust, which allows you to keep the breast in the right place.
A balconette and a bardot
The bardotte is often equipped with a silicone strip around the circumference. All due to the fact that it was originally a strapless cut. Silicone helped to keep the bra in the right place, ensuring safety and wearing comfort. Women with large breasts, which require proper support, were eager to wear a balconette.
Both in the balconette and in the bardotte, the straps are quite wide apart. Thanks to this, these bras can optically enlarge small breasts and beautifully expose them. By definition, the balconette was intended for women with small breasts, which is why special filling inserts were used in some models. Currently, however, these products have been modified to such an extent that they will work even for those blessed with larger breasts.
The balconette has ¾ cups, which is slightly larger than those used in the balconette. Its name comes from the word balcony. The balconette is designed to act as a kind of balcony for the breasts, i.e. support, and at the same time an element that lifts them up. Traditional balconettes consist of three strips of material sewn together in a proper way. Products with such a cut have a high bridge placed under the cups, together with underwiring.
Modern balconettes are often additionally stiffened. Models for women with smaller breasts have additional inserts that enhance the push-up effect. Sometimes balconette bras use up to 6 underwires. These are very stable, rigid constructions that allow you to keep the breasts in a specific position throughout the day. Underwiring is located on the lower border of the ribs, under the cups and at the points closing the cup zone.
Bardotte and balconette - type of figure
The traditional bardotte has no straps, only a silicone strap under the bust. For this reason, it may not be enough support in the case of very large and heavy breasts. Owners of full breasts can, however, opt for modified bardottes with detachable straps. These elements give a sense of greater stability and security. If necessary, they can be easily detached and matched to creations with bare shoulders.
The balconette, on the other hand, is a great choice for women who have even larger breasts. It consists of stable underwires that reach up to the armpit. Thanks to this, they allow you to maintain stability and nicely model larger breasts. In the case of very small breasts, a balconette can be a bit uncomfortable. The straps in such a bra are located on the border of the armpits, which is why they nicely lift the already large breasts, but they can be uncomfortable in combination with small breasts.
The balconette bra will also work well for women whose breasts are quite wide apart. All because of the high, stable bridge placed in the middle. This bra is also recommended for pregnant and postpartum women who struggle with a decrease in breast firmness due to breastfeeding or rapid weight loss.
Contemporary balconettes and bardottes
Currently, in lingerie stores you can find both traditional balconettes and bardottes, as well as models that combine the features of both of these cuts. For this reason, choosing the right product can sometimes be problematic. It is worth focusing on the spacing of the straps and the height of the bridge. It is also a good idea to try on different bra models to see which one looks best with your bust. Manufacturers often do not stick to the rules specific to a given type of underwear. For this reason, on the market you can find, for example, balconettes that will work for owners of small breasts, as well as additionally reinforced balconettes with straps that will hold large breasts.
Bardotte and balconette - what clothes do they match?
The balconette has straps, but they are set wide enough to be easily hidden under the dress. So it will work well with bras with a larger neckline. Bardotka has no straps, which is why it is a good choice in combination with sleeveless outfits. However, it must be remembered that this product must be perfectly matched to the size of the breasts and the girth of the woman's body. Otherwise, it may slip. This is especially important in the case of larger breasts, which can be heavy and without additional support in the form of straps can cause the bra to fall.
On the market you can also find models with decorative straps that complement the outfit. An interesting choice are balconettes and bralettes with detachable elements of this type. These are extremely universal products, to which you can adjust any straps depending on the specifics of a particular styling. It is also worth remembering that dark underwear will not work under light, translucent blouses and dresses. For this reason, an absolute must-have in the wardrobe of many women is a beige bra, which is invisible under white outfits.
Which bra to choose - balconette or bralette?
Choosing the right bra should always depend on the individual preferences of a given woman. Each woman's breast size or spacing is completely different, so in order to match the right model, it is worth testing at least a few of them. It may turn out that a balconette bra recommended for owners of large breasts will not work for a woman who actually has larger breasts, but they are set very close to each other. When choosing underwear, it is always worth being guided primarily by your comfort. Quality is also important. A good bra will serve you well for years, without the underwires coming out and other problems with the quality of workmanship.