Bra Features Archives



If you are looking to purchase a longline bra, this article can provide some guidance and helpful advice.  First, it helps to know a little more about longline bras in general.  They are designed much like a partial corset, and most women use them to project a smoother and slimmer figure.  Others appreciate the extra back and shoulder support they provide.

Naturally, you should first determine the type of longline bra that meets your needs.  Here are some common types to research.  For normal, everyday wear with good support, consider a typical strapped bra with a soft fabric.  If you need something to go with a strapless gown or dress, a strapless longline bra is an obvious choice.  For something sexy or fun, look for a lingerie or lace styled bra.  Finally, if you want pure functional support, a posture longline bra can provide superior results.

Once you have a good idea of the type of longline bra you would like, proper sizing is important.  As these bras cover a larger portion of your torso, we recommend that you go to a retailer and get properly sized by a professional.  It will also give you a chance to feel the fabrics and textures – again, you want something extremely comfortable because of the larger bra coverage.   We feel this is the most important step in choosing a longline bra.

Wacoal Longline Bra

Wacoal Longline Bra

Here are a few other general tips on bra sizing.  Make sure the bra strap  is comfortable and firm – not overly loose.  The cup area should not wrinkle or collapse inwards – conversely, you do not want your breasts bulging out the top of the cups either.  Finally, the center of the bra should rest snugly on your breastbone but not be too loose.  These seem obvious, but you would be surprised at how many women get the wrong bra size.

Another important consideration not to overlook is the outfit you will be wearing.  This is especially important if  you are wearing a tight fitting gown or evening dress.  If practical, try the bra on with your anticipated clothes (or something with similar fit) beforehand.  Bring a friend to give you input on the look and feel.

Finally, a few words on how your body anatomy may affect your choice.  If you are a larger or full figured woman, a longline (often posture type) with body panels may provide that extra support for long lasting comfort.  On the other hand, if you are a woman with smaller breasts, a tight-fitting (or athletic fit) longline bra can push your breasts up, enhancing your figure.

Ultimately, the most important thing when choosing a longline bra is the comfortability.  If it feels uncomfortable during a test run, there is no way you will want to keep it on for hours at a time.  Please make sure you get the size and comfort right.  We hope this helps and good luck!



A longline bra is a type of brassiere that extends down your torso, much like a partial corset. Depending on the specific style, it can cover your stomach a few inches above the belly button or as far down as your upper hips.

The unique design of this type of bra provides  a few nice features.   First, they improve aesthetics by smoothing and flattening your stomach and torso areas – essentially helping you look leaner in clothes.  This is very helpful for tighter fitting clothes obviously.  Also, they provide extra support in the back and shoulders by helping distribute the breast weight over a greater area.  The design encourages proper posture because it is hard to slouch in a long line bra.

Lilyette Defining Moments Longline Bra

Lilyette Defining Moments Longline Bra

Like most types of bras, longline bras come in different styles and have varied features.  Here are several styles and features you may see:

  • Strapless
  • Strapped
  • Full front closure
  • Lace/Lingerie style
  • Posture with extra support
  • Wire-free
  • Athletic-like fit (more elastic fibers)

Because these bras are larger and cover more of your body it is extremely important to get the proper fit.  Comfort is your first priority, again because a long line bra covers such a large area of your stomach and torso.  In most cases, choosing your normal bra size should work just fine.

While long line bras have fallen somewhat out of favor from women the past 20+ years, they are gaining more popularity once again due to the functional and aesthetic advantages mentioned previously.  Another reason is that new fabric technology makes them much more comfortable to wear over long periods of time.

While many women still consider them to be more of a specialty undergarmet, longline bras are slowly becoming a more regular part of womens wardrobes again.