A Molded Bra Versus a Contour Bra – What’s the Difference?
March 25, 2009
The lingerie industry has created confusion over the last several years with the two terms "molded" and "contour" to describe a bra cup. So, allow me to explain the difference.
A molded cup has been shaped over a breast mold to give it a pre-defined breast shape. Fabric with synthetic fibers is stretched over a hot mold form, a second hot piece comes down on top of it and molds the former flat piece of fabric into the shape of a breast. this piece is now the bra cup and is sewn into a bra frame. Usually, the fabric is seamless, but molded cups can also contain seams – this gives added support.
A contour bra is a molded bra, but with a thin layer of foam included in the cup to provide modesty by reducing or eliminating nipple show-through. This foam also helps create a specific shape to a woman’s breast tissue. It can make you more rounded and uplifted.
Now, here’s where additional confusion comes in. A contour bra is also called a t-shirt bra by many retailers and manufacturers. So, I empathize with women out there who find this confusing. But, there is a subtle distinction here as well. A t-shirt bra always has a seamless cup with thin foam for modesty. A contour bra also has the foam, but it can also have seams for added breast support. So, a t-shirt bra is always a contour bra, but a contour bra is not always a t-shirt bra.
I personally am a big fan of the contour bra because it’s the perfect choice for any woman seeking a sculpted silhouette. It offers a significant amount of coverage and adds definition, smooth shape, and best of all, the elimination of nipple show-through. Contour bras are also a good choice for in-between bra sizes, or a woman with uneven breasts.
Now, contour bras do have their detractors. Larger breasted women don’t like them because they believe they add size to their bustline. I would agree that in the past, this probably was true. However, the manufacturers have really refined the contour bras to give shape and contour to the breast without adding volume.
A molded bra is usually made with a single piece of fabric or has a second layer for opacity and additional strength. It is the ultimate light-weight bra for a woman who wants to feel and look like she’s wearing nothing, but knows that she needs to wear something to make the girls look attractive and youthful.
View HerRoom’s selection of contour bras
View HerRoom’s selection of molded bras
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Posted by Tomima at 1:16pm
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Bras Made with Simplex Fabric – What Does this Mean?
May 19, 2008
I’ve been seeing the word "Simplex" a lot lately. In fact, a quick search shows HerRoom offers 16 items made with simplex, and several of them incorporate simplex into their product name. It looks to be a trend in lingerie. So, what is simplex and is this a good thing to look for in lingerie and specifically bras?
Let’s start with defining simplex. For that, I’ve turned to two great sources. My friend, Ellen Jacobson, President of Elila Lingerie, and Beverly Johnson, Author of "The Bra-Makers Manual" and a true expert in bra construction and fit. Beverly has written about simplex several times on her blog. True simplex is a nylon knit with a little stretch – not like nylon that’s combined with spandex. Molded simplex bra cups can stand on on their own – even in the bigger cup sizes – without needing interfacing or other fabrics fused or layered onto it. And, simplex tends to have a matte finish. Ellen takes the definition a little farther. She first points out that the word simplex in Asia or Europe simply means a knit or "tricot" fabric you see in bathing suit material but without the spandex.
However, simplex’s more correct definition is a type of knit that has a "V" shape pattern to it’s knit. This makes it great for molding to the body. And, because of this type of construction, rather than just stretching up and down, and left and right (known as a 2-way stretch), simplex has what is called a mechanical stretch – it can stretch in every direction. But, it also gives great support because the stretch is controlled and not overly stretchy. It’s more like our skin, it stretches a little in any direction, but bounces back and gives great support. So, seamless molded bra cups made in simplex will be light-weight, but hold your breasts firmly without sagging – even in the larger cup sizes. A simplex cup will feel like wearing a second skin because of it’s all around firm support that stretches to give your breasts a natural look.
Here are some bras using simplex fabric in their seamless cups: 
The Fantasie Smoothing T-Shirt Bra style 4510
The Lilyette Technocomfort Unlined Bra style 947
Also, Olga company is also launching throughout 2008 several underwire and minimizer seamless cup styles that will be using molded simplex in the cups.
You can find bras made with Simplex on HerRoom.
Posted by Tomima at 7:47am
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