Full coverage bras vs. Full-figure bras

In the bra world, in order to ensure every body shape and size is properly supported, you’re likely to find many slight variations on a common theme. While that’s great news for us bra wearers, it can be confusing to understand the differences between styles with similar sounding names and features.

That’s why we’re breaking down two of the more commonly confused bra categories: full coverage bras and full-figure bras. Though they both have the word “full” in their name, they actually refer to substantially different features. Understanding these nuances can help you shop for bras with confidence. 

FULL COVERAGE BRAS

What is a full coverage bra?

“Full coverage” speaks strictly to the silhouette of the bra, meaning the cups of the bra fully encase your breast tissue, leaving the wearer with little to no visible cleavage. These bras are excellent for women with fuller chests who need extra support, but anyone with any size bust can find a full coverage bra in their size. The primary consideration here is the amount of surface area that’s covered by the bra cup.

How are full coverage bras constructed?

Full coverage bras can be found in any type of bra build or construction: unlined, padded, and spacer are some popular examples. Typically, they’ll feature supportive underwire that fully encases the bottom of the breast and a wide supportive band. 

When would you wear a full coverage bra?

This is an essential bra silhouette that provides a lot of support. Because full coverage bras are typically made with longer wings and larger cups, they pair best with an outfit that has a higher neckline and high-cut under arms. 

Full coverage bras can also help to ensure you don’t get any bra lines underneath tight fitting clothing. Sometimes, the seam of the cup on a demi or plunge bra can show through the fabric of your outfit. A full coverage bra helps to effortlessly create that seamless look. This is because the seams of the bra cup extend past the fleshiest area of the chest rather than resting on top or cutting in. 

If you want a full breakdown of different bra styles, check out our blog post here.

FULL-FIGURE BRAS

What is a full-figure bra?

Full-figure bras are bras made specifically for curvier women. They’re built with even more support than a standard bra in order to ensure a fuller bust is adequately supported. Full figured bras typically start around a D/DD cup size, but they can sometimes start as small as size 34C depending on the brand. While plus-size bras refer to overall body size, full figured bras refer specifically to the size of a woman’s chest. If you want to learn more about plus-size bras, check out this blog post.

How are full-figure bras constructed?

A great full-figure bra will incorporate some or all of these advanced support structures:

• Straps need to be stabilized, wider, and a bit less stretchy than its standard size counterparts. A less stretchy strap means that when the garment is warmed up by body heat, it can still maintain the lift as opposed to having the weight of your breasts drop the bra.
• Full enough cup capacity to fully encase the larger chest size.
• 80% of a bra’s support comes from the band, so a full-figure bra will typically have more coverage on the side wings and strong enough elastic in the top and bottom band to increase cross-pull when you hook the bra in the back. 
• Slings are part of the internal structure of the bra that provides lift and prevents spreading of east and west. 

• Boning on either side of the best helps keep the chest pointing forward.
• A wider hook and eye at the back can improve cross-bracing and support in the underband.
• A higher front gore can help avoid spillage out of the cups.
• Additional coverage in the back provides extra smoothing.

When would you wear a full-figure bra?

If you have a chest size that’s a D or above, you’re a great candidate for a full-figure bra. Since these bras are specifically constructed with support in mind, they’re an excellent choice for someone with heavy or relaxed breasts. 

WHERE THEY OVERLAP

Here’s where it gets confusing: full coverage bras can be full figure bras. Full coverage bras are made for every chest size, while full-figure bras are specifically for women with larger chests. You’ll want a bra that fits into both categories if a) you want bra cups that fully encase your breasts, and b) you have large breasts that need extra support.