{"id":1780,"date":"2022-07-10T10:48:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-10T17:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/?p=1780"},"modified":"2023-05-29T07:43:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-29T14:43:58","slug":"what-is-longline-bra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/?p=1780","title":{"rendered":"What is a Longline Bra (And Why Do You Need One)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lingerie, like most lines of clothing under the bigger fashion umbrella, has a long history of past fads, current trends, and forward-looking forecasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From girdles to padded push up bras, I’ve seen several pieces come, go, and then return again throughout the decades. The longline bra is one of those items!\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bWhat Is a Longline Bra?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is a longline bra, you might ask? In short, a longline bra is a bra that has fabric extending below the cup and band, covering the upper torso and ending around the belly button or waistline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on the traditional appeal of this bra, the longline style bra is known for both its torso slimming and smoothing abilities as well as its great support for full figured or curvy ladies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To really dive into what a longline bra is, let\u2019s start with its beginning in the lingerie fashion scene, and then take you to the current day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ll explain the difference between similar options as well as useful tips for wearing one, especially if it’s your first time wearing a bra<\/a>!  
<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Longline<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

However, modern day twists on this timeless classic have updated its appeal for a much larger breadth of body shapes and bust sizes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone should have this classic staple in their\u00a0bra collection<\/a>, but before I get ahead of myself I should start with the basics to help clarify what this bra style is all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bA Quick History of the Longline Bra<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u200bThe longline bra has been around for a long time, but it really came onto the lingerie fashion scene<\/a> around the 1940\u2019s and 50\u2019s, when hourglass figures and the bullet bra shape were all the rage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Made popular by advertising\u2019s war-era pin-up beauties and the Golden Age of Hollywood (hello Marilyn Monroe<\/a>!) longline bras offered discreetly trimmed and slimmer waistlines, while supporting and accentuating a full chest<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iconic silhouette of the 1950\u2019s<\/a> woman was all about celebrating femininity and shedding the taboo of sex appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, by the 1960\u2019s and 70\u2019s, this ultra-feminine, ultra-structured look was replaced by a more natural look. With this shift in fads, the popularity of the longline bra fell to the wayside, but it was only a temporary hiatus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Return of the Longline Bra <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The over-the-top styles of the 80\u2019s and 90\u2019s welcomed back the longline bra<\/a> style with open arms! Teddy\u2019s, sexy lingerie as ready-to-wear and full-figure chests were back in style, not to mention the incredibly iconic marriage of Madonna and the Jean Paul Gautier cone bra<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who could ever forget that fashion statement?! The pendulum of fashion swinging back in favor of over-exaggerated curves and amped up sex appeal paved the way for the longline bra style to make its comeback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the longline style bra is now hotter than ever as it\u2019s the perfect marriage of vintage style and current lingerie trends<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I saw in the 80\u2019s, current fashion trends have shifted back towards lingerie as statement fashion pieces. Similarly, this has pushed the envelope for lingerie designers to adapt, reimagining new variations on classic styles.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"An<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It\u2019s because of these two phenomena working together that have ushered in the \u201cnew\u201d longline style bras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Types of Modern Longline Bras<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Graphic<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Today, the longline bra can be seen everywhere! Current trends have evolved the longline style and you can see it in many different styles of bras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Type<\/strong><\/th>Purpose<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Formal\/Bridal<\/strong><\/td>Adds a vintage style to corporate outfits and modern wedding gowns<\/td><\/tr>
Sports<\/strong><\/td>Serves as a bra and top while slimming the waist<\/td><\/tr>
Plunge<\/strong><\/td>Enhances the cleavage while supporting the waist<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s explore the wide variety and benefits of this timeless classic bra that you can wear now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bFormal Wear\/Bridal<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u200bWith its silhouette shaping and form-fitting appeal, longline style bras have always been a mainstay underneath traditional kurtis, gowns, and bridal wear. Today\u2019s modern twists on this vintage style have increased its appeal to the modern woman with a wide variety of sexy lace and sheer fabrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits<\/strong>: Longline bras offer more coverage and better support than other style bras. A wide variety of fabrics and styles make this a great bra style that can work underneath a large array of formal<\/a> and bridal dress options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bLongline Sports Bras<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you have taken a recent scroll through fashion influential accounts on Instagram lately you might have noticed longline sports bras are everywhere! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes this style so popular in athleisure wear is its ability to act as both a top and a bra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits<\/strong>: Longline sports bras do give your skin a little extra breathing room but they also work double time on slimming your waistline AND giving a little extra support to your girls!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double tap for #winning in both the style and function department here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u200bLongline Plunge Bra<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Longline bras and plunge bras<\/a> seem to be opposites of each other, right? Not so fast! Modern adaptations of this vintage style coupled with current fashion trends (thank you Kim Kardashian) have given way to lower neckline fashion pairings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits<\/strong>: Greater versatility in abdomen slimming styles while still maintaining chest support makes these a great option for extremely low-cut tops or dresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are strapless longline bras, which combine some of the features and can be a suitable fit for many women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Bustier and a Corset?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With all of the above information about longline bras, you might be wondering about two very similar lingerie items, the bustier, and the corset<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While they may look very similar to a longline bra, they are, in fact, quite different. Let\u2019s discuss! Bustiers<\/a> are typically the undergarment most confused with a longline bra. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They both showcase excellent boob support, structured cups, and fabric extending below the band for waist support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, bustiers typically extend longer to the hipline, have more structuring in the torso (boning), don\u2019t have straps<\/a>, and are fashioned to be worn as ready-to-wear garments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A corset\u2019s main function<\/a>, on the other hand, is to train or \u201cwhittle\u201d the waistline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, corsets showcase much more rigid boning than their bustier cousins and can be worn either with or without a bra<\/a>, depending on the particular style of corset. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repeat after me, a corset\u2019s main function is for waist shaping NOT for boob support, like a longline bra.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Know<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Who Should Wear A Longline Bra?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With all this history and background on the longline bra, you might be wondering, \u201cWho is best suited to wear a longline bra?\u201d or, \u201cAre there certain bust sizes\/ body types that should wear this style bra?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The very reason, my dear lady friends, that the longline bra has made such a lasting footmark in lingerie fashion is because it\u2019s a universally flattering bra in all shapes and sizes! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, whether you are petite or plus size, have a small chest or a large chest, there are perfect longline bras for all of you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some tips on shopping for longline bras for certain shapes\/sizes as well as stylistic attributes that will help alleviate bra concerns:<\/p>\n\n\n\n