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Types of bras and breastforms for a man's torso
Well girls.... there are a multitude of different types of bra, and every manufacturer has there little "quirks". Below I have tried to provide details of the main types of bra and breastform, how they are different, so that you can try and choose one that best meets your needs (please also refer to the section on fitting, and the "Easy as 1-2-3" Bra and Breastform Size Calculator). In many ways the most difficult part of finding the right bra, is finding one that fits you well, and looks great, particularly for those with large back sizes.
I will try and cover (just click on the title to jump to that section, or just scroll down the page):
- underwired versus non-wired bras
- unpocketed bras versus pocketed bras
- specific transgender bras
- cup styles
Bras
1. Underwired bras vs non-wired bras for crossdressers
Underwired bras
The vast majority of bras on the market are "Underwired", and most women would not even consider a non-wired bra (but there is a place for them - see below). These bras have a curved wire that follows the shape under the breast and gives lift and support. The actual shape and stiffness of the wire varies considerably between manufacturers and bra styles. So a "push-up" bra will have a different wire and construction to a regular bra.
Underwired bras are great for giving a feminine shape and keeping a breastform in the right position on the chest wall. However, care must be taken to get the right size, as if the wire "digs in" to your chest they can become very uncomfortable . This is particularly important in looking at bras for men's torsos.
Care also needs to be taken in choosing a breastform to wear with an underwired bra. Asymmetrical breastforms have a part of the breastform which comes around the side of the chest (under the arm). This is exactly where an underwired bra's wire is positioned to shape and support the breast. The great danger is that the wire can end up damaging the breastform, or you may end up wearing your breastform slightly more centrally than you should (so the breastform is not pinched by the wire).
Obviously, this will not be the case for every bra, and some do fit nicely. However to keep the maximum flexibilty, if you wish to wear an underwired bra, we recommend that you match it with triangle breastforms.
Non-wired bras
Otherwise known as a "soft cup" or "comfort bra" (watch out for those terms as many sites do not specifically indicate that a bra is "non-wired"). These bras do not have a wire, and all of the shape and support is provided by the construction and material used in the bra. They tend to be slightly deeper at the centre of the bra, and have a fuller cup to ensure the breast / breastform is supported and secure.
Often these bras (as their name suggests) can be more comfortable to wear for a prolonged period of time. They are also often recommended where there is a degree of sensitivity in the chest (possibly through surgery). They are suitable for use with most shapes of breastform.
As all of the support is provided through the material of the bra, they do tend to be fuller in the cup, and therefore it is difficult for them to be "sexy". Don't be at all put off by this, as in my collection I have included a couple of very pretty, very comfortable non-wired bras.
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2. Unpocketed bras vs Pocketed bras
"Unpocketed bras"
"Unpocketed" is not really a common term in the lingerie world, but I have used it here to describe regular bras and draw the distinction between regular and pocketed bras. I prefer the term "fashion" bra. Unpocketed bras represent the vast majority of the bra market, and can be bought from any high street lingerie store. They can be underwired or non-wired (see above).
The main problem you have with unpocketed bras is finding the syles and shapes that will fully conceal the edge of your breastform, so you can have that perfect look. The other problem, can be finding the correct back / cup size, particularly if you have a larger back.
I firmly believe that the perfect look is achieved when a bra just conceals the edge of a breastform, it provides such a more believable image for the wearer than where the edge of the breastform can be seen.
I have deliberately only selected bras to be on this website that will fully conceal the edge of your breastforms. You will be amazed at the range of pretty and sexy bras that are available that will do this without being at all "frumpy".
Pocketed bras
Pocketed bras have been developed to cater to ladies who have had mastectomies or breast surgery. The availability and styling have come a long way in recent years. They are available as either underwired or non-wired (see above).
These bras are specifically designed to accomodate breastforms. They have a have a fabric pocket sewn into each cup, so that you can slide in your breastform. They are designed and constructed in a way which holds the breastform to the chest (so they don't noticably fall away when you bend over).
There are a number of ways in which the pockets are constructed. All of the pocketed bras in my collection have the pockets as a "sleeve" within the cup itself. This means that they can be worn with your breastforms in the pockets or they can be worn as a regular bra, not using the pockets. This makes them very flexible in their use.
As pocketed bras have to hold, and fully conceal a breastform, they tend to be slightly fuller in the cup, particularly the non-wired pocketed bras. I have included some very pretty pocketed bras in the collection.
The vast majority of pocketed bras are underwired, but I have included both underwired and non-wired.
As for breastforms, I do not recommend using a "Teardrop" shaped breastform with these pocketed bras, as the size of the sleeve can often struggle to fit the top of the teardrop. Asymmetrical breastforms will be fine with the non-wired bras, but may not fit the underwired bras properly (see above). Once again I recommend a symmetrical triangle shaped breastform, as the will fit all of these bras perfectly.
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3. Specific transgender bras
These are bras that would not normally be sold to ladies, and have been specifically designed for the transgender market. We only sell one such item, which is pocketed as well. The main difference to our other bras is that the material that each cup is made from is extremely "sheer" (fine / thin), so that the breastform / nipple is both visible through the bra and the nipple shape may be visible through tight fitting clothing.
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4. Cup Styles
Full Cup
Full cup bras - as the name suggests - have a larger cup, which covers more of your breast. This can provide great shape and support, and gives improved confidence if you have any concerns about your breastform showing. Given the the size of the cup (and the coverage), full cup bras tend to be pretty, rather than "sexy". They can still be extremely glamorous, using beautiful lace and fabrics.
All of the pocketed bras in my collection can be considered as full cup, as by their very nature they have to be full enough to hold a breastform in a pocket.
Balconette
A balconette bra has a cup which is cut a little lower on the breast. All of the balconette bras in my collection are "3/4 balconettes". Although these have a smaller cup, all of the balconette bras in my collection have sufficient coverage to conceal the edge of a breastform. These can be very "sexy" as well as pretty.
I have not included any bras with a lower cut cup than a 3/4 balconette, as I would not be confident that they would conceal and firmly hold a breastform. Be careful when buying a balconette bra, you need to be really sure of how the cup will match your breastform.
Smooth / Padded Cup
As the name suggests these bras have a smooth finish, and will not use lace on the cup. They will generally have a moulded cup with a layer of padding. This gives a smooth, round, shape under clothing, without nipple-show.
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Breastforms for crossdressers, transvestites and transsexuals
Here at Hour Glass Figure we only sell high quality breastform, ones which we believe you will look and feel great in. We do not stock cheap "adult novelty" breasts. Although these are low in price we do not believe that they are suitable for anything other than what their name suggests.
Firstly lets look at "types" of Breastform, then we can look at shapes.
Types of Breastform
These are breastforms that have been developed for ladies who have had a mastectomy. The weight, density, movement, and touch are all designed to be as true to life as possible. When you pick up a good quality mastectomy breastform it is really uncanny how much it feels like a breast. These products are all made from high quality medical grade silicone, and have been fully medically tested and endorsed.
The latest development has been "Contact" breastforms. These have their own adhesive systems built onto the back of the breastform, which means you do not have to use any separate adhesive, or adhesive tape. The adhesive on these breastforms is really remarkable, and feels a bit like the top of a "stay-up" stocking but a bit tackier. By carefully washing the adhesive after use it regains its stick, and can be used again and again.
They are not really strong enough to be worn without a bra, and must make sure you clean and prepare your skin before putting them on. I think these are brilliant, as you can easily and quickly attach them, and don't have to worry about carrying adhesives (and the mess) or sticky pads.
Personally, I think these contact breastforms are the best products on the market.
Because the adhesive covers the whole of the rear side of the form, and because of their shape and feel,, when you wear them you will feel like they are real. It is an incredible way to really enhance your femme experience. They are a little more expensive, but you will never need to worry about (or buy) tapes / adhesives again.
If it is "feel" you are interested in, both in terms of how they feel to touch and the realistic feel of having breasts then these should be your choice.
These breastforms have been specifically developed for the transgender and crossdressing market. They have come on leaps and bounds over recent years, and now provide a very good alternative for having the look and feel of breasts.
The better quality breastforms in this category are made of high quality silicone, but tend not to have been through the rigorous medical testing that mastectomy breastforms have had to go through. As a result they do tend to be a bit cheaper.
The breastforms in this category tend to be made of a slightly "firmer" silicone. While this provides a less realistic touch and feel, it does provide the breastforms with a little more "bounce", which many customers seem to like. They also have the advantage of looking more like breasts, particularly under see through or extremely sheer material, with full distinct nipples.
Broadly speaking if you intend your breastforms to be seen, and want the "look" or you want a slightly "bouncier" feel (and you are less interested in a realistic feel) - then these should be your choice.
If you intend to swim in either salt water, or chlorinated water, you really should not do this with your breastform. Salt and chlorine are quite destructive, and over time may damage your forms. Specially designed swimforms have been developed which are quick drying, light, and highly chemically resistant. They are relatively cheap, and should always be used if you intend to go in the water.
Swimforms also make a decent, and cheap, entry level breastform if you are just trying things out. The tend to be made of transparent silicone (so they do not "look" like a breast) and the tend to be hollowed out (to keep them light) so they cannot be fixed to the chest. But in a pocketed swimsuit they look great.
If you intend to go into water - you really should be using these and not your expensive breastforms.
Breastform Shapes
Under development
Well thats about it for a start - hope it helps. If you have any questions about bras, I have years of experience and would be delighted to try and help out. Either send an e-mail, use the contact form (in "About Us") or give me a call on the helpline number.
Geraldine x