Balconette Bras for Low Necklines

Balconette, balcony, demi-cup: what the names actually mean

Few pieces of lingerie collect as many names as this one. A balconette is a bra with a horizontal upper cup edge and straps set wide apart at the shoulders. In the UK the same thing is usually called a balcony bra — the two words describe an identical construction, and the cups do rather resemble small balconies.

Demi-cup is the term you will meet most often in American shops, and it is slightly broader: it covers any bra whose cup encloses roughly half the bust. A balconette is the most common demi-cup shape, but not every demi-cup has the horizontal edge and wide-set straps that define a balconette. In practice the two words are used interchangeably, which is worth knowing when you are comparing styles across different retailers.

There is one more connection worth mentioning. Remove the straps from a balconette and it becomes a bandeau — which makes it the natural choice under a Bardot neckline, the off-the-shoulder cut named after Brigitte Bardot. That is a large part of why this style keeps coming back.

What defines a balconette

• Low cups and wide-set straps leave the neckline as open as it can be.
• The construction creates a light lifting effect even without pads, so the bust reads fuller.
• A high centre gore between the cups, together with underwires, holds everything securely in place.

Our balconette bras come from established Polish makers — well made, comfortable and hard-wearing. They are cut from stretch microfibre, jacquard or satin, and most are lined with cotton inside the cup. The colours are mainly the classics: black, white and nude. The trim runs to fine lace, sheer micromesh, delicate embroidery, small bows and jewellery-style pendants. We ship worldwide from our warehouse in Poland.

The styles

Every balconette we carry is underwired — that much they have in common. Beyond it, the variations are considerable.

Lace balconettes, in two forms: cups covered entirely in lace, or cups where only the upper section is lace — stretch, sheer or semi-sheer.

Smooth styles without lace. More minimal, no less attractive. Mostly seamless, and invisible under close-fitting dresses and blouses.

Strapless balconettes — or more precisely, styles with detachable straps. Ideal under anything with an open bodice. Many have a silicone strip running along the inside edge, which keeps them in place even with the straps removed.

Styles with padded or moulded cups. They support well and give a cleaner shape, but they do add some volume — which is why they suit a smaller bust particularly well.

Semi-soft styles, padded across the lower half of the cup for extra support and a more secure fit. The lift here is noticeably stronger.

Balconettes in larger sizes, cut specifically for a fuller bust. These are usually half-closed soft cup styles with no foam and no push-up, and the straps get wider as the size goes up.

Push-up balconettes, made for a smaller bust: more volume and a higher lift.

Beyond bras, you will find the balconette cup in corsets, bodysuits, bustiers, bandeaus, swimwear and bra tops. And any bra here can be paired with matching briefs or a suspender belt.

Who a balconette suits

Anyone who wants to show the bust to advantage, add fullness, and leave the shoulders and neckline bare. It also appeals to anyone who simply likes fine lingerie: the lace on these styles tends to be more delicate than average, and the shape of the cup displays it well.

One thing worth knowing before you buy: the cup is engineered so that the bust sits evenly across its full width at the base. That makes a balconette the natural choice if your breasts are set wide apart. If they sit close together, the cup can gape slightly at the outer edge — in which case a conventional push-up will serve you better, and we carry a good range of those.

Shallow cups are also less suited to a very full bust, since there is a risk of spillage at the top edge; women with a fuller figure tend to buy those for occasions rather than daily wear. For everyday, choose a balconette with a closed or half-closed cup — which is exactly what our plus size range is built around.

What to wear it under

Open dresses, blouses, camisoles and tops. A balconette is indispensable under evening wear with a deep neckline, and the strapless versions come into their own with anything that bares the shoulders and back.

Prices

Balconette bras here are reasonably priced across the range. Each product page shows the discounted price where one applies, along with photographs, customer reviews and related items that coordinate with the bra you are looking at.

Common questions

What does balconette mean

It is a more open style of bra than most. The straps sit at the outer edge of the shoulders, and the cup construction, together with the underwires, lifts the bust and gives it a rounder, fuller line.

What shape is the cup

The cups are relatively shallow and leave roughly the top third of the bust exposed across its full width. That horizontal upper edge is the single feature that distinguishes a balconette from every other style.

Which bust does it suit

It adds fullness, so if that is what you are after, it will work for you. It suits wide-set breasts best; for close-set breasts, a standard push-up is the better choice.

What are the advantages

• Works under almost anything, and especially under a low neckline.
• Holds and lifts the bust securely.
• Gives a clean, rounded shape.
• Comfortable to wear.

A balconette earns its place in most wardrobes. If you have never owned one, it is worth trying.