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Finding the perfect lingerie and shapewear shouldn't feel like solving a complex puzzle, yet many women struggle with fit issues, style confusion and, as a result, confidence concerns. Whether you're searching for the best bras for plus sizes in Australia or trying to choose shapewear in New Zealand that actually works, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting, fitting and styling lingerie and shapewear for your unique body.
The right intimate apparel does more than just provide coverage—it transforms how your clothes fit, how you move through your day, and ultimately, how confident you feel in your own skin. Let's dive into the essential knowledge that will revolutionise your lingerie drawer.
Understanding Your Body Type and Bra Needs
Before exploring specific products, it's crucial to understand your body type and unique support needs. Bodies vary widely and what works beautifully for one person may not suit another, even in the same size range.
Large Busts: Women with fuller busts (above a D cup) will benefit from specific construction features such as wider straps that distribute that extra weight comfortably across the shoulders, fuller-coverage cups that provide proper encapsulation and prevent spillage, certain types of cup seams which enhance lift and support, and reinforced underwire channels for durability under the extra weight strain.
Small Busts: Small-busted women often struggle with gapping cups or wrinkling fabric. Look for brands specialising in petite sizes since they’ll have a shallower cup depth, and demi-cup or balconette styles that provide lift without overwhelming smaller frames.
Plus Sizes: Larger sizes are tired of being excluded from the fun designs. The best bras for plus size Australia shoppers prioritise both support and style. Essential fit features include extended size ranges with proper cup-to-band ratios for curvy bodies, reinforced side panels to prevent bulging, and tall backs to smooth out your silhouette.
Athletic Builds: Women with athletic builds can create a curvier look with push-up styles for added volume and shaping, and ensure optimum comfort on less-malleable ribcages by selecting highly-adjustable bands that allow a very custom fit.
The Critical Importance of Proper Bra Fitting
Wearing the wrong bra size is an all-too-common mistake that leads to discomfort, poor posture, back pain and an unflattering silhouette. Understanding proper fit changes everything.
Signs You're Wearing the Wrong Bra Size
- Your band rides up your back instead of sitting horizontally around your ribcage. This indicates your band is too loose - you should be wearing a smaller band size.
- The straps dig painfully into your shoulders. This also means your band isn't providing enough support because it’s too loose.
- The cups create spillage over the top or sides, a clear sign that the cups are too small.
- The gore (centre-front piece between cups) doesn't lie flat against your sternum, also suggesting the cups are too small to fully encase your breast tissue.
- Wrinkling or gaping in cups, which indicates cups are either too large or the wrong shape for your breast tissue.
How to Measure Your Bra Size Yourself
Measure your band size by wrapping a soft measuring tape around your ribcage directly under your bust, pulling it snug but not tight. Stand in front of a mirror and ensure it is horizontal all the way around your back. In inches, round to the nearest whole number and then add 1 if it’s an odd number. This is your UK band size - to convert it to an AU/NZ band size, remove 22.
Example: Your ribcage measures 28.7”. You round to 29, then add 1 for 30, then minus 22 which results in an Australian band size of 8.
Measure your bust at the fullest part while wearing a non-padded bra, once again keeping the tape parallel to the ground. The difference between your bust and band measurements determines your cup size: 1 inch equals A cup, 2 inches equals B cup, 3 inches equals C cup, and so forth.
Example: Your bust measurement is 32”. Minus the 28.7” band measurement from earlier, this leaves 3.3”. The closest cup size is a C (3 inch difference).
This measurement provides a starting point, but remember that bra sizing isn't standardised across brands. You may need different sizes in different brands, and that's completely normal. Always try before buying when possible, or at least read the reviews when shopping online.
Choosing the Right Bra Style for Different Occasions
Everyday T-Shirt Bras
Your daily workhorse bra should provide comfortable, invisible support under regular clothing. T-shirt bras feature seamless, moulded cups that create a smooth line under fitted tops, making them essential wardrobe foundations.
Natori offers exceptional t-shirt bras with quality construction that supports you well while feeling barely-there.
For women seeking larger sizes, Parfait is a full-bust specialist meaning you can be sure of a great fit whether you’re at the bottom end or top end of their size range. Plus, their t-shirt bras are very stylish!
adidas creates practical, comfortable-shirt bras with a sporty edge, available at an accessible price point.
Naturana is our favourite choice for t-shirt bras without underwire. Not only are they experts at wirefree support and shaping, but they use quality fabrics that maintain their shape and support through repeated washing and wearing.
Full Coverage Support Bras
For fuller busts or days requiring maximum support, ‘full cup’ or ‘full coverage’ bras provide extra encapsulation so you don’t have to worry about spilling out the top. And more cup means more support!
Royce Lingerie creates comfortable, supportive bras with particular expertise in nursing and post-surgery options, but also just great wirefree bras for anyone. Their styles typically offer a lot of coverage, and their sizing goes up to an L cup.
Sans Complexe offers French-designed lingerie that’s beautiful and doesn’t cost the earth. Styles such as their Suzan bra (C-FF cups) prove that supportive full cup bras can be attractive too, combining function with a sophisticated European design sensibility.
Push-Up Bras
For occasions that call for eye-catching lift, and women wanting to subtly enhance their natural shape, push-up bras always create beautiful cleavage and confidence.
Passionata brings Parisian flair to bust-enhancing bras with playful designs and effective padding. Their push-up styles add volume while maintaining comfort, perfect for both special occasions and feeling your best any day of the week.
Natori creates luxurious push-up padded bras with sophisticated designs and premium materials. Their creations feel indulgent while providing beautiful shaping under clothing.
adidas push-up bras are a great option for a casual everyday boost that doesn’t make you feel like you’re trying too hard.
Sports Bras for Active Lifestyles
Proper sports bra selection prevents discomfort and tissue damage during exercise, making this category an absolute essential for active women.
Shock Absorber stands as the gold standard for high-impact sports bras. Their scientifically-designed bras minimise bounce during running and high-intensity workouts, with supportive construction that lasts through countless wash cycles. For women with fuller busts, Shock Absorber offers extended sizing with proper support engineering.
adidas bras at Style Gallery are designed for everyday comfort rather than hardcore workouts, but with their sporty styling and breathable fabrics, they’re still great choices for lighter activities such as yoga and Pilates.
Special Occasion and Luxury Lingerie
Beautiful lingerie designed for special moments or simply to make everyday feel extraordinary deserves a place in every wardrobe.
Natori’s most luxurious pieces feature exquisite lace work and elevated details that transform intimate apparel into something truly special. Perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, or simply when you want to feel exceptional.
Passionata offers playful, feminine style at an easy price point. Their collections feature vibrant colors, delicate laces, and romantic details that make everyday feel like a special occasion.
Parfait has some very stylish, fashion-forward bras for fuller figures. From fun colours to plunging silhouettes to sheer lace, their collection is as sexy as it is supportive.
Shapewear: Choosing the Right Solution
Shapewear should smooth and enhance your natural shape, not squeeze you into discomfort. Understanding different shapewear types helps you to choose the level of control that’s right for you.
When and How to Choose Shapewear
Consider high-powered shapewear for special occasions when you want a flawless silhouette and can put up with firmer-feeling compression for a few hours. Opt for lighter control for everyday smoothing under casual or work attire, which allows you to move and eat as you usually would. There are also pieces out there which offer tailored post-pregnancy support as your body recovers and adjusts.
Cupid Shapewear offers effective solutions across various compression levels. Their pieces focus on comfortable shaping that you can wear for extended periods without discomfort. Look to their high-waisted briefs for tummy control and their bodysuits for all-over smoothing.
Leonisa brings Colombian shapewear expertise with designs that emphasise curves rather than simply slimming, while their exclusive materials offer excellent breathability which is crucial for all-day comfort. Leonisa also excels in post-surgical and postpartum shapewear, offering medical-grade compression that supports recovery.
Naomi & Nicole creates comfortable everyday shapewear focusing on natural shaping rather than extreme compression. Their pieces work beautifully under regular clothing for subtle smoothing that doesn't feel restrictive. And they make sizes up to 5XL!
Miraclesuit Shapewear takes their industry-leading shaping swimwear expertise and applies it to shapewear, creating pieces that truly transform your figure. Think extra-firm control, although they do have more moderate-control options as well.
Common Shapewear Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing too small a size is not only going to be uncomfortable, but it can create bulging at the edges that actually emphasises problem areas. Always size up if between sizes. Wearing shapewear that's too long in the torso causes rolling and bunching, defeating the smoothing purpose entirely, so if you’re short you may prefer a shaping camisole to a bodysuit.
Selecting the wrong shapewear type for your outfit can lead to visible lines or edges, so always match shapewear to the silhouette (and colour) of the garment. And finally, ignoring fabric breathability results in discomfort and overheating. Quality shapewear uses advanced fabrics that allow airflow, which is extra important when you’re wearing two layers (especially in summer!), so it pays to invest in pieces from a reputable brand.
Building Your Innerwear Wardrobe
A well-curated lingerie and shapewear collection includes foundational everyday pieces in neutral colors (nude, black, white), at least three quality everyday bras allowing rotation between wears, one or two sports bras appropriate for your activity level and frequency, targeted shapewear for specific wardrobe needs, and special occasion lingerie for times you simply want to feel beautiful.
Investment Priorities
Start with everyday essentials from quality brands that will last and last. A perfectly-fitting t-shirt bra in a neutral shade serves you daily and deserves investment. Next, upgrade your sports bras if you're active—proper support during exercise isn't negotiable. Build in other pieces gradually as budget allows, prioritising what makes you feel confident and beautiful.
Confidence Through Proper Fit
The transformation that occurs when you wear properly-fitting lingerie and shapewear extends far beyond physical comfort. When your foundation garments fit correctly, your clothes drape better, your posture improves, movement becomes unrestricted and comfortable, and confidence radiates from knowing everything is exactly as it should be.
Invest time in finding your correct size, don't compromise on fit for the sake of a lower price, and remember that sizing varies between brands—what matters is how the piece fits, not the number on the label. Your body deserves intimate apparel that supports, enhances and celebrates it exactly as it is.
Care and Maintenance for Longevity
Found your perfect lingerie? Don’t ruin it through improper care! Hand wash bras and delicate shapewear in cool water with gentle detergent, or use mesh bags for machine washing on delicate cycles. Never use fabric softener as it breaks down elastic fibres. Air dry everything—heat from dryers destroys elastic and distorts moulded cups.
Rotate bras rather than wearing the same favourite daily, allowing elastic to recover between wears. If you do find yourself reaching for the same bra over and over, buy more of the same - you know you’ll use them!
Store bras flat or hung by the centre gore to maintain shape. Replace bras when bands stretch out beyond the tightest hooks or straps won't adjust tight enough—typically every 6-12 months with proper care and rotation, depending on how many bras you own in total—and as soon as they no longer fit due to a size change.
Shopping with Style Gallery
At Style Gallery, we understand that finding the perfect lingerie and shapewear requires both quality products and expert guidance. Our curated selection of brands represents the very best of international design, from everyday essentials to special occasion pieces, and from supportive sports bras to sophisticated shapewear.
Remember that the journey to finding your perfect fit is personal and unique. Take measurements, try different styles, and don't be afraid to experiment with various brands until you find what works beautifully for your body. Our hassle-free returns process is here to help.
When you invest in quality intimate apparel that fits properly, you're investing in comfort, confidence, and the foundation for everything else you wear. You'll discover that intimate apparel not only transforms your wardrobe, but also how you feel every single day.
