Bra Words in Plain English and Bangla: 40 Terms
The short answer: Seamless, wide coverage, east-west, minimizer, removable pad, band, cup, 2XL: the words on our pages and in the fitting room, explained once. We list about 40 terms in plain English with Bangla where it helps, grouped by fit, style, shape and care.
You are reading a product page and it says 'seamless contour bra, wire-free, full coverage.' You know what a bra is, but the rest is jargon nobody explained. Or you are in the fitting room and the apu says 'east-west set, try the wide coverage' and you nod but you are guessing. This page is the decoder.
Fit and Size Terms
These are the words that describe how a bra relates to your body: where it sits, how it measures and how much it covers.
| Term | Meaning | Bangla / Banglish |
|---|---|---|
| Band | The fabric that wraps around your ribcage below the cups. It does most of the holding. | ব্যান্ড (band) |
| Cup | The shaped part that holds each breast. | কাপ (cup) |
| Band size (34–44) | Your ribcage measurement in inches. SHAPE band-and-cup styles come in bands 34 to 44. | ব্যান্ড সাইজ |
| Cup size (A–DD) | How much breast tissue extends beyond the band. SHAPE cups run A to DD. | কাপ সাইজ |
| Gore / Centre | The small piece of fabric or wire between the two cups. It should sit flat on your sternum. | মাঝখানের জোড় (majhkhaner jor) |
| Wing | The side panel from the cup edge to the hook closure at the back. | পাশের প্যানেল (pasher panel) |
| Full coverage | A cup that covers most of the breast, up to the collarbone area. Less chance of spilling over. | ফুল কভারেজ |
| Demi | A half-cup that covers the lower half of the breast. Shows more at the top. | হাফ কাপ (half cup) |
| Plunge | A bra with a very low centre piece, made for deep necklines. | প্লাঞ্জ (plunge) |
| M / L / XL / 2XL / 3XL | Alpha sizes. Most SHAPE styles run M to 3XL, with core styles reaching 5XL and a plus size line to 7XL. | সাইজ |
Style Terms
These describe the type or design of a bra. Knowing the style name helps you pick the right one for the outfit.
| Term | Meaning | Bangla / Banglish |
|---|---|---|
| Seamless | No visible seams on the cup surface. Smooth under a t-shirt or kameez. | সিমলেস (seamless) |
| Contour | A moulded cup that holds its shape even off the body. Gives a rounded silhouette. | কন্টুর (contour) |
| Moulded | Cup shaped with heat during manufacturing. Keeps its form without an insert. | মোল্ডেড (moulded) |
| Push-up | Angled padding at the bottom of the cup that lifts tissue upward and inward. The only SHAPE bra with a wire. | পুশ-আপ (push-up) |
| Minimizer | Redistributes breast tissue across a wider area to reduce projection by about one size. No compression. | মিনিমাইজার |
| Strapless | No shoulder straps. Stays up with a silicone grip band or a wide, firm band. | স্ট্র্যাপলেস (strapless) |
| Convertible | Straps that detach and reattach in different positions: halter, cross-back, one-shoulder or strapless. | কনভার্টিবল |
| Racerback | Straps that join together between the shoulder blades. Stays hidden under racerback tops. | রেসারব্যাক |
| Longline | A bra with an extended band that reaches down to the waist. Extra coverage and smoothing. | লংলাইন |
| Bralette | Soft, unstructured bra with no wire and no moulding. Light support, comfortable for home or sleep. | ব্রালেট (bralette) |
| Sports bra | Built for movement. Uses compression or encapsulation to reduce bounce. | স্পোর্টস ব্রা (sports bra) |
Shape and Support Terms
These describe breast shape, support features and padding. They help you understand why a certain style works for you.
| Term | Meaning | Bangla / Banglish |
|---|---|---|
| Underwire | A U-shaped wire sewn into the underside of the cup for structure. Can dig in if the size is not exact. | তারওয়ালা (tarwala) |
| Wire-free | No wire at all. Support comes from the band and the fabric structure. | তার ছাড়া (tar chhara) |
| East-west | A breast shape where the tissue points outward from the centre of the chest. | ইস্ট-ওয়েস্ট |
| Wide coverage | Cup and wing that cover more tissue on the side. Good for east-west shapes or side spillage. | ওয়াইড কভারেজ |
| Removable pad | A foam insert inside the cup that you can take out or put back. Gives you a choice. | খোলা যায় এমন প্যাড (khola jay emon pad) |
| Padded | Foam or fibre layer inside the cup. Adds shape and coverage. | প্যাডযুক্ত (pad-jukto) |
| Non-padded / Un-lined | No foam layer. You feel the fabric directly. Thinner, cooler in summer. | প্যাড ছাড়া (pad chhara) |
| Side support / Side boning | Rigid strips in the wing that hold side tissue forward, keeping a front-facing shape. | সাইড সাপোর্ট |
| Shapewear | Compression garments that smooth the line under clothing. Not a bra, but often worn with one. | শেপওয়্যার (shapewear) |
Construction, Garments and Care Terms
These describe how a bra or innerwear garment is built and what it is made of.
| Term | Meaning | Bangla / Banglish |
|---|---|---|
| Nylon-spandex | A stretch blend used in seamless bras. Smooth, recovers its shape after washing. | নাইলন-স্প্যান্ডেক্স |
| Hook-and-eye | The metal or plastic closure at the back. Usually two or three columns for adjustment. | হুক (hook) |
| Adjustable strap | Strap with a small slider so you can make it shorter or longer. | ফিতা ছোট-বড় করা যায় (fita chhoto-boro kora jay) |
| Fused seam | A seam bonded with heat instead of stitching. Flatter, less visible under clothes. | ফিউজড সিম |
| Seamless finish | Edges bonded rather than sewn, so there is no ridge to show through fabric. | সিমলেস ফিনিশ |
| Bodysuit | A one-piece garment from shoulders to crotch. Smooths the torso line. | বডিসুট (bodysuit) |
| Camisole | A sleeveless top with thin straps, worn as an inner layer or sleepwear. | ক্যামিসোল (camisole) |
| Slip | A dress-length undergarment. Can be worn as a nightdress or under sheer fabric. | স্লিপ (slip) |
| Nightdress | A sleepwear dress, usually knee-length or longer. Lighter fabric than daywear. | নাইটড্রেস (nightdress) |
Most styles run M to 3XL, with core styles reaching 5XL and a plus size line to 7XL. Band-and-cup styles come in bands 34 to 44, cups A to DD.
Questions women ask us
What does seamless mean on a bra?
Seamless means the cup surface has no stitched seams. The fabric is moulded or bonded so it lies flat under a t-shirt, kameez or fitted top with no visible lines.
What is the difference between band size and cup size?
Band size is your ribcage measurement in inches (SHAPE carries 34 to 44). Cup size (A to DD) measures how much breast tissue extends beyond that band. You need both numbers for a band-and-cup fit.
What does east-west shape mean?
East-west describes breasts that point outward from the centre of the chest rather than straight ahead. A bra with wide coverage or side support brings the tissue forward for a centred look.
What is a removable pad?
A removable pad is a foam insert sitting inside the cup. You can pull it out for a thinner feel or keep it in for more coverage and shaping. Most SHAPE seamless bras have one.
What sizes does SHAPE carry?
Most styles run M to 3XL, with core styles reaching 5XL and a plus size line to 7XL. Band-and-cup styles come in bands 34 to 44, cups A to DD.
Free, private fittings. Walk into any of our 7 stores in Dhaka or message us on WhatsApp +880 1784 163199. You never have to buy.
Part of The Fitting Room by SHAPE.
