Demi Bras
Half the cup, all of the lift: the demi covers about half the breast with an angled top edge. Here is how it differs from a balconette, who it fits, and how to size it.
What is a demi bra?
A demi (demi-cup) bra covers roughly half to three-quarters of the breast with an angled top edge that runs from the strap down toward the center. Straps sit slightly wider than a full cup's, and lift comes from the lower cup. It's the go-to under scoop necks and for shapes with fullness below.
How it's built
| Part | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cups | Cut low with an angled top edge; often lightly lined or molded. |
| Wire | Standard, sometimes slightly shorter at the center. |
| Straps | Slightly wide-set. |
| Gore | Medium. |
Materials. Angled top edge with elastic or lace trim. Standard wire; medium gore.
Types and variations
| Variation | What it is |
|---|---|
| Lined demi | Fabric-lined, forgiving of small size differences. |
| Molded demi | Smooth foam; shows a gap fast if big. |
| Push-up demi | Adds lift. |
| Lace demi | Fashion; unlined. |
Which shapes it fits, and why
Tap a breast shape. The dashed line is this cup on that profile; shading shows where the shape leaves a gap or spills.
Not sure of your shape? Use the shape finder.
Who it's for
- Teardrop and bell shapes: the open top avoids gaping
- Round shapes for a lifted line
- Smaller and mid-range cups under scoop and wide necklines
Less suited:
- Full-on-top shapes: the top edge cuts in
- Very full busts wanting containment: a demi shows more and holds less
How to size it
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Size as measured | Demis are forgiving of shape; a size problem is a size problem. |
| If spilling | Up a cup: the angled edge cutting in is the common failure. |
| Molded demis | Show a gap fast if the cup is even slightly big; choose a lined-not-molded demi if you're between sizes. |
Start from your measured size. Every rule above is an adjustment to a correct starting point: get that from the calculator or the measuring guide.
How it should fit
| Check | What right looks like |
|---|---|
| Top edge lies flat | No line pressed into the breast |
| Lift from below | The lower cup and wire should feel like the support |
| No spill at the center | The angled edge should not create a bulge |
Common problems and the fix
| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| Spillage over the angled edge | Full-on-top shape or cup too small: up a cup. |
| Gap at the top | Cup too big; go down a cup. |
| Straps slip | Wide-set straps on narrow shoulders: try a J-hook or a demi with centered straps. |
How to wear and style it
- Scoop and wide necklines
- Everyday for smaller and mid-range cups
Care, lifespan and when to replace
- Wash cool; edges fray first: replace when the top edge waves
- Rotate
Pros and cons
Buying checklist
- Measured size; up a cup if the edge digs
- Lined over molded when between sizes
Sizing a demi bra by cup range
The measured size is the start at every cup, but the construction behaves differently as the load grows, and some ranges need a different rule or a different house.
| Cup range (US) | How a demi bra sizes here | What to buy |
|---|---|---|
| AA to B | The natural home of the demi: little to contain and a low edge that suits shallow, even tissue | Measured size |
| C to DD | Works on even and full-on-bottom shapes; full-on-top spills over the low edge | Measured size; a fuller cut if the top edge cuts in |
| DDD to G | Few houses cut a demi this deep; the edge has too little breast to hold | Balconette from a full-bust house does the demi job |
| H and above | Rarely made; the cut cannot contain the load | Balconette or full cup |
Fit checks specific to a demi bra
The six general checks in the fit guide apply; these four are where this style fails first.
- The top edge lies flat on the breast standing and bending: a bulge over it is a cut too low for your shape, not a cup too small
- The nipple sits inside the cup with margin; a demi that only just covers rides down
- Wire ends behind the root; demi wires run shorter and wider-set than full-cup wires
- Straps stay on the shoulders through a shrug; demi straps sit wide
How brands cut it differently
Demis differ mainly in how low the edge runs and whether it is molded or seamed. US contour demis end higher than European ones; French demis run very low with a lace edge. A demi that spills in one house may fit in another at the same letter, because the edge sits an inch apart; the dossiers note where each house draws it. The brand dossiers record each house’s band, cup and wire tendency.
Brands known for it
Feathers demi
Halo Lace demi
Norah demi
The Demi
Body by Victoria demi
Real Sunnie demi
Every brand page converts your measured size into that brand and notes how it runs. All bra brands →
Demi Bras: answered
What is a demi bra?
A bra with cups that cover about half the breast, with an angled top edge: for lift and low necklines.
Demi vs balconette?
A demi has an angled top edge and covers a little less; a balconette has a straighter, horizontal top and wider-set straps. Both are open-top.
Are demi bras good for large breasts?
At DD+ they show more and contain less than a balconette or full cup; full-bust brands make demis to G, but a balconette is usually the better open-top choice.
How should a demi bra fit?
Top edge lies flat: no line pressed into the breast; Lift from below: the lower cup and wire should feel like the support; No spill at the center: the angled edge should not create a bulge. Start from your measured size and adjust only for the rules specific to this style.
What are the types of demi bras?
Lined demi: fabric-lined, forgiving of small size differences; Molded demi (smooth foam; shows a gap fast if big; Push-up demi) adds lift; Lace demi: fashion; unlined.
How often should I replace a demi bra?
Rotate
What should I wear a demi bra under?
Scoop and wide necklines; Everyday for smaller and mid-range cups.
Which brands make the best demi bras?
Natori (Feathers demi), Wacoal (Halo Lace demi), Chantelle (Norah demi), Cuup (The Demi), Victoria's Secret (Body by Victoria demi), Aerie (Real Sunnie demi): each brand page converts your measured size and notes how it runs.
What is a demi bra good for?
Scoop, V and square necklines, and shapes that carry their fullness low or evenly: shallow, teardrop, athletic. It ends the cup about halfway up the breast with an edge that slopes toward the center, so it shows more skin than a full cup and fits shapes a full cup would gap on.
Is a demi bra the same as a half-cup bra?
Close. Half-cup usually means a demi with a straighter, lower edge, sometimes called a shelf or quarter cup at the extreme. A demi covers about half the breast with a gently angled edge; a balconette covers slightly more with a straight one; a plunge drops the center instead.
Demi Bras vs other styles
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