Bra Brands Doing More for Consumers

If you aren't happy with your choices in bra styles, or how your bra fits or looks, you need to embrace a wider world of lingerie.

I'm more aware of the bra possibilities because I regularly attend industry trade shows. There I visit with hundreds of brands showcasing their latest lines. I'm always astonished at the depth and breadth of what is available to consumers, no matter their size, shape, or budget.

Here is a very small sample of bra brands meeting specific consumer needs, found at the recent Curvexpo Lingerie and Swim show in New York. If you have a lingerie issue you think isn't being addressed, please let me know in the comments below. You might be surprised by what the bra industry is up to these days.

Nubian Skin. This brand new UK brand is filling a big hole in the market with skin tone lingerie and hosiery for women of color. They've only been in business for 5 months, but already have 3 pretty basic bra styles in 4 different colors. Sizes run from 36B to 36DD, but will expand to G cups in September. 

The Little Bra Company. This brand is focused on the needs of petite customers wearing 28-38 bands, with A-C cups. But you can also choose a bra style based on whether your breasts are set closer together, or wider apart. Check out their new lace bra and fall colors in their best-selling push-up bra.

Elila. You'll find this great full-figured brand now in Kohls. Check out their gorgeous longline strapless bustier; or look for their new Glamour bra, panty, and garter set later this year (in 34-46 bands and E-K cups). They also carry nursing bras and shapewear. One cool feature of their bras is a moveable and removable padded strap cushion.

Cache Coeur. This French lingerie brand makes stylish bras, swimwear, loungewear, plus gorgeous stockings, for pregnant and nursing moms. One of their new bra styles includes this great little detail: a pretty lace bow on the strap to keep track of which side you last nursed baby. Smart, sexy, and very well-designed.

Amoena. This brand is dedicated to making women feel and look their best post-mastectomy or other breast cancer surgery. They continue to expand and improve on their line of breast forms, bra sets, shapewear, swimwear, and fashionable loungewear. Here's a few new lingerie designs:

What do you think of these new designs and styles? What consumer needs do you think bra brands should be trying to fill?