Bra shopping is necessary for all females, but for many it's a daunting and undesirable task. Knowing what to look for beforehand and having an idea of what you want "the girls" to achieve will help you find a great bra that works for your body type.

Bust Minimizers

For the girl that wants to look just a size or two smaller, bust minimizing bras get the job done. Lifting and redistributing breast tissue makes breasts look smaller but just as shapely.

Patty Stover, owner of Jezebel's Boutique, 366 E. College Ave., said her store carries a minimizing bra by Wacoal.

"If you get the right fit, you can look up to ten pounds smaller," said Stover.

Push-Up Bras

The push-up allows girls to flaunt what they've got and more.

Stover said Jezebel's carries the Wacoal iBra, a seamless push-up that's winning marks in comfort and contouring has been causing a stir, and has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show as well as the Rachael Ray Show. Offered in a variety of neutral shades, this bra is guaranteed to create an illusion of a bigger bust.

Stover also said that some smaller-chested girls go for the Elle Macpherson push-up bra, which only goes up to a size 36.

Amber Hearn (senior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management), a former employee of Victoria's Secret at the Nittany Mall, said push-up bras are her favorite kind of support.

"When I worked there I loved making women who absolutely hated push-up bras try one on and they loved it," she said. "The one push-up bra that I wear is Very Sexy Infinity Edge Push-Up. That is the only bra I buy and wear from Victoria's Secret."

Padded Bras

Some smaller-chested girls prefer a padded bra to create a fuller silhouette underneath clothing.
Abbey Zembower, manager of Connections, 130 S. Allen St., said that the store carries a variety of padded bras by René Rofé, some of which have stylish straps.

"If you're wearing a dress and something like this [a stylish strap] pops out, it's cuter," she said.

Decently priced and in a variety of trendy colors, patterns and even metallic woven styles, these padded bras are worth checking out.

Jezebel's also carries a few brands that feature padded bras, including Betsey Johnson, which feature wild animal print designs, lace embellishments and even extra add-on padding.

Demi Cup Bras

A demi is a bra that has underwire to support the chest, but partially cuts away to expose the very top part of the breast.

"A demi bra is a bra that is good for someone wanting to wear a low cut shirt without pushup," said Hearn.

But not all girls can wear this type of bra. Hearn said that girls up to a 36D can sport this look, but women larger than a DD-cup size should invest in a full coverage bra.

Full Coverage Bras

Full coverage bras are perfect for full-figured women looking for a bra to shape and fully cover the chest.

Hearn said girls seeking full coverage bras can't go wrong with the especially comfortable series Body by Victoria.

"They have the Body by Victoria Full Coverage and the IPEX full coverage," she said. "The IPEX is a very smooth bra that is made of layers to make up the cups of the bra whereas the Body by Victoria full coverage bra is just cut out of one piece of fabric."

Stover said Fayreform is a good brand for full coverage, but DKNY and Wacoal offer the same coverage, but in a lace style.

"People think that because its lace, it's not supportive. But it is," she said.

Strapless and Convertible Bras

Bras with removable and detachable straps are great for nights out, perfect for the plunging necklines, tube tops and skinny strapped tanks.

Hearn said Victoria's Secret has strapless and convertible bras for the Angels, Very Sexy and Body by Victoria collections.

"This way, if you're hooked on one type of bra you can just get a strapless in your section," she said. "Since I like Very Sexy, I like to buy strapless bras from the Very Sexy department."

The René Roté brand that Connections carries also offers a few convertible and strapless bras, and even a super plunging bra, which Zembower says are all popular, especially during formal season.

At Jezebels, Natori and Wacoal offer a strapless and convertible bra, and Affintas makes a plunging bra, which has a deep cut so girls can wear a more revealing top if desired.

Stover said women should make sure strapless bras have rubber inside the bands so they stay secure around their chests and don't slide up or downward.

Sports Bras

Girls who have a fuller chest and need additional support when exercising or playing sports can try Bendon, Natori or Elle Macpherson supportive sports bras, which are available at Jezebel's.

"There's a lot of support, if you're really small it doesn't matter," said Stover.

She said the straps are padded with extra fabric for comfort and that the Bendon sports bra even features a wire for added leverage.

Breast Implant Bras

For girls who have gone under the knife to better their breasts, a different style of bra is necessary to accommodate the different shape.

Stover said she recently started carrying a bra by Le Mystère that is specially designed for women with implants and is gaining popularity among some female students.

Adhesive Bras

Adhesive bras are exactly what they say they are -- bras that stick onto your chest. They're perfect if you're wearing an open-back shirt, dress or a cut that's hard to match without a bra showing.

Hearn said there are two major kinds of adhesive bras that are very popular for special occasions or an intricately cut shirt or dress.

"[Victoria's Secret] has ones that are just flowers that go over the nipple area and there is also the cup-shaped ones for larger breasts and they go underneath the breast and support from underneath for a lift," she said.

Another option is the nude-colored adhesive NuBra, which is available at Jezebel's up to a D-cup and has been a popular sale at the store.

"There are different ways to put them on, don't necessarily have to just stick them on," Stover said. "There are clips that can position the adhesive bra to add more cleavage."