Flashier Bras Make Underwear Fun to Wear, Even If They’re for Your Eyes Only

Go looking for a bra today and you’re likely to find a stylish garment that can be worn inside or out. Once merely a functional undergarment, the brassiere has gone public--becoming as much a flashy fashion garment as one designed for personal comfort.

“We’ve seen a lot of interest in bras since Madonna introduced them as outwear,” says Letty Mata, lingerie department manager at Designer Labels for Less in Santa Ana.

Alice Hernandez, manager of Olga-Warner’s Outlet in Costa Mesa, agrees.

“They’ve added items such as pearls and sequins to bras so that they’re fashionable enough to wear outside of clothing as well as inside,” she says.

Although you can still find plenty of traditional bras, most have more flair and style than brassieres of the past.

A sampling of what stores are carrying:

ANN’S SYMBRA-ETTE BRAS AND SWIMWEAR

No matter what size bra you need, you can find a perfect fit at this store, because every bra is custom-made. The Strapless by Symbra-Ette is a long-line bra that goes down to the waist and provides excellent support.

“This bra fits so close to the body that you can stand on your head and you won’t lose support,” says store owner Ann Thomas. The lace bra comes in white. ($39, $1 higher per cup size, A-JJ. For example, a 34C bra is $41).

The Jane-Ette seamless is a smooth bra that can be worn with anything. It is 100% polyester, has narrow or wide straps and comes in beige ($31, $1 higher per cup size, B-EE). For the nursing mother, there is the Jeunique, a lace bra with thin or wide straps. This bra comes in beige, black or white ($30, $1 higher per cup size, B-JJ).

8412 Chopin Drive, Buena Park, (714) 994-6255. DESIGNER LABELS FOR LESS

For the small-breasted woman who wants a fuller look, this store carries the Christian Dior demi-bra, which “pulls you up instead of pushing and is great to wear with a low-cut shirt because it shows cleavage,” says manager Mata. This half-cup, underwire bra comes in a variety of colors, including red rose, aqua mist (mint), black or white. It is 50% nylon, 50% spandex and has thin adjustable straps and a stretch back. The cup is lace and nylon ($16, sizes 34B-36C).

The full-figured woman can try Lily of France’s Lace Embrace. This underwire bra is made of rigid lace in front and stretch fabric in back. It has thick straps and comes in coral and purple ($11, sizes 34C-38DD).

If you want a bra that can be used for inner and outer wear, the store carries a popular Christian Dior bustier in a variety of colors, including black, raspberry and black floral (pink, orange and red). The bra is underwire and strapless and reaches the navel ($33, sizes 34B-36C).

1801 E. Dyer Road, Santa Ana, (714) 261-6678. ELIANE EXCLUSIVE LINGERIE

This store’s padded pushup by Felina is a half-cup strapless made of form-fitting stretch lace. It comes in white, black and ivory ($27-$32, sizes 32B-38D). The store also carries the versatile Molded Cup by Lou, which comes in white and ivory. This 100% lace underwire bra has removable satin straps ($54, sizes 32B-36B).

If you want a bustier for inner and outer wear, try the wide strap by Huit. This underwire bra is made of a crushed velvet material similar to suede and comes in burgundy, hunter green and white. There is lace trim on the top and a satin bow in the middle ($46, sizes 32B-36C).

305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, (714) 738-8558. KAY’S LINGERIE

For a really feminine look, you might consider this store’s Bali style No. 180. The underwire bra is made of sheer nylon with a flower pattern on the top half of the bra cup. It is 100% nylon and comes in nude and white ($20-$23, sizes 34B-46DDD). The shop also carries the Bali style No. 3300, an all-lace bra with comfortable sheer nylon lining. “This long-line, very supportive bra goes to the tummy and helps smooth the waist,” says store owner Kay Garcia. It has wide stretch straps and comes in white and nude ($32, sizes 34B-44DD).

Kay’s Lingerie also carries a variety of prosthesis bras, such as one by Airway made of nylon with a cotton cup lining for the prosthesis. The straps are adjustable, and there are two hooks on small-cup bras and four hooks for larger cups. The bras cost $33-$34, sizes 32A-44D. Prosthesis are custom-made of surgical silicon ($280).

23685 Moulton Parkway, Unit F, Laguna Hills, (714) 768-6429. KRISTEN’S LINGERIE

The full-figured woman may want to try Maidenform’s Letter Perfect Full Figure bra. “The bra gets its support from sturdy, thick straps and is very comfortable,” says assistant manager Erin Kershaw ($20, sizes 36B-38D). It is beige with 100% polyester cups and a spandex back ($20, sizes 36B-38D).

For a backless dress, check out Vanity Fair’s Backless Convertible, which has removable straps. This satin and lace bra comes in white and black ($24, sizes 34B-38D).

For the bride, Kristen’s Lingerie has the Jezebel, a long-line, underwire bra that reaches the hip. It is strapless and has removable pads in the cups and detachable garters. The bra is nylon covered with lace and is available in white and black ($50, sizes 34A-36D).

1036 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, (714) 631-7399. LINGERIE ETC.

The Carnival underwire pushup bra at this store is comfortable yet supportive and really shows cleavage well, says salesperson Sara Donahue. It is made of nylon and Lycra and has thin straps. Choose from paisley, black, white and champagne ($14, sizes 34A-34D).

In a simple underwire, half-cup bra, the Olga comes in white and beige. It has lace cotton trim around the top and hooks in front ($20, sizes 32, 34, 36, one cup size fits all). The store also carries Vanity Fair’s Full Figured Stretch Underwire bra, which is made of satin, nylon and Lycra. The thick straps are adjustable and the bra comes in black, white, pink and pearl ($25, sizes 34B-42DD).

114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, (714) 492-4621. LINGERIE FOR LESS

If you’re on the lookout for a sexy bra, this store’s buyer of bras and panties suggests the Trendsetter, an all velvet lace half-cup bra. It is underwire, has thin straps and comes in black, white, purple and cream ($12.99, sizes 34-36 A; 32B-38D). The store also has an underwire seamless bra created especially for Lingerie for Less called the Cassi L. This front-hook bra is made of stretch lace for comfort and has elastic adjustable straps. It is available in white, pink, purple and black ($10.99, sizes 34B-38D).

For a fun and comfort, there is the Rene Rofle cotton/knit bra in pink with white stripes. It has thin straps and supports the average figure ($6.99, sizes 34B-36C).

6903 Katella Ave., Cypress, (714) 527-7734; 1835 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, (714) 645-4552; 3800 Barranca Parkway, Irvine (&14) 559-6858; 3707 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, (&14) 546-1133; 28011-A Greenfield Drive, Laguna Niguel, (714) 831-1386; 18591 Main St., Huntington Beach, (714) 841-8980; 3218 E. Yorba Linda Blvd, Fullerton, (714) 524-7413. OLGA-WARNER’S OUTLET

This store carries a wide variety of bra types, including a maternity/nursing bra by Olga. Made of cotton, polyester and spandex, it has front openings for nursing and wide straps. Find it in black and white ($19, sizes 34B-42DDD).

If you’d like a bra with straps that don’t fall off the shoulder, you might try the Olga Smart Strap. This V-back bra is also padded and hooks in front. It comes in white, black and bare ($14.99, sizes 34B-36C).

For the full-figured woman, the store has the Olga Suddenly Smooth, which is designed to minimize breast size. It is an underwire bra with thick straps and seamless, 100% polyester cups. This bra comes in white, beige and black ($17.99, sizes 34C-42DDD).

743 W. Baker St., Costa Mesa, (714) 957-1214).