The Bralette Is Back. This Time Blouses Are Optional.

Unlike standard bras with their confusing alphanumeric sizing, bralettes typically range from an inexact XS to XL. “Their fabric and their less structured silhouettes allow for a flexible fit,” said Maddie Flanigan, a lingerie designer in Philadelphia who sells her ready-made and D.I.Y. designs at madalynne.com. Ms. Flanigan, who formerly designed bralettes for Urban Outfitters, also teaches bra-making workshops.

Plus-size is a fairly new bralette category. Cs and Ds are now being accommodated. “But girls who are F and G cups want them, too, just like their friends,” said Laura Fitzpatrick, the owner of Oh Baby Lingerie in Portland, Ore.

Ms. Lewis agreed. “Larger-breasted women want the same privilege that everyone else has,” she said. Christiane Braun, the head of project management and design at Hanro, believes “women with large cup sizes often find a bralette “to be more comfortable or at least wear it at home after work.”

Cosabella not only offers its own line of bralettes that go up to 3X (approximately a triple D), but also has collaborated with Eloquii, a luxury plus-size e-tailer, on a collection with soft, delicate compression lace. “It almost gives a hidden lift to the bust,” said Yesenia Torres, the design director of Eloquii.

Others have added plus sizes as well, or have them in the planning stages.

Nipple reveal can be a problem with bralettes, especially the unadorned stretch jersey styles that have followings among teenagers and millennials. “Younger women are very critical and want to prevent the nipples from showing,” said Ms. Braun of Hanro. This has long been true in the United States — and now, she added, it’s happening in Europe too.

To address this, Hanky Panky provides little removable nipple covers for some of its styles and is one of a growing number of companies now offering bralettes with (gasp) overall light cup padding, often removable.