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RUNNING GIRL ActivewearShop high support

The train log · Studio notes · 3 min read

Pattern notes on medium and light support

We hold 21 pieces across medium and light support on this rail. The cloth softens and the band relaxes its grip compared to our fixed cup pieces. Here is how we build these bras, what changes at the seams, and what to check in front of a mirror.

What changes when hold comes down

Our high hold pieces use fixed molded cups and stiff bands to stop movement. When we cut for medium or light hold, we change the tension across the chest. The cloth gets softer against the ribcage. The underband does not bite as hard into the skin. We switch from a thick molded structure to thin removable pads that slide inside a pocket. Straps run narrower across the shoulder blade. You get enough fabric to cover and hold without the heavy lock of a run bra. The whole piece bends with the torso instead of pinning it in place. It is a looser build by design.

Where lighter hold does the work

Match the hold to the task. A light bra suits a morning walk, a floor stretch, or hours at a work desk. You do not need thick foam cups when you sit or stroll. Medium support holds through a yoga class where you fold and reach. The band stays put while you twist, but it does not crush the ribs when you breathe deep. In these settings, heavy compression works against you. The lighter pieces give you room to expand your chest without fighting the front panel. It feels different because we took the excess structure away from the pattern.

The reality of removable pads

Removable pads let you set up one bra two ways. Leave them inside the pocket for modesty and shape, or pull them out through the side slit for a plain cloth layer. The trade comes in the laundry. If you leave the pads inside during a wash cycle, they bunch up and fold into corners. You have to work them flat with your fingers afterward. We tell you to slip the pads out before the bra goes into the water. Wash the bra and the pads together in a mesh bag. Lay both flat to dry overnight before sliding them back.

Checking the fit in a mirror

Try a light bra on and turn sideways to a mirror. Look at the underband first. It must sit level across your front and back without riding up toward your shoulder blades. If the back climbs, the band is too loose or the straps are pulling too hard. Check the top edge of each cup. The cloth should rest flat against the chest without curling out or cutting in. Run two fingers under each strap. The fabric needs to sit flush without digging trenches into your shoulders. If the band stays straight and the cup edges lie flat, the cut fits your frame.

Washing and drying the lighter pieces

Softer cloth needs simple care to keep its shape through a full season. Put the bras into a mesh laundry bag to stop the straps from snagging on hooks or buttons. Wash on a cold cycle with mild detergent. Skip fabric softeners because they coat the cloth and ruin its grip. Pull the bra out while wet and smooth the seams with your thumbs. Do not drop these pieces into a hot dryer. Hang the bra by its bottom band or lay it flat on a drying rack overnight. The air dries the cloth without baking the elasticity out.

Choosing your support level

Our catalogue holds 95 pieces across 5 sections. When you select a piece, look at the underband width and the cup build. Light hold keeps the cloth soft and the back open. Match the bra construction to what your day demands on the mat or at your desk.

Cut for this note

Four pieces from the medium and light support section, most rated first.

Keep reading the log

How our three hold levels workChoosing notes · 3 min readHow strappy backs spread work across shouldersCutting notes · 3 min readWhen the top is the braLayering notes · 3 min readHow our high waist leggings are cutKit notes · 3 min read