Choosing a breast form for the first time can feel like a bigger decision than it needs to be - there are a lot of options, a lot of sizes, and no single "right" answer. The good news is that most people find their way to the right fit fairly quickly once they understand the four main categories: padded bras, bra buds, silicone breast forms, and breastplates.
Each option offers a different balance of subtlety, realism, comfort and cost, and plenty of people move between a few of them over time as their needs change. This guide walks through what each one is, who it tends to suit, and how to think about your own priorities - whether that's comfort for everyday wear, a fuller silhouette, or perhaps something specifically built for the beach. As always, if you'd rather talk it through in person, our fitters are happy to help you find what works for your body.
Jump to a section
- Quick comparison
- Padded bras
- Bra buds / bra inserts
- Silicone breast forms
- Swim forms
- Breastplates
- Mastectomy breast prostheses
- How to choose the right breast forms
- Caring for your breast forms
- FAQs
Quick comparison: At a glance
| Option | Level of enhancement | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Padded bra | Subtle | Everyday wear, beginners, early HRT |
| Bra buds / inserts | Subtle - Moderate | A natural boost with an existing bra |
| Silicone breast forms | Subtle - Full | A realistic bust for regular wear |
| Swim forms | Subtle - Moderate | Beach trips & aquatic activities |
| Breastplate | Full - Busty | Drag, crossdressing, short-term wear |
| Mastectomy prosthesis | Fully customised | Highly specific shape, size or medical need |
Padded bras
Padded bras are a great place to start if you're after a feminine silhouette that's subtle, comfortable, and simple to size. Three of our best sellers, the Rubies Shine Brooke Bra (lace trim), Ava Bra (sensory-friendly), and Sloggi Up Bra (for a pop of colour), are sized the way most people already understand underwear - small, medium, large, etc - with removable foam inserts tucked into an internal pocket. That means you can go softer or fuller on any given day without buying a second bra.
Who they're best for: anyone wanting an entry-level option before moving into more specific bra sizing (think 10A, 10B, 10C and so on), including people early on HRT who are starting to develop their own breast tissue and want a light, comfortable layer under clothing.
Pros: easy sizing, sizes from kids through to plus-size adults, a lace or sensory-friendly option depending on preference, removable pads, and they pair easily with tucking underwear.
Worth knowing: the level of bust enhancement is limited, and some people find lace trims like the Brooke Bra's a little more textured against the skin than the sensory-friendly Ava or Up bra.
Bra buds / bra inserts
If you're after a bit more shape than foam padding gives but you're not ready for a full breast form, silicone inserts like Unclockables' Bra Buds sit nicely in the middle. Sold in pairs, they're clear and designed to slip into almost any bra, adding a natural, subtle lift and roundness rather than a dramatic change in size.
Who they're best for: anyone who already has a bra they like and wants a discreet, natural-looking boost rather than a full silhouette change.
Pros: discreet, versatile with your existing bras, a nice natural shape, and easy care.
Worth knowing: they come in one size, so there's a ceiling on how much enhancement they can offer - if you're chasing a fuller bust, full-size breast forms will get you there faster.
Silicone breast forms
Our silicone breast forms are consistently one of our best sellers, and they sit in a nice middle ground between subtle inserts and a full breastplate. Unlike traditional teardrop-shaped forms, ours are triangular (fuller at the base and tapering upward) which tends to sit more naturally in the cup of a standard bra.
Unlike breast forms sold by cup size, these silicone breast forms are sized by total pair weight, from 400g through to 2400g. A lighter pair generally creates a more subtle silhouette, while heavier forms create more projection, coverage and fullness. Your chest width, frame and desired look all influence which weight will look most proportional.
Who they're best for: anyone who's tried padded bras or inserts and is ready for a fuller, more natural-feeling bust - a popular next step for trans women and crossdressers wanting more realistic shape and movement.
Pros: realistic nipple detail, a good balance of affordability and authenticity, natural weight and movement, and size increments to fine-tune your look.
Worth knowing: because of the added weight, these generally require an underwire bra for good support, and choosing the right weight takes a little more thought than a one-size-fits-all option - our fitters can help you land on the right gram weight for your frame using your bust circumference.
Swim forms
Built for pool days and Melbourne's warmer months, swim forms use a nodular back design that lets water flow through rather than suctioning against the skin, making them far more comfortable and quicker-drying than regular forms in the water. They come in four sizes, from 330g up to 930g per pair, and share the same transparent, triangular shape as our regular everyday forms.
Who they're best for: anyone wanting a breast form specifically for swimming or hot weather - they're a particularly popular choice with gender-diverse teens and beach/pool goers.
Pros: Designed specifically for aquatic wear.
Worth knowing: the sizing range is smaller and the look is less realistic than our regular silicone forms, so most people keep these as a summer-specific option rather than an everyday one.
Breastplates
Breastplates are a favourite with our drag and crossdressing customers in particular. Rather than two individual forms, a breastplate is silicone moulded into a full vest or bib shape covering both breasts at once, which makes it much easier to achieve a fuller, more dramatic bust than with individual forms alone.
Who they're best for: short-term or occasion wear - think a performance, a big night out, or any time you want maximum bust.
Pros: a fuller bust that's hard to match with individual forms.
Worth knowing: breastplates are heavy and aren't generally designed for all-day wear, they can take a bit more effort to put on than a bra-based option. They can also be quite difficult to match a bra to unless it is wirefree and has plenty of stretch - or they can be worn completely without a bra.
Mastectomy breast prostheses
Breast prostheses are most commonly used by people recovering from a mastectomy, where a highly specific, medically informed fit matters. We also see some customers outside that context choose a prosthesis when they're after a very particular shape, size or skin tone and have the budget for that level of customisation.
Because these involve a more detailed fitting process, we don't usually recommend them as a first purchase if you're new to breast forms - they're better suited to someone who already knows exactly what they're after.
Pros: highly customisable, with a wide range of sizes, shades and styles.
Worth knowing: they're a bigger investment (roughly $200-400 per side) and involve a more specialised fitting than our other options.
How to choose the right breast forms
Comfort and everyday wear: if your priority is something comfortable you can wear all day without thinking about it, a padded bra, bra buds, or lighter-weight silicone breast forms are all worth starting with.
Realism and shape: if a natural-looking, fuller bust is the goal, our silicone breast forms tend to offer the best mix of realism and comfort for regular wear.
Budget: padded bras are the most budget-friendly starting point since the bra and inserts come as one purchase. Bra buds are a good next step before committing to breast forms.
Sizing and fit: bra sizing works on two measurements - your band (around your ribcage) and your cup (the volume difference between your bust and band). If you're new to this, it's worth getting measured rather than guessing, since a well-fitted band does most of the actual support work, especially once you add the weight of a silicone form.
What we see in fittings: In our fittings, we usually try a few different weights inside a properly fitted bra so you can compare the silhouette rather than choosing from a number alone. From there, we can go a size bigger or smaller until we find what feels and looks right for you.
Caring for your breast forms
Looking after silicone breast forms is fairly low-maintenance: a gentle hand wash with mild detergent and a pat dry with a towel is usually all you need. It's worth rinsing after every wear, particularly on warmer days, as the skin's natural oils can break down silicone over time if it's left unwashed. Read our care guide for a complete dive into caring for your forms.
FAQs
How long do silicone breast forms last?
With reasonable care, silicone breast forms can last several years. How long yours last will depend on how often you wear them, your body oils, and how well they're looked after.
What size breast forms should I get?
A good starting point is to think about the look you're after - a lighter form for subtle shape, a heavier one for a fuller bust - and factor in your frame and existing bra size. If you're not sure, our in-store fitters can help you land on the right weight in person.
How do breast forms stay in place?
Most of our silicone breast forms sit in the cup of a well-fitted underwire bra, so a snug, supportive band does most of the work of keeping them in place. Breastplates work a little differently, since they're worn like a vest rather than sitting inside a bra.
Can you wear breast forms all day?
Yes, lighter and mid-weight silicone breast forms are generally comfortable for all-day wear once you've got the right size and a well-fitted bra. Heavier forms and breastplates are usually better suited to shorter stretches, since the added weight can get tiring over a full day.
Where can I get fitted for a breast form in Melbourne?
You can visit us for a free fitting at our Moonee Ponds store, where expert fitters can help with bra sizing, breast form weight, and finding the right style for you.
