Abstract: A brassiere cup support and method of manufacturing the support and cup therewith. The support comprises a plastic support in the shape of one or more of an underwire, an uplifting panel, a reinforcing pad, a sternum region, or an extended fish bone like pattern capable of providing desired “firmness” or “hardness” along its length and thereby providing desired degrees of support therealong. The plastic support comprises at least one layer of polymer and at least one layer of a second material, wherein the at least one layer of polymer and the at least one layer of the second material are in the form of a sandwich. Preferably, the plastic support comprises at least two layers of polymer and at least one layer of the second material, with an adhesive applied therebetween to secure the layers to one another.

Abstract: A brassiere cup underwire includes a flexible plastics strip of varied crosswise dimension along its length so that the degree of support offered by the underwire varies throughout its length.