A bra that provides at best minimal support under the breasts, leaving the upper part and nipples exposed. As the name suggests, it is essentially a "shelf" to hold up the breasts. The term "shelf bra" may also refer to "built-in bras" included in some garments, such as tank tops and swimsuits. This tag is only for actual bras, not for the breast support built into garments. Not to be confused with a regular bra that has been pulled down.