The model LovinoForm from Aggarwal is priced at $3. The set adopts a knit cotton-Lycra blend.

The natural fiber remains the top material pick for its comfort and breathability. Lace and other trimmings give an extra feminine touch.

Soft, sweat-absorbent and generally skin-friendly, cotton is favored for India-made women’s bras and panties. Suppliers adopt plain combed, woven and knit constructions of the material and combine it with elastic fiber and different trimmings.

Plain combed cotton is mixed with 5 to 10 percent Lycra. Models in this blend are embroidered or come in jacquard or textured styles.

Sakshi Lingeries Pvt. Ltd adopts soft combed cotton on its Sona selection of women’s bras. Models feature chikan, a style of traditional embroidery from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Panties from the company likewise have chikan designs.

Woven cotton bras and panties from India feature mix-and-match patterns. Knitted cotton types also adopt Lycra. These come in solid colors or have a variety of prints.

As for the origin of materials, woven and knitted cotton are purchased domestically. Lycra, spandex, lace fabric, lace and other trimmings are sourced from mainland China and Taiwan via local vendors. Imported materials add 10 to 20 percent to production costs, translating to a 5 to 10 percent price increment.

Material costs are expected to remain steady for the next six months, as will quotes. Prices previously rose 20 percent due to the 60 to 70 percent jump in cotton costs.

Women’s bras from India offer full, medium and low coverage. They come in a range of styles, including V-neck and halter, and in A, B, C and D cups. Models are 75 to 120cm, and have cut-and-sew and seamless constructions with cotton or spandex straps. Most are nonpadded although padded versions are also available. Some are wired or have underwire, transparent straps and molded cups. Prices start at $1.50 and can exceed $6.

Panties come in full, hipster and bikini styles. Models go from $0.70 to $3.50.

Bras and panties carrying Aggarwal Industries’ Lovinoform brand adopt 95:5 cotton-Lycra, single-jersey, interlock knit and lace fabric. Models have small floral prints on a white base or come in solid colors. Bras are padded or have molded cups and come in pushup, full-coverage, front-closure and nursing styles. Full and hipster panties have thin or wide elastic waist- and leg bands.

The low end includes white full-coverage bras in woven cotton, with cotton straps and rounded cups. Knit cotton types feature prints. Price is between $1.50 and $2. Full panties with elastic leg bands $0.70 to $1.50 fall under this segment as well.

Midrange bras and panties use cotton-Lycra or embroidered fabric. Bras have cushioned straps, nonpadded or molded cups and some lace. They are seamless, provide up to full coverage and go for as much as $4. Panties reach $2.50.

The high end covers cotton-Lycra, mesh fabric and satin bras with padded and molded cups. Some are silicone pushup styles. Straps can be transparent or have lace or satin trimming. Bras are priced up to $6. Panties top out at $3.50.

Groversons Apparel Pvt. Ltd offers selections covering the various price segments. Sunaina targets the low end while Miss T, Paris Beau Premium and Poems are for the upscale market. The company uses pure cotton, Lycra, net and lace to make separates and coordinated bra-and-panty sets. Some models adopt embroidered fabric or cotton jacquard.

Industry overview

India’s women’s bras and panties industry is primarily geared toward the domestic market as business there has increased by more than 15 percent in recent years.

Nevertheless, there are some suppliers shipping overseas. These exporters number between 10 and 15, sending products mainly to the Middle East and the Gulf Arab states. They will target Europe and the US in the next half-year.

Including exporters, India has more than 200 suppliers of women’s bras and panties. The industry is highly fragmented, with just 30 to 40 manufacturers belonging to the organized sector.

Large operations such as Groversons can turn out 500,000 to 1 million pieces month and have an annual turnover of $5 million to $20 million. The capacity at midsize companies is between 200,000 and 300,000 while small suppliers can make 50,000 to 100,000 women’s bras and panties monthly.

Regardless of size and capability, many India manufacturers of women’s bras and panties are investing in improving production processes.

Brandis India has started using new fabric-cutting machines that reduce material wastage. Groversons, meanwhile, adopts imported equipment, including Juki, Pegasus and Brother sewing machines for stitching, and Italy machines for making molded cups.

Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Tirupur are the major production centers.

Product gallery

Aggarwal Industries
Model: Charming Lady
MOQ: 1,000 pieces
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $1.75
Description: Bra; cotton knit-Lycra; full cups with elastic lace tops; spandex straps; V neckline; wide side panels for extra support; size 40; white with star pattern

Aggarwal Industries
Model: LovinoForm
MOQ: 500 sets
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $3
Description: Bra & panty set; knit cotton -Lycra; bra: full cup with elastic lace tops, spandex straps, V neckline, wide side panels for extra support, size 40in; panty: full, high-cut sides; white with small flowers

Brandis India
Model: BR-15
MOQ: 1,000 pieces
Delivery: 45 days
Price: $4.50
Description: Bra; breathable stretch cotton; seamless; molded; underwire; cushioned straps; size 32B; black

Groversons Apparel Pvt. Ltd
Model: Paris Beauty-Pratibha
MOQ: 5,000 pieces
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $2.50
Description: Bra; 100% woven cotton; full coverage; spandex straps; wide side panels; size 80B; pink

Groversons Apparel Pvt. Ltd
Model: Sohini
MOQ: 5,000 pieces
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $1.50
Description: Panty; knit cotton; full coverage; high-cut sides; pink with small flowers

Sakshi Lingeries Pvt. Ltd
Model: Perfecto
MOQ: 500 pieces
Delivery: 30 days
Price: $5.50
Description: Bra; 100% combed cotton with Lycra side panels; full cups; spandex straps; sweat-absorbent; size 102B; white