or type of the brassiere and still be within the scope of the present invention for instance a lateral portion of the upper edge may be smooth and seamless the lower free ends of the plies of each of the breast cups 14 are folded over forming a four ply region for a smooth edge and stitched together with the same stitching used to secure the fabric casing 26 enclosing the underwire 24 to the breast cups as shown by the sectional view in fig3 in non underwire brassieres the free edges of the breast cups can be secured by stitching ultrasonically welding gluing or otherwise attaching a strip of elastic or non elastic banding that is wrapped over the free edges of the breast cups for a finished edge also the underwire can be attached in other configurations such as by being sealed or stitched between the plies of the breast cups 14 or housed in the fabric casing 26 stitched onto the front of the breast cups medial portions of the free ends of the plies forming the torso encircling strap 16 adjacent the breast cups 14 are also secured to the breast cups by stitching or otherwise attaching the fabric casing 26 and underwire 24 to the breast cups in.