Dear me, it’s time to wake up to the fact that the world of bras has become as complicated as a Marco Pierre White recipe. The manufacturers have discovered that keeping bosoms well supported, bearing in mind their varying weights, sizes and shapes, is not a job for those hoping for a quiet life. And there’s also the dizzying collection of necklines that have to be accommodated, with a combination of modesty and allure, if the bra is to fulfil its wearers’ hopes and dreams.

When it comes to bosoms, there’s no avoiding the reality that there are lots of niche problems that need to be sorted out. If you want to make the most of your clothes, there is no one-size, one-shape fits all bra solution. If your wardrobe — not to mention your life — has any variety to it, then you are going to have to abandon the notion of a single shape of bra and embrace the need for a wardrobe of them. The style required to give proper support on the tennis court would look utilitarian under an diaphanous evening dress. Delicious undies, in my experience, are one of life’s little pleasures. Do not forsake them.

You may be interested to know that Lycra, providers of that most accommodating of fibres, interviewed more than 500 women to understand what it calls “a woman’s relationship with her bra”. It discovered that women view clothes as a way of projecting different personas and the sort of bra they require depends upon which persona they are planning to adopt.

In other words, in sex-kitten mode they don’t want the same sort of bra as when they are being a suburban mum.

First, of course, you must get properly measured (Rigby&Peller, 020-7491 2200, will do it brilliantly and some branches of M&S have good assistants in the lingerie departments, but it’s a matter of pot luck).

Then you need to think of your clothes. If you’re a jogger or power walker, Lycra has found that Berlei’s Shock Absorber range is best for support (£24, 01525 859759). This is a strictly practical and comfortable choice. But when you want to feel more glamorous, then it’s time for something like La Perla’s Black Label range. Lycra found that women didn’t mind straps showing if they were the same colour as their dress. Black Label has a ravishing bra with two little bits of diamante at the bottom of the strap for £130 (020-7291 0930).

For all-round versatility, it is hard to beat Marks & Spencer’s Ultimate convertible bra (£20, 0845 3021234) which has straps that can be adapted to suit halterneck, strapless, backless and plunging clothes. When in super-mum mode, wanting to look and feel good without being too seductive, Triumph’s Supersoft (£25, 01793 720300) is a good choice. It sells in its thousands for the very good reason that it suits most women, most of the time.

For serious glamour, go for Agent Provocateur’s red and black Kabaret bra (£85, 020-7235 0229) — it gives great uplift (it’s not called a balcony bra for nothing) and good separation of the bosom. For general prettiness, Lejaby’s New Rosa floral bra (£39, 020-7478 4340) is what you want to wear when you are feeling girly or try the Elise by Fantasie (£32, figleaves.com) as illustated here by David Downton.

Finally, remember that “visible nipple outline” is the new visible panty line and deeply to be avoided. Around 90 per cent of British women, the survey found, “just aren’t comfortable with VNO”.

And if you’re interested in the minutiae of underwear surveys, you should know that while just 50 per cent of British women thought that a bra and knickers had to match, 70 per cent of French women felt it was important.

Vive la difference.

asklucia@thetimes.co.uk or write to Ask Lucia, times2, The Times, 1 Pennington Street, London, EC98 1TT, with a description of your style dilemma. Please include your age and personal details. Lucia regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence

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