In a world that values - or devalues - women based on the shape and size of their breasts, it has become increasingly important to showcase a full-sized bosom, even when you don't have a full-sized body.

For those who cannot bear the financial burden of a costly cosmetic surgery and who do not trust bust-enhancing herbal supplements, there is the magic of the enhancer bra, which aims to give women a fuller look.

As China banned radio ads for what it calls "social polluting" figure enhancing underwear last fall, industry experts noted American women spent $10.8 billion on lingerie in the 12-month period between April 2006 and March 2007. According to NPD Group, a statistics gathering organization, that represents a 10.6-percent increase, with bra sales gaining 11.6 percent.

Since the mid-1990s, when the Sarah Lee Corporation expanded its popular Wonderbra from a single push-up garment to a full line of lingerie, women have had some broad choices for attractive-looking breasts.

In 2006, Sarah Lee sold the license for Wonderbra to Canadelle Limited Partnership, a Canadian company owned by HanesBrands, Inc.

By then, though, an international fashion trend had taken root. Women were able to use bras and other bra enhancements to get the looks they wanted.

Fashion trends toward more body-hugging clothing sparked an interest in solid enhancer bras. Some high-end designers have even started building enhancer bras into halters, empire waist tops and strapless gowns.

A trendy favorite is the built-in bra in a top with the cups separated and held together with a strip of fancy fabric, which sometimes has fringe hanging from it.

Not many women have relied on the battery-operated sucking motion of the Brava Breast Enhancement and Shaping System (aka, the vacuum bra). The bra costs $2,500.

Tested on 12 women who wore the device for about 12 hours a day over three months, the vacuum bra increased breast size by a half-cup, even if only temporarily. The gentle suctioning motion of the bra stimulates breast growth, and women who have used it have been known to grow one or two cup sizes.

The "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery" study, detailed in a 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, said that breast volume for these women decreased when they stopped using the vacuum bra.

Approved by the FDA as a medical device, more than 10,000 women to date have used the Brava system.

Some women have also been hesitant

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