Bras Buying Guide
The bra is an essential but thankless garment. When you're wearing the wrong one, you look terrible in your clothes. But who wants to take the time, exert the effort, and spend the cash on a piece of
measuring tape and measure your rib cage just under your breasts, where your usual bra band would fit. Write that number down. Now measure again over your breasts, at their fullest point. Write that number down too. What's the difference between the two figures? Once you know that, you'll have your cup size:
So for example, if you measured 34 inches around your rib cage and then 36 inches over your bust, you've got a difference of two inches. That makes you a B-cup, and your band size is 34 inches. You're officially equipped to start bra shopping!
The Hunt
Now that you've got your size, you'll be perusing racks of
clothes (and breasts!) they might work best with.
'''Common Coverages'''
'''Speciality Bras'''
'''Wires?'''
Testing
In the privacy of a dressing room, you can really test your prospective bra out. Don't be afraid to do what you must to ensure a perfect fit:
The Verdict
Do you know what bra you need? Well, grab about four of them and shuffle off to the dressing room, because there's still some work to be done. Put one on and look for these no-nos:
* '''Wrinkled cups. '''If this is happening, go down a cup sizeyou're not filling it out as intended.
* '''Cups that runneth over.''' Go up a cup.
* '''A back that rides up. '''Go smaller in the band size, and/or adjust the straps so that they're longer.
* '''A band that cuts into your flesh and makes bulges.''' Adjust the band to a looser clasp. How's that feel? If it's now too loose, try a thicker band, which is less likely to cut into your skin. If you're already at the loosest clasp, go up a band size (for example from 34" to 36"), keeping the same cup size, and survey the results.
* '''Straps that dig into your shoulders.''' Adjust them so that they're looser. How does that feel? If your breasts just dropped two inches and you don't feel supported, the culprit is the backband. Is tight enough? You shouldn't be able to fit more than two finger between the bra and your back; if you can, it's too loose and you should go down a size, from 36" to 34" for example. If it ''is'' tight enough but you're still not supported, try a different brayou need a wider band to support you.
* '''The bra doesn't lie flat against your skin.''' The centre of the bra should touch your breastbone no matter how you move around. If it's gapping, chances are you need to go up a cup size, and possibly down a band size.
Did You Know?
A recent study at a London hospital performed bra fittings on women about to undergo breast reduction surgery. The result? 100% of the women were wearing the wrong bra size. If you're miserable in your bras, either because of back or shoulder pain, or constant fidgeting/adjusting during the day, do yourself a favour and get professionally fitted. You never know how comfortable you might be able to feelit could change your whole outlook on your breasts, and maybe even your life. Happy shopping!
Related Guides
