Are you wearing the right sized bra?
Buying a new bra is possibly up there in the top most-hated shopping experiences for a woman – up there with shopping for swimsuits and jeans. But what may seem overwhelming can actually be quite fun – and simple! – if you have the know-how and tools to get it right.
All you need is a pen, paper, and a flexible tape measure.
The most important thing is to buy the correct size. Up to 80% of women are wearing the wrong sized bra – and the average woman will wear six different bra sizes throughout her adult life. Weight gain or loss, hormonal changes, breastfeeding, menopause, etc can all have a dramatic impact on the natural size of the breasts and also the torso – which is just as important in fitting a bra as breast size. The wrong sized bra is not only uncomfortable, it can be unhealthy too. Neck problems, back pain, and postural issues are just the tip of the iceberg. It’s worth getting it right.
Bra sizes are based on two main measurements: busts and underbust. The combination of these two measurements will determine your band size and cup size. The cup is sized relative to the band – so not all cups are equal! For example, if a 12C bra might be correct for cup size but too big in the band, the correct size to try would not be a 10C, but a 10D. Confusing? It doesn’t need to be.
Follow these easy steps:
Measure Underbust: wear your most comfortable bra but nothing else on top. Use a flexible tape measure. Measure around the rib cage directly under your breasts, with the tape not too tight or loose. The tape should be parallel to the floor (use a mirror to check). This measurement (in centimetress) is your band size. Record it.
Measure Bust: Measure with tape, again parallel to the floor and not too tight or loose, around the fullest part of your bust (still wearing your comfy bra). Your breast shape should not be impinged upon by the tape - have it comfortable against your body all the way around but no pressing. Record this measurement, again in centimetres, rounded to the nearest centimetre.
Determine your bra size: The sizing chart will help you work out your optimal bra size:
The following are signs the bra you are wearing is the wrong size:
Baggy Cups = Cup size too large
Bulging Boobs (top or sides) = Cup size too small
Bra straps dig in = straps adjusted too tight, cups too small, or band too large
Protruding wires = band size too large
Back rides up = band size too small
The right bra isn’t just dependent on size.
Style, make and fabric used all play a part depending on your size, shape and preference, including cup shape, cup design, and specialist bras… below is a quick and easy guide. Enjoy shopping!
Cup Shape
Unmoulded: no defined cup shape, made of thin material
Contour: lightly padded to define breast shape
Cup Design
Full Cup: covers the entire breast
Demi Cup: covers half the breast
Balconette: wide straps and low cut. Creates revealing cleavage.
T-shirt: Unseamed over cup to give smooth line
Soft Cup: No underwire
Minimiser: Full cup to give light compression to make breasts appear smaller
Specialist
Sports: Close fitting, restricts movement of breast during exercise
Maternity: adjustable over course of pregnancy
Nursing: opens for easy access to nipple for suckling baby
Mastectomy: double lined and designed to fit a prosthesis
Post surgery: soft, unwired, and front opening
Features
Plunge: low centre front for wearing with low-cut tops
Front Closure: easy front fastening and smooth back
Adhesive: reusable or disposable, stick-on cups for smaller breast sizes
Racerback: straps join at back near neck so shoulders are bare
Convertible: straps adjust for various styles
Bandeau: strapless bra
Longline: Band sits lower on the torso
Crop Top: No underwire, great coverage, very comfortable
Body Shaping: shapes around the back
Liquid Filled: push-up bra with gel padding
Removable Padding: adjust level of push-up by adding or removing padding
Structure
Underwire: metal, plastic or resin sewn under cups for added support
Wire-free: banding only used for under-cup support
Padding
None: no padding
Light: small layer of padding
Medium: lightly boosts cleavage with medium padding support
Push-Up: large boost and support
Ultra Push-Up: Look up to a cup size larger with high boost level
Fabric
Sheer: fully see-through
Lace: all lace or with lace detail
Printed: patterned
Embroidered: Patterned with stitching
Plain: basic without pattern or trim
Impact/Support
Low: everyday use
Medium: Support Factor 2: SF2 = cycling, walking: reduce breast bounce by 45%
High: SF3 = jogging, soccer, basketball: reduce breast bounce by 50%
Extreme: SF4 = athletics, marathons: reduce breast bounce by 60%.