Ask any women, and they will tell you that nowhere is finding a correct fit more of a challenge than with bras – and yet many women get so fed up with the task that they simply resign themselves to wearing a bra that is uncomfortable and unflattering. Perhaps the lace is pretty, but it doesn’t cover what it should, or they gave up and find themselves wearing a sports bra for all occasions. It’s unfortunate, and an unnecessary hurdle since finding a bra that fits and enhances your looks and what nature has supplied you is just a matter of knowing what you’re looking for – and how and where to find it.
The fact is that most commercial brands offer only a narrow range of often unreliable sizes. Case in point, there will seldom be anything available under a 28-inch band size or over an F-cup, leaving delicate and full-figure women out in the cold. Likewise, many women have misconceptions about the letters in bra sizes, assuming that an A cup is small, a B cup is medium, and so on. In fact, the lesser only indicates the number of inches difference between your under-bust measurement and the measurement around the fullest part of your bust.
“This means a woman with 28C breasts will technically be bigger busted than a woman with, say, 36C,” said to a spokesperson for American-made bras UpBra.
It can get complicated, so start from scratch and get yourself measured by a reputable, knowledgeable boutique that specializes in bra fitting. My recommendations it to forget department stores measurements, my experience has demonstrated that the staff rarely knows how to use the measurement tape. Don’t be alarmed if you’re not the size you thought you were. It’s common for women to be smaller in the under-bust measurement and larger in the cup than they first thought. Trust me, I almost fainted when I discovered that I am a D cup and not B as I have been buying for years.
If you are not trusting the instructions above you may want to consider the UpBra app. It requires no download and is super easy to use. I tried the UpBra. It takes less than a minute, and find it to be an easy and accurate way to size my bra size.
Here are the instructions: * 1: Remove your shirt and your bra if you’re wearing one or wear an unpadded bra. You’ll get more accurate results with no bra.
* 2: Remove any phone case on your smartphone.
* 3: Lock your phone’s screen rotation, the app won’t work if it rotates! (iPhones: Flick up from screen bottom, Android: Flick down from top right)
* 4: Stand up straight.No slouching. It’s important!
* 3: Lock your phone’s screen rotation, the app won’t work if it rotates! (iPhones: Flick up from screen bottom, Android: Flick down from top right)
* 4: Stand up straight.No slouching. It’s important!
Use the app on the same breast.
* 5: Make all measurements on the same breast, don’t switch back and forth. I tried it and I ended up with a larger cup size than the measurement tape but it was correct. A larger size is more comfortable and doesn’t pinch.
Step Two: Consider Your Lifestyle and your Wardrobe
Are you getting married and need a strapless bra? Or heading out to the gym? The office?
Lace bras are beautiful and sexy but will become annoying under thin cotton shirts because of the dimpled appearance these bras give the silhouettes. Likewise, extra padding or synthetic materials may get in the way of an active lifestyle. And few bras do a decent job of staying up as needed for your strapless wedding gown or other high life events.
Be honest about what function your bras need to play in day to day life, special events and go from there. Will the straps work with particular shirts and dresses? Will the fabric be appropriate in a specific climate? Silk is pretty but is very hot and shows transpiration, so are most synthetic fabrics. Almost all women need a smooth, everyday bra in a neutral skin tone, but a woman’s lifestyle will dictate whether she needs more or less support, padding, decoration or even something like a multipurpose bra with removable straps and padding.
Step Three: Shop Wisely
Now that you’re armed with the correct size and style, the final step is buying the bra. Online shopping can be a godsend for those with little time on their hands, but some may be hesitant to buy a bra without trying it first. Use the UpBra app! At least with that tool, you’re guaranteed a good fit. Choose a store that offers free returns and then order the bra in a few size possibilities if you’re unsure, so you can keep the best fit and return the rejects. Don’t be afraid to sample from many different brands and then stick with the few that fit properly. Avoid stores like Victoria’s Secret – this lingeries is designed primarily for sex appeal with poor quality control and is often ill-fitting. I’ll never forget the bras that I ordered that came in with different cup sizes on the same bra! Instead, try splashing out on fewer items from high-quality brands like Chantelle Wacoal, Freya and U.S. made. UpBra, or The Little Bra Company smaller busts.
A bra that is pretty, well-fitting and comfortable can truly elevate an outfit, so it’s worth taking the time to find something special. Commit to the effort of finding the right size, brand, and style just once, and you’ll spare yourself a possible lifetime of wearing the wrong bra and possibly, back pain.