Did you know that 70-85% of women wear the wrong size bra? Did you also know that wearing the right bra can immediately make you look like you’ve lost 10 pounds and had an increase in bust size? To make sure you’re not one of the 70-85% of women making this major fashion fau-paux, read on to learn how to pick the right bra for you!
Typically, in order to find your bra size you take into consideration two measurements, band size and cup size. For most bra sizing that is it. The problem with this type of standardized measuring is that doesn’t account for atypical women. What if your sizing measurements don’t fit into the standardized chart? Or heaven forbid, you fall between sizes…now what do you do? The other hidden truth is the misconception that band size and cup size are independent of each other. Most women just go with band size first, (ie 32, 34, etc0, then pull several cup sizes in that number and begin trying on. The one with the “best” cup fit usually wins and off to the checkout counter we go
Finding the right size bra is often a trouble for many women; estimates are that about 80% of women wear the wrong size bra. This is not healthy for your breasts - especially if breasts are in too tight a bra.
Let your breasts have free time from bras daily - it's best to have spend more than 12 hours of your day bra-free. This will help the lymph flow inside your breasts. And when choosing a bra, try get yourself fitted by a professional.
A part of these bra fitting tips below have been submitted to us by a professional bra fitter.
What to know about getting a bra fitting:
The band size (or chest size) is the number part of your bra size. The cup size is the letter part. EX: if you are in a 36 B, then 36 is the band and B is the cup.
You are not going to get as good of a measurement as someone else would by measuring yourself. Let someone else measure you.
A measurement CAN be done over the bra you are wearing AND over your T-shirt. If you plan on getting fitted, don't wear a thick shirt like a sweatshirt or sweater.
If you have large and/or sagging breasts, then when the person is taking your band measurement, you should pull up on your bra's shoulder straps so that she can get the measuring tape under your breast for an accurate measurement.
EX: I had 2 different sale ladies "fit" me a year ago. One did not have me pull up on my straps and told me I was a 44DD. The size seemed to work but I was messing with my bra all day long and the wire kept poking me. I went back and a second lady "fitted" me and had me pull up on my straps and came out with a 40 DDD, which turned out to be my "true" size. The wire stopped hurting me and I stopped messing with my bra while I wore it.
If you wear a bra with padding or stuff your bra, then you are not going to get an accurate measurement. If you plan on getting fitted, wear a bra without padding.
Not all fittings will tell you the "right" size, but will give you a good place to start at usually.
Try on different styles of bras. Every style fits and feels different and can "shape" your breast differently.
Don't rush trying on bras. Really pay attention to how they fit and feel. Go bra shopping when you know you have the TIME for it. Many women have had to take up to an hour or more trying on several different sizes and styles to find the bra that gave them the fit and feel they wanted.
If your bra fits correctly, it should NOT be painful or uncomfortable to wear.
Finding the band size
There is NO consensus in these measurement methods (unfortunately). Different opinions exist. So no matter what measuring system you use, you still need to try the garment on to be sure it actually fits.
Have someone measure around your chest with a tape measure, just under your breasts, and around the back. Make sure the tape measure rests flat on the skin and goes straight across your back. The most common advice is to add 5 inches to this measurement - and then that is your band size (also called chest size).
BUT adding only 2-3 inches (instead of 5) can work better for many women - if you need the support to come more from below, rather than hanging off the shoulders. The above breast chest measure can also be a guide.
If you end up with an odd number, go up to the next even number, since bras usually only come in even-numbered band sizes.
Finding the cup size
Measuring the cup size is trickier; even with a measurement it is better to try on different bras and find out experimentally which one fits.
Have someone measure you again, this time the measuring tape goes on top of the fullest part of your breasts. If you already own a well-fitting non-padded bra, you can wear it while taking this measurement as long as it doesn't 'flatten' your breasts (which would make an illusion of a smaller cup size). Record this number, and find the difference between that, and the band-size number. The difference tells you the correct cup size as follows:
Difference:
(inches) negative < 1 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7"
Cup size AAAA or AAA AA A B C D DD or E DDD or F DDDD or G
Remember again, bra measuring is not exact science. And how could it be when women's breasts come in so many different shapes and sizes? Usually one breast is bigger than the other, they might sag, etc. So the fitting room tells you the truth; not the tape measure. You have to try the bra on. If it fits right, that's your bra size even if the tape measure told you different.
How to tell if your bra fits correctly.
It should fit snugly around. You ought to be able to fit one or two fingers under the band comfortably. If you are pulling down the back strap or pulling up on the shoulder straps throughout the day, then the band size (the # part of your bra size) is too big.
Can you fit 1 or 2 fingers comfortably? If yes, then the band is right size.
If you're having a hard time putting one finger under the band, then move the hooks to the loosest fitting eyes. If it is still tight on the loosest fitting, then try on one in the next up band size.
If the band can easily be pulled away from your body, or if the band rises up your back, then go down one in the band size.
If you are wearing an underwire bra, the wire that comes up between the breasts should lay flat (or as close as possible) to your breast bone. If you are wearing a bra with no underwire, you should have two separate breasts, not just a "one big boob".
If the bra is a soft cup bra, you shouldn't have any extra, gapping fabric. If the bra is a molded cup you shouldn't have any extra room in the cup. Your breast should completely fill the cup. If it is gapping and the band feels fine, then go down in the cup size.
You don't want to be spilling out of the cup - not from the top, bottom or sides. If the band feels fine then go up a cup size.
If you raise your arms up (do this a few times), the bra should stay against your body, not lifting up or off. If this happens try a few things;
adjust the shoulder straps by loosing them
Pay attention to the band. Is it too tight? Or too loose? Or just right?
If the band is just right, and adjusting the shoulder straps didn't work, then go up a cup size.
If you have a small frame or are petite, and you find a bra that fits the band, and you don't quite fill the cup and you have already tried the next cup size down and it's still not quite right - OR if the you have the "right" size, the band fits and you fill the cup, but the wire is poking your underarms, then try a Demi bra. A Demi style bra is different from a full coverage bra. The Demi has less wire, by about an inch or more.
Try on different styles of bras. Every style fits and fills different and can "shape" your breast differently.
If your bra fits correctly, it should NOT be painful or uncomfortable to wear.
The early undergarments, such as brassieres and corsets, were used to make the waist extremely small and the breasts flat and formless. Luckily, these pieces of clothing are not in vogue anymore. Nowadays, bras and undergarments are created to protect and enhance the bust and support the upper torso. Gone are the days when you have to make your breasts as inconspicuous as possible and your waist as tiny as the circumference of a solo-sized pizza.
But despite the recent technological advances in the bra industry, there are still a lot of women who do not know how to choose the right type, size and cup to use. Hence, many are suffering in silence because their bras are small, deformed, and even unsightly. Perhaps, the average Jane is still not comfortable about asking the help of sales specialists in lingerie stores.
It is important to note that having ill-fitted bras and undergarments is not only an issue of beauty and appearance; it also poses some health risks, such as back pains, bruises, and other potentially serious diseases.
Six Signs That You Badly Need To Replace Your Bra
1. You see red marks on your skin, particularly on the shoulders and at the back.
2. Your bra makes you slouch.
3. The centermost area of your bra does not reach your breastbone.
4. Your boobs swing and bounce every time you move.
5. The straps slip and fall off even after you tightened them.
6. When you raise your arm, your bra also goes up and leaves your bust half covered.
The above signs show that your bra does not fit you properly nor does it give the right support; it may even cause unnecessary health risks.
Health Risks
Wearing a bra that does not fit your cup or band size can actually cause rashes, headache, neck pain, pulled ligaments and back problems. If your breasts do not get the right amount of support from your undergarments, they tend to droop, bounce and go to places where you don't like them to go, such as your belly or underarms.
If you are into sports, you should also remember to wear a sports bra. Exercising and other strenuous activities can put a strain on your bust that may result to sagging, stretching, and a couple of pulled ligaments. Sports bras are specifically designed to provide utmost flexibility and maximum support, keeping your bust in shape and in place. Furthermore, the fabrics commonly used in this type of undergarment are breathable, which helps moisture and sweat stay outside the fabric. It must be stressed that you need to wear a sports bra every time you indulge in extreme physical activities and sports.
Best Style For Your Cup Size
Large Bust
For women who were endowed by nature with big and full breasts, you need to wear bra that has wide back and shoulder straps so that you will get the highest support. It would also be advisable to steer away from half cups because these might give an appearance of you having four breasts. A full cup, on the other hand, gives enough coverage and helps make your breasts look shapelier. A bra with an underwire is also appropriate for you.
Small Chest
For a curvy shaped, slightly lifted, and gorgeous neckline, a woman with small bust should choose a balcony-type bra. To give the appearance of cleavage, half cups with padding beneath and at the sides of the bust should be worn.
Women who don’t wear the right type of bra may damage their breasts without even realizing it, health experts have warned.
The breast biomechanics research team at the University of Portsmouth said that ignorance or embarrassment might be the reason why women choose the wrong type of support. The researchers from the Hampshire University’s Department of Sports Science said that wearing the wrong type of bra could lead to fragile ligaments becoming stretched.
The research team has tested about 50 bra designs on hundreds of women during the past three years. Dr Joanna Scurr’s research has shown that breasts move up to 21cm (8.26 inches) during exercise and they move up and down, in and out and from side to side. Most bras are designed to limit just vertical movement.
“Many women have strong preferences for certain styles of bra and won’t buy anything else,” The Sun quoted Wendy Hedger, a researcher with Dr Joanna’s team, as saying. "They won’t even look at anything that doesn’t look like the sort of bra they are used to wearing."
“In sports bras, for example, many women won’t buy a bra that resembles their everyday bra and does up at the back - they think if it can’t be pulled over their heads like a crop top, then it’s not a real sports bra. “But this is not true and many sports bras do up at the back in the same way as a traditional bra and do a very good job of supporting women. “And some women cause breast pain or discomfort by not buying the right-sized bra.
“There’s a social stigma about certain sizes. Many women don’t want to be seen as too small or too big and buy a bra that doesn’t fit well in order to be what they consider to be a normal size. “Many other women are unaware that they are wearing a badly-fitting bra or unknowingly wear the wrong bra size because they are routinely being sold ill-fitting bras."
“Some women forget that their shape and size change and they might have to go through several changes in bra size over their lifetime, especially after breastfeeding and menopause,” Hedger added.
Brenda Coulter has sold bras for a dozen years. The owner of Intimate Designs in Independence is obsessed with finding the right fit for women, which is why she carries sizes rarely found elsewhere, especially in larger cup sizes.
Most of the women who walk into her shop walk out in a new bra of an entirely different size because they'd been wearing the wrong one, she says. Her fitting process is personalized and takes up to 45 minutes.
Her advice:
* Measure around your rib cage with a tape measure. Coulter adds two to four inches to the measurement for a starting point for the band size.
* When the bra is on, make sure the back strap is level with the front. It should run evenly around your body and not ride up in the back. If you're constantly tugging the back strap down, you need to go down at least one band size.
* On an underwire bra, make sure the wire goes completely around the bust, including around the sides under the arms. There shouldn't be anything popping out of the cups underneath the arms; if there is, the cup is too small. The wires in the middle of the bra in front should lie flat against your chest. If they stick out, the cup is too small.
* Move around in the bra. Swing your arms around and over your head. The bra, and everything inside it, should stay firmly in place.
* Check your bra size at least every six months or so. Breast size changes as you gain or lose weight, get older, have babies, go through menopause.
Wearing The Right Bra Means Great Breast Support
The early undergarments, such as brassieres and corsets, were used to make the waist extremely small and the breasts flat and formless. Luckily, these pieces of clothing are not in vogue anymore. Nowadays, bras and undergarments are created to protect and enhance the bust and support the upper torso. Gone are the days when you have to make your breasts as inconspicuous as possible and your waist as tiny as the circumference of a solo-sized pizza.
But despite the recent technological advances in the bra industry, there are still a lot of women who do not know how to choose the right type, size and cup to use. Hence, many are suffering in silence because their bras are small, deformed, and even unsightly. Perhaps, the average Jane is still not comfortable about asking the help of sales specialists in lingerie stores.
It is important to note that having ill-fitted bras and undergarments is not only an issue of beauty and appearance; it also poses some health risks, such as back pains, bruises, and other potentially serious diseases.
Six Signs That You Badly Need To Replace Your Bra
1. You see red marks on your skin, particularly on the shoulders and at the back.
2. Your bra makes you slouch.
3. The centermost area of your bra does not reach your breastbone.
4. Your boobs swing and bounce every time you move.
5. The straps slip and fall off even after you tightened them.
6. When you raise your arm, your bra also goes up and leaves your bust half covered.
The above signs show that your bra does not fit you properly nor does it give the right support; it may even cause unnecessary health risks.
Health Risks
Wearing a bra that does not fit your cup or band size can actually cause rashes, headache, neck pain, pulled ligaments and back problems. If your breasts do not get the right amount of support from your undergarments, they tend to droop, bounce and go to places where you don't like them to go, such as your belly or underarms.
If you are into sports, you should also remember to wear a sports bra. Exercising and other strenuous activities can put a strain on your bust that may result to sagging, stretching, and a couple of pulled ligaments. Sports bras are specifically designed to provide utmost flexibility and maximum support, keeping your bust in shape and in place. Furthermore, the fabrics commonly used in this type of undergarment are breathable, which helps moisture and sweat stay outside the fabric. It must be stressed that you need to wear a sports bra every time you indulge in extreme physical activities and sports.
Best Style For Your Cup Size
Large Bust
For women who were endowed by nature with big and full breasts, you need to wear bra that has wide back and shoulder straps so that you will get the highest support. It would also be advisable to steer away from half cups because these might give an appearance of you having four breasts. A full cup, on the other hand, gives enough coverage and helps make your breasts look shapelier. A bra with an underwire is also appropriate for you.
Small Chest
For a curvy shaped, slightly lifted, and gorgeous neckline, a woman with small bust should choose a balcony-type bra. To give the appearance of cleavage, half cups with padding beneath and at the sides of the bust should be worn.
Wearing the right type of bra is really important in enhancing your appearance and even taking care of your health. For women who are small-chested, there are many types of bras that give added pads and support in the right places to give you more shape without sacrificing support. However, if you still feel unhappy with your breast size, you can either have a breast enhancement surgery or try breast-augmenting supplements like Clevastin. If you want to learn more about the product, just click on
http://www.clevastin.com
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine
http://www.theartic leinsiders.com
Pretty much every year, a magazine, newspaper or TV news show will do the "you're probably wearing the wrong bra size" story. Women shop, all is solved. But! A newsflash from the UK: Wearing the wrong bra could damage your breasts, researchers say. A smattering of articles are using scare tactics about a new study: Scientists at the University of Portsmouth claim that wearing the wrong type of bra can lead to ligaments becoming irreparably stretched. Up to 95% of women are thought to be at risk — because "they are ignorant or embarrassed about their true bra size."
The head of this study, Dr. Joanna Scurr, tested 50 bra designs on hundreds of women over the last three years. She believes the speed at which breasts move could be the key to preventing breast pain (duh). The Daily Mail has pictures of the high-tech testing process: A woman in a sports bra on a treadmill is hooked up to a computer; a chart shows body movement and nipple movement. But what's not in any of these articles is why a woman should care about damaged breasts.
I'm no bra-burner. Lord knows I need all the support I can get. And certainly for sports and exercise, it feels better when the girls don't bounce around. But for eons, women lived without bras. (Without shirts, even.) Nipples hung down because that's what they're supposed to do. They're for spawn, not for pointing into the air in Playboy pictorials. But seriously: Besides discomfort from not wearing the right size bra — in which case you don't need a study, you just need a shopping trip — what is the "damage" we're supposed to get worked up about? Sagginess? Is drooping a medical condition now? (Oh, right, there is a surgical procedure for it, so it must be!)
Clearly, it's important to wear the right size. But it's confusing why Dr. Joanna Scurr doesn't elaborate on the "damage" caused and whether the effects have an impact on womens' health. We may not want our boobs to be "stretched," but is the consequence purely cosmetic?
This article is aimed at teen girls:
Bras not only minimize jiggling and shape the appearance of a girl's breasts, they're also helpful from a health standpoint. Wearing the right bra keeps a girl's breasts supported while she's playing a sport and can help prevent injury to breast tissue. A well-fitting bra is also important for a woman's posture, particularly if she has large breasts. A bra that doesn't fit can cause back problems, muscle tension, and even headaches.
Yet seven out of 10 women wear bras that don't fit.
All About Straps, Snaps, Bands, and Cups
Finding the right bra doesn't have to be an ordeal if you know the basics of bra sizing. There are two parts to a bra's size: the chest size (also called the band size) and the cup size. The chest, or band, size is the part of the bra that runs across a girl's chest and around her back. The cups are the parts of the bra that hold the breasts. Bras come in many sizes, which are different combinations of the chest sizes (shown as numbers - in the United States, these are 32, 34, 36, etc.) and cup sizes (shown as letters - AA, A, B, C, etc.) It's important to get both the chest and cup sizes right to ensure a proper fit. Some bra manufacturers are now starting to offer cup options in half sizes in addition to regular cups to help girls get a better fit.
If a girl wears a bra that's the wrong chest size, the bra's band will either feel tight and uncomfortable around her rib cage or it will be too loose and ride up her breasts. Bras that are too small in the cup will compress a girl's boobs and force them to bulge out the sides (think armpit boobs). And cups that are too big can wrinkle and pucker, which won't look good under clothes. So how do you calculate your chest and cup measurements? It's easy, and it's something you can do in the privacy of your own room at home. All that you need is a tape measure.
Chest measurement. Bra fitting experts offer two methods of calculating the chest measurement. The most common method involves running a tape measure just under your breasts, all the way around your back and rib cage. The tape measure should rest flat on your skin and lie straight across your back - not so tight that it digs in, but not so loose that it sags down in back. Make a note of your measurement and add 5 inches. That's your chest size.
You can also estimate your chest size by running a tape measure across your chest above your breasts, under your armpits, and around your back (measure from the same back position as in the first chest measurement option). This method is easier because you don't have to do any addition or other calculation, but some people feel it's less accurate than using the first method.
If your chest measurement comes out as an odd number (such as 31 inches or 33 inches), it's usually a good rule to round up to the next number. Most bras have a few sets of adjustable hooks and eyes, so you can adjust the tightness. It's a good idea to round up, rather than round down, because when you buy a new bra that hooks on the first or middle hooks - rather than on the last - you can leave room for growth.
Cup measurement. As with the chest measurement, when you're measuring for cup size, make sure the tape is snug - not too loose or too tight. If you already own an unpadded bra that fits well, wear it when measuring for cup size. Be careful about the type of bra you wear to take your measurements, though. Sports bras can flatten breasts and give a cup reading that's too small, and padded or lined bras have the opposite effect.
This time, when you run the tape measure around your body, you're going to take the measurement across the fullest part of your breasts. Write down this number. Now subtract your chest measurement. If the difference between the two numbers is less than 1 inch, your cup size is AA. If it's 1 inch, your cup size is A; 2 inches, you're a B; 3 inches you're a C, and so on.
So you've taken your measurements and you're in the fitting room trying a bra in what's supposed to be your size - but it doesn't seem to fit. Now what? Before you pile on all your clothes just to go out and look for a different size, experiment by making some adjustments to the bra. Extend or shorten the band around your chest slightly by moving the hooks to a different eye on the hook and eye closure (or adjust the velcro if the bra has a velcro closing). The bottom band of a properly fitting bra should ride across the middle of your back and pass under your shoulder blades to provide the right support.
A bra's straps allow you to modify how the cups fit and support your breasts. When the straps are the right length, a bra lifts the breasts comfortably and the back of the bra will run straight across your back (if a bra is pulling upward in the back, it may be a sign that the straps are too tight). You should be able to get one finger under the straps to prevent them from digging into your shoulders. In general, girls who are petite will need to wear their bra straps shorter than girls who are tall.
Bra Booby Traps
In addition to fit, there are some other things you might want to take into account when choosing a bra.
Breast growth. A girl's breasts can grow and change rapidly during the teen years, which means that until you stop developing, you might have to change your bra size several times. If your breasts are still growing, consider buying fewer bras and measure yourself frequently to double-check your size. Because growth can make a girl's breasts sensitive, you might find certain styles or fabrics work better for you. For example, some girls like seamless cups because they don't irritate the nipples; others choose styles that minimize jiggle to ease the occasional aches of breast development.
Menstrual changes. Some girls' breasts change size or shape at different times in their menstrual cycles. Many girls find they like to wear different styles of bras at different times in their cycle.
Different-sized breasts. Most girls' breasts grow at different rates - and many girls find themselves with one boob that's bigger than its partner. This is so common that bra manufacturers design their products so they can be adjusted to accommodate lopsided breasts. Start by moving the strap adjusters on a bra to different lengths to see if this helps. Some girls also use the trick of buying a bra that has removable padding and then taking the extra padding out of the cup for the larger breast. Push-up bras can work well for this because they often come with an easily removable padded section (called a "cookie") that sits under the breast.
Hooks, wires and other hazards. Take a look at the bra you're about to buy and imagine how it might survive a full day of wear. If the front closure pops open too easily, could this bra let you down in front of your entire drama class? The bra's straps may feel fine in the fitting room, but if the adjusters are sitting right on your shoulder or collarbone, how will that feel under your backpack? Test to see if the bra band is too loose by lifting your arms in the air and putting them back down by your sides a couple of times. If the bra rides up across your breasts, the band is too loose. If you're looking for a sports bra, jump up and down in the fitting room a couple of times to evaluate the bra's bounce control.
You may also want to try on a T-shirt or sweater over a bra you're thinking of buying to get the finished effect. That pink rose on the front may look cute on the bra itself, but does it make you look as if you've sprouted a third breast once your T-shirt's on?
No matter what the size or shape of a girl's breasts, the most important thing to remember in choosing a bra is comfort. Try on a variety of bras to find the one that's right for you. Some girls prefer the comfort of cotton, others like the support of synthetics or underwires. There are minimizer bras for girls who'd like their breasts to look smaller, or padded bras for girls who'd like a little extra shape. No one bra is better than another - it all depends on which style works best for you.
Okay, now… getting a bra that fits and is comfortable! This is difficult for even the seasoned bra buyers and depends so much on band size. Having the back snap ride upward will cause the cups of your bra to look un-natural and it causes the cups to “point upward”, and only padded bras stand upward when we’re 18. The new trend, with gg’s… since ‘the’ bra fitting show on Oprah… is to have a smaller band size and a much larger cup size. There was only one little problem with that. There were no stores that carried the larger size cups over a size D or Double D. Just recently, some of the better retail stores; such as Nordstrom’s are carrying the larger cup size of E. If comfort is more important to you, than the largest cup sizes, here’s how to measure for your first bra!
Using a material tape measure, measure your chest, below the pecks. Measure snug but not tight.
You can only get bras band sizes in even numbers. (i.e. 36, 38, 40, etc.)
If you measure 38" your bras band size will be 38 or 40.
If the total is an odd number go up one inch. Example: If the total measurement adds to 41", then add one inch to make it 42" - this is your bra band size.
It is important to not have your band size tight, as this causes a roll of skin under your arm… and causes a bulge in the back of your dress or under the arm area. If this happens, here are my suggestions. First, try increasing your band size up. I suggest getting a band size that fits comfortably and does not go up in the back, but will stay down. This is very important when purchasing a strapless bra, as it will always slip downward in the back as well as the front.
I appreciate all of this information. However, the lack of cup size is ever troubling on the search for bras. I am sure that I am not alone on this issue here. Even the AA's and AAA's don't fit. Those usually are made for a child sized chest. The cups on those don't extend to the outside of my breast tissue (no matter how flat) and this is quite uncomfortable. Has anyone actually seen these sizes in the womens' (as opposed to children's) lingerie section of any department store? I have searched online, but that seems just as futile.. . . and is this a lego?
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