You’ve probably heard it before, read it in a magazine, and while rinsing off in the shower, noticed the Herbal Essences bottle fact that says over 60% of women wear the wrong bra size. But if you’re like me a few years ago, you’ll automatically assume that you’re not one of these women.
It wasn’t until I started working at Victoria’s Secret that I truly realized how important finding the perfect bra is for every shape and size. The truth is that when girls go to stores to find a new bra, she will most likely wind up in the dressing room trying out what she thinks will give her the most cleavage or the most coverage, or whatever else she’s looking for. But without knowing the basics of how a bra should fit, you might be making life hard on your girls. So here are a few tips to help them out and give you that amazing comfort and silhouette you and your girls deserve.
Get Measured. Yes, most girls think they know their size, or maybe they were measured a year or two ago, but what we don’t realize is that breast tissue can change as often as every six months, even if you’ve stayed the same weight.
For those who have lost or gained a few pounds, this is particularly important considering that for most women, the area we lose or gain our weight from first is almost always our breasts.
If you’re nervous about being fitted, don’t be! I’ve measured for girls as young as 11 and as old at 80, and although most seem nervous, they usually are happy with their results – especially if they realize they’ve been wearing the wrong size. At most stores like Macy’s or Victoria’s Secret, the bra specialist will do the measurement right over your shirt, and it will be done within 30 seconds.
When I got measured during my training at Victoria’s Secret, I found out that I was wearing a 36B when I should have been wearing a 38D. Big difference right? It seems like I should have realized that on my own, but if you’re anything like me, you just get used to how your bra feels and think that’s how it’s supposed to be.
In the Dressing Room. Once you’ve been measured, pick out a variety of different styles of bras. Try demi, perfect coverage, padded, push-up, wireless, racerback, multi-way, and anything else you can find, remember, you can never try enough! This becomes the fun part. Choose anything that you think you’ll love, and even a few that might seem a bit too much, because hey, you are paying for it, so it should be pretty!
Once you get into the dressing room, try each bra on and compare your favorite styles. Do you like the padding? Is the underwire supportive? How are the straps? Jump up and down a few times – seriously, actually do this – to see if you’re falling out, and whether the bra will support you for all day comfort.
If It’s Just Not Working. Some signs that the bra is not right can be from how the straps, back band, cups, or underwire fit. From helping out a variety of different shaped and sized women, here’s what I’ve picked up on:
The Straps. If your straps are slipping off your shoulders and tightening them just doesn’t do the trick, go down a band size (instead of 36B, try a 34B). Once the band size is smaller, the straps will naturally be closer together, preventing them from slipping. If the straps are leaving marks, and loosening them doesn’t help, I would suggest going up a cup size.
If neither solution seems to help, try opting out of the normal strap style and instead slipping into a racerback bra. These hide under almost every shirt, and can give you the strap support you’re looking for.
The Center. The center of your bra is the part that meets in the middle of the two cups. If the center is rubbing against you, refuses to lay flat, or even pinches your girls, definitely try going up a cup size. If the new cup size is too big, go back to the original cup and try a larger band size or two.
The Back Band. If your back band seems to be bulging up around your skin, don’t take it personally. Not matter how thin a girl may be, if the band is too tight, there will be some unflattering back bumps. The quick fix? Try going up a size. This will help the band lay smooth along your back; along with helping the cups do their job.
If you’re not bulging but your back continues to creep up your back all day, the issue is that the band isn’t tight enough. Try going down a band size.
A trick to keep in mind when you buy a new bra, if it feels comfortable, wear the band on the loosest hook. As the bra becomes worn, it will naturally loosen up, and then you’ll be able to adjust to the tightest hook and it will feel brand new.
The Cups. If you feel like you’re suffocating under your own chest, try going up a cup size. This will do a world of wonder for your girls, giving them the room they need.
But if the cups look like they are gapping on the sides or centerline, try a smaller cup because you are probably not filling it out enough. If the gap is only slight, just tighten your hook in the back.
If the gap is at the crossing point of the top of the cup and the end of the strap, then your problem may be the style of bra you’re wearing. This problem generally is for larger cup sizes, and can generally be fixed by swapping your demi-coverage to a full-coverage. (Trust me, full-coverage can look just as sexy).
The Underwire. This seems to be the most forgotten part of the bra, but its function may just be one of the most important. If you can feel your underwire, it pinches, or is digging into your skin, it’s time to go up a cup size. All underwire should sit along your skin on your ribcages, without poking or protruding.
All this may seem like a lot to take in. Some of it may not even apply to you, but it’s always important to keep in mind when you’re out shopping. Bras can be expensive, but the cost neglecting your girls isn’t worth it – so make sure you know exactly what you are getting.
If you need more help when you are trying things on in stores, don’t be afraid to ask a worker. At places like Maiden Form or Victoria’s Secret, all associates are trained to help you find the perfect bra. Some places even have bra wardrobe centers that allow you to try every style bra in the store in your size, from a single draw. Trust me, we’ve seen a lot, and I mean a lot, of boobs, so don’t be embarrassed to ask if something looks right. Good luck and remember, your girls will thank you!
Photo credit: www.victoriassecret.com and www.maidenform.com
*Not an advertisement for Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s, or Maiden Form
**All knowledge is from learning as store associate