In my experience, more than 90% of women wear the wrong bra size. Sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Many women also take several different sizes, depending on the shape, cut, make and fabric of the bra. To add to the confusion, most women are not entirely symmetrical, meaning the size of each of their breasts are not equal.
Your shape is unique, making it sometimes difficult to find bras that are made in standard sizes. Many large-scale lingerie stores do not have experienced salespeople to help you find your best personal fit. Today I offer you one of the most common bra fitting problems, with tips on how to fix it. Over the next few blogs, you will find a comprehensive guide on how to diagnose and solve each fitting problem, along with some images that will demonstrate the proper or incorrect fitting for bras.
But first… In a previous blog, I asked you to try on each of your bras and go through a checklist of items to see if your bras were the wrong size. It’s fun to do this with your girlfriends too, and they can help you see things you can’t. If it doesn’t fit, or if the elastic is stretched out, toss it. Ask yourself these questions when you try on each bra.
*Are you adjusting the back closure at the tightest hook but it’s still not supporting you?
*Does the back ride up in an inverse U-shape?
*Does the underwire cut into your breast tissue or under your arms?
*Do the cups ride up over your breasts when you lift up my arms?
*Is your breast tissue spilling out of your cups, or cutting into your breast even when you adjust the straps?
*Is there too much space inside of your bra cups that your breasts don’t fill?
*Are your straps adjusted to the tightest fit and are still falling down your shoulders?
*Do you feel constrained or not properly supported throughout the day?
*Is your back closure too tight, even at the loosest hooks, so that you find it hard to breathe or move?
*Is the elastic around the band worn and overextended?
One of the most common issues with bra fitting is the cup size. I have seen some women with red lines underneath their arms and breasts from where their too-small underwire dug into them painfully.
Time for a reality check. It’s normal to change sizes and shapes over time. If your bras don’t fit you, don’t keep buying the same size. I have actually met women who refused to wear D cups because in their minds, that was too big. Size doesn’t matter as long as you’re comfortable in your bra. Seriously. If you don’t like it, cut out the tags! It’s not worth walking around all day long in discomfort.
Adjust your straps until you can your index finger between them and your shoulders, and without them cutting into you or slipping off your shoulders. The bra cups should lie flat against your breasts without any bunching, spaces or overlap (otherwise known as Spill Mountain, which is super unattractive).
Your underwire should contour and envelop the entirety of your breast tissue under your arm, and against your ribcage and breastbone. Never, ever wear a bra if the underwire cuts into you, because it’s too small, and can cause you serious problems, like cutting off the circulation to the tissue that is being constrained. Start by increasing your cup size or finding a bra style that offers a wider and more flexible underwire.
Your girls should never slip out from your bra when you move around or lift up your arms (this can make for an embarrassing fashion mishap!). If they do, then your size is too big, so go down a cup, like from a C to a B, until the underwire fits more snugly.
Some women have come to me with their doctor’s advice not to wear underwire. If you’ve heard this before, know that it’s mostly because women typically wear bras too small for them, which can cut off circulation to the surrounding lymphatic areas. Since your body needs to clear itself of its toxins, it is necessary to ensure proper and natural circulation, and constraining your breasts may prohibit your body’s natural functioning. As long as you are wearing the right size, and your breasts are being supported but not squished, this should not be a problem.
Always remember that you should do self breast exams periodically, but these should never replace regular breast exams with your doctor. Click here to view images from the American Cancer Society on how to conduct a self breast exam.
Stay tuned for the next installment of Bra Fitting Problems, and discover more helpful tips to find your perfect fit!
[...] me start with one of the basic principles of bra fitting (you can see my other blogs on this by clicking here). When your bra fits properly, the underwire should contour all of your breast tissue (from under [...]