How to Get a Great-Fitting Bra

A badly fitting bra is not only a fashion faux pas, it can be extremely uncomfortable. Yet, many women unwittingly wear the wrong size. Getting properly fit is the first step to finding a bra that makes you look and feel your best.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Everyday bras

1. Go to a lingerie or department store and suss out an experienced salesperson to measure you.

2. Try on a variety of styles. Underwires increase support, push-up bras enhance cleavage, and thicker padding adds inches.

3. Lean forward at the waist and pull the bra away from your breasts by the straps so that your breasts fall naturally into the cups. The band should fit snugly but not dig into your flesh. If it's too tight, go to the looser hook or try a larger size. If the bra doesn't feel comfortably snug or it feels like your breasts might fall out below, tighten the hooks or go to a smaller band size.

4. Adjust the shoulder straps so that they feel snug but don't dig into your shoulders.

5. Walk around, jump up and down, and swing your arms around to test comfort and support.

Sports bras

1. Shop at a store where you feel comfortable. The staff should be helpful and able to answer your questions knowledgeably. Or shop online at a merchant such as Title9Sports.com, which has a vast selection of sports bras including one that holds up to size 40DDDs, as well as a nursing sports bra.

2. Put the bra on. You'll have three choices: pulling it on over your head, fastening it in front, and closing it in the back. It should feel comfortable when you put it on. Large-breasted women should check that there's no pressure on the shoulders.

3. Inspect how the bra is built. There should be no exposed metal or hardware, which will irritate by the end of your workout. Quality bras have plush lining surrounding all metal pieces.

4. Jump up and down to gauge movement. Women up to an average D cup are best off with a compression bra, while full Ds need an encapsulation bra to minimize movement. Ask if you can testdrive the bra and take a run around the block.

5. Read the label to find out what the fabric content is. Virtually every sports bra has a coolmax/lycra lining for wicking. The outer fabric, aside from looking great, lends support and maintains shape. Pure cotton won't wick, but a cotton/polyester/lycra blend is very supportive. Skin that chafes easily will be happiest in a poly/lycra blend. Many bras use a supplex/lycra/cotton mix for superior wicking. See How to Buy Performance Workout Clothing for more information on high-tech fabrics and blends.

6. Pick a fabric blend that maximizes performance. Women with A and B cups can choose almost any fabric and still maintain their shape. Cs and Ds need to look for more supportive blends.

7. Live well and sweat hard even if you wear a prosthesis. Several bras accommodate prostheses, such as The Grace Bra by Moving Comfort (movingcomfort.com).

First bras

1. Be supportive and buy your daughter a bra, even if you think she doesn't need one. If all her friends have bras, she'll want to fit in.

2. Take her to a department or specialty store where an experienced, professional sales woman can properly fit her.

3. Skip the fitting if it's just too excruciating and select a sport-style bra that fits snugly but not tightly around her rib cage.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've never had one, get a professional fitting, even if you've been wearing the same size for years. Recheck your size if your weight changes appreciably.

• One manufacturer's 32B may fit like another's 34C, so beware of buying a bra based only on the size.

• When you find a bra you like, buy several. Styles get discontinued often.

• Wash your bras by hand or in a lingerie bag in the washer and allow them to air-dry.

• When you purchase a bra online, make sure you can return it without penalty before you click that last send button.