How to Find the Perfect Bra Fit
Statistics show that breast sizes in younger women are increasing, but an estimated 50 to 75 percent of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Or they are wearing inappropriate bras for the activities they are engaging in without them realizing. Many women have little or no information about the importance of wearing a good fit for proper support, to promote long-term breast health, and the need to balance function and fashion.
Depending on your breast size and body shape, you may not know that you are experiencing problems with a bra that is ill-fitted. Following are signs of a bad bra fit:
• Straps hanging loose on your shoulders and back.
• Red marks on shoulder, on your back, and breast tissue.
• Breasts "dance" excessively under normal activity.
• You feel pressure from the underwire of your bra.
• The center of the bra is not touching the breast bone.
• Breast tissue "falling" out of the top, sides, and under the bra.
• Breasts look out of shape; not looking natural.
• Having aches on these areas: back, head, breasts, shoulder and neck.
An ill-fitting bra can lead to general discomfort on the body, bring headaches/backaches, and in some cases, create circulation problems with other issues. Some women might not know the bodily discomfort they may have is caused by an ill-fitted bra. It may not be easy choosing a bra that perfectly fits you, with the fact that there is a seemingly endless variety of bra styles. But here's help -- directions measuring your breast size, and some suggestions for finding the perfect bra fit for you.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Cup size chart and measurements conversion table
- Dressing mirror, optional
- Time to shop around, plus size-fitting time
Instructions
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Before continuing, you need to know your actual breast size to find the perfect bra fit. You'll need a size chart and a conversion table.
First, exhale all air from your lungs. Measure the perimeter of your chest by tightly wrapping a flexible tape around your chest just under your breasts. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number. If the total is even, add 4 inches; if odd, add 5 inches to the subtotal. This will determine the band size for the bra (i.e. 36-inch). It has to be as accurate as possible, as it will affect the way the bra holds up.
Measure the cup size by taking the circumference of the highest point on your chest over your breasts. Next, subtract the band size from this measurement and then compare the result against a conversion table, such as the one on the link in References below to Livinia Lingerie. Add a cup size for every inch difference, starting from letter A. For example, you need an A cup if the difference is 1 inch. For a 4-inch difference, you require a D cup.
Combine that number and the letter to get your fit size for the bra (i.e. 34C), it should be pretty accurate if you did the measurements correctly.
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Changing to a bigger cup size with a wide band is important if you are having problems with breasts that "slip/spill" out of bras. Too small of a cup size causes breast slips. Also, wearing bras with seams in the center (near the cleavage) can provide added support.
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Push-up, half-cup and quarter-cup bras can help lift women with smaller breast sizes. When choosing these bras, pick ones that have padding on the inside of cups, at the sides of the breasts, and near the underwire if you want an extra "lift." Deep-V bras also highlight the cleavage.
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Bras with wide straps, high sides and full-size cups are perfect for plus size and busty women, which provide full coverage for the breasts. Choose one with an underwire to support the underside of the breasts; this prevents them from bouncing too much. Bras with straps that cross in the back -- similar to an X -- offer much more support than straight over-the-shoulder straps and strapless-shoulder bras; the X straps will be less likely to slide. Also, wear bras that are plain with smooth fabrics if you are trying to minimize the appearance of your bust.
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Tips & Warnings
Consult a bra fitting specialist at a lingerie store to assist you
on bra/breast size measurements, and for choosing the right bra to fit you.
The size and shape of female breasts fluctuate frequently, which most women never realize. Physicians suggest that women do a breast measurement every six months or so. This can easily be done at home.
Bra sizes vary depending on the brand. The same cup size from one maker can be different from another.
References
- Photo Credit George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images
