Bra shopping can be one of the biggest hits and misses you have. Every company seems to have slightly different sizing, so a size in an expensive and cheaper brand could be completely different. Not only that, but weight fluctuations and regular hormonal cycles mean that breasts change through the month. What fits in week 2 of your cycle might not fit by week 4.
Not to mention the plethora of cheaper bras that don’t offer support, and you end up with a backache.
So what do you need to know about bras to get the right one for you?
Photo by Fahad Waseem on Unsplash
Band
Many people think that the cup of the bra is what gives the support, but actually, no matter what type of bra – from push-ups to unlined bras, it is the band that does about 90% of the support. The straps aren’t designed to hold up the breast, but they are designed to hold the cup flush to your body.
To check if your bra fits well, all you need to do is – when you slide the straps off your shoulders, check if your cup and band both stay in place. If they do, this is the sign of a well-fitting bra.
Straps
If your straps are weighing heavy on your shoulders and leaving dig-in marks, it can be a sign that you might need to increase the cup size. You’ll often notice that your breasts aren’t sitting well inside the cup.
Another occasion where your straps might dig into your shoulders is when your band is too big. All the strain is put onto the straps, and the band is not giving the huge amount of support they are supposed to.
This can also happen with older bras that have lost their stretch.
You should be able to slide a finger between the bra band and your back but only have about an inch of stretch for the right band size. Although many people assume that wearing a bra with a lot of stretch in the band is more comfortable, it loses a lot of support.
Sister sizes
Since there is such a vast variation in how bras are sized from company to company, you’ll need to know what your sister sizes are.
Here are some tips to help you find your sister size:
- Take your ‘true’ bra size (by measurements)
- Find the bra sizes directly above and below your true bra size
- The size above is going to be your size with a smaller band but a bigger cup
- The size below will be a bigger band but a smaller cup
For example, if you are a 38F, your sister sizes are 36FF and 40E. It is a good idea when trying your regular bra size on; check out the sister sizes too.
Sister-size bras are great for people who have menstrual cycles and have fluctuations in breast size.
The right bra will reduce back pain, stop those deep lines caused by bras, and make your clothing look better. If you’re having and issue that the right bra just can’t help, here is a procedure that might: Breast Lift Procedure – Are You The Right Candidate? – Health Thoroughfare.
