How to check that your bra is the correct size for you

How to check that your bra is the correct size for you

Depending on which study you trust, as many as 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, and according to one survey more than a third of British women knowingly wear an ill-fitting bra. Why are so many women wearing the wrong bra size, is it really that much of a problem, and what can you do to make sure your bra size is correct for you? MyBreast takes a closer look.

Why are so many women wearing the wrong bra size?

As with dress sizes, bra sizes between different manufacturers won’t exactly match up – one brand’s 34C may be another brand’s 36B. You might also be better suited to a slightly different size depending on the material of the bra – a cotton bra has more give than a sexy lace bra for example. Annoyingly then, even if you’ve been professionally measured a number of your bras might not be quite right.

Bras can also change shape over time – especially if you machine wash them – while your body will also change naturally, particularly during and after pregnancy. This means that a bra that fits well today won’t necessarily fit well next year.

Meanwhile, some women knowingly wear an incorrect bra size because they have preconceptions about the types of women that are a certain cup size, or want to believe they’re actually a bigger size than they are. Others think a bra that is too small or too big can change the appearance of their breasts. While a badly fitted bra will certainly change the way you look, the results won’t be as intended – and as we’ll see, the negative consequences of not wearing the correct bra size outweigh this misleading ‘benefit’ anyway.

Discover how MyBreast can help give you the size, shape and appearance of breasts that can make you happy.

What’s so bad about an ill-fitting bra?

Anybody who’s worn an ill-fitting bra knows they can be uncomfortable, irritating and distracting. But did you know a badly fitting bra can even make you ill?

If your bra is not supporting you properly it may cause you to bend forward – the pressure on your back can cause headaches, fatigue and even stomach upsets.  In the long term you can expect to suffer from bad posture and back problems.

Wearing a well-fitted bra will lift your bust, which in turn will help your posture – and that can make your waist appear smaller. On the other hand, a badly fitted bra can cause folds, lumps, and sagging.

Signs of an ill-fitting bra

If you’re used to wearing an ill-fitting bra you might not even be aware of it. These are a few of the tell-tale signs that your bra is wrong:

Digging shoulder straps – Your bra straps should only provide around 20% of the support, with the back strap and cups providing the rest. If your straps are digging into your shoulders, it could be because you’re overcompensating for a loose underband.

Your shoulder straps aren’t parallel – if your bra band isn’t the right size you’ll find that you straps adjust to make up for this. They should be parallel to each other, not sliding down the shoulders.

Your bra slides with little movement – your bra should fit firmly against the body even when you move your arms. If you can’t lift your arms without minimal bra movement it’s not the correct size.

Getting a correct bra size

If you’ve established that you’re not wearing the right bra size, what can you do to make sure your next bra fits correctly?

Ideally you should have your measurements taken by someone that’s been specially trained for the job. However, a quick online search will show that not every store offers the same level of service. Check reviews for stores in your local area and don’t be pressured into buying a bra just because you’re told it’s the right size. Look for the tell-tale signs that you’re wearing a badly fitted bra and be prepared to shop around. It’s worth taking the time to make sure you’re wearing something that’s comfortable and offers support.

A proper fitting is recommended every time you buy a bra because of the slight differences between materials and brands. If for whatever reason you can’t be fitted by someone else, you’ll need to get a measuring tape to measure yourself. There are plenty of guides online that will show you how to measure effectively. Take your time, and double check your measurements.

If you’re still suffering from back pain even with the support of a properly fitted bra or want to discover other options for changing the size and shapes of your breast contact MyBreast today to find out how we can help you.