I’ve found most women hate shopping for bras. This is mostly because it’s so hard to find ones that fit well. I’m included in that group. It’s partly because it feels like you’re shopping for something hidden that you never see on others; for example, the plumbing or electric wiring in a house. The other aspect of the issue is it’s hard to find a well-fitting/comfortable bra. As a result, in our minds, we think it really doesn’t matter. In this post, you’ll learn that it does matter.
On several occasions, I’ve simply adjusted a client’s bra band and straps so the bra fits a little better. The results were amazing. Right away, they stood up straighter, their shoulders were in the back position and most amazingly, their faces lit up. Wearing the right bra helps you tap into your confidence.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- The 5 Point Fitting Process
- How To Determine The Right Size Of Bra
- The Different Breast Shapes
- Care Instructions
In future posts, I’ll talk about the type of bra for each breast shape.
Shopping For Bras -- 5 Point Fitting Process
When determining if a bra is right for you, there’s a 5 Point Fitting Process:
- First, Check Band
- Second, Check Straps
- Third, Check Cup Fit
- Fourth, Check Center Gore
- Fifth, Raise Arms
Watch this video to learn more about the 5 Point Fitting Process.
Check Band
70% of a bra’s support comes from the band. It should be level all around. If it rides up in the back, it’s too loose. If there’s pinching or bulges, it’s too tight. When going up a size in the band, decrease the cup size down a size. On the other hand, if you need to decrease the band, get a cup size one larger.
Check Straps
Straps don’t need to be too tight because most of the support comes from the band. They shouldn’t fall off your shoulders or dig in. You should be able to put two fingers under the strap at the shoulder.
Check Cup Fit
Your breasts should fully fill the cups. If they spill over the top or bottom, you need a bigger cup. However, if your breasts don’t fully fill the cups there are two reasons. First, the cup is too big and second, the cup shape is wrong for your breast. When needed, ask the bra fit specialist to get a different cup shape.
Check Center Gore
The center front, called the gore, should rest against your chest wall. If it doesn’t, the cup size may be wrong. Go up a cup size.
Raise Arms
Raise your arms to make sure the bra doesn’t ride up and your breasts stay in the cups.
Shopping For Bras -- How To Determine The Right Bra Size
Determining the right bra size is a two-step process. Determine:
- Band size
- Cup size
Band Size
Measure around the rib cage directly under the bust. Use a flexible measuring tape and snugly take the measurement. Write down the amount on a piece of paper.
Use this guide to determine the band size:
Rib Cage Measurement
26” | 27” | 28” | 29” | 30” | 31” | 32” | 33” | 34” | 35” | 36” | 37” | 38” | 39” | 41” | 42” | 43” | 44” | 45” | 46”
Bra Band Size
30” | 30” | 32” | 32” | 34” | 34” | 36” | 36” | 38” | 38” | 38” | 38” | 40” | 40” | 40” | 42” | 42” | 44” | 44” | 46”
Cup Size
Loosely measure around the bust, making sure the measuring tape is level and is around the fullest part of the bust. Write down the number on the paper with the rib cage measurement. Next, determine the difference between the rib cage measurement and the bust measurement. This difference indicates the cup size.
1” = A cup 2” = B cup 3” = C cup 4” = D cup 5” = DD cup 6” = DDD cup 7” = G cup 8” = H cup 9” = I Cup
These measurements are the starting point for determining bra size for you. As you try on bras, you might need to go up or down in the band and/or cup. Don’t get discouraged if this happens to you; it’s a part of the process.
As a general rule, if you go down one size in the band, increase the cup by one. On the other hand, if you go up one size in the band, decrease the cup by one. Let’s say you are a 36C and you need to go to a 34 band; then get a 34D bra. If you need a 38 band, then get a 38B bra.
Shopping For Bras -- The Different Breast Shapes
There are 6 different breast shapes. Some might fall into two categories. (For more information go to Wacoal.)
Round
The breast tissue is equally full on the top and bottom.
Shallow Top/Full Bottom
There’s less breast tissue at the top and more on the bottom.
East/West
The breasts are set wide apart because much of the tissue rests on the sides of the body. A fist can be placed in the center of the chest.
Pendulous
The breasts and nibbles point straight down because they consist of deflated breast tissue. In many cases, the breasts deflate due to aging.
Uneven
The cup sizes of the two breasts are at least one size apart.
Petite
Breasts are small with no natural cleavage.
Shopping For Bras -- Care Instructions
Most bras are engineered with specialty fabrics and care is important to keep that engineering intact.
Don’t wear the same bra 2 days in a row. The fabric needs a full 24 hours to retain its shape. Have at least three bras: one to wear, one resting and one in the wash.
Wash your bras in cool water and hand wash or hand wash machine settings, then line dry. If machine washing, put them in a netted wash bag with the backs hooked together. Don’t put bras in the dryer because the intense heat will break down the fabric and stretch it out.
Shopping For Bras -- Summary
It’s important to wear well-fitting bras. First and foremost, when the girls feel supported, you feel supported and you’re able to tap easily into your confidence. Second, your clothes fit better. The better your clothes fit the easier it is to tap into your confidence.
It’s recommended to be fitted for a bra once a year because our bodies are always changing, which includes our breasts. Go to a trained bra specialist to do the fitting. Most Macy’s stores have them.
In the next 5 posts, Sam, Monica, Alice, Grace and Veronica will be going to a trained bra specialist to get fitted for bras. As with their Body Elements, each one has different bra requirements. The first one up is Sam: Shopping For Bras — Sam.
Wear Your Greatness!!
