Are You Wearing The Right Sized Bra?
How many times is it written in the press, and mentioned on thenews that more than 80% of women are wearing the wrong sizedbra? Frequently? Well, are you? Do you know whether your brafits correctly? Is it important? Do we really need to be ...
...that bothered? Well,the answer really has to be yes. Younger women can get awaywithout wearing a bra, or wearing one that doesn't support themproperly, as their young muscles and tendons keep things inplace. But this doesn't go on forever, and as we age, we are alltoo keenly aware of the dreaded droop! And anyway, an illfitting bra under a T-shirt or close fitting top is just sougly. There are other, potentially more serious problems though,especially if you have a curvy figure. Breasts that aren'tproperly supported can lead to all sorts of problems with yourback, shoulders, skin irritations and self-esteem. If you havenever been properly fitted, why not try it? You may well findthe bras you buy in the future will completely change how youcarry yourself, bringing your shoulders back and boosting yourself-esteem considerably.Although too many women are wearing bras that do not fit themcorrectly, there really is an over reliance on consistentlybuying the same size. We go into a store, are measured and toldwe are a 38G and off we go and buy only 38G bras.It can often be just as well to throw away the tape measure andkeep trying on bras until you get one that fits properly. If yourely too heavily on the tape measure, you stick in the comfortzone and continue to buy the same size. But there are far toomany variables now in bra manufacture to be able to rely on that'size' as a constant. Here are just a few:1. The type of materials used 2. How the fabric is cut 3. Thelevel of support/elasticity offered by the fabric 4. The designof the bra 5. The style of the bra (full cup, balconette,demi-bra, strapless, bustier etc ) 6. Variations in sizingbetween brands 7. Variations in sizing conventions in differentcountries 8. Variables in the production process 9. Fashionsizing (i.e. putting smaller sizes on the label than the garmentactually is ...)...and all this before you even start to consider how your ownbody alters over the course of the day, the month, the year, orevents such as pregnancy, measurable weight loss or gain, orsurgery.Therefore, the best way of ensuring you get a correct fittingbra is to try it on yourself. There are many guides to buyingthe correct size - some rely entirely on the tape measure, butmany more are now moving towards the advice of trying on untilthe fit is right. If the bra is right for you, it will:1. Feel comfortable - there will be no red marks or wheals 2.The back band will be parallel with the front band 3. If it isunderwired, the underwires will sit comfortably at the back ofthe breast without digging in. The front of the underwires willsit comfortably between your breasts and rest against yourbreast bone. 4. The cups will be full - not overflowing, and notsagging 5. The straps will not cut in, and they won't slip down.When you do find a bra that fits properly, why not buy anotherone! There's nothing wrong with having a range of different'sizes'. Bras from the same brands tend to be the same size,there will be different cup sizes in European and American makesand you may need different cup and back sizes to cope withchanges in your body shape each month.So, when you have bought the right bra for you, follow the careinstructions to keep it doing its job as long as possible. Brasusually only have an effective life of around 5/6 months andwill lose some elasticity each time they are washed. You willprobably need to alter the straps and the hook position overthat time to compensate for this.Yes, there are too many women wearing the wrong sized bra. Yes,it matters. Yes, it is important to ensure the right fit. No,you don't have to rely on the tape measure. No, you don't haveto buy the same size every time because you have been told to.There is so much to choose from, enjoy trying on! Good luck inyour search.
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