Member Advice on Fitting Bras

It is scary the number of people that come into my Boutique wearing the wrong bra size, a cup or backsize out you can understand but I have ladies come in with 4 or 5 cups sizes wrong.

Unfortunately I don't have the resources to fit everyone in the country but I can give you some tips so you feel more confident about fitting yourself.

I don't recommend being measured for a bra as there are so many brands and product gradings that a 32d may be the same as another 32c or a 34d may fit a 36d. So measuring your back adding 4 or 5 then working out the cup size isn't as helpful as it once was.

CHECK YOUR FIT!

Look in a mirror with a tightish T-shirt on. Does your bra give you that up and out look or is it pushing your breasts down (worse still under your arms!)

If you find your bra is pushing your breasts down then it is normally because your cup is too small.

Are you on the loosest or tightest hook of your bra?

When you buy a new bra you should ensure that the back is firm around your rib cage, lots of people depend on the straps to hold them up but the band round the back gripping your rib cage is where your support should be. You should always put the bra on the loosest hook on the back fastening if it stretches in the wash etc then you have room to tighten it up so it still gives firm support.

If you are wearing a bra on the tightest hook on the fastening then try the next back size down and go for the loosest.

Does your bra rise up at the back or does it set parallel front to back?

If your bra is on the loosest fastening and sits parallel then it is most likely your back size is correct however if the bra rises up at the back then try the back size down until you find the most comfortable but firm fit.

Do your breasts bump over your cup slightly or give you the 8 boob effect?

If you get either of these then you need to try a larger cup size. I recommend go up cup sizes gradually although if it is a quite significant bulge then you can jump a couple of sizes you will know if the cup is correct when you get a gorgeous smooth line best to check under a top.
If you lift your arms up the cup won't rise up the breast or move away from your rib cage underneath your breasts.
The bra between the cups should sit against your breast plate (not always possible as some people have concave rib cage).
The bra wire should not dig into your underarm or breast it should sit just before your breast leaves your body. (Hope that makes sense bit hard to describe.)

This is some of the key points I use when fitting bra's when gauging customer size so should help you find your perfect fit.

Some Bra Facts?
If you are wearing a bra where the backsize is wrong but the cup is right then within the same range the general rule is if you go down a backsize go up a cup and if you go up a backsize then go down a cup. For example: 34d cup is the same grade as a 32dd and a 36c!

If you are buying a strapless bra try on a backsize down and a cup size up this will give a firm grip on your ribs and in most brands the right cup size (In some strapless styles you may not need to go a cup up as they integrate this rule into their strapless bra size.)

Soft cup bra's you tend to be able to go down cup sizes from underwired bra's as the cup is not a static shape and has more stretch.

Contour or T-shirt bra's have a very rigid shape and so you may need to go up cup sizes where embroidered cups have more stretch.

If the bulk of your breast weight is at the bottom of the breast then balconnet (half cup) bra's will probably give the best shape.

Everyone has an natural uneven breast shape so always fit to the larger breast. This is usually the side you use least as the breast fat is not burnt during writing,typing,bar work etc. You can even your breats out by using both arms equally as it tends to be arm movement that burns the fat in the breast.

I do hope this helps someone and if you need any advice then just ask.

If you give any of my tips a try and they work it would be great to hear from you!

I'll update the review if I think of any more tips. If you have any queries about mastectomy fitting then I can help just send me a message!

Jo x x x x x