Struggling with discomfort in your bras? It might be time to re-evaluate your lingerie collection
Finding the Perfect Fit: A Guide to Bra Sizing and Comfort
In the quest for comfort and support, finding the right bra is essential. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you measure your bra size at home and identify the key signs of a well-fitting bra.
Measuring Your Bra Size
To measure your bra size, follow these two main steps:
- Measure your band size (underbust): Use a soft measuring tape to measure snugly around your ribcage, just underneath your breasts where the band of the bra sits. Keep the tape level and comfortable—not too tight or loose. The number you get is your band measurement.
- Measure your bust size (overbust): Measure around the fullest part of your breasts, keeping the tape level and not compressing the breasts. This measurement is your bust size.
To calculate your bra size, subtract your band size from your bust measurement. The difference corresponds to your cup size: 1 inch difference equals an A cup, 2 inches a B cup, 3 inches a C cup, and so on. Your bra size combines the band size and the cup size (e.g., 34C).
Key Signs of a Well-Fitting Bra
- Band fit: The band should sit firmly and straight around your torso, providing about 80% of the support. It should be snug but not constricting—you should be able to slide only two fingers underneath and it should not ride up your back.
- Cup fit: Your breasts should be fully contained without spillage, bulging, or gaping. The underwire should encase the breast tissue completely and sit flat against your skin without digging in.
- Strap fit: Straps should be comfortably secure, with some adjustability, and not dig into your shoulders or slip off. The adjusters should sit below the top of your shoulders.
- Underwire placement: The wires should sit firmly between the breasts and not rest on breast tissue or cause discomfort.
- Comfort: You should feel supported and comfortable, without pressure points, marks, or pain after wearing the bra for some time.
Special Considerations
If one breast is slightly larger, bras with stretch top cups or adjustable straps can help achieve better symmetry and comfort. If there's more than a one-cup difference, the brand Evenly is recommended.
Tips and Recommendations
- Wires in between the breasts should be flat against the chest, and the wires beneath the arms should sit on the ribcage and all the way round to the underarms.
- Shoulder straps of a bra should be comfortably secure, with two-finger tension, and the adjusters should sit below the top of the shoulder.
- 91% of women are wearing the wrong bra size, according to a survey by lingerie specialists, Pour Moi.
- Your breasts should be fully contained in the cups with no spillage, bulging, or gaping.
These fit guidelines help ensure that your bra provides proper support and comfort throughout the day. Curvy Kate, renowned for its uplifting lingerie up to an H cup, is one brand that recommends these measurement and fit tips for at-home bra sizing and comfort evaluation.
- To enhance overall wellness and lifestyle, it's important to find a well-fitting bra that promotes health and comfort.
- A well-fitting bra should not only provide comfort but also support, as demonstrated by the key signs of a well-fitting bra.
- In addition to comfort and support, a well-fitting bra can enhance one's fashion and beauty, especially with the wide range of home-and-garden designed bras available today.
- Women's health and wellness can benefit from proper bra fitting, as a well-fitting bra can alleviate discomfort caused by improperly sized lingerie.
- A well-fitting bra can be a significant contribution to one's home-and-garden lifestyle, not only providing comfort but also boosting self-confidence. Furthermore, scientists are continuously studying the impact of bras on posture and overall well-being, showing the importance of finding the perfect fit.
