It doesn’t matter if you are Chesty La Rue, Busty St Claire, or belong to the itty bitty titty commitee…every woman wants a well-fitting bra.
Did you know that approximately 85% of women wear the wrong sized bra?
Women come in every shape and size, as do bras, and it pays to do a little investigation before purchasing the one you think fits you.
I have a drawer full of functional bras. A little bit lacy, but full of support in the exciting colours of black and beige. They are completely practical…ie. they’re a bit boring, but they do the job. I recently bought a gorgeous dress that has spaghetti straps, and you know what that means…I need a strapless bra! Needless to say, a strapless bra does not form part of my lingerie collection (if that’s what you can call my drawer full of over-the-shoulder boulder holders and nanna knickers).
Trying to find a plus sized strapless bra, that fits well, is proving to be very difficult. Each time I’ve tried one on, I can’t help but sing “jelly on a plate, jelly on a plate, wibble wobble, wibble wobble, jelly on a plate”. I swear, my girls look they’re sitting up on a platter. I was so excited that City Chic have a lingerie line because its all so super pretty, but unfortunately their bras don’t fit me. Today at David Jones, I was starting to break out into a serious sweat. Who knew it was such hard work. I’ve tried on everything from a 16E to a 22DD, and none of them fit. Talk about confusing. The sales assistant was really helpful, but I must say, I laughed when she suggested I needed one bigger than an E cup. Lola Ferrari, eat your heart out!
Purchasing a bra online is not an option; that is unless you know the brand and model/style of the bra you’re desiring. You really need to try them on. You can’t always assume that the size you’ve always been, will be the one that fits you properly. Next step…I’m heading to a specialty store. I have a four-week deadline to find the perfect strapless bra…wish me luck.
Here’s a few tips for choosing the right size for you.
- Lift and place your breasts into the cups, to ensure a correct fit.
- Choose a bra that fits you on the loosest hook. As your bra ages through wash and wear, you will be able to tighten it to retain its firmness and lift.
- The mid-point of your breast should be positioned halfway between your shoulder and your elbow. Raising your bust-line to this position will actually help you to look slimmer and give you back your waist.
- The bra band should be level from front to back. If your band rises at the back, then the front hangs lower, creating a saggy bust. Not a good look. Usually this is an indicator that the band size is too big.
- Go up a cup size if your breasts are spilling/bulging over the top (also known as the dreaded “four boobs” syndrome. lol). You may need to go up 2-3 cup sizes…try larger cup sizes to see what fits you best.
- Go down a cup size if the cup fabric is puckering.
- Go down a band size if your straps are falling off your shoulders. Adjust the shoulder straps so as they are not too loose or too tight. As the bra stretches you can tighten the straps.
- Choose a larger cup size if the underwire pokes out from your body. The wires should sit flat against your skin in the middle of your chest and should completely encompass your breast tissue.
- If you have one breast larger than the other (which is quite common), always select a bra to fit the larger side. A stretch lace bra will help make the size difference less noticeable.
- Your breasts will have changed shape and size after pregnancy/breast-feeding. Don’t assume that the bras you wore before you were pregnant, will fit again after baby.
Every bra is different. You need to try them all on. You won’t be the same size in every bra you select.
If you’re still confused, most lingerie shops will be able to fit you properly. Don’t be embarrassed. The sales assistant will most likely come into the change room with you, measure you, and “woman-handle” your merchandise. They want to make sure you are comfortable with your purchase. Sit down, move around, have a stretch and see how it feels. You wouldn’t buy shoes without trying them on and going for a walk around; bras are no different.
Good luck keeping the girls in check, and have fun shopping for your next bra! Hopefully my search for the perfect strapless bra will be successful soon.
Cheers, Lis.
ps. personally, my favourite part of the day is when I strip my bra off. How about you?
Easy Diabetes
Only one aspect of the challenge has 
When it comes to fuller figured fashion, these women have it sorted! They’re not limited to just what’s in the shops. They know how to put outfits together that are individual and stylish and they can accessorise like there’s no tomorrow!
