Bras

Bras are designed for shape and support. With a properly fitted brassiere your clothes will fit better and look better. Unfortunately many women do not wear a correctly sized bra and finding just the right fit can be a difficult task.

How Find your Correct Size

Always start with a tape measure. To find your band size, stand up straight and measure your chest just under your arms. If you get an odd number, round up to the next even number. For example, if you measure a 35, your band size is a 36.

To find your cup size, you will want to measure across the fullest part of your breast. This is the area across your nipples. If the number is one inch more than your band size, you are an A cup. If the number is two inches more than your band size, you are a B cup and so on.

Of course this is approximate. Some women find that decreasing their band size and increasing their cup size helps them get the bust shape they desire.

Cup Sizes

34D Leopard print bra

Standard cup sizes go from A to D, but there are larger sizes that continue up the alphabet:

• DD
• DDD
• F
• FF
• G
• H
• I

Many women feel intimidated going above a D cup. However, wearing the correct size will help with support and may help prevent back pain. A correctly sized brassiere will also help your clothes fit better.

How to Know if your Brassiere is Fitting Correctly

It’s not enough to have your correct measurements. Your bra fits correctly if the following qualifications are met.

• When you put on your brassiere, lean forward to let your breasts fall into the cups and try the closure in the middle point.
• The front to back angle of your bra should be straight or slightly longer in the back.
• The center front should lay flap against your breastbone with no gaps between caps.
• The frame/sides should lie smoothly without any bunched look of your skin.
• The straps should fit comfortably without cutting into the shoulders. You should be able to run one finger beneath the straps.
• The cups should fit smoothly without any wrinkling or pulling. Your breasts should not overflow from your cups.
• If one of your breasts is larger than the other, always find a brassiere that fits your larger breast.

Kinds of Bras

There are many different kinds of bras. Some, like push-up bras, are meant to enhance what natural shape. Others, like sports bras, are designed for control and to minimize bouncing. There are also strapless, designed to be worn beneath strapless dresses or spaghetti straps. Ideally your bra's color and style match your panties.

• Balconet or Demi brassieres have small cups, no matter what size you are. These bras are extremely low and tend to show at great deal of bust. This type works well for women with a small bust.
• Push-up brassieres have an underwire that pushes the bust upwards. They can be either padded or unpadded. Many push-up bras also have water or gel inside of them to further enhance the bust size. Many women find this style uncomfortable, and a poorly fitted push-up may cause the breasts to fall out.
• Sports bras are designed to minimize bouncing. Many women find they decrease their bust size, and do not wear them outside of athletic activities.
• Underwireless or soft brassieres are designed for comfort. This style is great for women without a large bust size.
• Strapless brassieres are designed to go beneath clothes without showing straps. It is important to get a quality strapless so it does not fall down. Some strapless have clear straps that wrap around your back, neck or one shoulder depending on the clothes you are wearing.
• A sexy brassiere can be any shape and style, except sports bras. However, brassieres with ribbon and lace can often cause odd bulges in tight clothing.

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