Common Bra Sizing Mistakes

Bra sizing mistakes

It may surprise to you to know that the majority of women wear bras that don't fit correctly. Wearing a bra that is too small can inhibit circulation and be extremely uncomfortable for daily wear, while wearing a bra that's too loose may offer inadequate support and appear bulky beneath your clothes. Still, there are many tips to consider when you are hunting for a well-fitting bra.

Common Bra Sizing Mistakes

The following scenarios represent the effects of a poorly sized bra:

  • Your breasts are overflowing your bra or not completely filling the cups.
  • The back of your bra is riding up. The back of your bra should lie straight across your back. If you are looking for support, you may want to consider a bra that lays a little further down your back.
  • Your underwire is digging in. If you wear an underwire bra, it should be comfortable. It should never leave a red mark.
  • Your bra is causing bulges or cutting into the flesh.
  • The front of your bra is not lying flat against your chest.
  • Your shoulder straps are giving you too much support. Your shoulder straps need to be adjusted if they fall off your shoulder or dig into your shoulder. Again, your shoulder straps should never cause red marks.
  • The edges of the cups aren't laying flat against your breast. If you are wearing a padded bra, there may be a gap. If this is the case, go down a cup size.

Get Measured

The most common bra shopping mistake is to forgo being measured. It would be best to get measured by a professional salesperson, but if you're shy, you can do it at home with a tape measure.

Start by measuring your chest just under your arms. This will help you find your band size. If you get an odd number, round up to the next even number. For example, you measure a 37, your band size is a 38.

To find your cup size, take your tape measure and measure across the fullest part of your breast, 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 forth.

Finally, remember that as the band size of a bra increases, so does the actual cup size of a bra.

Fitting Room Perils

While it may be awkward to try on a bra in such tight fitting rooms with typically poor lighting, it's important to know if the bra will fit before you buy it.
  • Give yourself plenty of time when you go bra shopping.
  • Try on different kinds of bras, fiddle with different sizes (you may need to go up a cup and down a band size).
  • Try on bras beneath your clothes. See how your bra looks beneath your favorite shirt.
  • Move around in the fitting room to see how much support the bra gives you. If you are trying a push up bra or a demi bra, lean over to make sure you won't fall out.

About Resizing

If you lose or gain weight your bra size will probably change. A widespread mistake is continuing to wear bras that don't fit. If your body changes, get resized. Don't try to squeeze into bras that don't fit. While bras are expensive, if you want to look your best, buy new ones when your body changes.

If you go through a pregnancy and birth, expect your chest size to change up to a year after your delivery. Buy cheap bras until your chest size stabilizes, or expect to spend extra money on properly sized bras. If you are nursing, find a good nursing bra that will support breastfeeding.

Another typical mistake is not replacing your bra on a regular basis. Bras should be replaced every six months to a year, as they their elasticity after some time or may shrink due to washing. In addition, bras can get sweat-stained or acquire little fabric balls due to frequent launderings.

Uneven Breasts

Women don't talk about this often, but it isn't uncommon for one breast to be slightly bigger than the other. Be sure to take this into account when buying a bra.

  • If there's only a little difference, wear a larger sized bra to fit your larger breast.
  • If there is a substantial difference, look at getting a breast cup for the smaller sized breast. You can also make your own bra, or have one specially made for you.
  • Take your problem to a lingerie specialist and see what suggestions they offer. Many places offer alterations so you can get the perfect fit.

A Happy Difference

A well fitted bra can make a tremendous difference in both your personal comfort level and also the silhouette of your frame. There cannot be enough said for being professionally fitted or at least investigating your in-store sizing options in a fitting room. Do remember that sizing may vary between lingerie labels, so keep this in mind when you purchase bras from different designers.