Nearly eight out of ten women are wearing the wrong bra size this very second-and you could be one of them. It seems that finding the right bra that instantly makes you leaner, slimmer, and confident without poking or spilling is a big mystery that most shoppers, including us Latinas, can’t solve. Women experience changes everyday that can impact their busts, including weight loss/gain, which means that finding the right bra can more daunting than an exciting shopping experience. Luckily, those days of drooping, pinching, and bruising can be long gone with some quick, easy tips. Priscilla R., a sales associate at a specialty retailer of lingerie and beauty products in New York, reveals how any woman can get the right bra and get a boost of confidence.
#1 Bra Shopping Tip: Get Measured
An essential part of finding the perfect bra is to know your current size. Your body changes over the years and your band size and cup size will change with it. You can get measured by an experienced sales associate at a lingerie store or measure yourself using the following steps:
Step 1: Put on a non-padded bra and obtain a soft tape measure.
Step 2: Measure around your back at band level and bring it to the front just above your bust. The number that you read off the tape measure is your band size. If the number is between even numbers, you should take the even number that it is closest to.
Step 3: Now measure around your back and across the fullest part of your breasts (nipple level). The number that you read is your bust size. If the number falls at ½ or greater you should round up to the nearest whole number. If not, then round down.
Step 4: The bust size (step 3) – the band size (step 2) = your cup size. If the cup size = 0, you are an AA. If the cup size = 1, you are an A. If the cup size = 2, you are a B and so on.
#2 Bra Shopping Tip: If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try Again
There are many misconceptions that certain bra styles are made for women that have either small or large breasts, which isn’t always true. If you have the correct size, you will be surprised at how comfortable different types of bras can feel. For example, many women with larger breasts think that they cannot wear bras with thin straps because it will hurt their shoulders. This is not true. If you put on the right size, the straps should never pinch or bruise your shoulders. Most of the support should come from the band. Even with large breasts, you can find a nice thin-strapped bra that will fit comfortably. This is why it is always important to take many different styles to the fitting room and evaluate all of your options.
#3 Bra Shopping Tip: Get Customize
When trying the bra on, it is important that you adjust it to fit your body type. You should put the straps at the right length, and you should always buy a bra that fits on the middle clip of the band. This way as your body changes in the future, you can tighten or loosen it. You should also pull your breasts to the front of the bra, and make sure that the band sits perfectly under your bust without any bulge.
#4 Bra Shopping Guide: Jump Around
When buying a bra, you should always jump around in it to ensure that it is comfortable and you are getting the support that you need. You should also bend over to make sure that the bra does not slide or cause discomfort.
Don’t forget to check out part II of Lingerie 101 coming next week!
