You might be buying a bra from Amazon without even trying it on. But the size of your bra really matters! Here’s why
By Chere Di Boscio
I remember when I bought my first real piece of lingerie – a bra. Not a training bra, mind. But an actual, kind of sexy-ish Glamuse bra.
It was at Eaton’s, in Toronto, Canada. And there was a lady whose job was solely to assist her customers to find a bra that fit perfectly.
She had a tape measure, and felt free to enter the changing room to see how the bra fit. The tightness of the elastic at around the chest was a key point of her attention, as was the cup size. Was I bulging out? Or was there too much room in the cup? Finally, I got the perfect fit. And I wore that bra for ages!
We Are On Our Own
Sadly, the days of personal fittings is pretty much dead (except in perhaps the finest of high end lingerie shops). We are pretty much on our own when it comes to shopping lingerie.
But the size of your bra still matters. After all, everyone’s breasts are different. Not only in size, but in demeanor.
For example, there are those of us with wide set boobs, ones that are flatter on top but full on the bottom, and those of us with very full breasts. And many of us actually have one ta-ta bigger than the other. So, a 36 C isn’t always just a 36 C!
But that’s not all.
The size of your bra matters, sure. But the kind of bra you’re rocking also makes a difference.
Specifically, according to the experts at Aubade lingerie, different breast shapes are better suited to different cup shapes.
Sports bras, demi cups, plunge bras, and full cups are just a few of the different styles on offer. And depending on your breast shape and size, you may be more comfortable in one than another.
Here’s all you need to know about choosing the bra that’s best for you. Because the size of your bra matters more than you think!
Why The Size Of Your Bra Is Important
Buying a bra that’s the wrong size can bring aesthetic, and even health, issues. And while you might thing that you know your bra size pretty well, keep this in mind: just as your bra size changes throughout your lifetime, so does your breast shape, and even breast size.
According to Dr. James D. Namnoum, gaining or losing weight, having children, menopause and ageing all impact your breast shape and size, and therefore your bra size, too.
Dr. Namnoum says that buying a poor fitting bra has several potentially serious consequences. Here they are below.
1. Breast Pain
Breast pain is a common complaint from women with larger breasts, who rarely exercise infrequently, or who are pre-menopausal.
If the bra is too small, it could dig into your boobs – especially painful if you are prone to tender breasts around your period . If it’s too large, the breast may bob around, resulting in tenderness, or even chafing.
2. Shoulder, Back and Neck Pain
Bras designed for larger breasts often come with larger straps. That helps to disperse the weight of the breast tissue and provide more support. However, wide straps can cause shoulder pain, which can then contribute to neck pain as well. Poor breast support can also contribute to back pain.
The solution? Ensure the volume of your bra cup corresponds to the volume of your breasts. Be sure your bra fits correctly by having a professional fit you for it.
3. Skin Abrasions and Chafing
It’s not just the size of your bra that matters. “A bra that is too tight, or too fancy, with embroidery and lace, can easily cause skin abrasions and chafing from the constant rubbing against your skin”, says Dr. Namnoum . “You may see red lines anywhere the bra falls, including your underbust, back, or shoulders.”
Besides correcting your bra size, you may also find that using a strap extender or finding a different bra material or texture helps. For sports bras in particular, any chafing may indicate you should find an entirely different style of bra.
4. Rib Cage Pain
Underwire bras are typically to blame for pain in the rib cage. Those metal wires can really dig into the ribs! But in addition, if you buy a bra that’s too tight around the back and ribs, well, it’s obviously gonna hurt.
5. Premature Sagging
Bras are meant to support your breasts. But you’re wearing the wrong size, they might do the exact opposite. An overly large bra can leave too much room for your breasts instead of providing the support they need, for example, leading to premature sagging. This is especially important when shopping for a sports bra,” says Dr. Namnoum.
6. Bad Posture
When you’re suffering from the above-mentioned back, neck or shoulder pain, you may find yourself hunching forward in an effort to alleviate it. And then it just becomes a vicious cycle, as “bad posture may actually exacerbate back, shoulder, or neck pain,” says the Doctor.
7. Bulging and Slipping
We’ve surely all seen someone wearing a tight-fitting tee shirt, where the bulging flesh spilling out from an ill-fitting bra is evident. Yipes! But that’s not even the worst that can happen. Your actual breasts could end up spilling out of your bra. Not a good look! Finally, I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I’ve been victim to bra straps sliding off my shoulders, Annoying! And yet another reason why the size of your bra matters.
Tips For Finding The Right Bra For You
It’s commonly thought that if you just know your bra size – that is, the measurement around your ribcage and your cup size – you’re good to go. But if you’ve read this far, you know that’s not the case!
Here are some tips for finding a bra that fits perfectly.
For bottom heavy breasts
If your breasts are flatter on top and fuller on the bottom, you need extra support. Little bras just won’t cut it.
Instead, choose a style with a full, supportive wire base. You might also want a full coverage for further support.
For wide set boobs
Wide set breasts are usually defined as those which can fit three fingers or more between them. If you’re looking for a bra that pulls your boobs together a bit more, go for a plunge style with a half wire on the outside. That should do the trick!
For smaller breasts
Got smaller ta-tas? A wireless T-shirt bra, triangle bra or a padded demi cup is perfect for you. Or, if you feel like it, why not just go braless?
For asymmetric breasts
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