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How do I know I’m wearing the right size bra?
Bras are only as good as the way they fit, and a misfitted bra can be both unsupportive and uncomfortable.
However, many women have trouble determining the exact size and fit they need, and a 2008 study found that 80% of women were wearing bras that didn’t fit correctly!
70% of women were found to wear bras that were too small, and 10% wore bras too large.
This can lead to both discomfort and long-lasting pain if not corrected.
Thankfully, there are some ways that you can determine if you are wearing the right size bra, and you can even figure it out at home!
How Should Your Bra Cups Fit?
First off, let’s consider how your bra cups should fit. Your bra cups should fit comfortably over your breasts. If there is a gap, chances are the cup is too large, and if your breasts spill out of the cup, it is too small.
If there is a gap in the top of the cups, you can try tightening the straps to see if that removes the gap.
But, if the gap remains or the bottom of the bra doesn’t fit comfortably under your breasts and instead rides up, you should consider a smaller cup size.
If your breasts are spilling out on top or sides, you’ll need to consider sizing up.
Consider going up a full or half size, depending on how much spillage you have to cover.
How Should Your Bra Straps Fit?
Bra straps shouldn’t be so loose that they slip off of your shoulders, but they also shouldn’t be so tight that they dig into your skin.
This can be a trickier thing to get right, and it may require you to experiment with different bra styles.
For instance, if your bra is slipping, you can try tightening them to prevent this.
Nevertheless, if this causes them to dig into your skin, you may want to try a bra with narrower straps that better fit your shoulder shape.
If your straps are often too tight, causing your shoulders to carry your breasts’ weight, you should consider a different band size.
The band in your bra is what should support your breasts, not your shoulder straps!
One at-home test that you can do is slip two fingers under your strap.
If you can’t easily slip them under, the straps are too tight, and if you can lift them more than an inch, they are too loose.
How Should Your Bra Band Fit?
Speaking of bands, they are often one of the most overlooked parts of a bra, even though they are critical.
For example, when choosing a bra, you should always start with the loosest hook, not the tightest.
This will give you room to adjust as the bra naturally stretches out over time.
The band of your bra should be snug and supportive, not overly tight and uncomfortable.
If the bra’s underwire rides upon your breasts and causes you to spill out from the bottom, you should try a smaller size to ensure it fits underneath your breasts more securely.
On the other hand, if your band is moving up and sits too high in the back, it is too loose, and you should either adjust the hooks or go down a size.
Still, if this problem occurs with a brand new bra, you may be dealing with a band size that is too big.
One great at-home test that you can do is to raise your arms above your head and look at whether or not the band moves.
If it moves upwards, you need a smaller bra band, and if it pinches and bulges outwards, you should invest in a larger size.
With these tips in mind, you can start to determine if your current bra fits properly, and if not, how you can find the right size and fit.
Although it can seem complicated, it doesn’t have to be, and once you start wearing a properly fitting bra, you’ll notice the difference and wonder how you lasted so long without it.
