Remember going to buy your first bra? I do…vividly – was one of those classic first bra horror stories.
I was 12 and a sports bra freak, but I finally agreed to let mum take me shopping for a proper one. The sales lady was a 60-something fan of the “hands on” approach to bra fitting, and she couldn’t come into the changing room without opening the curtain as wide as possible. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Luckily my first experience didn’t’ put me off bra shopping completely, and these days I’ve got it down to a fine art.
Your breast size isn’t static, so it’s a good idea to measure yourself regularly to make sure you’re always wearing a correctly fitting bra.
SIZING IT UP:
Bra sizes are made up of two parts – the measurement around your rib cage just below the breasts, (bra size) and the measurement around the bust itself (cup size).
A – Bra size: Wrap a tape measure around you chest just below your breasts. The measurement to the nearest centimetre is your bra size.
Rib Measurement (cm):
71cm = 10
76 = 12
81 = 14
86 = 16
91 = 18
96 = 20
101 = 22
106 = 24
B – Cup size: Put the tape measure around your chest over the nipples (this is the fullest part of your bust). To get your cups size, subtract your rib measurement from this bust measurement and match it to the guide below.
Cup Measurement (cm):
2.5cm = A
5 = B
7.5 = C
10 = D
12.5 = DD
15 = E
17.5 = F
20 = G
WHICH BRA?
Strapless: Invaluable in any wardrobe, they’re perfect for evening wear, summer tops, bridal- anything where the glimpse of a bra strap would just not do! Strapless bras can be as enhancing or as natural as you choose.
Soft cup: Soft cup bras offer all the shape and support of a regular bra, but are more comfy. This is the perfect choice for under t-shirts or days where you just can’t face the feeling of an under wire.
Push Up: Push up bra’s can make even the smallest-breasted woman feel like she’s got something to show off. The secret is in the cup padding, which may or may not be removable, which increases your bust size and pushes the breasts inwards to create more cleavage.
Convertible: No, not the car…the bra! Convertible bras have detachable straps that can be moved to “convert” the bra into a low-back, strapless, cross-over, halter-neck or one-shoulder bra. It’s one of the few lingerie items that wouldn’t be out of place in James Bond’s arsenal.
Under wire: Who hasn’t got an under wire bra in their drawer? Under wires provide support and lift from underneath via a “wire” sewn into the base of the bra cup.
Sports: Your favourite lacy number isn’t going to cut it in the support stakes while you’re playing sport or at the gym, so make sure you’ve got a sports bra in your drawer. Sports bras cover the breasts with thicker, more supportive material than regular bras and stop them from bouncing around too much.
BRA CARE:
If you just chuck your bras in the washing machine with all your other clothes then they’re not going to last long at all! Always follow the instructions on the care label and wash them in a lingerie bag on a gentle cycle. For machine-washable bras, attach hooks and eyes to avoid tangling.
No matter how crappy the weather is outside, DON’T dry your bras in the dryer! The heat of the dryer affects the material that makes up your bra, so just hang them on the line or put them on a coat-hanger.
If your bra has started to ride up at the back, ripped, the cup has started to wrinkle or it is slipping off your shoulders, it’s time to let it go. These are all signs of stretching and fabric weakening and they mean your bra is no longer doing the job it’s supposed to.
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