Bra Size Guide

It has become quite difficult in recent years to pick up a woman’s magazine and read about how many women wear a poorly fitting bra. Even a character in Sex And The City was depicted as not knowing her bra size, a reflection on how even the most savvy of women can get this most basic of necessities incorrect. It is indeed true that at least 70% of UK women are wearing a badly fitting bra or one that is the wrong size entirely, so when you’re aware of this fact, what to do about it? It is easy to believe the answer is simple. Most magazine will tell you to go and fight the embarrassment and be correctly measured, usually quote places like Marks & Spencer and Debenhams as having bra-fitting services. However, unfortunately it isn’t that easy – an American study showed that even in these specialist areas of department stores, around 80% of women are still fitted incorrectly, and variations between one measurement and one taken in another place can vary up to three sizes
I truly wish the problem of bad bra sizes could be solved just by a quick appointment at a department store or by following one of the many myself-yourself guides on the internet or in magazines. Unfortunately, it just isn’t the case. The only way to ensure you are always wearing the correct bra size is to recognise what constitutes a correct and fully supporting fit. There are hundreds of bra manufacturers out there and even if you believe you know your size with a particular designer, unless you buy nothing but one type of style and shape from that designer, you can still go wrong. Treat every bra purchase as a new experience and repeat the same process; learning to recognise a good fit is what will ensure a good bra and therefore good support. An actual size is a guide and nothing more, so while it is worthwhile having an idea of your measurements, never view it as gospel.

There are many ways to recognise a good fitting bra. First, the underband; the band of material that runs underneath the breasts and crosses the back, usually with the clasp in the middle of it. This should always be perfectly horizontal and should not ride up, dip in the middle or create an arch. This is the foundation of your bra and while it should be firm it should not be restrictive or uncomfortable. Second, consider the underwire in each cup. It should lie flat against the sternum, not your actual breasts – any contact between the breast tissue and the underwire is an incorrect fit. Thirdly, cups should cover the entire area of the breast, even when wearing a low-cut style bra like a balconette bra there should be no bulging. The cup should be close to the breast; a baggy cup is just as problematic as one that is too tight. Lastly, the actual support of the bra should never come solely from the straps – if straps dig in, the bra is not fitting correctly. Having badly fitted straps or straps that are too tight can actually cause nerve damage if worn for a long period of time.

If you remember these four cardinal rules and check every bra to ensure you have these factors, you will be wearing good fitting bras. Finally, don’t forget that your bra size changes constantly – keep assessing a bra every time you wear it.