Are You Wearing the Correct Bra?

The other day Karen G Clemenson tried on a sports bra that wasn’t the right size and we started talking about how important it is to wear a properly fitting bra. In years gone by I was the lingerie manager at a women’s clothing store and I learned a lot about how bras should fit. This was the first time I had considered how important it is to wear the right bra to support my breasts. While Karen was listening, she suggested I write an article about it, since most women do not wear the right size bra. Bras are only as good as their fit. If they don’t fit they are uncomfortable but your bra should make you feel good in your body and excited to wear it, regardless of whether you live in a sports bra or you live for lace and ribbons.

Facts About Bras

• On average, bras last between 6 to 9 months
• Bras need to be washed weekly
• You must wear a sports bra when working out
• About 85% of women are wearing the wrong size bra
• You bra size can fluctuate over the years
• Underwire bras do not cause cancer
• Not all nursing bras are ugly
• You should place your bra in a lingerie wash bag to protect them in the washing machine
• Drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day can reduce the size of your breasts
• Sometimes stores will mislead you about your bra size because they don’t want miss your sale if they don’t have your real size
• Tools like cookies, band extenders and racerback clasps to customize the fit of your bra
  Note: Bra cookies are oval shaped, removable demi pads used to enhance your bust. Band extenders connect between the two ends of the band of the bra to make the bra larger around. Racerback clasps or clips come in handy when straps are too long or when you are looking to make a standard bra into a racerback bra.

Wash Your Bra

There are times that we are so busy that the laundry gets set on the back burner but ladies, we need to make sure we are washing our bras each week. Wearing a dirty bra can lead to acne and chafed nipples, just to name a few of issues all of us want to avoid.

It is always best to hand wash your bras. The push and pull in the washing machine are hard on the fabric. It can loosen seams and break down the lycra to just throw your bra in the wash. We always recommend hanging your bras to line dry. As with any clothing item with lycra in them, heat is not their friend and can cause shrinkage and early wearing out. You can find lingerie bags at any store that sells items for your laundry room.

No Matter What Wear A Sports Bra During Workouts

Whether you never wear a bra or occasionally go braless you must wear a properly fitting sports bra when working out or doing stressful movements. The ligaments in your breasts stretch during strenuous activity. By not wearing a properly fitted sports bra you could be causing scar tissue and inflammation in your breasts.

Make Sure It Fits

Although some people argue that wearing a bra every day is a rule inflicted on us by society, you have to weigh that for yourself; it is true that you are better off going braless than to wear an ill fitting bra. By wearing the wrong bra size we are risking nerve damage, poor posture and pain in your neck, shoulders and back, not to mention saggy breasts.

Your Breast Size Will Change

Breast size can change greatly as we age; in fact our breasts may change size many times throughout our lives. Weight gain or loss, how vigorously we exercise and hormones all are great reasons for this. The actual bra itself can make a difference in what size we wear as well. The elasticity of the fabric, the shape of the cups and the designer all make a difference when choosing a bra. Most women who are wearing the wrong size bra are wearing bras that are too large around and too small in the cup.

You Don’t Have To Wear Ugly Bras

If pretty bras help you feel happy and sexy, you don’t have to give them up while you are pregnant and nursing. Try checking out the following sites:

• A Pea In The Pod Maternity
• Cake Lingerie
• Destination Maternity
• Hotmilk Maternity & Nursing
• Mommy Gear

Are You Wearing The Right Size?

It is important to know what to look for when you are buying a bra. Size is king in this situation. By not knowing what you need you can be fooled into buying a bra doesn’t fit and will probably sit in your drawer instead of being worn. If you are wearing the correct bra size:

The Strap

Your straps should not slip or dig into your skin. The straps should not need to be adjusted often. You should be able to fit 2 fingers under your shoulder straps. You are not wearing the right size bra if it is leaving any redness or bruising on your body after wearing it. Wide straps better disperse the weight of your breasts and are more comfortable than narrow straps.

The Cup

Your breasts should fit the cup of your bra fully; there should be no gaps or wrinkling fabric or bulges on top or on the side. If you can use your bra as a backup purse or if the girls are always trying to get out, you are wearing the wrong size cup. You can get a nice amount of cleavage if you want to look sexy on your date tonight by wearing a demi cut or balconette bra without worrying about wandering boobs, while wearing the right size.

The Band

The band around your sides is the primary source of support on your bra. It should fit snug but allow you to fit 2 fingers between the band and your body. The back band should be parallel to the ground and graze the bottom of your shoulder blades. If the band is digging in or riding up your back, you are wearing the wrong size bra. You want your bra to sit around the middle of your back, not sagging down or up high. Wide bands tend to be more supportive than narrow bands.

The Closure

Bras with back closures are more supportive than front hooks. When you are shopping for a bra pick one that fits attached on the farthest hook so that when it stretches out you can use a closer hook.

The Shape Of Your Breasts May Effect The Style That Fits Your Body

Women who have breasts that are fuller at the bottom will probably be more comfortable and supported in a demo-cup or balconette bra.

Women with full breasts should rely on bras with a larger, full coverage cup for optimum support.

If you have one breast that is noticeably larger than the other try looking for a soft cup bra with elastic on the top of the cup to accommodate the larger breast.

Underwire Bras

If you wear a bra with an underwire the wire should sit flat to your body. If it is tight or if there is a gap between you and you bra or if the underwire creases upward, you are wearing the wrong size bra. Your underwire should be flush against your sternum or breast bone. Your armpits should not be target practice for your underwire or boning.

If you can’t breath in your bra…you better keep trying on bras or go to a different store.

Choosing a Sports Bra

Even if you have sworn off bras forever you need to be wearing a supportive sports bra for workouts and other strenuous activities. A good sports bra can cut down the movement of your breast up to 59% during your workout. This decreases possible inflammation and nerve and tissue damage.

You can even choose different levels of support based on the activity you are engaging in.

• Encapsulation Sports Bras are best for low-impact activities.
• Compression Sports Bras work best for low to medium-impact activities.
• Compression/Encapsulation Sports Bras are best for high-impact activities.

Back closure sports bras are easier to get on and off and adjust for your size. Wicking fabric moves moisture away from your skin which makes it a more comfortable bra to wear.

You should be able to breath comfortably in your sports bra. Check for any spots that chaff. No chaffing is the goal.

How To Measure

It is advisable to make an appointment with a professional bra fitter to learn your proper bra size. Here is a list of stores that offer bra fitting. There are probably more, but this will definitely get you started:

• In Olympia and Tacoma check out Judy’s Intimate Apparel
• In Longview try Lane Bryant at the Triangle Shopping Center
• In Vancouver, WA check out
  • Catherines
  • Lane Bryant at Hazel Dell Town Center
  • The Pencil Test
  • Victoria’s Secret at Vancouver Mall
• In Tigard, Oregon at Washington Square contact
  • Nordstrom
  • Soma
• in Portland, Oregon check out Just Like a Woman

If you don’t have access to a professional bra fitter this is how you can find your correct bra size.

1. Invite your friend or someone you trust over to measure you.
2. Remove your top but keep your bra on.
3. Have your friend measure you around the smallest part of your bust, where the band sits. Round up or down to the nearest even number. This is your band size.
4. Measure the fullest part of your bust. For each inch difference between your bust and band size go up a letter.
   • If your band size is 38” and your full bust measurement is 44” than your bra size is a 38DD, 38DDD or 38E.

Once you have deemed what your proper bra size is, if you have fallen in love with a particular bra and the store doesn’t have that size you can also try on a “sister size”  If your bra size is 32C than you might be able to wear a 34B or a 30D.

Sum It Up

Beauty is not pain when it comes to bras.

What I haven’t actually said yet is that it works best to not shop for bras on the slide. You may need to try on quite a few bras to find the right fit according to the designer and style of bra and your body.

• Make sure to pay attention to the fit while standing and sitting
• Do a few big stretches
• Jump up and down
• Bend down as if to pick something off the floor
• Pay attention to whether the girls are going to stay corralled or or if the band is going to ride up and need to be adjusted constantly.

Keep in mind that you should use different types of bras for different activities. You are allowed to “adjust” the rules to your tastes. Not everyone has to wear a push up bra…some bras are meant for fun and others are meant for a long day at the office or a strenuous workout.

I hope this article helps Fuel Your Wellness. Please leave your comments below.

Resources & Start Learning More at:

Summer D Clemenson co-owns Clemenson Enterprises and Wellness Works NW with her wife, Karen G Clemenson. Their personal motto is Creativity, Honesty & Positivity are a must! This mantra helps them stay community and wellness minded in all they do. Summer also writes poetry and inspirational blogs @ ClemensonEnterprises.com. Her crochet art can be viewed and purchased @ KnottyWares.com & she loves special orders!