When was the last time you were properly fitted for a bra?
If you can't remember, the answer is too long ago. Is it any wonder then, that research by lingerie brand Boux Avenue found 81 per cent of women are going about their day wearing the wrong size entirely?
From ill-fitting underbands to mismatched cups, finding the right bra to support your chest properly is a minefield that we've collectively left to professionals in underwear shops.
But past being measured for your first tweenage training bra, how often have you gone back to be fitted?
It may be due to a lack of time, or perhaps shyness at the thought of undressing in front of a stranger: both understandable excuses. Squeezed finances could also be to blame, but if you’re prepared to fork out for better-fitting clothes, why should your foundational pieces, the ones you’ll wear on rotation throughout the week, be any different?
How to tell if you're wearing the wrong size bra
If one of the first things you do after closing the front door is unhook an uncomfortable bra, that’s a big clue that the one you’ve got is no longer serving you as it should.
Other obvious signs include straps and underbands that dig into your flesh, and gaps between your breast and the cup. If your skin is bulging out of the top of the cups (resulting in the eternally un-chic four-boob look), or around the arms or back, that’s a sign that you’re probably wearing a design that's too small.
Why is wearing the right bra important?
"Wearing the correct size bra can make you feel more confident, support you and improve your silhouette”, says Gemma Birtwistle, Design and Creative Manager at Gossard. “Not forgetting the health benefits - the breast is supported by ligaments and once the ligaments deteriorate this causes the breasts to sag. By wearing the correct bra, you are supporting the bust and preventing premature breast sagging.”
For those who wear a plus size or have larger-than-average assets, wearing the right bra can help alleviate back, shoulder and neck pain issues, another reason buying the right one is vital.
Why do bra sizes change?
Lots of reasons: ageing, weight fluctuations, pregnancy and breastfeeding can all spell a change in bra size; the underband, the cup - or both. Changing hormones over your menstrual cycle and choice of birth control can also have an effect.
With so many factors at play, experts agree that replacing your bra every six to 12 months is a wise idea. As it is, most bras start to lose their shape and ability to support at around the 9-month mark, especially if it's one you turn to on the regular. If you're replacing your bra anyway, why not take the time to check it’s still fitting as it should too?
DIY: How to measure yourself accurately at home
With work, family and social commitments hogging your diary, we don’t blame you if a professional bra fitting hasn’t made it to the top of your to-do list. Luckily, it’s simple to do at home with a tape measure and mirror.
Band: pass the measuring tape around your back and under your breasts, ensuring the tape is tight and level. It should be snug, yet with enough room to get two fingers under it. Take down the number, in inches - if it's even, you've found your band size. If it's odd, round down.
Cup: move the tape up to just under your armpits, keeping it level across your back. Curve the tape around the fullest part of your breasts and take the measurement from the centre front, in inches.
Bra size: to work out your bra size, deduct the band measurement from the cup. The difference will tell you your cup size.
- 0 inches difference - AA cup.
- 1 inches - A cup.
- 2 inches - B cup.
- 3 inches - C cup.
- 4 inches - D cup.
- 5 inches - DD cup.
- 6 inches - F cup.
- 7 inches -FF cup.
- 8 inches - G cup.
- 9 inches - GG cup.
- 10 inches - H cup.
- 11 inches - HH cup.
- 12 inches - J cup.
- 13 inches - JJ cup.
- 14 inches - K cup.
And so on. The difference between each cup letter is one inch, so keep moving up the alphabet if your difference is greater than those shown above.
What are sister sizes?
If your bra size has run out of stock but you really love the look of a bra, you can twiddle with the underband size and the cup size to work out a so-called 'sister size'. So, if you wear a 32C, you could also fit into a 30D (tighter) or 34B (looser) bra. It will give you a slightly looser or tighter fit, but should still work given some strap and clasp coaxing.
The bra’s fabric and the design style will also count towards the fit, so bear that in mind when shopping for a bra. For example, balcony bras work better for larger chests thanks to the rounded cups and wide-set straps, while plunge designs add oomph to smaller cup sizes.
Best places to try a virtual bra fitting service
Just like buying spectacles, some lingerie and underwear shops have started to use AI to help customers find their perfect fit from the comfort of their own homes.
