Are your ‘Girls’ looking sad and saggy? Gnarly back fat bulging out from your bra straps? Before you actually consider booking a weekend down in Colombia for a little reconstructive surgery, we might have a solution for you that costs the whopping price of…a new bra!
Did you know that eight out of ten women wear the wrong bra size because they haven’t been fitted in years? “It is really important to get fit for a bra at least once a year,” says Liz Smith, Wacoal’s bra expert. “Not only will you look slimmer, taller, and feel more confident, buying a well-fitted bra will save you money because your clothes will fit so much better.”
Look sexy and save money? If that sounds good to you, then read on to find out what every woman should know before buying a new bra.
Read Related: Date Night? Let Your Bra Do the Talking
FAREWELL OL’ BRASSIERE
Before you head out, it’s important to go through your lingerie drawer and toss out any old, ill-fitting, or torn bras. “Women should replace a bra every six months or after approximately 100 washings and wearings. Bras are made from fine fabrics that will stretch out over time and lose their ability to lift and support,” says Smith. Also consider what changes your body has undergone in the past year. Women’s bra sizes change with age, diet, exercise, and after having a baby,” says Smith. “As little as a five to seven pound weight gain or loss can change your bra size.”
MEASURE UP
Whether you shop at Nordstrom’s or Victoria’s Secret, its paramount you ask for a proper fitting from a sales girl, which includes measuring your bands and cup size. And though it might sound obvious, try that sucker on! “The biggest mistakes women make are not getting professionally fitted and not trying a bra on before buying it,” says Smith.
DEMYSTIFY THE NUMBERS & LETTERS
Unsure what exactly a 34C means? The number 34 refers to the band measurement in inches under the bust and around the ribcage. The C refers to the size cup you need. Most women wear their bras too loose on the back and too small in the cup. You can find band measurements from 28 to 56, and cups from AA to N, perhaps not in all styles or brands, but they are out there.
DON’T FILL IT TO THE RIM
Your cup should not runneth over. To accurately figure out your cup size be sure that your breasts fill out the cup, but not spill out of it. If they don’t fill out the cup, the material will gather or wrinkle.
CHECK YOUR STRAPS & BANDS
Sometimes a simple adjustment to both of these can work wonders, without a Wonder Bra! Straps should be adjusted to give support to the bust without cutting into the shoulders
Be sure and back track. Because your back band is responsible for 90% of support, be sure it’s sturdy but comfy. Rule of thumb: If you can’t fit two fingers underneath your bra band, it’s too tight!
THE MORE BRAS THE MERRIER
“A woman needs a wardrobe of bras that works with her lifestyle,” says Smith. “A great contour for under t-shirts and sweaters; something seamed that’s supportive and sexy; a racer back for under tanks; a strapless; a sports bra; a push up or minimizer.” Be sure to try them on before purchasing with a fitted t-shirt so you know exactly what it will look like when you’re dressed to impress.
