BRA FITTING GUIDE
"What size am I?"
This is the most common question that we get asked. However, wha surprises most women is that you will very rarely be the same size in every bra. Instead, you will find that your size will vary across brands, and sometimes even styles from the same manufacturer depending on the fabrics used.
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Rather than focusing on size, we prefer to assess the fit of a bra, to ensure that that particular style fits you like a glove, not only giving the right level of support but also giving you the shape that you are after!
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So, here's our Fit Guide full of all of our top-secret tips and tricks to ensure that you always have that perfectly fitting bra!
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Measuring yourself with a tape measure can be tricky and unreliable, as a tape measure is only there to give a rough guide. Our aim with this guide is to demonstrate how the perfect bra should fit and where you may be going wrong.
Firm Bra Band!
When you first purchase a bra, you need to ensure that it fastens on the loosest setting. You should be able to comfortably slide two fingers along the inside of the back band. As the bra stretches with everyday wear and washing, we need to make sure that the bra is offering you the best support, and so over time, you can tighten the band with the next set of hooks and eyes.
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Once the bra is fastened, the band must follow a horizontal line all the way around your body. The best way to check this yourself, it to stand side on and look in a mirror. As well as changing your posture, a firm back band will give you extra support.
If the back of your bra is riding up and creating an upside-down 'U-Shape', it means that the band is too big. Instead, it should sit comfortably in place and not slip.
Your new bra band may feel a little odd at first, but we promise that it will be offering you the best support and you will get used to the new snug fit.
Shoulder Straps!
Next, we need to get the shoulder straps right! By adjusting them to a 1-2 inch tension, making sure that you are not tightening them for uplift. This is because the straps should only take 20% of the weight of your bust, it's the back band that needs to give the most support & uplift.
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The shoulder straps should sit firmly in place without leaving any red marks. Once you know that the back band and shoulder straps are correct its time to move on to the cups.
The Perfect Cup!
The cups should lift, support, and shape your bust. A lot of women start off with their bust in the wrong place, to begin with. Lean forward when you put your bra on, then you need to scoop the breast tissue up to the centre of the cup, up and away from the wire.
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You then need to check that the centre of the bra is sitting flat against the breastbone without digging in.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
The next step is to check that the underwires are sitting flat all the way around the bra and that there are no gaps between the band and your body. If the cup is too small, it will push the wires in the middle outwards. If this is the case, try a larger cup size for a better fit.
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If you're bulging over the top of the cup or spilling out of the bottom or side, the first thing that you need to do is to check the tension in the shoulder straps. They may need adjusting, but don't forget the 1-2 inch rule. If you still have the double boob effect, the cups are too small.
Another problem with the cups can be that there is excess material, which if this is the case you may need to go down a cup size.
So, that's The Bra Consultancy's guide to at home bra fittings for a more confident you! Unfortunately, no one's bra size is written in stone, but this guide should help you see where you're going right and where mistakes can occur. ​​​​
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In our experience, we believe that the best way to find a perfectly fitting bra is to try on a range of different sizes and styles to discover what feels comfortable and gives you the best shape! So, pop down and see us in our boutique for a bra fitting with one of our specialist consultants. We are more than happy to give you a helping hand, offering tailored advice as well as recommending alternative styles that you will look and feel incredible in!