Have you ever noticed that as time goes by your bra size seems to change along with the season…but maybe not as often. A number of different things can make you change bra sizes.
For Example:
Getting older
Gaining weight
Losing weight
Family history
Having a baby
Volume of breast tissue
*A badly fitting bra can affect your posture, overall general health, including headaches and possibly your confidence.
To adapt with these changes it can be helpful to know how to properly measure your chest to ensure the correct fitting bra. Here are a few basic rules to keep in mind to know how to get the right size of bra for your current chest size.
Get 3 accurate measurements of your chest:
- Measure the upper chest. Use tape measure and wrap around just under arm.
- Measure across Apex of chest. Apex is biggest part of breast and should naturally be aligned with nipples.
- Measure under chest along rib case. When measuring this area, breath out and pull as tight as possible to get best back band measurement.
BAND of Bra
General rule of band size:
- 29 to 32 inch measurement = 32 inch band
- 32 to 34 inch measurement = 34 inch band
- 34 to 46 inch measurement = 36 inch band
- And so on as you go up in measurements
It is a good idea to pick the size that you use the first hook to attach bra. In time your bra will stretch and having additional hooks to tighten later will be useful. The band should not be ride up in the back, if it does, then you need to go down in band size around. It should fit parallel to the floor or straight horizontal across the back. Test your current bra by standing in mirror to the side and look to see where your bra band naturally sits.
Is it riding up? Remember if it, you need a smaller band size.
Correct Fit: Band will lay horizontal across back.
80% OF SUPPORT OF BRA COMES FROM THE BAND.
Therefore getting right band fit is very important and will assist in properly giving lift to the breast. The general rule is two finger give between bra band and your back.
CUPS of Bra
A good fitting bra will not gap in the cups. The bra cups should enclose all of the breast tissue, fit along the sides, and have no gaping underneath the front bottom of the bra. The bottom of the bra should come to the bottom of the breast tissue. With the proper cup size the front middle should lay flat against breast bone, but if you can easily put a finger up into the space, it would be recommended to go up a cup size. The under wire should also fit flat against breast bone.
The breast should fit nice into the cup without spilling over the top, bottom, or under the arm.
Correct Cup Size Will Ensure No Spillage Over the Top or Bottom
STRAPS of Bra
The straps are NOT meant for support.
You should be able to put two fingers between strap and shoulder and the bra straps should be the last thing you adjust after putting bra on. You should not get red marks or grooves from straps supporting the weight of the breasts.
If you are using your bra straps for support, this is a red flag that you are not wearing the correct bra size for your shape.
TEST the fit of your bra by:
1. Lifting both arms up in the air to be sure the bottom stays in place.
2. Make an L shape with each arm and thrust the elbows back; there should be no spillage over the top of the bra.
3. See how it looks under your shirt, and try a fabric that is fitted to see the difference.
Now I am not saying that your chest will change in size as the seasons change every 4 to 5 months, however, they may change in size for any one of the above reasons.
Having a basic understanding of how to get the best fit bra for your chest will ensure that you keep your curves looking fabulous.
With research showing that 70% of women are wearing the wrong size bra I think the advice offered is great. On measuring for the bra size a more accurate result will be obtained if you can get someone to assist y doing the actual measuring.
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Thank you for your comment and suggestion Martin. And it is true, most women are wearing the wrong size bra.
loosing weight and having a baby, thanks for the valentine fun!
FOUND THE HEART
2reasons you may need to change size are losing weight, having a baby!
Cute heart here! I figure that I should get a bra fitting. I haven’t had one since well before I lost my baby weight. Ugh… thanks for the reminder!
Finally found the Heart! 2 reasons why you may need to change the size of your bra: 1. gaining/losing weight & 2. having a baby. Thanks for the fun!
Kelly D. ~ dkad23(at)gmail(dot)com
Good job! Leave your comments/answer here for “Find the Valentine” for Tuesday 1/18
Found the Heart
Two reasons I may need to change the size of my bra is losing/gaining weight or because of pregnancy.