Finding your perfect fit

Bra Fitting Guide

Unbelievably an astonishing 7 out of 10 women wear the wrong size bra. You wouldn’t buy a pair of shoes without trying them on even if you know your size, so why do so many of us buy a bra without making a trip to the changing room.
We go on buying the same size bra for years without considering whether it still fits. This can affect our appearance and also affect our health.
If you have lost or gained weight, had a baby, gone on the pill or hormone treatment your bust size and the texture of it may have changed, and you may no longer be the 34C you once were.
Finding a good fitting bra can be a daunting task for most women, like finding the perfect fit jeans.

Find your Back measurement

Measure around yourself just under the bust, keeping the tape quite tight and checking in the mirror that it's level all the way around. If the figure in inches is an even number, add 4 inches. If it’s odd, add 5. This gives you your bra size,

e.g. 30 + 4 = 34 back size
31 + 5 = 36 back size

Find your Cup

Measure around the fullest part of the bust, again using the mirror to check the tape is level.
The difference between this and the back measurement is your cup size. Simply check the table below to find out what it is:

Bra Fitting Tips

You often have to try on a fair number of bras before you find a perfect fitting bra. Don’t worry too much about what the tape measure says as sizes vary from brand to brand. Be guided instead by whether or not a bra fits you comfortably and gives you the shape you want.

1. Fill your cups – baggy cups do not look good. Try going down a cup size. If the cups are baggy in the centre of the bra around the nipple try going down a band size which will pull the bra tighter over the bust.

2. Don’t over flow – It just means that you’re wearing too small a cup size, try the next cup size up.

3. Don’t let the straps take the strain – a bra’s main support comes from the underband and not the straps. Make sure that the underband fits your correctly and is not too big otherwise your straps will end up taking the weight which will cause them to dig in.

4. Look in a mirror - and ensure that your bra underband is the same level all the way round. If it is riding up at the back you need a smaller back size.

5. Fasten a new bra on the loosest hook - A bra can grow up to 4” due to wash and wear. So when you buy a new bra, make sure that it fits properly on the loosest hook, as you will need to tighten it with wear.

6. Ensure that the wire at the side of the bra does not dig into the breast.

7. The under wiring at the front of the bra should lay flt against the breastbone. If it stands away from your cleavage too much you need to go up a cup size as it is too small.

8. The best way to ensure you get the shape you want from a new bra is to try it on under a T-shirt. Look at yourself from all angles and ensure it is the fit and shape you want.