Do you know your bra size?

Ladies, do your bra straps keep slipping down your arms while you are in the middle of something else? Do you have red marks between your breasts when you take your bra off at night? Does your bra ride up your back? Do your breasts pop out of your bra at the top or even the bottom? If yes, don't be ashamed, it's a common syndrome.

Guys, if you think that buying a bra is as simple as buying a pair of socks, then think again. Choosing the right bra is more complicated than it sounds. It must be the right size, right cup, good quality; it must look and feel good, and it has to keep up with your level of activity.

Ladies, you cannot pinch yourselves into a size 34 when your actual bra size is size 40. Obviously, your boobs will pop out.  It's ugly and it's definitely not sexy to be spilling out the top of your clothes.

If you are experiencing bra difficulties, we are not trying to make fun of you. We've experienced them too. The problem is that we don't know how to measure our true bra size. Hence this article provides you and us with tips to choose our right bra size. This article is not only for the girls; it also refers to the guys, in case you want to buy a special gift for your special woman.

The facts about bras

Statistics reveal that 70% of women wear the wrong bra size and most of them have never actually been measured for a bra, so they end up buying what they assume to be their size. A poor-fitting bra can affect your health and general well being. For example, if your bra is the wrong size it might cause severe back and shoulder pains.

To Find the Correct Bra Size

The best way to check that you are wearing the correct size bra is to go to a store that offers a professional bra-fitting service. A specially trained fitter will measure you to determine your correct size. The technique used is to run a tape measure underneath the bust and around the rib cage so that it feels secure but not uncomfortable. If the number measured in inches is an even number you add four, if it is an odd number you add five to give you your bra band size. Read more:

 Back size:

The back size is always represented by the numbers 32/34/36/38/40/42 etc.To get this right, you will have to get a friend to measure you. Place the measuring tape snugly around the ribcage directly under the breasts. Add 5 to the measurement. If you scored 29 your back size is a 34 (29 + 5)
For any measurement after 33 add 3 (not 5) (33 + 5 makes you a 38).

Cup size:

Get your friend to stand next to you. Bring the tape measure loosely around the fullest part of your breast. Subtract the back size from this cup measurement. If your final back measurement was 34 and your cup size was 37, the difference is 3.

The chart below determines the cup size.

0": AA
1" A
2" B
3" C
4" D
5" E
6" F
7" G
8" H
9" I
10" J
11" K
12" L

Things to Notice about your bra:-

  • If you find that your bra rides up your back it may be because it is too loose. Try tightening the bra with the hook and eye fastener or buying a smaller band size (32 instead of 34).
  • If the opposite is happening and your bra is too tight try another band size up or even a bra that has a wider band fitting. You can also get extra hooks to fit on the end of your current bra that will ease the tightness under the bust.
  • Bulging sides can be remedied by wearing a bra that offers more cup coverage or is one band size bigger. 
  • If you find that your bust is bulging out of the cups then you will probably need a larger cup or band size. (Unless of course that is the fashion statement you are aiming for!)
  • For ladies who have larger busts, a bra with wider shoulder straps or even padded ones will give relief from sore shoulders.
  • A sagging bust line can be overcome by choosing a bra that offers firmer support and avoiding stretchy fabrics. 
  • An under-wired bra may give problems with soreness under the bust if not correctly fitted. Some women prefer to wear a non-wired soft cup bra.
  • Straps that slip usually mean they are too long so they can be adjusted to correct the problem. Otherwise choose a bra style with wider straps that will not slip down or buy a bra clasp to hold the straps together at the back. Cited: Cholesterol clinic, 2009.

 Sources:

by Zanele Matshotyana