How To: Fit A Bra

Did you know, around 80% of people are wearing the wrong size bra?

When buying a bra I would always recommend a good bra fitter (and a good bra shop!) but if not, follow these tips to advise you! As a disclaimer, some things can make using these steps a little more tricky, these include maternity, post-baby/breastfeeding, and post-surgery!

Firstly when you put the bra on, use the loosest setting, you should always wear it here, and as the bra gets older and gets washed (preferably by hand!!), you tighten it! Once you’ve got it on, put your hand into each cup and scoop to put your breast into the cup properly, or lean forward, hoping the part where the strap and cup meet, and shimmy! It seems silly but this is how you should be putting your bra on every day! Then follow these tips to see how it fits!

• Band

Your band should sit straight on your back, and when given a pull only come off your back a little bit, 2 inches or so.

• Cups

When checking the cups they should be smooth to the breast, with no gaping and no double boob or spilling over!

• Straps

The straps on your bra should be adjusted so that when lifted from your shoulder, again, it only lifts about an inch.

• Shape and Style

If you want a bra for a specific outfit, I’d recommend speaking to a bra fitter and taking the outfit with you, there’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve got it all sorted, and you really don’t! Some shapes and styles might not work for you because of your body shape, just like jeans and dresses!

• Gore (which is the fancy name for the bit in the center (where the wires meet)) - if you choose a wired bra or one that has that little bit in the middle, it should be flat to your chest, with no gaping, and definitely not too tight.

Remember different styles and brands, and even the same style in the same brand made at a later date can fit differently! Always check before buying!