Understanding Why a Bra Doesn't Fit

Ask a woman her bra size and she'll probably slap you. If you're a friend, however, she'll probably tell you she is a certain cup size. This is the traditional measurement system for bras, but it has very definite problems.

Let's assume you are a C cup woman. You've found a particular brand you like. We'll call it the Rome brand for the purposes of this article. You love the brand. The bras are comfortable and come in a variety of colors and styles that fit most occasions. Of course, "most occasions" are not "all" occasions.

A particular occasion comes up and you need a bra style that is not carried in the Rome brand. No problem. You head down to the store and find what you need made by another brand we'll call Paris. You buy the same exact size you would with the Rome brand. You wear the bra to the event and are miserable. Despite being the same size and making endless adjustments, the bra just doesn't seem to fit. You end up with a back ache and a pounding headache.

So, does this mean that the Paris brand is inferior to the Rome brand? Many women would say yes. In truth, this may be the case, but this one experience is not proof of it. Instead, it raises an ugly little secret that exists in the bra industry - one which many women do not know or don't really think through.

The ugly little secret is simply that there is no uniform bra measurement that all brands adhere to. While our Rome and Paris brands both carry a "C" cup, the actual measurements and shapes for both may differ slightly. They are technically the same, but each bra will fit just a bit differently. This can be the difference between a comfortable br and one that causes strain.

Regardless of the bra or brand, there is only one sure fire technique for buying bras that fit well. Try them on in the store. More than 70 percent of women are estimated to wear the wrong size bra. The primary reason for this may well be that most women don't try on bras before buying them. The fact you are a "C" cup and the bra says "C" should be taken only as a suggestion the bra might fit you. Try it on to make sure.