The Bra Should Fit! - Five Tips

There she is again! The beautiful women with the perfect hair, the perfect dress for the occasion, and oh what perfect shoes she has! Her waistline even looks smooth... but then... Oh no! Not again... There she is with a bra two sizes too small. The result? Well, the fact that you can see the cups cutting into her isn't exactly flattering... And even worse -- the 'hang' under her arms and across her back from that tight bra strap!?! Once again, she's not very 'thick', but that bra makes her look 'larger' than she is!!!

If you were ever so fortunate to read part 1 of this series of articles, 'Underwear Matters', then you'll know we mainly focused on underwear, by definition, from the waist down. Well, as promised, here comes tip #2, and we're focusing on the waist up this time. And you got it... We're talking about the brassiere, the bra, the mighty breast enhancer, or whatever you might choose to call it... And luckily, the bra's came a long way since the idea was first patented by a New York socialite, Mary Phelps Jacobs, in 1913. She came up with the idea in 1913 by tying together two silk handkerchiefs with a pink ribbon (no kidding!) to go under a smooth dress she had bought because she didn't care for the look of her corset under it. Soon after, she sold her rights for the patent to Warner Brothers (the bra-company), and the rest was history...

So now that we have a little history and know who to thank for the invention of the bra, how do we go about choosing the right fit to flatter any size? After all, if we're going to put all the effort into looking perfect for any event, day or night, it's critical to remember the under clothes can make or break the outfit! With that being said, here are some simple pointers to live by:

Determine your cup size:

Believe it or not, many women, if not most, walk around with the wrong cup size. To find the right size, first measure around your rib cage right under your breasts (for those with larger breasts, you want to lift them and place the measuring tape directly under them). This will give you the under bust measurement. For your cup size, measure around the fullest part of your breast (the across bust measurement) and subtract this number from the under bust measurement. If you find that:

o The difference is 1 inch, you're an A cup,

o The difference is 2 inches, you're a B cup,

o The difference is 3 inches, you're a C cup, etc.

They also now make ½ sizes if you can't find a whole size to fit right!

Find the right 'fit' and comfort:

You might be asking, is comfort even possible? I'm pleased to say it is, but you must find the right fit, and it might take some trial and error. Here's what to look for:

o The bra band that goes across your back should be in line with the front. In other words, when you look in the mirror, it should not pull up towards your neck or between your shoulder blades. If it does, then it's not the right fit.

o The back strap should also be snug, but not to tight. If it's too tight, you're under arm and back skin will roll over, even if you're thin! WE WANT TO AVOID THIS! It's not flattering and can make you look larger than you are.

o The shoulder straps should be firm against your skin, but again, not too tight.

o If you already have some curves, then you may want to go with a fuller coverage bra to give you a smooth contour without any 'overhang' from the cups.

o If you are one who needs a little more help in the curve department, then opt for a comfortable push-up bra where the cups fit closely to the breasts. You want to avoid any gaps between the breast and the cup of the bra. This can be uncomfortable as well as unflattering under your clothing.

Find the right style for your outfit:

There are so many bra styles and options out there nowadays, you can find a bra to go under almost any style outfit; from smooth, to backless, to strapless, to halter, to racer back -- you name the style, and you'll be able to find a bra to serve the purpose (even in full coverage). For most of us, going braless is not an attractive option. In addition, unless you have the perfect outfit, showing straps can be unflattering, as well (you may opt for stylish straps if your straps must show). Find the style bra that's perfect for your outfit, and don't forget the 'fit' rules above (no overhang, not too tight, etc). Remember, we want flattery, not mockery or disaster!

Comfort versus style:

You no longer have to forgo style, lace, or sensual for comfort. There are so many brands and styles of bras out there that are cute, sensual, stylish and comfortable! So we beg you, wear the one that fits and allows you to express yourself for any occasion! Have some fun with it and see where it takes you... Any friendly, experienced sales associate would love to help you in your search, so just ask!

Built-in Bras:

Do they really work? Use your judgment, but in most cases, from our experience, if you're busty at all, 'built-in bra tops' do not provide much support. We recommend wearing a bra under the 'built-in-bra' tops if you choose to wear them for extra support. Sorry, but that's our thought on it! Remember, you can have comfort and attractiveness, so don't forgo one for the other!

Now you're set! As we said, it might take some trial and error on your part to find the perfect fit and style for you, but it's worth it in the end. You'll have a pulled together look after taking all aspects of your fabulous outfit into account -- including your underclothes! You go girl!