Are You Wearing the Right Bra?

Almost every one of us females wears a bra, but more than seventy per cent of women wear the wrong sized bra, providing little, or no support. In fact, a poorly fitted bra can lead to medical problems, such as back problems, neck problems, poor posture, aches and pains. It is also not a great look and can have an effect on your career, or social standing.

Bras are like jumpers to some degree, in that over a period of time they become loose and stretch. In some cases they can stretch up to 5cm over a year, or so. Bra sizes can differ between brands and styles, so even though the tag says 12b, you may find one particular style fits more snug, or is looser than another 12b. Colours can also affect material, elasticity and fit, sometimes resulting in coloured bras being slightly stiffer than white ones. 

It is therefore recommended that you try all of your bras on before you purchase them, just to ensure that the particular bra you have chosen fits snugly. It is recommended that you review your bra wardrobe every year, after gaining, or loosing weight and through pregnancy. It is also recommended that you have a professional fitting to ensure you are choosing the correct size for your body. A good time not to go bra shopping is the week leading up to your period, as some women's breasts can enlarge up to a cup size in that week.

A well fitted bra has straps that sit flat on your skin, as opposed to falling off your shoulders, sinking into your skin, or cutting under your arms. The cups should be filled, but not overflowing. The bra should fasten on the middle hook, so that as the bra stretches, you have room to tighten it, or if you gain weight, you have room to loosen it. The back strap should sit approximately 1cm below your shoulder blades and should be loose enough to fit a finger under it, but not too loose that it slips up.

Bras should be worn for the appropriate occasion, as not all bras suit every occasion. For example, a strapless bra provides the support required for a strapless evening dress, or a summer boob tube top. However, a strapless bra does not provide adequate support for long term, everyday wear. A maternity bra is not only practical, but provides the necessary support through the breast feeding phase of child rearing. A sports bra is recommended for active support such as running, jumping, gym classes etc. Without the right style and fit of bra, the possibility of injury, muscle tearing and even embarrassment, is ever present.

A well fitted bra can also accentuate your figure, which is what ever women wants!

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