There are many factors that affect whether your bra fits correctly or not, and for many women, this decision is one that often doesn’t get the attention it needs. Sadly, wearing the wrong size puts women in a position with significant disadvantages. Once you understand these risks and understand how to choose a bra, your body will thank you in many ways.
The Harmful Effects of Wearing the Wrong Bra
It’s easy to imagine the painfulness of wearing a bra that’s too small for your bust size; your breasts, back, shoulders, and neck can all suffer. If this situation continues, what was once an annoyance can start to affect your health. Unfortunately, the negative impact doesn’t end there. A loose bra can lead to sagging breasts and a bra that’s too tight can lead to abrasions and blisters. If you continue to wear a smaller cup size than you need, your lymph nodes can become blocked and constricted. As blood flow also becomes obstructed, it’s possible that the risk of breast cancer will increase.
The Best Method for Determining Bra Size
Many purchases are made based solely on the number listed on the hanger without consideration of other factors. Unfortunately, this doesn’t ensure the proper fit. There’s a lot of discrepancy in size from one brand to another. It’s best to get a bra fitting and use the resulting measurements when you go shopping.
- Measure right below the bust around your back and ribcage. This gives you your band size. If your measurement ends at an odd number, just step up to the next number.
- Gently wrap your measuring tape where your bust is fullest. Once again, just up to an even number if your measurement is odd. This is your bust size.
- Subtract the band size from your bust size. Plug this number into a bra size calculatorto get your cup size. For example, if your bust size is 39 and your band size is 38, you’ll choose a 38a bra.
The calculator is a useful tool because it can also help you convert your bra size from one country’s measurement system to another. When you shop, use your measurement and measuring tape to find the bras that are most likely to fit right.
The Importance of Purpose
The next step is determining which style of bra to buy. For example, you’ll choose a bra with a lot of support and breathability if you plan to wear it for exercising. If you plan to attend events in a strapless gown, you’ll look for a bra that stays in place without straps. Your goal may include a bra that provides more cleavage or offers extra support across the shoulders. When you identify what you need from your bra, it’s easier to match your purchase to that purpose.
The most difficult factors vary from one woman to the next. For example, bra size is definitely a factor for women with larger busts and as sizes increase the variety and availability decrease. For women with a smaller bust size, these factors aren’t as problematic as ensuring the proper amount of support. Many of these difficulties are alleviated through proper fitting and by choosing bras for their specific purposes. The more you know about proper bra fit and purpose, the better you can enjoy comfort and healthy posture.