Bra fitting tips and advice

As Mae West once said "the curve is more powerful than the sword" but she was a canny lass and probably knew that getting those curves in the right place wasn’t always down to Mother Nature alone and that some additional assistance was required. Never underestimate the confidence that can come with wearing a great fitting bra …… you’ll feel like a new woman! Walking tall, striding out, a secret other woman will want to know but only you will (of course, being part of the sisterhood you will pass your secret on – wont you?) – those admiring glances … you can take on the world!

So we know what a great fitting bra could do for you – but how do you achieve this small miracle – follow our Bra fitting guidelines and they’ll be no stopping you (superwoman).

A well fitting bra should have the following characteristics:-

• The cups should fit smoothly over the breasts with no bulging over the top or sides
• The band should be a snug fit and level all the way round the body
• Straps should not dig into the shoulders
• The under wire should follow the crease of the breast without digging in.
• The section between the cups at the front of the bra – the centre front should rest flat against the body

Common fitting problems:-

Back band riding up

This may mean that the band size in is too big – the band should be snug fitting and not moving around Try tighten the band by adjusting the hook and eye fastenings You may need to try a smaller band size – remember going down a band size may mean you need to go up a cup size (ie. from a 36D to a 34E).

Shoulder straps are digging in

If your straps are digging in it may mean that your under band is too loose and that the straps are doing most of the supporting (the under band gives you the majority of the support not the straps) or that the straps are too tight.

• Try a smaller band size
• Try loosening the shoulder straps
• Try a wider bra strap

Centre front pulling and lifting away from body

The centre bra panel should rest flat against your body. If it doesn’t then it may be that your cup size is too small.

• Try a larger cup size (eg 34E to 34F)
• Try rearranging the breasts in the cup to see if this improves the fit.

Shoulder straps keeping falling off shoulders

This may be a simple as the straps need tighten or it may be that the cup size is too big and your boobs are not filling out the entire cup particularly at the top of the cup where the cup is attached to the straps.

• Try tightening the shoulder straps
• Try a smaller cup size

Wires are digging in

The under wires should follow the breast crease and be flat against the rib cage enclosing the breasts without digging in. If you are experiencing digging in it may be that the cup size you are wearing is too small.

• Try a bigger cup size

The bra cups are wrinkled

The cup should be smooth over your breasts if they are wrinkled it may indicate you are wearing too big a cup size.

• Try a smaller cup size

Saggy boobs

If your boobs still appear to be saggy it may mean that the style or fabric used in the bra is not offering enough support or that your shoulder straps are too loose.

• Try tighten the shoulder straps
• Try a more supportive style avoiding bras with a lot of stretch fabric in them

Spilling out over the top or sides of your bra

This is a clear sign that the cup size your wearing is too small.

• Try a bigger cup size

Bra is baggy – not fitting smoothly

When you have a baggy bra cup it is probably because the cup size you are wearing is too big.

• Try a smaller cup size