KissMeGoodnight Article Series: Lingerie
Wearing Lingerie: Sizzling Secrets 

How To Find a Great Fitting Bra

The whole point of a bra is to be able to minimize jiggling, shaking, bouncing, and enhance the shape and appearance of the breasts. There are also several health benefits as well. The right bra can help prevent breast tissue damage while participating in sport activities. They also help a woman’s posture, which is a large problem in bustier women. Wearing the right bra can fix backaches, muscle tension and headaches in many women. The problem with most women who complain about how uncomfortable their bras are is that seven out of ten are wearing a bra that does not fit and is the wrong size. Finding the right bra for you does not have to be like pulling teeth. You just need to know how bra sizes work and get measured by some one who knows what they are doing.

There are two main parts to a woman’s bra size. There is the band size that is measured right under the breast tissue around he whole body plane. This is also known as your chest size. This is the part of the bra that corresponds with the number portion of your size such as 32, 36, or 44. It runs across your back and chest and is where the hooks are located. Then there is the actual cup size that holds the actual breast tissue. This number is based on the measurement in the densest part of the actual breast tissue around the whole chest and back. By subtracting the first number from the second you will get your cup size. This size is determined by the difference in inches the actual breast tissue stands away from the rib cage. This corresponds with being A, B, C, etc. You must have both sizes to get that perfect fit. If you don’t think you can do this accurately on your own then get either a friend or a professional to help you. Most large department stores have women who are trained that can get an accurate bra size fitting for you at no charge.

When you wear a bra that is not of the right chest size, the band will either be too tight and constricting around the rib area. Or, it will be too loose and ride up over the breasts and not give any comfort or support. What happens to the breasts if you get too small of a cup size is not only does the bra make you look flatter than you are. It can also make you look distorted and force your breast tissue out the sides. There is nothing more unappealing than armpit boobs. When the cups are too large, then you get that puckered look that shows through your clothes. So if you are too embarrassed or don’t have a place to have this measurement done for you, just go ahead and buy a tape measurer. Out of the two measurements you need to have for that perfect fit there you need to have an accurate measurement of both.

With the chest measurement you have two choices. The more common of the two methods you will run a tape measurer just underneath the breasts. You will go the entire length of your rib cage and back. You want to make sure that the tape measure is straight across your back and not slanted in any way. If it is slanted it will throw off your measurements. Make sure it is snug but not too tight. Once you have this number add 5 inches to it. Now you will have your chest size and the number you will need to subtract to get your cup size. You can also use the same method but do it right above the breasts and under the armpits. This gives you a more accurate measurement and you don’t have to add any inches on it. Odd sizes like 31 or 33 should be rounded up if you don’t have odd sizes available.

When it is time to measure your cup size you also want to make sure that the tape measure is snug. Too tight or too loose will not help you. Best way to do this is either bra-less or with a supporting non-padded bra. Yes, this bra must be not padded at all to be accurate. Make sure the measure is along the fullest part of your breasts. Now subtract your chest size from this number and this is your cup size. If you got a 2 you are a B cup, 3 is C cup, and 4 is D cup, get the gist? Now you will be armed with the right measurements to best hit that store and get that new bra.

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by KissMeGoodnight.com : 2006

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