Most Women are Wearing the Wrong Bra

Last week I posted on my Facebook page, "Am I the only one who thinks the wrong bra can ruin your whole day?" and the response was overwhelming!  We are all wearing the wrong bra!

So, I thought I'd throw together a little guide that might help us all learn a little something.  And, while we are all Christmas shopping for other people, we can take a little time out of our day and get our "girls" into a new bra!

You can always get measured at a store, but I find that to be awkward and weird.  So, if you're like me, do this instead-

1. Stand straight and relax. Don't inhale and expand your rib cage as if you're about to blow out candles.

2. Using a soft tape measure, measure all the way around your body, placing the tape measure right beneath your breasts (example: 30 1/2). Add five to that number, rounding up if necessary to the next even number (36). Congratulations: That's your band size.

3. Next step: The cup. While wearing a bra, measure completely around the fullest part of your bust (across the nipple) without pulling tight. Make sure the tape measure goes around your entire back (38).

4. Subtract the number from your band size (38-36=2). The result will indicate your appropriate cup size, based on the following guide:

0=AA
1=A
2=B
3=C
4=D
5=DD
6=DDD

There ya go!  I read somewhere that most of us are wearing a bra that's too big around and too tight in the cups.  I know that's true for me.  I went down a size around, and up a cup size and I feel like a new woman!

Comfort is the most important thing.  Don't settle for a bra that's just "okay" hold out for one that's awesome!  Here are a couple more tips -

• While putting on the bra, bend over and allow your breasts to fall naturally into the cups. Stand slowly and adjust the bra: Put a hand to each breast and raise the nipple so that it's at the center of the cup. (some call it the "pour and shake")
• The center of the bra should lie flat against the breastbone. Be sure there is no gap.
• Turn to the side and look in a mirror to see whether the back of the bra hikes up. If it does, then the bra doesn't fit correctly. The back of the bra should rest comfortably against the middle of your back.
• If you are a B-cup or bigger, an underwire bra is an absolute must, because it shapes the breasts, provides unbeatable support and slows down sagging. Underwire should comfortably surround the bottom and sides of the breast; if it is painful, go up a cup size.
• Don’t skip the dressing room. Bra sizes vary from brand to brand, so you really have to try them on.

Watch these videos - wearing a better fitting bra can make you look better in your clothes, and feel better!

Hope this helps!  Perk those girls up!