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Bra fitting advice: General
General bra fitting advice
Buying a bra
- When buying a bra, make sure that the style is suitable for the occasion. Bras are like outer clothes, some are suitable for everyday wear, others are made for wearing with special outfits e.g. basques and multi-way bras
- How stretchy is the fabric? If it is firm it will remain firm around your rib cage longer, ensuring good support to your breasts
- How does it wash? Is this important to you?
- Does it having matching briefs? Is this important to you?
- What sizes does the bra come in? If the size I pick doesn’t fit, can I get it in a different size?
Fitting a bra
- Lean forward when putting your bra on to ensure your breasts are contained fully in the cups. The band of the bra should be firmly against your ribcage.
- You should do the bra up on the loosest fitting, and this should be a firm fit – you shouldn’t be able to move the band away from the ribcage more than 1cm. If the band is too loose, do up to the tightest fitting. If this is firm enough, you will need the next band size down, but the next cup size up. Example – you have tried on a 36C, but the bra is only a firm fit on it’s tightest fitting. Providing the cup size is correct (see below), you need to buy a 34D
- Adjust the shoulder straps so that they are firm but not tight. They should not dig into your shoulders (although you can get comfy straps to put under the bra strap to help ease this), and should lift the breasts into the cups to give a good shape. Remember that the shape will depend on the shape of the cups on the bra itself
- Check that your breasts are fully in the bra cups. Check the side seams, under-wire and band are not pressing on any part of the breast – including under your arms
If you live in the North West of England, contact us to arrange a personal fitting.
For those of you further afield, follow the instructions below to ensure you have the right bra for your body and breastshape.
We're here to help, so please do ask for help or advice if you're not quite sure if the bra is right.
When you try your bras on, check this:
Are you used to wearing this style of bra? The shape and style may be different to what you’re used to, but if it fits correctly, and is the right style for you, it should be comfortable. If it’s not comfortable, try the following:
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What to look for |
What may need changing |
Band size |
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Is the band fitting firmly (you should not be able to move the band away from the ribcage more than 1cm)?
You should fit most bras on the loosest fitting, so that when you wear and wash the bra, you have hooks available to tighten it up.
The band should be horizontal across your back – if it rides up…. |
A smaller band size to ensure snug fit |
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Maternity bras – are there hooks to expand to as your ribcage expands? |
A larger band size may be required |
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Nursing bras (at 35-40 weeks) – are you on the loosest fitting? How much has your ribcage grown during pregnancy. Will the bra be snug enough when your ribcage decreases in size after baby has been born? |
A smaller band size |
Cup size |
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Are the bra straps tightened to a comfortable fit? Tension should be no more than ½ cm away from the body. |
If they are too loose, a different style is needed. |
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Is your breast fully enclosed in the cup? |
Larger cup needed. See below for style information |
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Are the side seams under your arm pit? |
If forward of underarm, larger cup needed, if backward, may need smaller cup |
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Does the cup cover the area at the top of your breast under your arm? |
Too high to underarm – smaller cup needed; too low – larger cup needed |
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Do your breasts feel supported? |
Different style may be required, if above questions have been answered satisfactorily. |
Style of bra and shape of bra |
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Different style of bra is needed. Contact us for suggestions on 0845 373 3875, or fitting@bras4mums.co.uk |
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