Monday, June 16, 2008

Are you getting the right fit?

I went to a lingerie (this is pronounced as "lon-je-rie) warehouse sales recently and was amazed to see many women are still not aware of their actual bra size. Many always go for design and the look without considering that a "cute bra" may not be fitting for somebody with a fuller bust. And a size "G" need not necessary be for someone who is big size.

I had such misconception when i was in my teens and discovered the secret to a good bra when i was in early twenties. My advice to all my dear sisters and any XY Chromosome out there is you must always listen to your body as you know yourself better than the shop assistance whether the bra fits you comfortably or not.

First of all, you may want to check all the current bra you are wearing to determine if you are wearing a right bra. Signs of a bad fit are as follows:-
  • A saggy breast (A good bra will ensure that your breast do not succumb to the act of gravity easily. )
  • Marks/Line on skin after prolonged wear (This may be due to the bra is too tight, material of the bra also makes a difference)
  • Bulges (from breast) spilt out of the top or sides of the bra (Wrong cup-size)
  • Bulges at the back (Wrong cup size)
  • Straps fall off shoulders (This could happen when the strap loses its elasticity after wearing it for awhile. You need to get it adjusted)
  • Underwires pinching your flesh.
  • Your bosoms are squeezed to the middle (you may mistaken this as a push-up effect)
  • Cups are not full, puckering or gapping.
Bear in mind that your bust size might change when:-
- You gain or lose 10 kg or more
- You start or stop an exercise program
- You get pregnant or have just given birth.
- You are expecting your period in 10-15 days time. It is not uncommon for some to experience breast engorgement due to hormonal changes
- You are going through menopausal years

Therefore, the bra that you are wearing now may not fit you all the time. However, one thing for sure is that if you are wearing a right bra, it will help to shape your bust and further enhance its contour. This is particularly important as a reminder for all the mommies out there. If you have a daughter in her puberty years. Make sure you get her a right bra to ensure a proper development of her bosoms.

It is no doubt that a woman's breast size is genetically predetermined but if we get the wrong fit, a genetically predetermined E-cup will only be developed into a C-cup if the development is suppressed with a tight fitting bra. What you get will be bulges at the back and the bust will tend to grow sideway resulting in a flatter chest. This is the same theory as somebody who is trying to grow a cube shaped water melon. Just let the melon grow into a glass cubes when it is small and when it grows a little bigger, it will be reshaped according to the cube. Can you imagine if you are treating your breast the same way as Japanese grow the water melon? Genetically, it is quite unlikely for Chinese to have boob size as large as Pamela Anderson however not all of us have chests as flat as an airport. Don't blame your mom, sometimes it is not the size does matter, but the bra..

In fact, good bra can do wonder. A good bra with the right design and good support will make a voluptuous bust look smaller. Whereas for small breasts, a demi bra help to lift and shape to create a illusion of voluptuousness.

When shopping for bra, two measurements needed: BAND size & CUP size

(1) BAND size is the circumference taken at ribcage, just below the breast or commonly known as underbust.

(2) CUP size - taken around the whole bust at the fullest point or commonly known as top bust. My understanding is that this measurement MINUS the BAND size and the differences will determine the various cup sizes.

Anyway, you can refer to the following table to find out the bra that best fits you by determining the correct cup and the correct size:
Cup
Cup
Top Bust - Under Bust
A
9.0 - 11.0 cm.
B
11.5 - 13.5 cm
C
14.0 - 16.0 cm
D
16.5 - 18.5 cm
E
19.0 - 21.0 cm
>E
21.5 cm

Size
Size
Under Bust
65
63.0 - 67.0 cm
70
68.0 - 72.0 cm
75
73.0 - 77.0 cm
80
78.0 - 82.0 cm
85
83.0 - 87.0 cm
90
88.0 - 92.0 cm
95
93.0 - 97.0 cm

E.g. If your top bust is 81 cm and underbust is 69cm, the difference is 12cm. In this case, you should go for 70B.

After settling with the cup & size, it is also equally important to learn the techniques in putting on a bra to get a better fit. When putting on a bra, you must always bend over in letting your breast fall into the cups. Use your palm to push all the flesh from your back and the upper abdomen into the cup. The cups should contain your breast and centre your nipples in the fullest part. If it is too loose or too tight, adjust the straps and bands accordingly until it fits comfortably.

Sometime the cup size varies according to design and fabric. The fabric should lie flat on your breast bone. If it isn't, you may have to go one cup size bigger or smaller.

Believe me, a right fitting bra will help to improve blood circulation and will surely lift up your self confidence!

5 comments:

Christina said...

Natural Remedies? Got surprised but its true anyway. Can bring you along if I want to buy a new bra? Mabye, u can also think about changing your stressful job in selling bras and make all women happy. No need cosmetic surgery!!

BRP team said...

oops,lucky to be a man, very simple and trouble free!!!

Banaena said...

God is fair. Women has load up there, men has load down there..So it is not at all simple and trouble free!

Christina said...

Ya, but their load down there is smaller and not so heavy.

Banaena said...

tat explains why some men wear boxers and women wear g-strings..