Bra Basics
Finding support that fits and flatters starts at the store, but continues at home.
by Kathy Sena
Go for a snug fit. Bras should fit snug against the body, and the band should lie low on the back to help keep the weight from being carried by the shoulder straps, says Susan Brooks, a certified mastectomy-bra fitter and owner of Women’s Health Boutique. If you have grooves carved into the top of your shoulders, you know the straps have been carrying too much of the load.
Look slimmer — instantly. A band that rides up in back can create the appearance of “back fat,” says Brooks. If the band fits low and straight across the back, the whole back appears slimmer, she says. You should be able to hook the bra in the middle position comfortably.
Don’t assume that once you’re fitted, that’s it. “You should plan on a yearly visit to be re-fitted,” Brooks suggests. Our bodies change due to hormonal fluctuations, weight changes and simply the effects of time.
A woman’s relationship with her bra is no simple thing. Just think back to 5th grade and the time Billy grabbed your training-bra strap and gave it a thwack. A lovely introduction to the world of lingerie, huh?
It’s a love-hate relationship, to be sure. True, wearing a bra helps make our clothes fit better. Yes, a sports bra allows us to go for a flop-free run in the park. But then there’s the eternal question: Why is it so hard to find a bra that fits?
Don’t go it alone. It’s tough because many of us wander the lingerie aisles without knowing the best bra style for our figure and our true bra size. “Too many women don’t take the time to work with a professional bra fitter,” says Lisa Cole, author of Lingerie: The Foundation of a Woman’s Life (Choice Publications, $11.95). She is also president of www.asklisacole.com, a website dedicated to lingerie fit and fashion.
A professional fitting is free at most major department stores. Schedule an appointment to ensure you have enough uninterrupted time with the fitter.
Getting wired. To underwire or not to underwire? Some women simply hate the feeling of an underwire bra pushing against the rib cage. But the secret to wearing one comfortably, says Cole, is getting the proper fit. “Underwire bras truly help to define a woman’s natural curves,” she says. “You will certainly get a better fit and shape in an underwire bra.” But non-underwire bras have improved over the years, she adds, and many now provide good support.
Choosing a sports bra. There are two main types of sports bras. Compression-style bras are the original pullover style that has no individual cups. They press the breasts against the chest to minimize movement. These offer the most “bounce” control. They’re best suited for smaller cup sizes and for lower-impact activities.
Encapsulation-style sports bras have separate cups that support the breasts individually. They get extra support from an underwire and a firm chest band. They’re recommended for larger cup sizes and higher-impact activities.
Give your bras a break. We’ve all done it — thrown our bras in the washing machine and then (even worse) in the dryer. But in an era of drive-thru conveniences, who has time to hand-wash her dainties? Well, have you priced a good bra lately? Taking care of your bras means they’ll continue to do their supportive job a whole lot longer.
Elastic in the fabric, straps and back is the magical component in bras that fights gravity’s pull, says Christi Andersen, CEO of Zyrra, a custom-bra company. Just like certain body parts, elastic stretches and droops with age,” she adds. “Heat speeds up this process by breaking down the elastic fibers. So washing machines and hot water are a big no-no.”
Andersen suggests hand-washing bras in cold water for 10 minutes. And skip the dryer completely. Hang bras to dry or dry flat. Giving your bras a day to recover between wearings will extend their life, too, by givng the elastic time to recover its original shape after being stretched around your body.
With proper care, a bra should last for a year or longer. “Discard a bra when it begins to stretch out in the back, when it puckers in the cup and when the underwire does not feel comfortable after a few hours,” Cole suggests.
Kathy Sena is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to MetroKids.