Going Undercover

The modern bra has been around since the 19th century but most women are wearing it incorrectly. In fact, experts estimate that almost 90 percent of women are wearing the wrong size.

Almost no one is the size they think they are. You can get measured but, until you get fitted, you don’t know exactly what it is you need.  Sometimes women feel they’re embarrassed or ashamed to go for a fitting, so they go years and years wearing the wrong size.  If you’re going to have balance in your body, your breasts need to be up and at ’em -no matter what size you are. Most stores sell a certain range of sizes, and usually carry bras up to size D or DD. Some department stores and specialized boutiques carry a larger variety and more sizes.

A conventional bra fitting involves two measurements: one around the rib cage under the bust and another around the fullest part of the breasts. It’s important to try on a variety of styles of bra, as each one is made differently and the fit varies by style and shape. 

Like every other piece of clothing, women should have a wardrobe of bras.  Different bras do different things:  soft-cup bras help with shape, padding adds volume and underwire adds lift.  Since we are active women, sports bras are essential.  Because breasts have no muscle, without proper support, skin and ligament can break down and cause sagging. Once your ligaments stretch out, they do not bounce back. Oh no!!! 

In addition, an ill-fitting bra could cause back problems and hunching. The bigger the cup size, the more issues you would have with that. Your shoulder blades round forward, it pulls your head forward and you’re not sitting up straight because you have all that tissue pulling you forward.  It could affect your breathing, as well.

Wearing the wrong size bra can also make you look shorter, older, and even heavier. Once your breasts are not hanging and adding bulk around the tummy area, it will give the appearance of having lost 10 pounds.  It’s an illusion, but it will make you feel better about yourself boosting your confidence and self-esteem. 

A woman’s breasts change size several times throughout her life as the result of hormones, weight loss or gain, pregnancy, and exercise.  At the very minimum, you should have a bra fitting once a year.

Signs your bra isn’t the right fit

1. If straps fall off or cut into your shoulders, your cup and/or band width is either too big or too small.

2. Getting poked by the underwire? Your cup size is most likely too small.

3. If you’re wearing your bra on the last set of hooks, it’s probably stretched out of shape and no longer fits properly.

4. Wrinkled cups are an indication your cup size is too large. If your breasts are bulging out, your cups are too small.

Proper fit check list

1. A bra should lie firmly against the rib cage, with underwire lying flat against the chest between breasts.

2. The band of the bra should be horizontal all the way around and not riding up your back.

3. Your breasts should be uplifted; the center of the breast should sit between your shoulder and elbow.

4. You should be able to run your finger under your front band. Your bra should be snug, but not too tight.

How about south of the bra line?  What about changing and altering our God-given shape? Once you address your boobs all of a sudden you discover a new area that you need to address.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Since we do Pilates, I like to think that we really don’t need help with this.  But if the need arises go that extra mile to get a little help from your friends. Shapewear such as Spanx, Yummie, Miraclesuit & Maidenform can all assist with this.  The Spanx 101 Guide on their website is an interactive tool that will help you navigate their products and choose the undergarment that will most meet your needs.  

It would help to bring the dress/outfit in question with you when shopping for shapewear so that you can try on the different solutions to see what works the best. With the right undergarments, that special occasion dress will just pop!