How to choose a bra that fits you perfectly

Finding the right bra might seem like quite a lot of work for nothing. After all, haven’t women worn them - and not suffered much - for decades? Well, it might seem like that but wearing the wrong bra can lead to a lot of pain, including back pain, neck pain and breast pain. It can cause skin irritation, skin rashes, infections and it can even lead to restricted breathing. Instead of suffering all that pain for the rest of your life, isn’t it better to take some time out for yourself and get the right bra?  Here are some benefits you can reap by wearing the right bra.

• Improves posture: Wearing the right bra regulates your posture - even if you don't realise it. Because of the support your breasts receive, your shoulders are unlikely to slouch and your back is unlikely to hunch. 
• Improves health: A bra that fits perfectly can minimise back pain, neck pain, chest pain, skin irritation, etc. This is especially true for women with heavier and fuller breasts. 
• Makes activity easier: The right bra provides good support during movement. Whether you’re exercising, running, dancing or just walking around your workplace, a good bra makes movement and activities easier.
• Boosts confidence: A good bra enhances your outfit and minimizes misshapen outlines and bulges. If that doesn’t give you confidence while stepping out, what will?

The best way to get fitted for a bra is to go to a store that employs trained staff, and ask them to show you how to measure yourself properly. Lingerie stores usually have these facilities and can provide you with options of make and fabric too. If going to a store is not possible, or if you want to measure yourself privately, here’s how to go about it. 

There are three key areas you need to focus on when getting the perfect bra:

• Band: This part rests below the breasts and around the rib cage. The majority of the bra’s support comes from the band, so getting this one right is the first step. The band should fit you snugly, but it should not dig into your rib cage. It should be level or parallel to the floor all the way around your rib cage.
• Straps: The straps of the bra are vital to supporting the breasts. You should ideally choose wider straps instead of ones that are too thin. The straps should neither dig into your shoulders nor fall off when you move around.
• Cups: The bra cup is supposed to completely contain the breast. If bits of your breasts are spilling out from the front or sides, you should go a size up. If there’s too much space between your breasts and the cup, you need to go a size down. The piece of material between the cups, which is known as the gore, should lie flat on your chest. If it’s pulling away from the body, you need to go a size up.

Even when you go to buy a bra after measuring your band and cup size properly, you should always try out the bra before buying it. When you’re trying out the bra, check for the following to know if this particular bra fits you perfectly:

• Neither the band nor the straps should dig into your skin.
• Neither the band nor the straps should be too loose
• Your breasts should not be spilling out of the sides or front of the bra.
• Lift your arms up. If your breasts spill out from below, you need to try a larger cup size.
• The triangle between the cups, called gore, should lie flat on your body. If it lifts up, your cup is too small or the band size is too big.
• If the underwire digs into your breasts, you need a bigger cup.
• If the underwire digs into or pinches the side of your arms, you need a smaller cup.
• The back of your bra should be level with the bottom of your breasts. If the back of the bra is riding up, you need a larger band size. 
• Jog while staying in the same spot in front of the mirror. If the breasts bounce or jiggle too noticeably, get a bra with a better fit.
• Stand straight, then bend forward. If the straps fall off the sides or the band rides up, try another bra with a better fit.

It’s important to remember that there’s a great variety of bras available in the market right now. The above tips should help no matter which type of bra you want, but some things might differ depending on the make of the bra you’re out to buy.

Ideally, you should measure your bra size once every six months, or at least once a year. This is because your breasts change depending on your age, weight, hormone levels and health status. Sudden weight gain or weight loss is the most likely cause of fluctuating breast size. 

Your bra size is also likely to change if you’re using contraception. If you’re taking up a new sport or physical activity, it is even more important to make sure you have the right bra on. Moreover, getting fitted for a maternity bra and nursing bra is also important when you’re pregnant and while breastfeeding.

A bra is like your second skin - it should be washed as often as you need a bath. Generally, you can wash a bra after two or three wears. But if you live in a region with a humid climate or if you sweat a lot, then washing your bra more regularly and properly becomes even more important. What’s more, apart from washing them properly, it’s also important to dry the bra out in the sun properly. This is because sunlight is the best natural disinfectant there is.

Here’s what is likely to happen if you don’t do this:

• The sweat, dirt, oil and bacteria coming off of your body gets stuck on the bra.
• If you don’t wash the bra properly, then the bacteria in your bra can multiply.
• If the bra is not dried out in the sun, the bacteria will not die, and will likely multiply. 
• If the bra is not washed and dried properly, it can lead to the growth of fungus from moisture.
• Disinfecting the bra by drying it out in the sun is important to avoid bacterial infections, fungal infections and skin rashes. 
• If you wear a sports bra, they should be washed after every workout or training session to avoid common gym infections and symptoms like itching under the breast fold.