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11 Expert Tips For Finding And Picking The Right Bra

underoutfit.com

Few things in this world are more important than comfort. An ill fitting bra is not only uncomfortable, but it looks uncomfortable as well. You need – no, you deserve – a luxurious and flattering fit. With all of the different brands, styles, and shapes it’s hard to know whether you’re getting the best bra for your body. 

The Fit

Those of us who have been wearing bras for a while know that no two bras are exactly the same. Even when you buy the same bra you’re currently wearing a year later, it just doesn’t fit the same. That’s because after months of stretching and washing, it’s become ol’ reliable. 

1. Size Matters

It doesn’t matter if you are part of the itty-bitty-titty club or the bodacious-babe crew. You need to find out your perfect size before you find the perfect bra. Just because you wore one size last year does not mean your body hasn’t changed and shifted. If you don’t have an idea of your measurements before you start shopping, you may spend your valuable time aimlessly searching and trying on different sizes. All you need is a tape measure. 

Properly Measure For the Right Size Bra:

  1. Wear a lightly lined bra
  2. Measure your band – wrap the measuring tape just under your breast around your rib cage. 
  3. Measure your bust – wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your breast. 
  4. Subtract the number you got for your band size from the number you got for your bust size. This is your cup. Each inch is a cup size. 1”=A, 2”=B, 3”=C and so on. So if your bad size is 34 inches and your bust is 38 inches (38-34=4) your size is a 34D. 

There’s also something called “sister sizes” – meaning if the brand is out of your perfect size, you can still find your style in a suitable alternate size. You simply increase your band size and decrease your cup. It also works when going up a cup size – decrease the band, increase the cup. So if you are a 34D, you’re also a 36C or a 32DD. You may need to play around with these measurements. Your true size will usually fit best. You don’t want to sacrifice comfort and look just because they’re out of stock on your size.  

2. Breast Shape 

The shape of your bosom is just as meaningful to your comfort and style as your measurements. No two breasts are the same as some women sport long and full, high and perky, or even “east to west” (facing opposite directions). If you find that your bust is busting out of your current bra, you’re showing too much side boob for your liking, you’ve got some slippage out the bottom, or you find there is too much extra room in the cups, trying a new style will give you the look and feel you desire. 

Designers create bra styles with a certain “problem” in mind and try to find a solution. We don’t think there is anything wrong with your body and you should always choose a style that you feel great in. But if you do have concerns about how your breast shape looks in a certain style, we encourage you to try the different styles to see what works best for you. 

Bra Styles

That’s right, the next tips we have for you are all about bra styles. There are so many types of bras and not every style will fit exactly the same. So how do you pick the right lingerie for that cocktail dress, work outfit, or baseball game? 

3. The T-Shirt

Simple, comfortable, and ready for anything, the T-Shirt bra is lightly lined and discreet. It’s that perfectly lightness that looks great under – you guessed it – a T-Shirt, but is also great for everyday wear. The idea is smoothness. This bra won’t necessarily increase cleavage, but the idea is to create a sleek look without much effort involved. 

4. The Push-Up

Looking for a little “umph” for your v-necks? For those whose breasts like to go their own way or you’d like a little fuller look on top, push-up bras are heavily padded to give you a lift and create cleavage like no other. Women who don’t have as ample mounds may decide the push-up is the perfect look to accentuate their curves. 

5. The Padded

Ladies with an unbalanced physique love a good padded bra. We’re not talking about as much padding as a push-up bra, but a little extra in the cups gives a nice rounded, curvy look under any clothing. Some women may find padding uncomfortable if they aren’t wearing the right size, but the correctly sized padded bra makes for a smooth and even appearance. 

6. The Bralette

Some of us love to treat our bras as part of our whole outfit. Some designs are too pretty to be covered up completely. The bralette is the perfect accessory when you are trying to add a little lace or color. Bralettes come in an endless variety of styles – v-neck, balconnett, halter, racerback. They’re perfect under v-necks and plunging necklines when you want a modest look without wearing a slip or tank underneath. Women have even started incorporating them under cardigans and lightweight jackets as a fashion statement. 

They were originally designed for women with smaller breasts as they are least supportive and many women with larger breasts tend to find them uncomfortable. But we think the bralette is for every size if you’re looking for a freer feel and a stylish accent to  your outfit. 

7. The Plunge

Women’s clothes seem to be designed as if we don’t wear undergarments. Since most of us do wear some type of lingerie, certain clothes just don’t look the way we want them to with our bras peeking out the top. That’s why bra designers created the plunge effect of soft demi-cups that separate all the way down to the band. 

Women with fuller breasts may experience some spillage and need to size up. Plunge bras can incorporate other features of different bras like additional padding, different fabrics, and underwire for different support, feel, and look.  

8. The Sport

Sports bras have come a long way since the days of black, white, and beige racerback options that we hide behind like a bulletproof vest. These days, you can find support and comfort while working out with options like pockets, padding, and new designs – like halters, one shoulder numbers, and sexy cutouts. The sports bra is now a piece of workout attire that we can style our outfit around. 

Sizing yourself for sports bras tends to follow the small, medium, large, etc.. size chart. Just like with the rest of women’s clothes, this can be incredibly frustrating because a large in one brand is an extra-large in another and it’s a medium in yet another. 

9. The Sticky

We can’t forget the sticky bra. Those backless, strapless, plunging neckline numbers are just trying to catch us wearing old reliable and ruining the look we were going for. Enter the sticky solution. The cups simply adhere to your skin while pulling and lifting your breasts together to create support and cleavage without compromising coverage or your couture outfit. 

Tips When You’re Ready To Buy

TikTok singer/songwriter Jax said it best when she sang, “I know Victoria’s Secret, she was made up by a dude.” Back in the day, many of us had one bra store – Victoria’s Secret. They’ve come a long way from catalogs in the mail but you have more options than just VS – more affordable, comfortable, stylish options that focus on a woman’s needs instead of just what appeals to our male counterparts. 

10. Online

We cannot stress this enough: read the reviews. Finding bras online is super simple. Finding a bra that fits perfectly? It can be a little complicated. Refer to the sizing chart like it’s your cheat sheet for a big test. Then tackle the reviews. You want an honest look at the product, accurate sizing, and quality of the material, so you need to check out the 3- and 4-star reviews. 

If the majority of reviews are negative, or you don’t think the quality is worth the price, move on. There are so many options online. 

11. Instore

Some of us prefer shopping in person so we can put our hands on the product. We like to touch and feel and try on every possible purchase. Many times you can get help from a sales associate who will measure and size you appropriately so you don’t have to do it yourself. It’s like having a personal shopper at a high-end boutique. 

You can also bring the outfit you are planning to wear over the new garment. Say you have an article of clothing with an interesting neckline or features that would expose your bra and you don’t want to make any mistake, trying the new bra on under the clothes before purchasing it is a great way to guarantee your satisfaction. Then you can purchase it and have it in your possession without waiting for shipping.

Underoutfit
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