Changing from balconette to plunge can be a tad problematic…
I have, for as long as I can remember, been a sufferer of the dreaded ‘red marks’ from bra wearing. You may know the ones I’m talking about – it can be somewhat like your bra is still there even after removal – the ‘stamp of womanhood’. I used to have these marks when I was in my teens wearing a 34DD or 32E, and still do in my 28FF or 30F’s which I wear today. The marks I get are mainly around the band – rarely around the shoulders (although in a 34DD it’s a different story!) but are fairly light red indentation marks which do not cause discomfort but are hella ugly!
I was fitted yesterday in Leia Lingerie in Desborough – wonderful fitting service and cheap as chips bargains in the outlet store – but I was faced with disapproval and painful sucking noises from my fitter in reaction to my red marks. So, she put me in some 30E or 30F bras and bikinis (which were lovely by the way, and a couple I ended up purchasing) promising that all my problems would be solved with the looser band. I, knowing from past experience that a looser band – even a 34 – gave me these marks I was dubious but even so I took her advice and bought the 30 back bras to try.
And – you guessed it – after wearing a 30 band all of yesterday I still had marks, just as bad even as my 28 backs. So -am I a 36 back? I very much doubt it. My ribcage measurement is 27 inches; I could probably fit about two of me in a 36 band. So – am I just a freak? Or are red marks something I’m going to have to accept for all time? I put this theory to the test and today wore a 32 band… and yes – red marks again.
Now – all of the bras I have tried for this wear – test have been corresponding cup sizes, so no issues there. My 32E, 30F and 28FF bras are all pretty much identical in the cups, the band was worn on the loosest hook of ever size I tried.
After a bit of research I have found:
Slight red marks around the band can be a sign of bad fit, but if you are comfortable in a bra and convinced the fit is correct – it could just be an inevitable skin reaction similar to if you were to wear a watch or pair of tights – so long as the marks aren’t painful or causing discomfort, no need to panic.
Marks around the straps are perhaps more of a problem – a pretty clear sign that you are either wearing your straps too tight or that too much of the weight of your bust is being held by the shoulders. If this is the case with you – first of all try loosening your straps a good inch or two and if the problem still occurs, try a band size down a cup size up!
Red marks around the sternum, at least, show that the wires are sitting flat against your ribcage. It is of course possible that your band may be too tight, however some marking may be inevitable unfortunately. One good way to check is to see where the marks are. If there is an angry red mark which goes all the way around your ribcage – chances are your band is too tight.
One thing the fitter of Leia stressed to me yesterday was, however, only you know your body and what feels comfortable, so best way to see if red marks are a problem for you is how you feel in your bra and to what extent your marks are causing you discomfort.
Advice for sufferers of red marks would be – try a different style of bra. Bras which have wires which go all the way up through your cleavage may cause discomfort as there is more surface area to mark. I have found my marks are least visible in a Freya Deco as the wires stop very low down and to a point on my chest which is very flattering and comfortable. I also find bras which have very high wires are good (eg: Panache Evie) as the wires finish past your cleavage area. In my personal experience, it is that ‘in-betweeny’ kind of bras which cause the worst marking, but that is just what works for my shape. As with any kind of fitting, trial end error is the key, but don’t be put off by slight bra marking – sometimes you need to ask what is worse, a bit of marking from a slightly tighter band or back pains from an ill-fitting bra?
Good luck!
