In an (internet, lingerie blog) world of online calculators and a cacophony of forums dictating how you bra should or shouldn’t fit, I do get the odd email from you guys saying that despite following all of the bra fitting advice on the interweb and you’re still not satisfied with how your bras fit.
No bra calculator or fitting method will work for everyone, and when I’ve had emails from readers who ask about how they get painful red marks from their new snug-fitting bands or find their bras are now far too tight to be comfortable, I need to remind them of this simple fact: you can read all the fitting guides in the world but at the end of the day you need to listen to your body – it will tell you if something’s not right.
Only you can tell if you’re comfortable, a blogger, bra fitter or well-wishing forum user can only offer advice.
So, if you’ve read up on fitting yourself from home and have found yourself in this situation, you need to remember that there are so so many body shape factors that affect bra fit, including: ribcage size and shape, breast size and shape, breast tissue firmness, your own personal fitting preferences, bra shape, wire placement, gore placement, I could go on.
It’s also an absolute minefield when so many bras and brands fit differently, and we have to guess the best size when ordering online. It’s a nightmare but you need to know when ‘snug’ becomes far too tight.
So, how do you tell if your bra band is too tight? Read on…
Cup folding
See how the cup is distorted as the breast tissue doesn’t reach the wire – this can be a sign of wearing your bras too tight. By pulling the wires outwards into an unnatural position, the cup doesn’t sit properly resulting in cup folds. Beware though, as this can simply mean a lack of compatibility with the bra and your bust shape.
Instead look for a smooth line at the bottom of the cup which encase the full breast, like this!
Straining hooks and eyes
If your bra’s hooks and eyes are straining then get it off right now – it’s far too tight!!
Instead look for a snug yet comfortable fit, like this!
Distorted cup shape
Wearing a bra band too tight will distort the cup shape – it looks like I need at least one band size up and quite a few cup sizes too in this image. See how the wires don’t follow the contour of the bust and the cup shape looks pointy and squished?
Instead look for a smooth and natural line like this!
A band that digs in painfully
If the band cuts painfully into your ribcage, obviously that’s a no-go. This bra is in my ‘usual’ Panache size but runs extremely tight! It just goes to show that it’s practically impossible to measure yourself into a bra without trying it on first. Every bra fits differently.
Whilst if you’re a little bit squishy like me a little bit of squish is unavoidable, your bra band certainly shouldn’t dig in AT ALL, and should feel comfortable whilst still being supportive.
Painful red marks/grooves in the skin
I’m not about to say that red marks are completely avoidable when wearing a bra in either the right or wrong size, but if they are the cause of too tight a bra they will be angry and painful, and will cause a serious amount of discomfort from tight elastic and poking wires. Time to reassess your bra size if this is the case!
Remember, whether you’re using the +4 method, using an online calculator like those offered by A Sophisticated Pair or Butterfly Collection, or simply following my ‘How to Measure Your Bra Size Yourself’ guide; your body will tell you when a bra doesn’t fit right. And remember – no bra will ever fit the same – brands, styles, even colours can affect bra fit (yes really – the dye can affect fabric tension!), so never assume that all bra sizes are created equal.
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