The Perfect Fit: From Frumpy to Fabulous!

According to top lingerie sites, a whopping 80% to 85% of women are wearing the incorrect bra size! It is incredibly important to get the correct size bra, especially for those of us with larger than average size breasts. Ill-fitting bras can cause back and neck aches, poor posture, and cause our appearance to look frumpy. With the correct size bra, you can look like you lost ten pounds instantly with having your breasts in the correct spot and better posture!  The most common incorrect bra sizing habit is having a band that is too large and a cup that is too small.

*A band that is too big:  Much of the support of the bra comes from the band, so it needs to fit snuggly to do its job. When it is too big, you get the unflattering indents in your shoulders, your breasts tend to look as if they're letting gravity take over, and on your back, the band is riding up.

*Cups that are too small:  If you are wearing a t-shirt over your bra, and you can still see breast tissue hanging over the top of your bra, then the cup is too small. Your cups are also too small if you see part of your breasts hanging over the sides when you hold your arms up.

*Cups that are too big:  If they're bunching up in certain areas and giving you a strange shape, your cups are too large for you.

A large part of the problem is the stigma associated with cup sizes over a D cup. Your mind automatically goes over how few choices there must be at that size, how difficult it will be to find a bra, and where to find one that isn't a granny-style. Trust me, I've been there. But when you do find the correct size, it makes a world of difference to your body shape, how you feel in your own skin, and your confidence.

Another problem with finding the correct size is when you do want to get fitted, the first place both men and women tend to think of when they think of lingerie is... Victoria's Secret. This is the absolute LAST place you want to go to get fitted because their "experts" are sales people trying to fit you into their bras. I have heard horror stories from countless friends where the salespeople told them that they are a 38D or a 36DD, when their band size is truly a 34 or 32, and their cup size was much larger than what they carry. You need to go to a store that carries a variety of sizes. Victoria's Secret is not it! You should go to a Dillard's or Saks 5th Avenue. My personal favorite is Nordstrom. Nordstrom carries every size imaginable. If they do not have your size, they will order it for you. You will not leave there with an ill-fitting bra, and they will not pressure you to buy anything.

The type of bra is a factor as well. You have full cup, balconette, and plunge style bras. Every woman is different. All breasts have different shapes. For a fuller breast, then a full cup is most likely the right type of bra for you. For those of you with most of the fullness at the bottom of the breast, a balconette or plunge style is probably your best bet. A proper saleswoman will help you in this area to find not only the correct size, but the best style that works for you.

When you first have on the correct size, it might feel a bit uncomfortable and tight because you are not used to how a correct fitting can hold you. This, you will get used to, once you really take a look at yourself and realize how great you look! For examples, check out the pictures below. Here's to a brand new life of confidence! Happy bra shopping!!!