Ladies, let me tell you something that can help you drastically improve your wardrobe.
~*~*~THE BRA~*~*~. It’s surprising how this tiny contraption can change your look.
Unless you have some cute itty-bitty-titties (nothing wrong with that!), bras are essential to a girl’s wardrobe because they provide a basis for clothes to drape on. They can also help with your posture. I’m sure you’ve heard that most girls aren’t wearing the right size bra, right? Well, a lot of girls, even while knowing this, still aren’t wearing the right support. There are tons of bra styles and colors and shapes! It can get a bit overwhelming. Where to even start?
S I Z I N GThe first thing you should do is get measured. I didn’t get my first properly fitted bra until I was 16! Years and years of hiding under ill fitting clothes because I didn’t fit into my bra. :’( There are a ton of resources out there that try and help you decide what bra size you are with a measure tape and some calculations, but I would suggest going to a bra specialist first. They are trained to handle your hooters and help you find something that will make you feel and look better. If you’re nervous about going topless, they can always measure you under your clothes. Just wear something thinner (like a t-shirt, not a sweater) and expect to try on a few bras before you can decide which one fits well.
If you can put more than two fingers facing outwards between your bra and your body. If you can fit more than two, then your band size is too big, if you can’t even fit one, your band size is way too small. If your bra has an underwire, it should be laying flat against your rib cage, not on top of any breast fat. Your boobies should not overflow in the cups, unless you like the quadruple boob look. Also, if you find that you need to adjust your shoulder straps drastically just so that you feel supported, you’re probably wearing the wrong size. Most of the support should be from the back strap.
A common misconception occurs with bra sizing. Most people, *coughGUYScough* think that D cups are much larger than say B cups, but this isn’t necessarily true. The cup size changes according to band size. A bra that is a 34D has about the same cup size (volume-wise) as a 36C. So having a “D-cup” doesn’t really hold much weight. It all depends on your band size, which measures the circumference under your breasts. Confusing right? That’s why I recommend having an expert size you.
Also keep in mind that your breasts might change throughout the menstrual cycle. They tend to get bigger right before your period, which might warrant a different bra size. Gaining or losing weight might also change your bra size since your breasts are basically sacks of fat. :) Fun, fun sacks of fat.
As if bra sizing wasn’t bad and confusing enough, different manufacturers might vary on bra sizes as well. A 34C from Company A might fit you, but you need a 32D from a different company. I suggest that you try on bras in person or if you order online, make sure they have a good return policy. Bras are expensive.
E S S E N T I A L SThere are tons types of bras and I don’t really want to list them all. A quick google search can help. I think every girl should have at least one of these types of bras:
- A basic nude bra. Nude is boring, bland, but it’s an essential piece to have if you want to make sure that your bra isn’t glaring out from your whites or light colors. I would also get a black bra as well.
- A strapless bra. Ah, the ol’ strapless bra. It’s useful for those cute strapless tops or dresses. It’s kind of a love-hate relationship with me since I have larger ta-tas. Most girls with smaller boobs can survive with a strapless bra with two clasps. Oh, how I envy you. With larger boobs, I would suggest that you wear a long-line bra, which is a bra that has a longer supporting back strap so that the weight of the boobs is more evenly distributed, even if they’re a pain to get on.
- A t-shirt bra. These bras are supposed to give you smooth lines so that if you were wearing a t-shirt, the bra lines wouldn’t show.
- For the large chested, full support bra. It’s tough lugging around huge ta-tas all day. Sometimes your back just needs a little help. Full support bras usually have a wider back and shoulder strap.
- For the athletes, sports bra. Boobs are under a lot of stress when you exercise. You don’t want them to go flinging everywhere. If you have a larger chest, it also tends to really hurt. I would invest in a good sports bra if you’re serious about doing anything strenuous. You want the bra to compress your boob so that there’s minimal movement. These bras tend to make your boobs look funny. I’ve seen ones that section off each boob and compresses them. But you’re working out and your primary goal shouldn’t be trying to impress someone with your boobs. Also, I wouldn’t wear sports bras out normally because they give you that uniboob look or weird circle/triangle/any weird shape boobs.
- A feel-good-about-yourself/sexy bra. This is optional, but I’ve found that cute/sexy/pretty bras just seem to brighten my day. I don’t even need to be wearing it for a SO, it just makes me feel prettier. It can be a lace bra, a silky bra, a push-up, anything that’s a little different that makes you just feel good.
Note: I’ve once bought a minimizer bra and I really didn’t like it. It just smushed my boobs and made it harder to breathe. Your breast fat doesn’t really have anywhere to go, so a minimizer bra just pushes it to the side in an attempt to make you smaller in profile. I might just be a personal thing, but I don’t know.
B R A C A R EI used to just throw my bras into the washer and dryer because I was too lazy to take care of my bras. This damages the elasticity of your bra and makes it wear out quicker. Try to hand wash your bras because that’s the best way to ensure that your bras aren’t damaged or roughly handled. If you must wash your bra in the washer, then try and purchase a lingerie bag so that it won’t get tangled with the rest of your clothes. You should shape your bras so that the cups are nice and full (if it’s lined) and air-dry it. I find that if I don’t shape and air dry my bras, they get this weird extra material on the inside, like it was supposed to be flipped inside out.
I would also try to store it the same way you dry it, with the cups puffed out. You can stack them on top of each other like how Victoria’s Secret does it. It helps keep its shape. Also, avoid wearing the same bra two days in a row because you need to give the elastic some time to contract back. You gotta give it a break, it’s been working very hard.
Fun fact: Bras do not prevent sagging. They might make sagging worse. Your breast tissue will get weaker if your boobies are held up all the time. So, try taking it off once you get home and let your girls rest. They won’t droop lower because of it!
Disclaimer: I am by no means a bra expert. I’ve just pieced this together from what I’ve learned. I want to say everything is accurate, but it may or may not be a lie. (Just like the cake!) This is all really basic, so I would love suggestions and comments!
Also, love your boobs! There are so many insecurities surrounding them, but they don’t define you. Boobs come in all shapes and sizes and nipples can be large, small, dark, barely there. They are a part of you and you should love them!
