We are thrilled to feature our advertising partner Lisa Curbello, better known as The Bra Chick and an expert on all things bra, to help out our readers with finding the best fit in their lingerie.
Bras: friends or foes? Bras have had bad reps for years. Who remembers their first training bras? Yeah, those were comfortable (insert sarcasm here). Just the word “bra” can make a woman shudder. What are the three most hated articles of clothing women must shop for? Jeans, swimsuits, and bras. Common knowledge.
The Bra Chick is here to shed some light on the matter with the eight most common mistakes women make when shopping for bras. With 19 years of bra-fitting experience and knowledge, you may look at bras a lot differently when you’re done reading this post.
Eight Most Common Bra Shopping Mistakes
1. Buying off the rack without getting fitted
You will change bra sizes at least six times in your lifetime due to weight gain or loss, hormones, pregnancies, and nursing. You are not that 34C you were when you graduated high school 20 years ago. For instance, I was a late bloomer: a 34A in high school. That’s all I grabbed off the racks for years, and I HATED bras. They were so uncomfortable. Seven years later, I finally got a professional fit (part of my training) and came to find out I was a 36B. My eyes were opened—you mean there are comfortable bras out there?! It is most important for your breast health to get fitted by a professional with bra knowledge. I hear daily from women who express to me that the styles I fit them in are ones they never would’ve pulled off the rack for themselves.
2. Thinking underwires are bad for you
Underwires are harmless. No, they do not cause cancer. It’s all in the fit. When finding a good-fitting bra, always make sure the cup is large enough to accommodate your breast tissue. Make sure that the underwire is sitting behind the breast, not in the breast. Fit your larger side always. If you have a nagging underwire that consistently pokes you, then after a certain amount of time you will start having concerns with breast pain issues. Get yourself fitted. The pain will and does go away.
3. Thinking bras without underwires don’t offer support
So not the case anymore! Bra manufacturers are starting to design solid-fitting bras without underwires. Montelle Intimates, Elila, Curvy Couture, and many more come to mind that offer a broad range of sizes and styles that provide quite a lot of support. The shape may not be as flattering, but sometimes it’s all about comfort. Not every women is a candidate for underwires. You may have just had surgery, or perhaps your milk has come in and you’re engorged. The last thing on your mind is dealing with metal against your tender skin.
4. Buying white bras
I’ve seen this throughout the years: wearing white bras under white t-shirts. Nineteen years ago, that’s pretty much all you had to choose from: white or black bras. I remember the first time I saw a smooth nude t-shirt bra. We were all skeptical at first. Then we saw how it totally disappeared under a white t-shirt or blouse, and fashion as we knew changed forever. Very seldom now will I see a bra offered in white—unless you are over in Europe. White is still popular over there.
5. Buying one bra
I once read somewhere that your bra is the hardest-working garment you own. True—you have to wear one every day. One should always have at least two to three bras in her rotation. Your bras, your investments, will last twice as long in the end. Wearing one bra every day puts a lot of wear and tear on the underwires. You may be fortunate enough to get about four months of wear. The average lifespan of a bra is about nine months to a year if you have enough bras to alternate wearing daily. That said, it is recommended to replace your bras every nine to twelve months.
6. Wearing your bras on the tightest set of hooks
I fit all my clients on the loosest set of hooks. As the bra stretches with wear, you want to be able to tighten as you go so that you can get longer life out of your bras. The same rule applies to women on weight loss programs: They will lose inches in their back sizes before losing cup sizes, so it’s important that they get fitted in bras to carry them through their weight loss. The opposite applies to expectant mommies. It’s the only time I fit on the tightest set of hooks. As your rib cage expands, so does your back, so you’ll want to loosen the bra as you grow.
7. Thinking strapless bras fit the same as regular bras
I’m sure most of you are scoffing at this one, but stay with me. Strapless bras have come a long way, and there are many brands out there that offer amazing styles, sizes, and fits. Keep in mind, however, that strapless bras are a tricky beast to reckon with. Just because you wear a 36DD in an everyday bra does not mean you will wear a 36DD in a strapless. Summer is around the corner. Do you own a strapless bra that fits well?
8. Settling on bras that don’t fit
You are at Target. Your bra blew out on you that morning. Desperate to just buy a temporary replacement, you grab one off the rack and throw it in the basket. It doesn’t fit. It’s uncomfortable. But who has time to shop, let alone get fitted and try on 20 bras? Who has time to spend an entire Saturday afternoon in a cramped changing room with bad fluorescent lighting? So, we settle. We’d rather gripe and just deal with it. Forget settling! It starts with what’s underneath. A great-fitting bra makes women happy. The truth of the matter is that you should never feel your bras. You should know you have one on, but you should not spend your day feeling an underwire poking you under an arm, a strap falling off your shoulder, or the need to tug the back of your bra down.
Call The Bra Chick today at (210) 845-3726 to schedule your private fitting appointment.
Looking for a great fitting bra? How about a comfortable bra? Frustrated with trying to find your size in department stores? Your search ends with The Bra Chick! The Bra Chick specializes in fitting everyday, nursing, sports, strapless bras and more. The Bra Chick offers 19 years of bra-fitting experience and advice, along with a broad range of sizes and styles to choose from. Schedule a fitting, shop online, host a party for your girlfriends and earn hostess gifts and incentives, and take the fuss out of bra shopping!
