Determining whether or not you actually need a plus-size bra can be confusing. Slender women may have large breasts while heavy-set women may not be as well endowed. This is why establishing a proper bra size can sometimes offer a bit of a challenge for a particular shape.
Bras come in myriad styles and shapes so it is essential to have a properly fitted bra – one that not only enhances and accentuates shape but is comfortable and provides long-lasting wear. Support is not as much of an issue for young women and it’s pretty easy for them to get away with demi-cups and bras of sheer lace. However, these bras offer little or no support and do nothing to flatter a full figured woman if she’s looking for a bra designed to lift and enhance heavier breasts (not that lift is a necessity, see article on the Elita Plus Camisole).
Full figured women are often plagued with back problems, and straps that cut into the shoulders can often cause potentially serious shoulder pain. The larger breasted woman needs a bra with wide, preferably padded, shoulder straps for everyday wear in order to alleviate the constant pressure of straps that dig into the flesh.
PROPER MEASUREMENT IS ESSENTIAL:
The most common mistake most women make is in wearing a bra that is not fitted to their shape and size. Following the steps for proper fitting as listed below will aid in proper bra size:
• Use a quality tape measure to get an accurate measurement.
• Try to get measured by a person who is trained in proper bra fitting.
• When measuring for a proper fit yourself, have someone assist you as the truest measurements are attained when you are standing in a relaxed position with your arms at your sides.
• To get a proper band size the measurement should be taken around the chest, just under the arms – always round off to the next nearest even number. (eg: a measurement of 37″ should be converted to 38″)
• To acquire cup size, measure across the fullest part of the breast and across the nipples – you should be wearing your best fitting bra while being measured. Cup size is determined by evaluating the difference between band size and cup size. (eg: If your across the breast measurement is one inch larger than the under the arm size, you will need an “A” cup, two inches more equates to a “B” cup and so on.)
• It is important to realize that as a band size increases, so too does cup size. (eg: a 38B cup would be smaller than a 40B).
COMMON ERRORS IN BRA SIZING:
A properly fitted bra should look good and feel great. Some of the indicators of an improperly fitted bra are:
• Breasts either overflow or do not completely fill cups.
• Back of bra rides up. Bra band should lie straight across back.
• Under-wires that dig into flesh and leave red marks on skin.
• Bulges under arms or across back.
• Bra cuts into flesh.
• Front does not lay flat against chest.
• Shoulder straps that are so tight that they dig into shoulders or so loose they slip over the shoulders and down the arms.
• Edges of cups don’t lay flat against breast. There should be no gaps or wrinkles in cups.
QUALITY CONSTRUCTION IS ESSENTIAL
Full figured women rarely, if ever, find an off-the-shelf bra that fits properly. Some of the better quality plus size bras on the market are: Aviana, Chantelle, Fantasie of England, Freya, Goddess, Grenier, Lunaire, Panache, Rigby & Peller, Simone Perele and Wacoal.
Related posts:
- 5 Biggest Bra Myths | Plus Size Bra Advice & Tips
- Customizing Plus-Size Bras for a Comfortable Fit | Properly Fitted Large Bust Bras
- Plus Size Bra Fitting Tips | Advice for the Correct Large Bra Sizes
- Plus Size Bra Comfort | Top 7 Tips for Comfortable Fitting Bras
- Goddess Plus-Size Bra for Everyday | Microfibre Leisure Bra with Padded Straps (White & Black)