Hate underwires? Feel intense relief when you take your bra off? You could be making the same mistake as 85% of women, according to a lingerie expert
This is partly because many women think bra fitting is a one-and-done experience. You get your bra professionally fitted in your late teens, for example, and then stick with it for years. However, women's bodies change and fluctuate - not just over years but even within the same month, thanks to the menstruation cycle. That's why it's best to get measured more regularly, if possible.
If you're hesitant to commit to regular fittings, it's at least worth arming yourself with the knowledge of what an ill-fitting bra looks and feels like. Below, Alexandra Cracknell, Senior Designer at lingerie brand Dorina, shares her expertise on the signs you are wearing the wrong size bra.
You avoid underwire at all costs
Underwire isn't supposed to hurt you and if it does, that is a sign you are wearing the wrong size or style for your body type. A well-fitting underwire bra should feel effortless and like nothing at all on the body.
If an underwire bra is hurting, it is likely the wire is sitting on the breast tissue rather than the body. Not many women know where breast tissue starts, so when you press your finger on the wire of the bra, if you are not feeling your ribs, you are feeling your breast tissue. This breast tissue needs to be fully in the cup for the correct fit.
You feel intense relief when you take it off
Feeling really intense relief at the end of the day when you take your bra off should not be a normal feeling; a well-fitting bra shouldn't feel like a cage you're escaping from.
The underband of the bra should sit firmly on the body if it is fitting correctly. It should not be too tight or too loose. The band should be parallel to the floor all the way around the body. If you sigh with relief at the end of the day when you take your bra off this is a clear sign to go and get measured!
You have neck pain or headaches
An ill-fitting bra, particularly one with a loose band around the torso, can cause neck and upper back strain, which can lead to tension headaches.
To negate this, find a bra with a better-fitting band, as it distributes weight more evenly and relieves pressure on your neck and shoulder muscles. Wide, adjustable straps can help this as it reduces straining on the shoulder.
A clear way to spot your bra is too loose on your underband is to check in a mirror how it is sitting. If it is riding up your back with the back clasp sitting higher compared to the front of your bra then you're in the wrong size.
You constantly feel tired
Yes, that is right - your bra can be making you feel tired. If you are physically exhausted by the middle of the day and it feels like your upper body is dragging, your bra might be the reason.
A supportive, well-fitting bra should make you feel lifted, not weighed down.
You have red marks or dents on the skin
Dents in the skin from bra straps are common, but red marks under your breasts or on your ribcage can mean the underwire or band is too tight or not sitting right on your body. Breasts should be fully encased in the cup and the wire resting on the ribs rather than breast tissue.
The correct bra fit should not be irritating and causing skin indentations.
Your clothes aren't fitting right
If your top isn't fitting right, sitting oddly with buttons gapping or you have to keep adjusting your neckline, it might be your bra underneath. A correctly sized bra should give a smooth fit and flattering shape under your clothes.
You are always pushing your bra down
If you feel like you constantly have to readjust your bra, because it is riding up or shifting, it is because your bra doesn't fit right. Your bra should stay put and should feel secure even without adjusting throughout the day.
When a woman comes in for a fitting, typically she is wearing a band that is too big and a cup size that is too small. If the underband is lifting and riding up her back, the bra is the wrong size and the breasts are not supported as they should be.
Bras also have a shelf life - if your bra used to fit perfectly and you haven't changed shape, however you find yourself having to tighten the straps or it no longer supports you as it used to, this is a clear sign to invest in a new bra. The fibres in the elastics break down with washing and over time it doesn't feel as supportive.
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