Find the Right Bra Fit and Own Your Size

Thursday, March 19, 2009

It is time to have an extra girly moment (not uncommon on this blog) – let’s talk about bras. 80% of women wear the wrong bra size, so I wanted to take some time to discuss the importance of finding the right bra size. In my last blog post, I celebrated the beauty of curves, and one of the things that helps accentuate curves on a woman is the right bra. You should consider both fit and style: you should be able to move around in it and feel comfortable, and your bra should help accentuate the fit of your clothes, rather than diminish your look. You should also consider the fact that not all bras are made for all occasions. For example, you will not catch me wearing a Victoria’s Secret "Very Sexy" bra while I go for a jog – I instead opt for my black Nike’s sports bra that provides amazing support and absolutely no need for “adjustment” during the run. However, I am a huge fan of Victoria’s Secret bras overall (particularly the “Very Sexy” and “Body By Victoria” collections).

My Victoria's Secret (VS) addiction began around my junior year in college, when I visited a nearby VS store, and was approached by a friendly salesperson who asked if I wanted to be measured so I could find the right bra size. Lo and behold, she revealed a completely different number than I had in my head, and I have to admit – I was incredibly happy to take ownership of my new size number, and of course, went on a bra-buying frenzy, eventually amassing a major VS bra collection in my wardrobe.

If you don’t plan on visiting a VS store soon, you can still find out if you are wearing the right bra size on your own. First, here is some bra lingo to get straight (courtesy of BraSizeInfo.com):

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Cup:
-The cup of the bra should fully encase each breast.
-There should not be any spillage out of the top or the sides of the cup. There should not be any wrinkling on the cup. The cup should support each breast.

Band:
-The band should fit very snugly and be straight all the way around the rib cage.
-The band should not move if you were to do trunk twists for example. The band should not ride up your back or make it difficult to breathe.

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With your current bra collection, make sure that they fit the following basic criteria: (courtesy of BraSizeInfo.com):

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->Top of the bra cup should completely contain the breast. If bulging exists, the cup is too small. 
->If wrinkling, the cup is too big.
->Bra band should fit very snugly around the rib cage.
->Back of the bra should stay down on the body. If the back rides up the band may be too large. 

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To measure your bra size: (courtesy of BraSizeInfo.com):
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Step 1. Band Size: While standing straight and wearing a regular bra, wrap the tape measure around your chest, above the bust. Make sure the tape is straight all the way around you. Pull the tape until it is taut but not restrictive or pinching.
Now, round the measurement to the nearest even number. That's your band size or rib cage measurement.
Example
Band size: 33 ½ = 34 band

Step 2. Cup Size: While still standing and wearing a regular bra, wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your bust. Again, pull the tape until it is taut but not pinching or digging into your bust.
Make sure the tape is straight and around the fullest part of your bust. If you are in between whole numbers for this measurement, round to the nearest whole number. If you're directly in between two whole numbers, round to the next largest whole number. Example
: 38 ½ = 39

Now, subtract your even-numbered band size (step #1) from the whole-numbered measurement in step #2 and convert the difference to your cup size according to the [provided] chart (the first chart found on Brasizeinfo.com).
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Note: Brasizeinfo.com also offers other alternative methods to measure your bra size, so I encourage you to check out their site for more information. 

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Here are some great tips I found in another article, "How To Measure Your Bra Size":
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Cup sizes above D tend to vary much less reliably between manufacturers. Some brands go to the next letter of the alphabet for every added inch, while other brands may simply add on the same letter for every inch.

A well-fitted bra should provide support from the band, not the straps. You should be able to take off the straps and still feel supported by the bra.

Always try on a bra before you buy, and keep an open mind about your size.

It is possible to find out your bra size without a tape measure. If you already wear a bra which seems to fit well in the cup, but is roomy around the band, you can go down a band size and up a cup size until you get to a size you can only just fasten - this is the right size. (e.g. 36C -> 34D -> 32DD)

If you have uneven cup sizes, go with the bigger side. You can support the smaller breast by making that shoulder strap slightly shorter, or alternatively you can pad out the cup.

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So, whether you are small, medium or large-chested, it is incredibly important to understand your body, to know your size, and wear the right bra that makes you feel comfortable and looks great under your outfits. Also, note that you should consider getting re-measured if your weight has changed, if you haven't been measured in a few years, or if your bras overall do not seem to be fitting the way they used to in the past.

Here is a great Youtube video on how to measure your bra size. It also offers some valuable tips on finding the right bra:



I will be writing a blog post about how to coordinate the right bra with the right outfit at some point in the near future, so stay tuned!

What Kind of Cleavage is Appropriate?

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Cleavage is pretty much around the corner in NYC - in several weeks, you'll be noticing fewer jackets (or skimpier jackets), and slim tops that may or may not modestly cover a woman's cleavage. Spring time welcomes the celebration of the female body - and men clearly appreciate it. However - how much cleavage is too much cleavage?

it's pretty intuitive that cleavage at work is a big no-no. It is pretty distracting, and can negatively affect how people treat and respect you as a person and as an employee. However, you shouldn't feel pressure to tape down your breasts with masking tape. According to Elisabeth Squires, author of "Boobs: A Guide to Your Girls," the appearance of breasts can help women in a workplace setting: "A recent study showed men photos of women in a workplace with large breasts showing cleavage, medium breasts and small breasts. When asked about who looked most professional and personable, the men chose the women with medium-sized breasts," she said. Squires further noted that "you don't have to be flat-chested to be taken seriously. You just have to be proportionate. For women who are small busted, that may mean a little padding. For well-endowed women, that may mean a minimizer." My take on all of this: I don't think it's too smart to show much cleavage at all in the workplace - I'm not sure how it wins respect from either men or women. I do, however, believe that a woman should feel comfortable with her size and wear clothing that fits appropriately - nothing too baggy, and nothing too tight. And I very much vouch for a minimizer on a woman if her bra is peaking through a button-down shirt. Victoria's Secret is a secret for a reason.

In everyday life, outside of the workplace, a woman has every right to show off as much as she wants, but the question is - is it a good idea to "bust" loose and show off the "girls"? I don't think so. I like the idea of "sexy modesty" - you shouldn't show much at all, but the clothing should fit in a way that very much flatters your figure. Women have been blessed with curves - show them off! Just don't show them off like a video vixen princess! BET does that enough already. In my own personal style, I try not to wear skinny jeans plus a tight top - I would rather wear looser bottoms with a flattering top, or tight jeans with a somewhat looser blouse. The only time I feel comfortable wearing extremely tight-fitting clothes is when I go running (spandex!) or a party that calls for tight-fitting attire.

The foundation of proper cleavage is a great bra. I'm a big fan of Victoria's Secret myself - plus, the employees there can measure your bust size (you should do this about twice a year, depending on how often your weight fluctuates). In particular, I love their "Very Sexy" collection - fits wonderfully!

Overall, a woman should very comfortable celebrating her curves, whether she is thin or thick. However, celebrate them in a way that wins respect, rather than encourage disrespect or the wrong sort of attention. And celebrate them with style!