How is a good-fitting bra? Am I wearing the right bra size?

Does my bra fit? After wearing a bra for all your life, many women are shocked to learn that they’ve been wearing the wrong bra size. Wearing a good-fitting bra for the first time is a life-changing experience. When you’ve been wearing the wrong bra for so long, it takes a while to get used to your new fit, but, on the other hand, your clothes will most likely fit better and your posture will be better, too. A good-fitting bra can save you from so much neck pain and backache!

Finding your right bra size

The first thing you need to know is that there isn’t a true bra size, but, is there ever in fashion a true size? Think of the size you order when buying flat sandals or flip-flops. Would you order the same shoe size than buying walking boots? Not always, right? We always have a primary size and, after some trial and error, we work the right size for each individual bra.

As you must imagine, you sometimes need different sizes for a moulded push-up bra than a bralette. OK, these seem quite opposite styles, but we’re exaggerating a little bit here to make our point. Different brands also have different fittings. For example, German bras tend to feel wider in the back, while Italian cup sizes seem to have a small fit. The first error when buying a bra is thinking a bra is going to be the one only because you always buy that size.

As we need to find that primary size, you should first get a measuring tape and calculate your bra size. You can also watch this video Panache created, which we find really useful.

The back: A good-fitting bra sits firm and comfortable

Can you pull your bra away from your back? Does your band ride up, like in the picture below? It means it’s too big and you should go down a back size at least. Is it too tight that digs into your back? Then, try a larger back size.

Finding the right cup size:

Look at the first picture below on the left. Has it ever happened to you that you try to reach something and your girls try to escape? It’s quite an annoying thing, we know. This can happen for two reasons: either that bra is too large on the back, or too small on the cups. If your cup size is too small, you may end up with the feared four-boob effect. This is more likely to happen if you wear a half-cup bra or a push-up bra.

Both fabric and centre gore (the central part of the bra, where wires come together), should sit close to your skin. See below the example in Panache’s fit guide to find out how to fix it.

How tight are your bra straps?

Your bra straps should be tightened up, but not this doesn’t mean that they should dig in. A good-fitting bra should hold most of the weight of your bust through the structure of the bra. If your bra only feels supportive when your straps dig in, that’s not the right bra for you. You’ll need to invest in a good quality bra with extra support. If the straps keep falling down despite being adjusted and it’s a new bra that you’re buying, you can sometimes try wearing a smaller back size, as elastic straps sometimes expand as much as the back bands. This is why some brand of DD+ bras prefer to offer non-elasticated straps.

Do you have any bra-fitting related questions? Feel free to reach our Customer Service or simply leave a message below. You can always take a look at our lingerie and bra fitting guide for additional advice.

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