The Ultimate Bra Fit Guide: Time to Edit Your Bra Drobe

I regularly edit my own wardrobe, but a part of my wardrobe that I have neglected, until now, has been my Bra Drobe. I'm ashamed to say there were a lot of items that were definitely not fit for purpose anymore.

All the best outfits start with good underwear, you've got to get the foundations right. You can have on the most beautiful clothes that potentially flatter your body in all the right places but if your underwear doesn’t fit you properly it can just ruin the whole look.

Did you know that an estimated 80% of us are wearing the wrong size bra? A good bra fitting with a professional is essential, plus it's recommended to get measured every 6 to 12 months. So many things can affect our size including changes in weight, hormones, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause.

So here’s the ultimate bra fit guide, helping you to assess your own bras, do your own Bra Drobe edit and to make sure your future bras are a perfect fit.

THE UNDER-BAND

The under-band of your bra should be firm but not uncomfortable. It should sit horizontally around your body and shouldn't ride up at the back or dig in. If it is riding up then the band size is too big or alternatively too small if it's digging in. Also your bra should not ride up when you lift your arms up and your boobs should not be falling out of the bottom, both would suggest a different back size.

THE UNDERWIRES

The underwires of your bra should sit flat to your rib cage. All the way from between your boobs, round to your armpits. It should sit under your boobs, not on them and your boobs should not be poking out from underneath them. They shouldn't feel uncomfortable, rub or poke into you, if they do then you need a bigger cup size.

THE CUPS

Badly fitting cups are the one that is usually the most visible under clothes. When the cup fits, your boobs should be fully enclosed. There should be no gaping, bulging or overspill of the cups. There should be a smooth line where the cup ends and meets your skin. The cups shouldn't wrinkle either, this is a sign that the cup size is too large.

TRYING ON

When trying on a bra I always advise clients to do what I call the 'jump test'. Jump up and down a few times, are your boobs still fully enclosed in the cups? I also lean forward a few times to check enclosure too and just wear the bra for a few minutes. A bra can feel perfect when you first put it on but it needs to work with your body and movement. I also always advise to try a tight top on with the bra and check it gives you the desired shape. We are all different shapes and sizes and we all have preference for different shapes too.

BRA FITTINGS

As much as this guide will help you, a fitting with a trained professional is a must. John Lewis does a fantastic bra fitting service. They stock brands such as Wacoal Freya and Triumph and are impartial. For those of you who are blessed with more than a handful I highly recommend Bravissimo. They stock brands that are specially designed for a fuller bust such as Panache, Curvy Kate and Fantasie along with their own brand. They also offer online bra fittings.

Eventually you will find a brand you love and probably stay loyal. My advice, until you find your perfect pairing, would be to try as many as you can, the right bra makes all the difference.