5 Musts to a Perfect Bra-Shopping

Till very recently, women in India were quite embarrassed about shopping for bras. As a result, most women end up wearing bras that are wrong for them – either because they felt that asking for the right kind was too audacious or because they did not know their right size. This article helps you with the perfect bra shopping.

Top 5 Tips to Choose The Right Bra

If you are like many women who have spent a lot of money buying the wrong kind of bra, then these tips will surely come handy for you:

1. Find The Right Cup Size And Band Size

There are two elements to the size of your bra: cup size and band size. If your breasts are spilling from the sides of your cup, then you have the wrong cup size. If the flab is sticking or bulging out from the side of your band, then you have the wrong band size. If your bra is not giving you the required, snug fit and lift, then you have the wrong band and cup size.

In India, in general, women tend to wear bras that are a size smaller – perhaps because of the embarrassment involved in asking for a bigger cup or perhaps because they do not know their right size. SO understanding your size is the first and most important step.

For band size, measure directly under your bust with a tape, ensuring that the tape is straight and parallel to the ground
For cup size, measure around the fullest part of your breast, again ensuring that the tape is straight and parallel to the ground
Measure while wearing a non-padded bra
If you are unsure, get yourself measured by a lingerie specialist at any cloth shop
Do not – we repeat DO NOT – be embarrassed to buy a bigger size if that’s what fits you
Different bands have different size charts, so check your measurements against the size charts before buying
Cup size depends on the band size. For example, the “C” cup in 38C is smaller than the 42C cup

2. Identify The Right Bra For The Right Occasion

Do not fall for the all-purpose bra trap. There are different kinds of bras – tee-shirt bras, minimizer bras, sports bras, etc. And each one of them has a specific purpose. See the next section to know the five kinds of bras that every woman should own

3. Shop Online

There are online lingerie shops like Zivame gaining popularity in India. You can not only buy the size and type you want from the comfort of your house but also get access to a wide range of international brands. Each bra would be accompanied by a detailed size chart, which again makes your shopping experience better. And the best part is, most of these websites offer “try and buy” and return policies

4. Find The Right Fit For The Loosest Hook

Bras tend to stretch up to 2-3 inches upon use. So when you buy a bra, make sure it fits the best in the loosest hook (i.e. The last hook). This way, over time, when the bra stretches, you can use the tighter hooks

5. Make a Practical Choice

While funky colors, laces, and embroideries are all great, make sure that you buy something that is practical and comfortable. A good bra is expensive. Ensure that you wear it under a tee-shirt, a dress, a saree blouse, and a Kurti, before making the choice. Also remember that with time, breast size also changes and you will need to get yourself measured. Try going in for a measurement every 6 months

Apart from these shopping tips, you also need to take good care of your lingerie. Hand wash is strongly advised. Do not iron, do not bleach, and never put in the dryer. Also, once a bra does go past its due date, it is wise to find another one. Do not continue to use old and worn-out bras, for it will result in saggy, pointing downwards breasts.

Top 5 Must-Have Bras For Every Woman

Following are the top 5 must-have bras for every woman:

T-shirt bra, for providing comfort and going unnoticed under a t-shirt. This is usually made from a single piece of fabric and stitched without seams, which helps it remain unseen
Sports bra, for avoiding breast strain and bouncing during the workout. This is an essential item in all active women’s wardrobes
Full coverage bra, for regular use to provide comfort and full coverage. Many times this comes with an underwire that gives additional lift and helps maintain the shape of both the breasts and the bra
Push-up bra, for making you look and feel sexy for that special outfit you have
Backless and strapless bras, for deep back dresses and strapless tops respectively

How to Find The Right Pregnancy And Lactation Bra?

This is a tricky period. Your breasts are changing in shape and size. And you do not know if and when you should buy a bigger sized bra. But interestingly, your bra size might not change much in the first and second trimesters. By the third trimester, instead of buying a new set of bigger sized bras, our suggestion is to directly buy bigger sized nursing bras.

You would definitely need to buy them after your baby, so why differentiate two sets when you can wear nursing bras while not nursing too? Furthermore, nursing bras are made of very soft and comforting fabric, so if your nipples are sore by the last trimester it becomes a great choice.

FAQ’s

1. Do I Need a Bigger Cup Size or Band Size?

When in doubt about whether you need a bigger cup size or band size, follow this rule- if opting for bigger cup size, go down in the band size and vice versa.

2. How Tight Should a Bra be?

The bra should be tight enough so that you get a feeling that it is holding. However, the tightness should not be so much that it makes it uncomfortable to wear the bra. At any point in time, you should be able to insert two fingers easily under both sides of the bra at the same time.

5 Musts to a Perfect Bra-Shopping