Buying a bra: your must-have guide
Bras: what’d we do without them? From evidence of bra-like garments back in ancient times, to the modern bra invented by Mary Phelps Jacob in 1913, they’ve evolved and evolved over time and now come in shapes, styles and sizes to suit all (literally). But are you really wearing the right type – not to mention if you’re even wearing it correctly? Here’s some must-read advice from Marks & Spencer expert Stephanie Dear.
Get fitted regularly
Don’t think you should only visit once. “Your breasts can fluctuate in size thanks to hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, or the menopause, so it’s worth doing regularly,” Stephanie says. “An ill-fitting bra can cause back and neck pain and poor posture, not to mention rubbing and chafing. Giving your breasts the right support is not only vital for comfort, but for general wellbeing, too.”
On the small side?
It’s tempting to think you don’t need as much support if your cup-eth doesn’t run over, so to speak – but you’re wrong. “Getting the fit right is just as important; not only for comfort, but to prevent premature sagging,” continues Stephanie. “Choose a bra style designed to flatter your shape: from bralettes, crop tops, non-wired and wired, there’s easily something to suit you.”
Feeling full?
If you’ve measured up as an F-cup or above, it’s vital that you wear a correctly fitting bra. The underband of your bra does all the work when it comes to support, so getting this measurement right is just as important as wearing the correct cup size. “We also always advise customers to choose a bra that fits perfectly on the middle hook. This means that they can easily tighten or loosen the bra depending on the day. Remember too that bra straps should sit level on your body, and make sure that the underband doesn’t ride up.”
Here comes the stork
One of the most transformative times for your body is during pregnancy: breasts become larger and tender in the first few weeks, so start wearing a suitably supportive (and comfortable) bra as soon as possible. “We advise all women to be fitted regularly during pregnancy to make sure they are wearing the right-size bra as their breasts develop,” says Stephanie. “Switch to non-wired bras, as underwiring can put pressure on milk ducts – unless the wiring has been specially designed for pregnancy and nursing. Planning to breastfeed? Book a fitting during the last trimester to choose a nursing bra.”
Tell-tale signs that your bra is the wrong size
Spilling out over the cups: choose a larger cup size. If you’re spilling out at the front and under the arms, you might need to go up two cup sizes.
Straps digging in: support should come from your bra’s underband, not the straps. Loosen the straps and then see if the underband feels too loose or too tight.
Your breast escapes from the bottom of the cup: you need a bigger cup size and possibly a smaller underband.
Uncomfortable front underwiring: wiring should always sit flat between your boobs, if it doesn’t, you need to increase your cup size.
Bra rising up at the back: if the bra is less than a year old, you need a smaller back size. If it’s older, the elastic might have gone, so it needs replacing.
Wiring digging in at the side: you need a bigger cup size and a smaller underband size.
Book your fitting with a Marks & Spencer expert by heading here
