November 11, 2015 - Common Bra Blunders

Common Bra Blunders

Ensuring that you are wearing the proper bra is critical as bra’s are the foundation to any wardrobe and having the best fit will ensure you are comfortable in your clothes.  For our November meeting we learned from Brooke and Carly from Nordstrom’s the common blunders women make when it comes to wearing and caring bras.

We covered three critical areas – Fit, Cup and strap/coverage style

Fit

Breast tissue actually goes back to under your armpit and ensuring you have the proper fit with your bra will ensure you do not have ‘angel wings’ when wearing a bra.  Making sure the fit covers all of the breast tissue will eliminate those ‘angel wings’.  If you wear a bra with an underwire the wire should actually be about halfway through the armpit.

The band around your chest needs to be snug, you don’t want to be able to pull the band out in the back and get your hand in it.  You also don’t want the band to be painful.  For new bra’s you should expect the band to be somewhat uncomfortable as bras are similar to shoes and take time to you break in, they will mold to your body over time. 

Key points to look at when you are trying on bras is to ensure the wire doesn’t bow up on the bottom, the strap in the back isn’t too high or low – you want it in the middle of your back.  You will always have a little back overhang with a bra as a bra is pulling in and holding the tissue up.

If you have rubbing at the bottom of the bra it is the wrong fit or the lining on the bra is not working for your body type.

Cup/Coverage Style

Cups sizes are like pant sizes – it doesn’t matter what the size is you want it to be the correct fit, pull you up and in.  A proper sized bra will relieve tension from your back.  If you have  gapping in the cup area then your might have a size that is too big or too small, or the style of cup is wrong for your body.  There are soft cups that are lined that will guard against the ‘peep show’ so if you prefer a soft cup don’t be afraid to try one on. 

The demi cup style doesn’t work for everyone- if you’ve had work done then this is the style for you as you are more likely to be equal sized on both sides. 

A bra with a thicker back will give you more support.  Fuller coverage bra is fuller on the bottom coverage. 

Straps should be pulled tight but should not indent your shoulders or leave marks.  If they are too tight you might see the band popping up or if you have gapping in the cup area you might need to tighten the straps. 

So if you go to Nordstorms for a bra fitting this is what you should expect -

The fitter will measure you either with or without a bra on, they will have you inhale and exhale and at the inhale they will determine your band size.  Once they have a band size then they will utilize the fit bra, which is a soft cupped bra as that is the easiest type of bra to determine if the type of bra fits properly. 

Once they have options the fitter will help you determine style and will ensure that the buckle in the back is where it needs to be and then they will check the straps.  Understanding what color or type of bra you want (t-shirt, nude, non-lace etc.) can help the fitter but if you don’t know they will take the time to help you figure it out. 

So when should you be fitted for a bra?  Anytime you have major weight loss or weight gain and especially when you have stopped nursing and then every couple of years. 

For pre-teen girls you want to start in a bralette and then you can move to a more classic bra once they begin to round out.  For girls that are developing you want to have them fitted more often depending on how fast they are growing. 

How should you care for you bras?  The life of a bra is about 6 months, yes 6 months.  They recommend that you wash your bra in the gentle cycle with gentle detergent and then lay flat to dry or hang by the middle, if you hang by one strap that side will begin to stretch out.  The team recommends you have 3 bras at a minimum – one to wear, one that is being washed and one to have on hand if needed. 

You only need to wash your bras about every three wears UNLESS you get really sweaty in the bra then wash it more often so you do not have bacteria growing. 

For those that have been touched by breast cancer Nordstroms has certified fitters that can help you with prosthetics.  They can help you with the right form and then you can wear any kind of bra.  It is recommended that you make an appointment for this type of fitting to ensure the certified fitter is there.  Nordstorms will sew in pockets for the prosthetic at no charge and will also help file your insurance.  

Brooke Self
Department Manager
Lingerie/Women's Active-Swim
Nordstrom Southpark 750
704.442.6000 ext. 1249
brooke.self@nordstrom.com