Let’s talk about your bra, shall we?!

As a stylist, one of the first things I ask my clients is “When was the last time you were fitted properly for a bra?”. The answer is usually “It’s been years”.

Would you be surprised to know that 80% of women are wearing the incorrect bra size? 70% are wearing a bra that is too small and 10% are wearing one that is too big.

A well fitting bra, great shapewear and undergarments that hold you in in all the necessary places are essential for a sleek and streamlined look when wearing form fitting clothes, and let’s not forget the boost to our self esteem when wearing lingerie that not only feels amazing, but looks amazing too!

So let’s take a look at some of the most popular bra styles:

The Full Cup Bra - suitable for most body shapes, this bra gives full coverage and great support. It also helps provide a smooth outline underclothes, and comes with or without underwiring, depending on how much support you are looking for!

The Balconette Bra - this bra offers less coverage than the Full Cup Bra and lifts the bust without pushing it towards the chest (think of this style as a shelf you rest your bust on!). This style is great for those looking for less coverage when wearing low necklines.

The Plunge or Push Up Bra – the perfect option for those with smaller busts as this style pushes the breasts together to create the illusion of volume and a flattering cleavage. Also great for those of us wanting to enhance our cleavage when wearing a low cut neckline.

The Strapless Bra – this bra allows you to wear bandeau style tops and dresses or those with slim shoulder straps and without flashing your bra straps. With this bra, fit is everything as the support comes from having the right size band and cup size. Choose a size that’s too big and you will be pulling up your bra all night, choose something too small and you’ll be spilling out!

The Racerback Bra – this bra is made for tops and dresses which have a crossover back and is perfect for those still needing support whilst wearing styles that cover less of the back.

The Bralette – this pretty and usually unlined and non-wired bra is great for smaller busts as it offers very little support. It’s typically designed with soft fabrics such as lace, or seamless materials and is often worn for lounging, layering, or casual wear.

The Minimiser Bra – the perfect bra for those with a larger bust looking to minimise its’ appearance. This bra can make the bust look smaller by 1-2 inches by compressing the breasts and creating a more streamlined look. With wide straps and a strong band, this is a great option for women with a large bust wearing button down shirts or styles as it helps reduce the dreaded gaping between buttons (if you know, you know!).

The Sports Bra – this full coverage bra reduces breast movement, prevents discomfort, and minimizes strain on the chest and shoulders whilst exercising. Made from moisture-wicking, stretchable, and breathable fabrics to keep you cool and dry during workouts, this is a must have for physical activities!

My top tips:

Sister size – if you’ve fallen in love with a bra but it’s not available in your size, try a sister size by going down in the band size and up in the cup size/ up in the band size and down in the cup size for a similar fit. For example, the sister sizes for a bra size that is 36C would be34D or 38B.

Hook your bra on the loosest hook when new – the elastic in the under-band of the bra loosens up over time. For a perfect fit, opt for one that fits well when on the loosest option and move to the tighter options with time as the band slightly loosens.

Ensure a good fit – your bra should feel snug as 80% of the support you get from it comes from the under-band and not from the cup or straps!

Let me know if you’ve found this helpful and I’d love to know when you last had a bra fitting!