All about bras

What bras are for

The main purpose of wearing a bra is to give support to the breasts. Breasts are mainly made up of fatty tissue and don’t contain any muscle. They are supported naturally by the ligaments and muscles behind, but wearing a bra gives them extra support and a defined shape. As you get older a bra can also help stop the breasts from drooping.

It’s a personal choice whether or not to wear a bra when your breasts are developing. It’s often a good idea to wear a bra for support when playing sports or exercising. Most people don’t wear a bra at night, but sleeping in a bra won’t do any harm or stop the breasts developing.

Different size bras

Just as breasts come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so do bras. Bras come in different back sizes and different cup sizes, ranging from 28 to 46, AA to JJ. The back size is how the bra fits round your back and the cup size is the size of the cup that holds the breast. Most bras also have straps that can be adjusted to give a better fit.

Buying a bra

There are lots of shops that sell bras, so there are many different places to choose from when buying a bra. If you’re choosing a bra for the first time or if you want to see what’s available you may want to go to a department store and have a look at the many different styles and sizes of bras on sale.

Many department stores also have trained bra fitters who can help you find a bra that fits you properly. A bra fitter will often measure you over your clothes to get a general idea of your back and cup size. This is only a guide as bras will vary in size due to different makes and styles. To find the right bra you’ll have to try on lots of different bras to see which are the most comfortable size and style.

How to find a well fitting bra

Just like when you buy shoes, you need to try on a bra before you buy it so you know it fits properly. Because bra sizes vary a lot depending on the style, make and material, you may need to try on quite a few before you find one that’s just right.

A bra fits well if:

• it’s not too tight or too loose
• your breasts fill the cup of the bra without bulging over the top or out the sides
• the strap at the back doesn’t cut in
• the shoulder straps don’t carry the full weight of your breasts, stay in place when you lift your arms above your head, and fit closely to your body without cutting in
• the strap round the back and the front underband lie close to your body and are at the same level at the front and back
• with an underwired bra, the underwire lies flat against your body and supports the underneath and sides of your breast without digging in or gaping.

If a bra doesn’t feel right, the best thing is to try another one. Try on different makes and slightly different sizes – just because a bra fits in one style, this doesn’t mean it will fit in another.

Wearing a bra may seem strange at first, but if it fits properly you won’t notice it after a while. Whenever you choose to wear a bra, and whatever style, just be sure to choose something comfortable – a tight or scratchy bra will feel uncomfortable by the end of the day.

When to get a new bra

Your breasts are constantly changing while they are developing, and even when they are fully developed they may still change – and so will your bra size. If a bra doesn’t fit as well as it did – maybe because you’ve gained or lost weight or the bra is slightly worse for wear – it’s probably time to go and buy a new one.

Don’t forget that trying on a bra is the only way to find one that fits comfortably.