A Guide to Buying Bras

The most important thing to remember when buying bras is to get measured and fitted by a trained bra fitter. Most department stores will employ at least one expert who will be on hand to measure you and offer advice on the style and type of bra you need.

Buying a bra can be a tricky business especially buying bra for a teenager. Even when you’ve been measured and spoken to a fitter, the vast choice in shapes and styles of bras can make the process confusing. It will depend very much on your shape and the shape of your breasts as to which type of bra will suit you best. No two women are the same when it comes to breasts and the right bra for one woman will be the wrong bra for another.

Try before buying:

Always try bras on before you buy. It’s no use trusting the size. Sizes and fittings vary from label to label, so the only way to be sure is to try the bra on. Always fasten the bra on the loosest hooks. The reason for this is that, after a couple of times in the laundry, the bra will stretch. If you buy a bra which fits you best on the tightest fastener, there will be no room for give and the bra will soon become loose.

Your bra should fit straight across your back without riding up. Adjust the straps to gain a comfortable fit. At the front, in between your breasts, the bra should fit flat to your chest. If the center point of the bra gapes, the bra isn’t fitting right and won’t offer you enough support.

With all this information in mind, shopping for bras should be a fun experience. Whether it’s pretty lingerie or everyday bras, there’s a wide choice and there’s a bra for every occasion.

Underwired Bras:

Unless they need a bra for sports or simply prefer the comfort of no wires, most women opt for underwired bras. Underwired bras do offer better support and are usually available in more appealing designs than non-wired.

Push-up bras are also a modern favorite. However, these bras do usually suit a smaller-breasted woman better and are designed to enhance the cleavage. The extent of the padding in push-up bras means they aren’t always the best buy for a fuller-busted woman. An alternative to push-up bras is a lighter padded bra, which will give the same effect as a push-up bra to a fuller-busted woman. The padding will still enhance the cleavage and give the desired effect.

Balcony Bras:

Balcony bras are a good option for post-pregnancy ladies whose breasts have lost some of their fullness after breast feeding. A balcony bra fits in a half moon shape over the tops of the breasts with the straps being positioned closer to the underarms than on regular bras. This style of bra fits close to the shape of the breasts and detracts from any loss of fullness in the upper area of the breasts. A balcony bra is also ideal for wearing under outfits with an exposed chest area, as the straps won’t show.

Depending on the outfit, a strapless bra or backless bra might be needed. Some strapless bras come with detachable straps included, meaning they can be worn as a regular bra too.  Some of these bras include straps which fit in a variety of ways, including low cross overs on the back for backless clothing.

The huge choice in styles, shapes, fits and colors of bras means women today can buy the right bra for every occasion and every outfit. Bra shopping can be fun, and with the current advice being to get fitted and purchase a new bra every 6 months, women should be enjoying this experience more than ever.

Also check out my guide on how to buy a Valentine’s Day lingerie for your loved one.