How to find your perfect bra fit according to a lingerie designer
Finding Your Perfect Bra Fit: Tips from a Lingerie Designer
When searching for a bra that is both comfortable and eco-friendly, look for options that offer support while feeling natural, advises renowned lingerie designer Chloé Julian of Videris.
How Full Should Your Bra Cup Feel?
This is a matter of personal preference, as every woman is different. Some prefer a firm hold, while others do not. Additionally, the bra’s style affects the fit. Many women have breasts of slightly different sizes, with the left often being larger due to the heart muscle. It’s best to accommodate the larger breast.
How to Find Your Correct Bra Measurement
To measure your underband, wrap a measuring tape firmly around the area right under your breasts. For your bust measurement, wrap the tape firmly around your bust over the nipples. Prioritize the underband measurement when choosing your size, as it needs to fit firmly around the chest to provide support. If it’s too loose, the bra will lift off your chest at the center and ride up at the back.
Which Hook Should You Use When Trying on a Bra?
It’s important for women to have the option of all three hook clips when buying a bra, as there is no one-size-fits-all body shape. The cup capacity should provide the necessary flexibility for size changes and fluctuations. Unless you’re going through a significant life change like pregnancy, your rib cage isn’t adjusting; it’s your cup size that changes.
How Should Bra Straps Feel?
A bra strap should feel firm but not dig in or cause pain. If a strap isn’t doing its job well, it’s often due to poor-quality elastic and cheap components. High-quality elastics are crucial, as cheaper ones either stretch too much or lose their elasticity and become wavy and ineffective. Good-quality rings and sliders allow you to adjust the strap to the right fit for your body and keep the strap firmly in place. The strap’s width should also be appropriate for the bra size. Videris bras, for example, have a slightly wider elastic on the L and XL sizes for added support.
What Else Should You Look for When Finding a New Bra?
Be cautious of bras that lack basic components required for a good fit, such as adjustable hooks and eyes and adjustable straps. Bras without these features may feel fine initially, but stretching them over your head to put them on can quickly stretch the bra out of shape. The lack of strap adjustment can also become frustrating.
How Long Can You Keep Your Favorite Bra?
This depends on how many favorites you have. If you have an absolute favorite, consider buying three of that style—one for wearing, one for washing, and one as a spare. Wearing the same bra every day will shorten its lifespan. Washing causes the most wear and tear on your bra, so always close the hooks and eyes to prevent snagging and use a lingerie wash bag. A gentle cycle and line drying are best.
For more insights on bra design, visit Videris lingerie designer Chloé Julian.
