4 Things You're Getting Seriously Wrong When You Bra Shop

4 Things You’re Getting Seriously Wrong When You Bra Shop

Choosing the right bra is like finding 'Mr Right'. It's not easy. And here's why you keep ending up with the wrong one...

by Women’s Health

August 6, 2018

4 Things You're Getting Seriously Wrong When You Bra Shop

Choosing the right bra is like finding ‘Mr Right’. You have to find one that looks great, gives you the right amount of support and makes you feel comfortable. Oh, and did we mention they’re almost impossible to find… No one wants straps falling down all the time, underwire stabbing them or a band that rides up constantly. That’s why it’s super-important to find the right fit. Here, four common bra misconceptions – and how to find your perfect size.

1. Your Bra Size Will Stay The Same

From weight loss and weight gain, to pregnancy and hormone changes, as your body changes, so does your bra size. According to Stephan van Niekerk, an Anita lingerie distributer, it’s important to get measured to ensure you’re wearing the right bra for your current shape. Also, know that different brands vary in size, so you’ll sometimes need to try a size bigger or smaller to find the right fit.

2. Your Fave Bra Will Last Forever

Wrong. Sadly, bras don’t last forever. Yes, that bra you’ve been rocking for five years has got to go. According to Van Niekerk, on average, the lifespan of a bra is approximately 95 washes – half that if you’re machine washing.

3. You Need To Stick With Just One Style

Why limit yourself? If you’re wearing an everyday T-shirt bra with every outfit, you’re doing the whole bra thing wrong. Fit the bra to the occasion: we’re talking padded, non-padded, plunge, bralette. The options are endless. “To believe a bra is a bra just means you haven’t done your homework,” says Van Niekerk.

4. You’re Wearing The Right Size, Obvs…

According to one study, 80 percent of women are wearing the incorrect bra size. Your bra should never be too big, or squeeze the life out of you. That means no tight bands, straps digging into your shoulders or boobs spilling over the cups.

How To Find the Right Fit

If you’ve never gone for a bra fitting or haven’t had one in a while, here’s a quick guide. Just be sure to do this bra-less.

Step 1: Measure your band size. Using a tape measure, measure under your bust. Step 2: Measure your cup size. Stand up straight and measure the fullest part of your bust. The difference between these two numbers is your cup size. For instance, if under your bust your measurement is 86cm and across your bust is 105cm, then your bra size would be 38D.

We’ve rounded up our pick of the best everyday and ultra-sexy bras for you to branch out into. First up, the everyday bra or T-shirt bra is the base of your underwear supply. These babies are suitable for most clothing and should be super comfortable since you’ll be wearing them daily.

Lace T-Shirt Bra

Buy it at Mr Price for R99.99

Sexy Back Bra (Red)

Get it at Spree for R230

Caroline Bra

Buy it at any Anita outlet

And now… onto the special-occasion bras. Obviously, you can wear a sexy bra every day, but these ones will give you extra va-va-voom cleavage and entice whoever sees them.