Are You Wearing The Right Size? Finding The perfect BRA

Before you button up your blouse, take a peek at your womanly assets. Do your cups run over? Is your bra puckering lika a prune? Do your boobs sag up to your belly button? Admit it, most of us are wearing the wrong size of bra. And I stand firm to tell us that we might all be doing our boobs an injustice.

Finding a bra that fits perfectly can be difficult enough when you wear a size A-C but when it comes to bigger cup sizes the struggle reaches a whole new level.

Over recent years the average bra size in the UK has risen from a 34B to a 36D and as a result an increasing number of larger and more uncommon sizes have made their way to the underwear departments. However, it can still prove to be an arduous undertaking when bra shopping for fuller sizes such as DD+.

MEASURING UP
Bra fitting is not an exact science, despite the recent proliferation of lingerie saleswoman accessorizing their necklines with tape measurers. For me, some independent research, articles on-line and first hand conversation with folks got me to understand that, you need to knoyour size. Here's how to calculate your bra size;

BAND SIZE: While wearing a bra, measure directly under the bust, rounding up or down the nearest whole inch. If the rounded measurement is an even number, add four to get your final band size. If it is an odd number, add five. For example: 32+4=
36 band size.

CUP SIZE: While wearing an unpadded and non-minimizing bra, measure arround your bust at the fullest point, rounding up or down to the nearest inch. Subtract your band size from this number to determine your cup size. For exampke: 39-36=3, which corresponds to a C cup size(2=B; 1=A)

A. Common Bra Problem: If it appears one of your breasts is bigger than the other

Solution: Fit the cup size to your largest breast. A little extra padding can help the smaller breast match more closely. Also, a molded bra will hide the size difference and make you look symmetrical.

B. Common Bra Problem: If it appears your breasts are too big

Solution:Try a different style. More support will elevate your breasts and make you appear less top heavy.

C. Common Bra Problem: If your breasts appear too small.

Solution: True cleavage is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve for small busted women. "Bottom line is, a woman who is an A cup doesn't have enough breast tissue to get them to touch in the middle, still padded, contoured, moulded and even gel and water filled bras will help create the illussion of fuller breasts.

Specialist brands have emerged that better understand the needs of a fuller bust. Their designs incorporate extra support, stronger, thicker straps; they come in a range of styles and have some really fun and sexy materials available too.

Some high street shops have introduced brands that specialize in larger sizes, but when you have always struggled to find the right size, bra shopping can become more of a chore than a fun-filled afternoon, and the dash to get in and out as quickly as possible hinders the opportunity to really try on all styles and find different designs that you like with practicality being at the forefront of the final purchase.

But help is at hand to put the fun back into bra shopping. If you know what size you are (and this means really are) then you will find retailers online who have all of your favourite specialist brands available at the click of a button.

No longer are you bundled into a changing room to try on bra after bra only to get frustrated and disheartened when they don't fit properly. From the comfort of your own home you can search through pages of bras that you know are going to fit and you can take your time choosing different styles of bras to suit your outfit or occasion. You can then try them properly in your own bedroom- oh the wonders of modern day technology.

There are some fantastic sites available such as www.lingerie.com that has a great selection of cheap bras with all the favourites, including Panache bras who have been celebrating curves for over 25 years. Sizes up to 40K are specifically designed to provide the perfect fit and comfort for fuller figures combined with designs that leave the wearer feeling sexy and confident.

The right bra can make you feel and look great in your clothes... So don't be a boob when it comes to supporting your best assets.