Bra Talk

Bras with seamless cups are very popular with women of all shapes and sizes.  They look great under any type of outfit, and the lack of a seam in the middle of the bra cup is easier on breast tissue.

Bali, Playtex, Wonderbra, and Champion all manufacture seamless bras and bra tops, some with gel inserts and in strapless styles.  Seamless shapewear and panties are also available for the smoothest, sleekest look under any outfit you choose.

 Sports bras are made to absorb the body’s excess moisture and provide support during physical activity, but they can also be one of the most comfortable everyday bras on the market today, particularly in the summer months.

 The support sports bras provide is different than that of a traditional bra.   Many sports bras contain no wires.   Their construction tends to be more cotton, mesh, and spandex fabrics for maximum breathability, stretch, and give.

You don’t always have to go to stores to get fitted for your bras. Some women even find it more accurate to do it themselves. Here’s a guide on how to measure yourself:

Determining your Bra/Band size
(ribcage circumference measurement)

1. Measure around the chest directly under the breast at a constant height with the cloth measuring tape. Add 5 inches to that measurement. This dimension is your bra/band size (If the bra size works out to an ODD number go up one inch to the next EVEN number.) This should equal the circumference around the chest, directly above the breasts/under the arms.

2. Now measure around the chest at the height of the fullest part of the breast. The measuring tape should be held horizontal, flat on your back, and your arms should be down. Make a note of that measurement (only used for comparison) and compare it to the Bra Size from step 1.

Determining your Cup size
(projection of breasts from chest wall)
3.    To determine the proper cup size, find the difference between step 2 and step 1. Use the table to figure out your cup size.

Half inch = AA cup
One inch = A cup
Two inches = B cup
Three inches = C cup
Four inches = D cup
Five inches = DD or E cup
Six inches = F cup
Seven inches = G cup

We often talking about the importance of wearing bras and there are quite a few positive qualities to wearing them, but wearing bras ALL the time can get a bit uncomfortable – even if you’re wearing the best one.  The best time to take a break is at night, while you’re sleeping. 

When you’re sleeping, gravity isn’t such a big factor in your activity, as is such, it’s the ideal time to be braless.  It will also help you sleep at night; so if you’re looking to give the girls a rest, during your slumber is the best time.

Some women will opt to stay away from wearing bras in the summer as they can be a bit comfortable in the heat.  But gravity doesn’t stop because of the seasons and neither should your bra-wearing.  Here are some tips on choosing a bra to wear in the summer:

• Invest in a convertible bra. Although manufacturers are still perfecting a truly comfortable version, this bra will support you well under a backless bodice and halter tops.

• Opt for styles without lace and seams for a clean look under fitted sleeveless tops and fine knit shells. If you’re a size A or B, look for stretch cotton bralettes - they resemble a cropped tank top with adjustable straps.

• Try a demi bra when wearing a plunging or revealing neckline. Designed with wide-set cups that just cover the nipple, they offer good support with maximum exposure.

• Wear flesh tones when sporting pastels or sheer materials like linen. White bras will be very conspicuous.

• Combat sweat-inducing humidity by pairing summer attire with a moisture-wicking sports bra. They offer great support, and the high-tech fabric will keep you a lot drier than most fashion bras.

• Consider racer back or cross back bras to wear with sleeveless tops and shells. You can rest assured that your bra straps won’t slip into view.

• Go strapless under skinny-strap tanks and strapless tops. Smaller chests can get away with a stretch tube bra, while larger chests may still need the support of a more constructed bra that hooks in the back.

Unlike a standard brazier, sports bras have a shorter life-span due to physical usage. There are ways to stagger its life. To preserve the bra’s elasticity, wash it in cold water on the gentle cycle and hang to dry.

Two ways to tell whether it’s too stretched out: if the bra used to stay in place but now rides up in the back, or if your breasts bounce around a lot when you jog or jump. A supportive bra protects your breast tissue from stretching and sagging and can also help prevent soreness.

It doesn’t matter if you love your bra or not, or if your bras are cheap or expensive. Here are some tips to care for them so they’re in a good shape - which means you’re comfortable and happy.

Switch up bras every day: Avoid wearing your bra for two consecutive days. Your body exudes heat and heat makes the Lycra in the bra stretch when it is warm. Wearing your bra for more than one day in a row will cause it to deteriorate faster. Lycra needs at least 24 hours to cool off — so alternating bras each day will go a long way towards good bra care.

Store your bras properly: It is best if you have a dedicated lingerie drawer. If you place lingerie with other clothing items, it will cause early wear and tear on your bras. Hooks snaps, and some other clothing items or objects can snare fabric. So it is best if you make room specifically for your fine lingerie.

Washing bras: First of all, avoid washing your bras in a washing machine, especially top load washing machines. If you can help it, hand wash your lingerie in cold water or have it dry cleaned. For washing you should use a delicate soda-based fabric wash. It is also okay to use mild shampoo or hand soap.

Secondly, get a wash bag for washing your intimate apparel. Wash bags cost only about $5 and they allow you to keep your lingerie protected from rubbing sensitive fabrics of your bras against other apparel items while washing. So wash bags keep your lingerie a little bit more protected while washing.

Drying bras: Drying bras in a tumble dryer can damage your bras in many ways: heat and tumbling in a drum damages bra fabric, underwire and cups padding. Besides that, it can result in damaging other clothing and the dryer itself if wires get ripped out of the bra fabric. If you don’t want your bras to get loose their shape early, consider one of the following natural ways to dry your bras:

• Hang dry (aka air dry, line dry)
• Dry by placing them on a towel
• Use a hair dryer to dry your bra if you want it to dry pretty quick

Ideally, when you first start buying bras, you’ll have a fitting to make sure that you have an undergarment that will fit you snugly and properly.  But breasts, like the rest of your body, are apt to change with time and events such as pregnancy or unexpected weight fluctuation.  Here are some signs of when you may need another bra fitting:

• You can’t wait to take your bra off at night!
• The wires hurt - the band is too small or the bra sits too low on the ribcage
• The wires poke on the side - a larger band or cup size is needed
• The middle front rides up away from the body - cups are too small
• The shoulders hurt - more support is needed (smaller band and larger cups)
- needs a style with wider or padded straps
• Straps fall off the shoulders - they need to be tightened
- they have lost elasticity
- shoulders may be sloped, requiring a bra with
straps that are closer together at the back
• The band rides up - it’s either too big or has lost elasticity

This Champion sports bra is seamless with outer side rib panels for maximum support and comfort. Made of nylon and lycra spandex fabrics. Exclusive of trim and elastics for the Champion line.

Despite the idea that Champion may or may not have created sports bras, they are still synonymous with its popularity, as well as the popularity of reversible t-shirts and breathable mesh.

A part of the Hanes Corporation, Champion is the company’s second largest brand and found large scale notoriety as a staple in hip-hop fashion, and became visible in the 1990’s during which time they were the official sponsor of the NBA.  Additionally, Champion has also produced clothing for several college teams.