Bra Talk

Studies consistently show that 70-80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra.  Some women were fitted for a bra years ago and still buying that size; some were never fitted properly in the first place.  A woman’s bust size is in a constant state of flux due to weight loss and gain, pregnancy and menstrual cycles, weather, and other natural variations such as aging.  Furthermore, many women do not choose to wear women’s sports bras while exercising, which can cause neck, shoulder, and back pain, pinched nerves and premature sagging, particularly in women with a C cup or larger. 

Everyday bras may only have a 3 to 6 month life cycle.   In three months’ time, an everyday bra can stretch by as much as 4 inches due to washing and wearing.   To make this whole issue even more complicated, you may not wear the same size from brand to brand. If your bra feels uncomfortable or has become, frankly, unsupportive—when the underwire becomes exposed or straps give out—it is definitely time for replacement.

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.

About 50 percent of women report some pain or discomfort in their breasts during exercise. This varies considerably in intensity and may depend on what they are wearing. In an Australian study 3 women (17-21, cup sizes B and C) were photographed exercising bare breasted, with two models of a bra, and with a particular sports bra. As expected, breast motion was reduced by bras, and the sports bras were the most effective. The women reported less discomfort with bras and especially with the sports bra. However not all sports bras are created equal and should be properly fitted.

Although some women athletes are concerned that a sports bra may interfere with breathing, and increased pressure on the rib cage has been demonstrated, no significant effect on breathing can be shown.

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

An American hiker stranded in the Bavarian Alps for nearly three days was rescued after using her sports bra as a signal, police in southern Germany said Monday.

Berchtesgaden police officer Lorenz Rasp said that he helped lift 24-year-old Jessica Bruinsma of Colorado to safety by helicopter on Thursday after she attracted the attention of lumberjacks by attaching her sports bra to a cable used to move timber down the mountain.

“She’s a very smart girl, and she acted very resourcefully,” said Rasp. “She kept her shirt and jacket for warmth, but thought the sports bra could work as a signal.”

She fell about 15 feet to a rocky overhang, where she spent the next 70 hours on the narrow ledge, sustained by water that she found by breaking into a supply box on the ledge.

She badly bruised a leg and dislocated a shoulder in the fall, and the cliff was too isolated for her to climb free, Rasp said.

Rasp said his team followed the cable line up the cliffside in a helicopter and found Bruinsma standing on the ledge, waving with her good arm. After circling once, they lowered a winch to Bruinsma and lifted her aboard.

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.

This sports bra, with its space/air design serves two purposes; it gives small busts and upward ift while giving big busts secure support. Sports bras are very effective in helping to prevent damaging bounce during vigorous exercise.