Bra Talk

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.

If you are suffering from pain, there’s a good chance it’s being caused by your bra.  Relying on the bra’s shoulder straps is incorrect, as the support should be coming from below the breasts.  A way to test this notion is to take off your bra and lay down immediately afterwards; if you feel much better, then you can bet that it’s your bra.  You can also tell that your bra is the issue if you have indentations on your shoulders.

This can be remedied by going in for a fitting and buying a bra that will suit you.  Doctors also recommend sports bras for everyday, as they also provide great support.

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

As the weather gets nicer, most people are finding themselves finally getting out there for a morning jog; problem is, the heat caused by both the weather change and running can cause chafing for women who wear sports bras.  Here are a few tips on how to lessen that annoying chafing:

• Staying hydrated before, during and after your run will make sure that your sweat is flowing, instead of drying quickly, which worsens chafing.

• Using a lubricant – like hand cream or body butter – will keep body parts gliding past each other; look for something that isn’t greasy and dries quickly.

• Wear attire that will not add to the chafing.  Polyester, lycra and spandex are good suggestions.  If you’re finding that it’s your sports bra that’s giving you the trouble, you may want to try another one to see if that will help. 

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.

In addition to purchasing good sports bras, you may want to consider getting a decent tank top for when you hit the treadmill and/or gym.  You want to get a tank top that will absorb well and not cling to your body to the point where it will prevent motion; this feature is especially helpful if you are doing cardio. 

Additionally, you’ll want to get some comfortable shorts or running pants when you’re working out.  Unnecessary chafing may break your concentration, which – as anyone will tell you – is not a good thing.

With Mother’s Day drawing closer and closer, now might be a good time to get something for your wife.  If you’ve noticed that her undergarments are worn or that her sportsbra is ready to be replaced, you may want to purchase some elegant bras or shapewear for her.

Barely There, Bali and several other brands are among the most popular today, or you can get her a nice sportsbra if rigorous exercise has rendered hers to be changed.  Let her know that your attention isn’t always on the TV and get her something that would maximize her comfort.