Mannequins always fit well in their bras.
Wearing a properly sized bra is important for the overall health of your breasts and physical comfort. A mis-sized bra can lead to many problems, including back, shoulder and neck aches, skin irritation, or bulging at the top of the cup or in the armpits. Despite the variety of bra brands, sizes and styles, women's bodies are not cast from a mold like the department store mannequins and there is not necessarily a right size bra for every woman.
Asymmetry
According to Dr. Arpana M. Naik, M.D., more than half of all women have breasts that are asymmetrical in size, yet bras only come with two identical cups. Additional padding offers an inexpensive solution to this problem and doctors can correct severe asymmetry with cosmetic surgery. Although the purpose of a bra is to smooth, lift, separate, compress or enhance, its primary function is to support. Breast asymmetry can make it difficult to find a bra that provides enough support for both breasts.
Different Styles
Every bra brand carries a wide variety of styles. There are plunging, push-up, demi and full coverage, just to name a few. There is a bra for every outfit, but not for every woman. If you have a fuller figure and larger bust size, you may find that demi cups and plunging bras, though appropriate for low-cut tops, do not provide support, comfort or coverage. Regardless of whether your measurements match the size on the tag, the bra may not fit you.
Finding Your Size
The accepted practice for calculating bra size is to measure around your chest below the breast to determine the band size, then measure around the fullest part of the bust. The difference between these two measurements dictates the cup size. With the exception of specialty stores and online shopping sites, department stores and lingerie shops stock a limited range of sizes. Rare sizes, such as 32D or 38A, are difficult to find in-store. Although shopping online may provide more options, you can't try them on to determine the best fit before buying.
Cups and Bands
The most difficult part of finding the right bra is figuring out the magic combination of numbers and letters. A C-cup with a 34 band does not hold the same breast volume as the same cup size with a 36 band. A bra salesperson may suggest an "equivalent size," a bra that is one cup size larger and one band size smaller (or vice versa) if you regularly find bras that fit your measurements but not your body.
Changing Body
According to the Ohio State University Medical Center, breasts change throughout a woman's life. During menses, your breasts can swell and become tender, making it difficult to fit a new bra or to decide if an old bra is still doing its job. Although these changes aren't usually significant or long-lasting, it can temporarily make your favorite bra seem too tight or ill-fitting. Pregnancy and menopause also affect the size and shape of your breasts, as do changes in your weight. Unfortunately, since designers have yet to develop a bra that can adjust to the changes of your body, it is necessary to undergo regular fittings and try on a variety of sizes before choosing a bra.
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