The Search For The Holy Grail (Or Finding The Right Bra)

We've been hearing it for years. Seven out of ten of us are wearing the wrong size bra, ladies! And having a bra fit by a 'professional' may not help at all! Too often, we rely on those silly little things called tape measures to 'tell' us what size we are and stick to it like gum on a shoe, when in reality, the fit will be different depending on the style, manufacturer and fabric. Charts and measurements are often no help, especially when it comes to larger sizes. Women who have gone to have a sizing done by a professional bra fitter do not always get the best results, especially if the fitter is inexperienced or has received little training. Your best bet? Grab a handful-no pun intended- of bras in your general size and start trying them on! The most common problem: cups and underwires. Cups should fit comfortably. In other words, your cup should not runneth over-no bulges from the front or sides; nor should they be baggy. Underwires should fit under and around the breast, resting comfortably on the ribcage-never on the breast itself and you should be able to raise your arms above your head comfortably, also. To find the right fit you'll also need time. Take a Saturday and make it your mission to find 'the right one'. If you decide to see a professional, a good fitter will make you feel comfortable and at ease and will explain what she is doing. She will check where the wire, the underband and the straps fit and have the ability to know from a mathematical formula how to fit you with a bra that is supportive and comfortable, not to mention attractive and flattering to your figure. You don't have to spend a fortune but every woman needs a few bras of good quality in her drawer. Remember, you get what you pay for. At last, you won't have to be one of those 7 out of 10 women walking around doing the bra cha-cha (1, 2, 3-tug and adjust). Won't that be nice?