HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT BRA???

Bra not only shapes the appearance of breasts but, is also helpful from a health standpoint. Wearing the right bra keeps a girl's breasts supported while she's playing a sport and can help prevent injury to the breast- tissue. A well-fitting bra is also important for a woman's posture, particularly if she has large breasts. A bra that doesn't fit can cause back problems, muscle tension, and even headaches.

Yet 8 out of 10 women wear bras that don't fit.

All About Straps, Snaps, Bands, and Cups :

Finding the right bra is not a difficult task if you know the basics of the sizing. There are two parts to a bra's size: the Chest size (also called the band size) and the Cup size.

The Chest, or Band size is the part of the bra that runs across the chest and around the back. The cups are the parts of the bra that hold the breasts. Bras come in many sizes, which are different combinations of the chest sizes (shown as numbers - 32, 34, 36, etc.) and cup sizes (shown as letters - AA, A, B, C, etc.)

It's important to get both the Chest and Cup sizes right to ensure a proper fit. Some manufacturers are now starting to offer cup options in half sizes in addition to regular cups to help girls get a better fit.

If a bra that's the wrong chest size, the band will either feel tight and uncomfortable around her rib cage or it will be too loose and ride up her breasts. Bras that are too small in the cup will compress the bust portion and force them to bulge out the sides. And cups that are too big can wrinkle and pucker, which won't look good under clothes.

So how do you calculate your chest and cup measurements? It's easy, and it's something you can do in the privacy of your own room at home. All that you need is a measuring tape.

Finding the Band (or Chest) size :

There is NO consensus in these measurement methods (unfortunately). Different opinions exist. So no matter what measuring system you use, you still need to try the garment on to be sure it actually fits.

Have someone measure around your chest with a tape measure, just under your breasts, and around the back. Make sure the tape measure rests flat on the skin and goes straight across your back. The most common advice is to add 5 inches to this measurement - and then that is your band size (also called chest size).

i.e. Band size = Measurement under the Breasts +5 inches

BUT adding only 2-3 inches (instead of 5) can work better for many women - if you need the support to come more from below, rather than hanging off the shoulders.

If you end up with an odd number, go up to the next even number, since bras usually only come in even-numbered band sizes.

Finding the cup size

Measuring the cup size is trickier; even with a measurement it is better to try on different bras and find out experimentally which one fits. Have someone measure you again, this time the measuring tape goes on top of the fullest part of your breasts. If you already own a well-fitting non-padded bra, you can wear it while taking this measurement as long as it doesn't 'flatten' your breasts (which would make an illusion of a smaller cup size). Record this number, and subtract band size. The difference tells you the correct cup size as follows:

i.e. Cup size depends on:

Measurement over the fullest part of the Breast - The Band size

you can find the cup size according to the difference by the chart given below :

Difference: (inches)	negative	0	1"	2"	3"	4"	5"	6"	7"
Cup size	AAAA or AAA	AA	A	B	C	D	DD or E	DDD or F	DDDD or G

Remember again, bra measuring is not exact science. And how could it be when women's breasts come in so many different shapes and sizes? Usually one breast is bigger than the other, they might sag, etc. So the fitting room tells you the truth; not the tape measure alone. You have to try it on. If it fits right, that's your bra size even if the tape measure told you different.

How to tell if your bra fits correctly :

1. It should fit snugly around. You ought to be able to fit one or two fingers under the band comfortably. If you are pulling down the back strap or pulling up on the shoulder straps throughout the day, then the band size (the no. part of your bra size) is too big.
   1. Can you fit 1 finger comfortably at the back? If yes, then the band is right size.
   2. If you're having a hard time putting one finger under the band, then move the hooks to the loosest fitting eyes. If it is still tight on the loosest fitting, then try on one in the next up band size.
   3. If the band can easily be pulled away from your body, or if the band rises up your back, then go down one in the band size.
2. If you are wearing an underwire bra, the wire that comes up between the breasts should lay flat (or as close as possible) to your breast bone.
   
3. If the bra is a soft cup bra, you shouldn't have any extra, gapping fabric. If the bra is a molded cup you shouldn't have any extra room in the cup. Your breast should completely fill the cup. If it is gapping and the band feels fine, then go down in the cup size.
4. You don't want to be spilling out of the cup - not from the top, bottom or sides. If the band feels fine then go up a cup size.
5. If you raise your arms up (do this a few times), the bra should stay against your body, not lifting up or off. If this happens try a few things;
   1. adjust the shoulder straps by loosing them
   2. Pay attention to the band. Is it too tight? Or too loose? Or just right?
   3. If the band is just right, and adjusting the shoulder straps didn't work, then go up a cup size.
6. Try on different styles of bras. Every style fits and fills different and can "shape" your breast differently.
7. If your bra fits correctly, it should NOT be painful or uncomfortable to wear.

So you've taken your measurements and you're in the fitting room trying a bra in what's supposed to be your size — But it doesn't seem to fit. Now what?

Before you look for a different size, experiment by making some adjustments to the bra. Extend or shorten the band around your chest slightly by moving the hooks to a different eye on the
hook and eye closure . The bottom band of a properly fitting bra should ride across the middle of your back and pass under your shoulder blades to provide the right support.

A bra's straps allow you to modify how the cups fit and support your breasts. When the straps are the right length, a bra lifts the breasts comfortably and the back of the bra will run straight across your back (if a bra is pulling upward in the back, it may be a sign that the straps are too tight). You should be able to get one finger under the straps to prevent them from digging into your shoulders. In general, girls who are petite will need to wear the shorter bra straps.

Breast growth: A girl's breasts can grow and change rapidly during the teen years, which means that until you stop developing, you might have to change your bra size several times. If your breasts are still growing, consider buying fewer bras and measure yourself frequentl y to counter-check your size.Because growth can make a girl's breasts sensitive, you might find certain styles or fabrics work better for you. For example, some girls like seamless cups because they don't irritate; others choose styles that minimize jiggle to ease the occasional aches of breast development.

Menstrual changes: Some girls' breasts change size or shape at different times in their menstrual cycles. Many girls find they like to wear different styles of bras at different times in their cycle.

Different-sized breasts: Most girls' breasts grow at different rates — and many girls find themselves with one breast that's bigger than another. Move the strap adjusters on a bra to different lengths.Some girls also use the trick of buying a bra that has removable padding and then taking the extra padding out of the cup for the larger breast. Push-up bras can work well for this because they often come with an easily removable padded section (called a "cookie") that sits under the breast.

Hooks, wires, and other hazards: Take a look at the bra you're about to buy and imagine how it might survive a full day of wear. The bra's straps may feel fine in the fitting room, but if the adjusters are sitting right on your shoulder or collarbone, how will that feel if u carry a college Bag or Backpack.

Test to see if the bra band is too loose by lifting your arms in the air and putting them back down by your sides a couple of times. If the bra rides up across your breasts, the band is too loose. If you're looking for a sports bra, jump up and down in the fitting room a couple of times to evaluate the bra's bounce control.

You may also want to try on a T-shirt or sweater over a bra you're thinking of buying to get the finished effect. That pink rose on the front may look cute on the bra itself, but be careful and
observe how it looks once your T-shirt's on? No matter what the size or shape of a girl's breasts, the most important thing to remember in choosing a bra is..... "Comfort". Try on a variety of bras to find the one that's right for you. Some girls prefer the comfort of cotton, others like the support of synthetics or "under wires".

Types :

1. Minimizer bras are designed for full figures to reduce the bustline and create a more rounded shape. These bras can be very slimming. 2.Full-coverage bras cover the entire bust. These bras usually have larger cups to offer maximum support. 3. Convertible bras provide the comfort and no show coverage you desire. They can be transformed into a variety of styles to suit your versatile wardrobe needs — from halter to racer-back, one-shoulder to strapless. 4. Demi bras are half-cup bras. They do not cover the entire bosom to create a bare minimum look.

5. Seamless bras offer medium support and create a natural rounded appearance with a smooth shape. These bras are great for wearing under tight-fitting tops. 6. Padded bras just help to add a natural enhancement to your bust. (Many push-up bras are padded.) And sometimes the pads can be removable. 7. Push-up bras give your bust a natural lift while pushing them together. Push-up bras are great for a smaller bust because they can add cleavage where there wasn't any before. 8. Plunge bras provide the same comfort and shaping as basic bras do, but they have a low-cut center in front. They're the perfect solution when wearing daring necklines.

9. Wire-free bras offer comfortable shaping and support without the irritation of underwires. They're designed with stretch to perfectly fit your figure. They make the perfect everyday bra! 10. Sports bras are essential for sports and while working out in the Gym because they provide maximum support while reducing bounce. They're a must-have for any physical exercise.

No one bra is better than another or no particular one is the best — it all depends on which style works best for your needs.

Afraid of Breast Cancer???? :

Many people say that bras causing breast cancer is just a myth. It is true that bras do not
cause breast cancer but, ill-fitting (wrongly fitted), too tight bras can help cancer growth since they can prevent your body from excreting dangerous cancer-causing chemicals.

The main reason why tight bras are bad for breast health is because they restrict the lymph flow in the breasts. There are numerous lymph pathways and lymph nodes in the armpits, under the breasts, and in between the breasts. Normally the lymph fluid washes out waste materials and other toxins away from the breasts, but bras (and especially some push-up bras) inhibit this action, so toxins can start to accumulate in the breast, and that can help cancer to develop. In other words, bras inhibit the way our bodies normally cleanse themselves and get rid of cancer cells and toxins like PCBs, DDT, dioxin, benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals that cling to the body's fatty tissues like breast. In fact, if you find a lump in your breast, it may very well be filled with lymph fluid that was not able to move away from the breast tissue.

Bra wearing may also be connected to cancer in other ways. Wearing bras slightly increases the temperature of the breast tissue, and women who wear bras have higher levels of the hormone prolactin. Both of these may influence breast cancer formation.

so there is no need to worry as long as one selects the right one and wears it for not more than 8 hours per day.

NOTE : Here, I humbly claim that the images or/and the terms I discussed in this topic are to enable the reader understand in a better way. I regret the inconvenience caused If, you feel embarrassed or discomfort at any stage of reading it.