Do you know that 8 out of 10 women wear the wrong sized bra? Over time, your breast size and shape may change, perhaps as a result of puberty, weight loss or gain, medication, surgery, pregnancy or menopause.
Breasts contain NO muscle and are made up of fat, glandular tissue and ligaments. The Cooper ligaments as they are known need adequate support and wearing a correctly-fitting bra will help to support the breast tissue. Poorly fitting bras do not support the ligaments, resulting in drooping or sagging breasts.
Breasts also come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and very few women are lucky to have a perfectly matching pair. Remember, our breasts are sisters not twins!
So, a combination of where you are in life and the type of breasts you have mean that certain types of bra shape will suit you over others. Common types of bras are:
- Plunge
- Balcony
- T-shirt bras
- Sports bras
- Strapless
- First bras
- Front fastening
- Mastectomy
Sports Bras
Breasts need supporting, especially when taking part in physical activity or sport. If breasts are not supported, you will get breast bounce, possibly resulting in breast pain and sagging.
TIP: When trying on a sports bra, jump around in the changing room!
How Should a Bra Fit?
- The band should fit snuggly all around the body
- The cups should fully support the breast tissue
- Straps should not dig in or be loose
To correctly wear your bra, put your arms through the straps and lean forwards so that the breasts fall into the bra. Remember – LEAN, LIFT & SCOOP! Then fasten using the loosest hooks. As the bra gets older you may need to move the hooks for the perfect fit.
How to Look After Bras
Your bras will last longer if you look after them correctly. We recommend you always check the washing instructions and, if using a washing machine, that you place all bras in an underwear bag to stop snagging and mis-shaping.
If worn every day, a bra will last between six and nine months.
Are You Breast Aware?
Always check, regularly:
- The breasts
- Under the breasts
- Under the armpits
- Up to the collarbone
If you see any of the following signs, seek expert medical advice:
- Swelling around your armpit or collarbone
- Sudden change in size or shape
- Constant pain in breast or armpitNipple suddenly becoming inverted
- A new lump that feels different to normal
- A rash on your breast or nipple
- Discharge from nipples
- Skin texture changing
At Janice Rose Lingerie we strongly recommend a bra consultation every nine months (six months for first bra wearers) to ensure that you’ve always got the perfect breast support and bra fit.
Our passion is to make underwear accessible for all and we are leading the way in providing expert advice to teen and first time bra wearers, sports bra wearers, maternity and nursing bra wearers, post-surgery bra wearers and bra wearers of every age and gender.
Book now for a bra consultation or to arrange to pop into our Sutton-on-Trent, Newark showroom.