Did you know that almost 70 per cent of women wear the wrong bra size, either choosing a cup that’s too small or a band that’s too big? While that may not be a big problem for occasional day wear, it can cause issues when you’re physically active, particularly for those who participate in high-impact sports.
But how do you know if you’re wearing the right size? And how do you find the right size?
The best place to start is with a proper bra fitting at a specialised lingerie shop. Once you know your size, you can go to the website of your favourite sports or lifestyle brand and enter your details to find out what sports bra size you should be wearing as well as the style that best suits your physical activity.
If you want to measure yourself, start by taking the measurement in inches around your ribcage, beneath your breasts – it should be snug but not tight. Add 5 to get your band size. If it’s an odd number, round up to an even number. For example, if your ribcage measurement is 29 inches, your band size will be 34. Then measure around your bust, while wearing a well-fitting bra – again, snug but not tight. Subtract your ribcage measurement (not your band measurement) from your bust measurement to get your cup size. A difference of one inch is an A cup, 2” B cup, 3” C cup, 4” D cup and 5” DD.
Nike, which offers free sports bra fittings at its stores in Yas Mall, Box Park, Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, has these tips and suggestions to help you choose the right bra.
• If you are buxom, opt for a bra that has great support and an adjustable back clasp to make it easier to take on and off.
• An easy way to check if you have the right sports bra is to raise your arms above your head. If the band moves up, your bra is too lose and should be replaced by a smaller size. The band needs to be level all the way around the chest.
• There should be no spillage while wearing a sports bra, so if the breasts are not contained in the cups, or the band is pulling, adjust your size.
• The shoulder straps should be for the comfort of the wearer and not the main support. The band and cups should do the bulk of the work, so if the shoulder straps feel like they are digging in, it’s time to get a new size.
• Make sure the bra is well-ventilated and helps keep you dry.
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