70% of Women are Wearing the Wrong Bra Size, Are You?

Did you know that most women are wearing the wrong bra, especially when they are wearing a push up bra? Studies show that 70-80% of women are wearing bras with the band too big and the cup to small. When you consider that a push up bra has smaller cups than a normal bra, you can see how many women might have a lot of problems. This mistake is mostly due to a misinterpretation of how bras are sized. Wearing the right bra size can drastically improve how you look and feel in your clothes but it can also improve the health of you breasts as well. If you’re shopping for a new push up bra try getting yourself measured or measure yourself before you go shopping. You can compare your measurements to charts around the internet to find your correct push up bra size.

Signs You’re Wearing the Wrong Bra

Any bra, but especially a push up bra, should be carefully measured before you put it on. While you don’t have to go around with a tape measure when you’re going to buy bras, you should know your own measurements. Here are a few signs you might notice if you’re wearing the wrong bra size.

The first thing you might see if you’re wearing the wrong push up bra is that your breasts ‘double’. If you’re coming out over the top, bottom, or have flesh coming out around your armpits then you’re in the wrong bra.

If your bra strap around your chest is to lose, you have to fasten it on the last hook or if your bra straps are too tight on your shoulders then you are also wearing the wrong bra. If the gore, or band between the cups, doesn’t touch your skin, then you’re wearing a cup size that is too small. (If you know your bra size, remember that you usually have to go a size up when you wear a push up bra). The last sign you are wearing the wrong bra size is loose fabric or wrinkles in the cups.

The Effects of the Wrong Bra

You might be thinking, ‘sure, what’s the difference between one bra and another,’ but in fact, there is a lot of difference. The correct bra will support your breasts, keep you from sagging and keep your skin healthy.

For example, wearing the wrong bra can push fatty tissue from your breasts to the skin between your armpits. You’ll notice that this problem gradually goes away when you wear the right bra.

Another thing that a good bra can prevent is stretch marks. Something that no one wants!

A good, well-fitting push up bra will support your body to prevent torn ligaments and stretched skin. It will allow your body to settle where it needs to be.

Measuring Your Correct Bra Size

If you have a soft tape measure, you can measure for your new push up bra yourself. Pass the tape measure around your chest, just under your bust. Mark the measurement down and re-take it 2 more times.

Now put on a bra without any padding. You should choose the one that you think fits you the best. Measure around the widest part of your bust and repeat until you’ve checked it three times.

To get your band size, take the under bust measurement and add 4 inches if it is an even number and 5 inches if it is an odd number. For example, if you have 30” you will get a size 34 band and if you have 29” you will also have a 34 band.

You will have to do a little bit of subtraction to get your cup size. Take the measurement of your bust and subtract the measurement under your bust. For example, if you’re under bust is 29 and your bust is 32, you will have a 3” difference.  The difference you have makes up your cup size.

1” – A Cup

1.5”= B Cup

2” = C

3” = D

And so on. Unfortunately, the bigger your cup is, the more likely that the size will vary between bra manufacturers. For example a 6” difference can be an EE or an F cup depending on the manufacturer. In some cases, the 6” difference will even be a DDD rather than a higher letter. If you’re not sure, try checking the manufacturer measurements against your own. 

If you’re looking for a push up bra, try looking online where you can find designer options with matching lingerie sets.