Importance of Choosing a Correct Bra

By Bhumika Chitkara

Wearing a bra for the first time is a roller coaster of emotions. Some feel happy about growing up while some feel a bit overwhelmed. It is completely normal to feel that! A bra is an undergarment worn by women to support their breasts. Choosing a right bra is important as it can give a proper shape and appearance to your breasts and can prevent it from sagging. A right sized bra can also prevent pain and discomfort in the shoulders and neck! There is no correct age to start wearing a bra, it is a completely personal choice!

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BRA SIZE:

1. While measuring your bra size, it is preferable not to wear a bra for accurate results but if you want to wear one choose a non padded bra.
2. Take a measuring tape and measure your chest just below your breasts where your bra bands rests. 
3. The number you get will be your band size like 32, 34, 36, 38.
4. Then measure the fullest part of your breast.
5. Subtract both the measurements and what you get will be your cup size.

Bra size chart:

Difference of 1: Cup size: A

Difference of 2: Cup size: B

Difference of 3: Cup size: C

Difference of 4: Cup size: D

TYPES OF BRAS:

1. Padded Bras: Padded bra is one of the most common types of bras used by women. Padded bras are basically bras with padded cups. These bras basically provide a better shape and fuller appearance of the breast. It can be a great choice for women with small breasts as it can give an illusion of fullness. Not only women with small breasts, women with already fuller breasts can also go for padded bras as they can give an even and better appearance. You can choose from lightly padded bras or thickly padded bras as per your preference. 

2. Under-wired Bras: As the name suggests, under-wired bras have wires under their cups! These bras help to provide you with that extra support and lift making it perfect for women with heavy , large and sagging breasts. Under-wired bras ensure no spillage and a better shape and coverage. Under-wired bras may sound a little uncomfortable to wear but if chosen correctly, then it will be one of your go-to favourite bras!

3. Sports Bras: Make sports bras your best friend if you are a fitness freak! Sports bras ensure no bounce or movement of breasts while you are running or doing any kind of exercise. Continuous movement can cause pain and discomfort in the breasts. Sports bras can help in reducing the pain and risk of injuries and can prevent sagging of breasts. You can choose high impact sports bras if you are into running and activities that require a lot of movement or can choose low impact sports bras if you are into yoga and activities that require less movement. 

4. Push-up Bras:Push-up bra is an ideal choice for women with sagging breasts as it can give you the desired lift! These bras have extra padding at the bottom of the cup. This can help women with small breasts have an illusion of fuller and rounder breasts. Push-up bras push the breasts together making them look more lifted and create a cleavage which is not usually visible. 

5. Minimiser Bras: Minimiser bras can minimise the appearance of your breasts making it perfect for women with heavy breasts. A minimiser bra can help you when you want to make your breasts look smaller. Minimiser bras can give your breasts a good shape and can help your breasts and body look even.

6. T-shirt Bras: T-shirt bras are mostly the comfortable padded bras you can wear everyday. They go perfect under body hugging dresses, t-shirts and tops as they provide a very seamless look. This can be your go-to bra if you want to have a natural and in shape look at the same time! The best part about this bra is that you can wear this versatile bra under almost any outfit you own!

7. Strapless Bras: Strapless bras can be a life saviour when it comes to off shoulder, noodle strap or strapless outfits! It can be great if you are looking to hide the bra straps! 

8. Non-Padded, Non-Wired Bras: These are the traditional old school bras one can never go wrong with and is the best bra for daily use! This can be one of the most comfortable bras you have ever owned. Non-padded bras ensure the most natural shape of your breasts. It can be an ideal option for women who are not looking to add any volume to their breasts. These bras are also beginner-friendly!

9. Nursing Bras: Nursing bras are heaven sent for all the breastfeeding moms! Breastfeeding can be made so much easier with nursing bras. It will not require you to remove your bra to feed your baby! 

10. Stick-on Bras: As the name suggests, stick-on bras are supposed to stick on your breasts as they do not have any straps or bands. It is an ideal choice for women with smaller breasts. It sticks to your breasts and brings them close. It ensures no nipple show and can be worn under strapless and backless dresses.