Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Bras

Most of us have been wearing the same old bra since high school, but there was never a class between trigonometry and PE that taught us how to properly wear and maintain our undergarments. Having the right bra, that’s kept in good condition, can actually give you unimaginable self-confidence and make your chest (no matter what size) look its best. Here are our top tips to feel and look good in your bra.

Get fit.

Many of us don’t understand the significance of a bra fitting. Tape measures, although handy when sizing-up floor space, don’t accurately measure your cup size. Katrice Brewster, bra expert at the premier Intimacy Boutiques recommends visiting a specialty store where the employees are trained to make recommendations on your breast tissue and body shape to give you a better overall bra fit.

Maureen Stabnau, CEO of Bare Necessities.com, suggests getting re-measured every six months. “You may not have gained a lot of weight, but, sad to say, your body does shift.” Birth control, pregnancy and exercise can also affect your breast shape. “We have many customers that come into our stores and say, ‘I’ve been wearing this size bra since I was eighteen years old.’ And I think, oh, no wonder your bra doesn’t fit you,” Stabnau jokes.

Pay attention to the band.

The actual band of a bra provides 90% of the support. So when your band is loose, your bra won’t be able to do its job. “Unsightly back fat is a result of the bra riding up the back becaus

it is too loose,” says Susan, spokeswoman for Intimacy Boutiques. She recommends going down a back size and making the back of the bra level with the front, so it’s a straight line across the body. To test if your band is perfectly tight, Stabnau recommends putting the bra on and then pulling down your straps. If the bra slides down, it’s a sign you need a smaller size.

Rotate your bras.

You wouldn’t wear the same shoes everyday, so why is it okay to wear the same bra a few days in a row? “You should be rotating a minimum of five to seven bras, so that your basics don’t get worn out and the lace doesn’t ruin,” advises Brewster. So, start building a “bra wardrobe.” And then, Katrice adds, “When you’ve worked the back clip in from the loosest hook to the tightest hook, you’ve basically gotten the life out of the bra.”

Taking it off.

Have you ever yanked your bra over your head without unhooking it when you’re in a rush to change or unchange? Well, you’re doing it wrong. To properly take off your bra, Susan advises you to first unfasten the bra hooks and then slide it down and around the body. Quick motions and tugging will create unnecessary wear.

Take good care.

The best way to make your bra last longer is to wash it in cold water with a lingerie detergent. “In regular detergent the chemicals are harsher, so they will break down the elasticity faster than if you use a lingerie or gentle wash,” explains Stabnau. Susan also says that hot dryers cook the synthetic materials and shrink channeling for under wires, causing the wires to pop out. To properly dry your bra, lay it flat and, if it has a molded cup, smooth out the molding with your hand.

Susan says: When you want your bra to give you…

Sexy cleavage: The best way to get a sexy cleavage effect is to focus attention on inner breast fullness with a plunge bra properly sized for support and lift. Don’t attempt a bra that’s too small and pushes your breasts together or you’ll end up with “The Uni-Boob Effect.”

Support: When your breasts spill over the top of your bra you lose a lot of support and it creates a “Double Boob Effect.” Susan recommends moving up a cup size or, if you want to be a little flashier, selecting a balcony or ¾-cup bra style in a larger size.

Invisible lines: Visible bra lines are a function of the bra cup being too shallow. Try a larger size with a demi-cup for minimizing visible lines.

Firmness: A bra droops because it is not firm enough around the body to lift the bustline. Always buy a bra firm in the loosest hook position so you can tighten it to retain the lift and comfort. The bustline should ideally be midway between the shoulder and the elbow.

Strap support: Don’t! Instead, get a bra that is firm in the bra band or tighten the back of bras in your wardrobe. Don’t fall prey to shortening the straps or you’ll feel like you are wearing a harness. Bra straps are meant to stabilize, not to hold up the bustline!

This article was originally published on http://www.savvymiss.com, a free website community dedicated to connecting, empowering and informing women everywhere. SavvyMiss.com features articles on dating, love, careers, fashion, health, beauty and important societal issues. Members also use message boards and blogs to build relationships with other members.