Why Is Proper Fit Important?
March 15, 2010
Outside of the improved self image and comfort of a bra that fits the needs of her wearer, there are specific health issues to wearing a bra that is appropriate for size, shape and body type. The three most important issues I come upon are slipping bra straps leading to shoulder and back pain; poor fitting bras leading to poor posture and pain; and the delicate issue of finding the right fit for breast cancer survivors.
Does it seem like no matter how much you tighten your bra straps they keep sliding off your shoulders? Are you hunched over to try and keep your straps up? Do you have tightness in your neck and shoulders because its hard to keep your straps secure.
There are a few reasons this could be happening. If your bra is more than a year old, the elasticity is probably gone and its time to invest in a new one. For someone with a band size of 38 or higher or a cup size of D or higher, the replacement time is even shorter.
Have you been fitted by a professional fitter recently? If you are wearing a band size that is too large and compensating with a cup size that is too small, you may think you have a good fit but you do not. The bra straps will not line up at the right spot and they will slip off.
Straps should be snug but you should also be able to run a finger under the strap smoothly. Too tight is just as bad as too loose.
No breast is exactly the same…even on the same body! It is very possible that straps will have different adjustments on each side. Adjust each strap for comfort and so that it sits securely without causing bulging or gapping in the cup or slipping straps.
Some of us are lucky enough to have very narrow or sloped shoulders. Try a bra with a J-clip or criss-cross straps!
I am not a fan of minimizer bras. I understand that there are certain times that they work with an outfit. So wear them with that outfit and find a supportive bra to wear the rest of the time! One day, I got a call from a client who asked if I could fit her mother. Her mother is a beautiful woman and I could immediately see why she was so uncomfortable!
She was wearing a minimizer bra. The bra was “smushing down” her breast tissue. After wearing this particular style of minimizer for a number of years, the elasticity was gone from her breast tissue. The bra straps were cutting into her shoulders and she was hunched forward. As soon as I fit in her a bra that was close to her size, her back straightened but her right shoulder was completely (and very noticeably) out of alignment! Please, ladies, don’t let someone you love wear a minimizer bra! They are bad news for breast, neck and back health! With the help of her chiropractor and the support of a well fitting and appropriate bra, I am happy to say that when I saw her a few months later for a refit, she was a different body!
In my line of work, there is nothing more gratifying than working with breast cancer survivors. That every woman’s body is unique is never more true than with the exceptional women who are members of this extraordinary class! And what the marketplace has offered thus far in terms of bras is shameful! Ladies who have had surgery, lumpectomy or reconstruction have a difficult time finding a bra that naturalizes their look in their clothing. While some women require custom bras, many women are thankfully now finding bras which offer a seamless and moulded cup help give them back their natural shape and contour. It is most important to be certain that the bra selected gives good support to the remaining tissue. The best way to ensure great fit is to first talk with your doctor and then find a bra fitter that is knowledgeable and be willing to experiment until you find just the right bra.
No matter what your fit challenge, take heart. There is help. There are styles and products to meet every need. Email me at laurabeth@glamourbylbd.com. We will find a solution. There is simply no reason to put up with the frustration and discomfort of slipping straps!
Visit GlamourByLBD online at www.glamourbylbd.com. And, If you become a fan of the GlamourByLBD Facebook Page at http://tinyurl.com/glamourfan between now and March 31st, GlamourByLBD will donate $1 for each fan to the Avon 3-Day.
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2 Responses to “Why Is Proper Fit Important?”
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It’s very important to amplify this information so all women take action. The support bras offer may not last longer than 6 months. Moreover, shifts in body weight and mass also suggest a re-check of one’s bra size every six months.
My mother also had breast cancer, and was a 7-year fighter. Having a proper fitting bra, provides confidence and dignity for any woman, no matter her size, or health status.
Thanks for sharing Joseph. There is nothing like having a proper fitting bra- it even helps with posture and back and neck pain!