2013年10月8日星期二

Bra Fitting Tips & Tests

Bra Fitting Tips & Tests 


Its one thing to describe how a bra should fit, but in the end you are the ultimate arbiter on what bra size and style you ultimately decide to wear. So, here is a list of bra fit tests and their recommended results.

The Band Test


The back and front of your bra band should be level and parallel to the floor when you look at yourself from the side in a mirror. If the band is too tight, digs into your flesh or is just plain uncomfortable, it's too small. Signs that your band size is too big include breasts falling out from the bottom of your bra and your bra back riding up. A correctly sized band will fit firmly around you and not ride up in the back.

A new bra should be able to pass this test with the clasp on the loosest fitting - this allows you to tighten the bra as it stretches with wear and washing. Try to avoid buying a bra where the best fit is the bra's tightest setting. My suggestion is to always try and buy a new bra fits on its loosest fastening position.
 
The Bra Band Test
1. Ask someone to slide their hand between your back and the back of your bra.
2. Then have them turn their hand 90 degrees so that it is perpendicular to your back.Their hand should not be very firmly wedged...
3. ...and they should not be able to pull your bra further away from your back.
 

The Cup Test


Your bra cups should be large enough to prevent breast tissue from bulging or spilling out over the neckline or armhole edges. You'll know if your bra cups are too large if they have wrinkling, or are clearly larger than both of your breasts.

Raise-Your-Arms Test


After fastening yourself into your bra, raise your arms. Does any breast tissue fall out from under the bottom of your cup? Does your bra slide up your body? If so, your cup may be too small and/or your bra band may be too big. You need to tweak your bra sizing because you are still not in the right bra size. Your correct size bra should stay put and have no movement when you are lifting your arms.

Breasts-In-The-Middle Test


When your breasts are in their cups and hoisted to where they should be, your bra cup apex should be half way between the top of your shoulder and your elbow. If lower than this, your band is probably too large and thus not giving your breasts enough support. And, if you are D cup and larger, the bra style could be wrong and you need a bra with seams in the cup for more breast support.

The Stoop, Swoop & Scoop Test


To know if you have the right size bra, you need to be sure you are “in” your bra. This is especially important for D cup sizes and larger

Here’s what you need to do:
1.) Stoop or lean forward from the waist and let your breasts drop into the cups
2.) Swoop – with the opposite hand, you gently bring your breast tissue forward from under your arms to make sure all your breast tissue is in your bra’s cups.
3.) Scoop your breast tissue up and into the underwire from under your bra band

Now, stand up straight. You might see some “fluffing” or a little breast tissue overflow on top of the cups and between your breasts. With each of your pointing fingers, start in the center and run them along the top edges of your cups. This usually gets rid of this bit of overflow. If it doesn’t and you still have breast spillage, you need to go up one or maybe even 2 more cup sizes. If your bra style is a balconette or demi style, this might not be the right style if you don’t like your look.
 

Underwire Test


Your breasts have a natural "crease line" where the underwire should fit comfortably against your ribcage (unless you have an unnatural breast crease (please seeAdditional Considerations for a detailed discussion).
1. Put on your bra properly, then assess your underwires.

• Underwire diameter is too small - The underarm end is poking breast tissue, or catches your arm as it moves forward. You need a larger cup size.
• Underwire diameter is too large - The underarm end is poking into your armpit. You need a smaller cup size or a bra with shorter underwires.

2. Assess your underwires in the middle of your chest

• Underwires are tilting forward and away from your chest – This is usually a sign that you need a larger cup size. But, this could also be caused by having touching breasts or splayed breasts. For a more detailed discussion about this, please refer to our Breast Separation Section.

3. The underwires in the middle of your chest should be resting comfortably against your sternum. The one exception to this would be a minimizer style bra.

• Underwires are coming up too high in the center – If so, chances are you are short waisted or petite in height. You would be better served with a demi or balconnete bra style which tends to have shorter underwires. HerRoom also works very closely with all our vendors to identify bras that work on petite women with a plus-size figure. Please see our petite plus size bras section in HerRoom’s bra department.

The diameter of your underwire is too small if the underarm end is poking breast tissue, or catches your arm as it moves forward. The diameter of your underwire is too large if the underarm end is poking into your armpit. The best underwire for you is one that encircles your breast, giving you a more rounded and defined look. Women short in stature find that some underwires poke them under their arms because the wires are simply too tall for their body frame. One solution is to select demi cup bras - the wires are shorter and thus will not poke.
The best underwire for you will be one that encircles your breast and gives you a more rounded and defined look. Women short in stature find that some underwires poke them under their arms because the wires are simply too tall for their body frame. One solution is to select demi cup bras - the wires are shorter and thus will not poke. Also, HerRoom identifies all bras with shorter underwires by grouping them in ourpetite plus size area in our bra department.

 

Center Panel Test


It's best if the center panel between the cups of your bra sits firmly against your chest (sternum). However, there are some exceptions.

1) Women with full touching breasts may not be able to achieve a center panel touching their sternum (see our section onBreast Separation for a detailed discussion).

2) The center panel of Wire-free (soft cup) bras may also not sit quite as firmly against your chest because these wire-free bras don’t have the benefit of wires to help tack at the sternum.

3) Minimizer bras many times to not touch at your sternum. Many times minimizer bras are designed without center panels, and their main purpose is to reduce breast projection. So, they could be pushing your breast tissue together in the center thus not allowing tacking at the sternum. And, this is fine.
So, here is your Center Panel Test. Poke your center panel or bridge towards your chest. Does your panel rest on your sternum or does your entire bra move when you poke your bra in the center? If it’s moving (and you do not have touching or splayed breasts), chances are you could go up a cup size and get a better fit.
 

Bra Strap Test


Shoulder straps on a bra should rest flat on your shoulders. They shouldn't cause dents or fall off your shoulders. Shoulder straps are designed to carry minimal breast weight (10% or less). If your shoulders have dents from your straps, then your straps are working too hard - you probably need a smaller band size to give your bra more support.
Here’s a quick strap test. With your bra on, drop your bra straps off your shoulders. Your bra should stay pretty much in place, but maybe move down just a little. If, however, your bra falls off, or significantly drops, your bra straps are doing too much of the lifting. Go down a band size (and up a cup size if the cups fit) and see what an improvement in support a smaller band size makes. And, if you are larger than a D cup, a bra with a band worked into the design that goes under the cups will give you even greater support.
Other reasons your straps could be slipping:

• The placement of the straps on your bra may be too wide. Wide-set straps are a popular look right now and are common on push-up bras due to the fact that wide-set straps tend to spill breast tissue inward to maximize cleavage. If you're wearing push up bras and are having this problem, you need to find a push-up bra style with straps attached to the top of the cups – rather than it’s sides.

• You have shallow upper breast tissue so there is not enough tissue to fill out the top of your cup.
This can cause your straps to slide down your shoulders. Putting breast enhancersin the bottom of your cup can move your breast tissue up and fill this void. Your straps should stop slipping off your shoulders.

• The straps are sewn too far apart on the back of your bra for your shoulders.
Look for bras where the straps are sewn closer together in the back. Also, if you are using a bra extender to increase your band size, you are also moving your straps further apart in back as well. This is exacerbating you’re your bra strap slippage.

• Your bra straps are attached to a ring in front and/or back.
This ring allows the strap to swivel and could cause the strap to fall off your shoulder. Avoiding this feature should solve your strap slippage issues.
 

Hook Test 


When trying on a new bra, it should feel snug on the first row of eyes. If the bra feels too loose, consider going down a band size (and up a cup size if you feel the cup size is correct.)
 

Sitting Test


Put on your new bra, then sit. Is it still comfortable? Sitting tends to give you a wider band size, and if you have a bit of a tummy, you will find this tummy moving up your torso once you sit down. If your bra is uncomfortable sitting, look for a bra style where there is an arched center panel – this gives the top of your tummy more room – or a bra style without an under-band.

Next, while sitting, lean forward. Does your bra gap in the cups? If yes, this bra style probably has too much cup coverage for you. A better choice could be a bra with smaller cup coverage.
 

Jump Up & Down Test 


This test is particularly great for the women with larger cup sizes. Hop up and down a few times while wearing your new bra. Do your girls stay in their cups? If yes, you’ve got a winner. IF your breasts start bouncing like crazy and seem to be coming out of your cups, you’ve probably got a band size too large. If you get a lot of flesh wiggle along the top of your bra cups, your cup size could be too small. But, keep in mind that unless your bra is a sports bra, there will be some movement – just shouldn’t be so much that you feel pain on your breast’s down swing. And, if you are trying this test while wearing a demi, balconette or plunge bra, all bets are off – these styles don’t promise to keep you contained if hopping.

Sports Bras – If you’re looking for a high impact sports bra, this jump test is a must. In fact 10 jumping jacks in a sports bra is a quick test of its support.

6 Ways to Tell If Your Bra Fits (By Marie Redding, About.com Guide)

80% of women are wearing a wrong sized bra!

Follow these 6 simple steps, and you'll be able to decide if a bra fits -- all you need is a mirror.


Fit Test #1: Check the Gore

·        What's the gore?
The gore is the center panel of an underwire bra -- the part of the bra that connects the cups in the front, between the breasts.

Not all bras have the same type or size gore, and some styles don't have this part at all. But if your bra has an underwire, then the gore will always be the part that's 'center front' -- and it should typically lie flat against your body.

The experts at Bare Necessities.com call it a Center Gore, and point out that it can be stretchy -- or not. According to the website, if the gore doesn't stretch, then the bra will be much more supportive. But -- it will also have a wider width measurement, which may or may not be right for your body type. 
·        How to Check the Gore's Fit:
Move around -- is the gore rising up off your chest? 

This is a common sign of an ill-fitting bra. The gore should stay flat against your sternum, even as you move around, bend over, or lift your arms up over your head.


·        When the gore doesn't lie flat, the cups may be too small, or the bra style may not be a good fit for your body type.
However, every 'rule' has exceptions.
"Minimizer bra styles tend to not rest against the breastbone, and this is fine," saysTomima Edmark, founder and CEO, HerRoom.com.


Fit Test #2: Check the Straps
·        Do your straps constantly slip off your shoulders?
Your bra might not be the right style for your body type -- the straps might be too wide-set.

Women who are petite or have narrow shoulders often have this issue, and sometimes can't wear bras with wide-set straps.

·        Do your straps feel too tight?
The straps should fit securely, but not tight -- check for red marks or indentations on your skin.

Your bra's straps are not solely responsible for providing lift and support -- that's a job for the back band and cups. They shouldn't feel uncomfortable, even if you wear a large cup size.


Fit Test #3: Check the Band
·        Does the back band ride up your back?
The band should lie straight against the middle of your back, parallel to the floor.
"It should lie below your shoulder blades," adds Tomima Edmark, founder and CEO,HerRoom.com.

If your band is riding up, then the band size may be too big.


·        Is the band digging into your skin?
The band shouldn't feel so tight that it's uncomfortable. If it does, then it's too small.
It should be snug -- but not tight. 
·        Another tip: If a new bra has an adjustable back band with several hooks, it's best if it fits on the tightest hook. You'll have room to adjust it, when it stretches out -- and all bras will eventually stretch due to normal washing and wearing.


Fit Test #4: Examine the Cups
·        Are there any bulges?
Check the top edge of your bra cups for any signs of 'spillage'. Make you sure your chest doesn't 'bubble' over the top edge of the cups.

Check all angles, looking at your side view in a mirror. You shouldn't see any spillage there, either.

Tomima Edmark, founder and CEO of Her Room.com, advises, "Pick up your arms up to make sure your chest isn't falling out from the bottom of the cups."

What if you're wearing a sexy, revealing demi-cup style bra?
Bulges are still a no-no!

There's a difference between showing the top of your chest the correct way -- above revealing, demi-style bra cups -- and when your chest is bulging out the wrong way. The top of your chest doesn't need to be completely covered, but it should look flush with the part of your chest that's contained in your bra cups -- not bulging out.

This is a common fit mistake that may be hard to spot at first, but try on different style bras until you know how to spot a bulge.

If you wear a large cup size or have a full figure:
It may be easier to spot a bulge if you put on a form-fitting T-shirt over the bra you're trying on. You can also feel the top of your T-shirt to make sure your chest -- and the spot where your bra cups end - are a "smooth slope" -- not bumpy and lumpy.

Any bulges or 'spillage' are signs that you need a larger cup size. If that doesn't work, you may need a more full-coverage style, or a bra that's designed for plus-sizes.


·        Are there any gaps inside the bra cup?
Check the part of your bra where the strap attaches to the cup.

If there's any extra room, or any wrinkles on the outside of the cup, then your cup size is too big.


Fit Test #5: Is the Underwire a Good Match for your Body Type?
·        Does the underwire feel comfortable as you move around?
The underwire should lie flat against your skin, without moving away from your body.

If it doesn't, you may need to try a different brand, bra style, or band size. Underwires are made in different lengths, and each type gives cups a different shape curve, depending on the bra's style and brand.


·        Do you feel the wire poking near your underarm?
"This is a common issue among shorter women, because the wire is too long for your body type," says Tomima Edmark, founder and CEO, HerRoom.com.

A smaller cup size, or smaller cup style, such as a demi-cup, will have a shorter wire and may fit better.


Fit Test #6: Check the Overall Look
·        Does your chest look like it's pushed too close together -- or too far apart?
Your band size may be wrong, or the bra style isn't right for your body type.


·        Is your bra forcing your chest to extend beyond the sides of your torso?
This is a common fit mistake, which causes many women to look top-heavy.

Check a mirror from all angles to make sure your chest is in line with the sides of your body. Your chest should only extend out in front of your torso, not from the sides.

If you realize you have this issue, you'll be amazed at how much thinner you'll look the second you find a bra that fits better. (Check yourself out in a form-fitting T-shirt -- it'll be easier to notice the difference.)
The Bottom Line

Now that you know some of the tips and tricks the experts use to assess a bra's fit, bra shopping will undoubtedly be less stressful -- and more fun.

Just remember -- don't ever trust the size on a tag, and don't settle for anything less than a perfect fit.