Size Does Matter - Bra Size, That Is!
Think about the first bra you ever bought. What did it look like? Where did you buy it? Did you get measured or just grab and go? I remember buying my first real bra at Kohl’s because I thought it was cute, but I know I just picked a random size that looked right. It was pink and I wore it nearly everyday until the wires came out in the washer! Most importantly, it was horribly uncomfortable.
At the time, I was young and thought maybe all bras were uncomfortable and ill fitting. Mine all certainly were! Sometime in college I got fitted for a bra for the first time and I was shocked that the size was so completely different from what I had been wearing. But that was not my permanent size. Over time, I would both gain and lose lots of weight which kept my bra size in perpetual change of letters and numbers. I eventually got frustrated and began only wearing bralettes because they came in much less specific sizes.
It’s a very common problem! 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size. Most likely we are wearing something significantly smaller which creates the discomfort we all know and love. Bands that cause bulge, straps that dig in, and spillage over the sides like a glass that’s too full! Sound familiar? This sizing problem could cause a few problems that you need to know about!
Postural Changes
A bra that is too small will pull your shoulders down and forward creating rounded shoulders. This forced slouching will lead to muscular changes in your back that will keep you in that position even after you take the bra off. Over time, your spine and musculature become fixed in this forward position which can cause lasting damage to your spine!
2. Headaches
The strain from being pulled into a slouched posture all day can cause muscle tension in your neck that can lead to headaches. Finding the right size can be a headache, but a bra that is causing you a tension headache belongs in the trash!
3. Skin Abrasions
If a band or strap is too tight it could be causing skin abrasions in the form of bruising, scraping and even bleeding. Constantly inflaming the same area of skin for too long can cause moles and premature aging in the area. If your bra is leaving marks on your skin, bye-bye bra!
4. Blocked Lymph Nodes
The area where bra straps and underwire traditionally sit is located over lots of tiny lymph nodes that move fluid around in your body. If a strap is too tight over that area constantly, the fluid could be unable to drain properly leading to a build up of lymphatic fluid.
5. Shortness Of Breath
If your bra is too small, the pressure could be causing you to have shortness of breath especially when exercising. If you feel chest tightness or pain when inhaling, chances are that bra is far too small! Your ribs and lungs should be able to expand fully with each breath without discomfort.
If you, like many others, have been wearing the same size bra for more than 3 years - you need to get resized! Our bodies change shape and size over time to accommodate our needs. Sizing charts can seem intimidating and I am not an expert. For a quick measurement you can do at home all you need is a flexible tape measure.
Know Your Size
Take the tape measure and place it comfortably around your ribs where a bra band would sit normally. Add 3 to the nearest whole number measurement. Let’s say this is 36 inches for our example.
Now take the tape measure and place it comfortably around your breast at the level of your nipples. Round this number to the nearest whole number. Let’s use 40 for our example.
Now subtract the first number from the second number : 40 inches - 36 inches = 4
These numbers would make our example a size 36D.
When it comes to your bra, Size Does Matter!
