You should always fasten your new bra on the loosest hook. In fact, it should be on the loosest when it's brand new. This is because it will stretch as you wash and wear it, so you'll need to fasten tighter when this happens.
When you first get your bra, you should always wear it on the loosest hook, where the band should fit snuggly without digging in — you should be able to slip two fingers underneath the band to know you've found your perfect fit. If it's uncomfortable or feels too restrictive, your band may be too small.
When wearing a new bra, be sure to start on the loosest hook. That way, you can tighten it as the band naturally stretches over time. The band should feel comfortably snug around your body without constricting, and it should definitely not feel as though your band is digging in.
Women with larger/heavier breasts will benefit from bras that have at least three rows of hook and eye closures, which offer additional stability and support. This is why you'll find that bras made by brands that specialize in full bust bras will typically always have a minimum of three rows.
Your new bra may feel tight… may be too tight, at first. The materials are new and, like your favorite shoes, they need to be broken in a bit to be comfortable, especially if you have been wearing a bra too loosey-goosey. It takes wearing it 5 - 6 times and washing it a few times to break in a good bra.
You should always fasten your new bra on the loosest hook.
This is because it will stretch as you wash and wear it, so you'll need to fasten tighter when this happens. If you naturally gravitate towards the tightest hook on a brand new bra, chances are it's too big for you.
No matter the type of bra, the band should fit comfortably around your body, snug but not tight. Remember to always start a new bra on the loosest hook and hook tighter as the band stretches over time.
Like most of us, bras need their space. The best way to store your bras to keep their shape is by standing them up in your top drawer with the cups inside each other — never folded or crumpled.
The reason closures are usually in the front is because it's simpler to sew. There isn't enough space in the front for a 3x3 hook closure; so most bras that close in the front have just a simple hook and eye, and the whole construction looks rather unstable and incapable of supporting bigger breast sizes.
A longline bra is a bra that extends past the bustline and down to your waist or hips. The advantage of a longline bra is that it can slim your waistline while offering comfort and support. Longline bras are available in strapless, wired, wireless, or padded styles.
Bulging. The most obvious signs to look for is any kind of bulging, whether at the front or sides, which is a sure-fire sign the fit is not right. The bra should always sit smoothly on the body. And when you take your bra off, check for any marks on the skin, most typically on the shoulders.
If your bra's center panel is not resting on your sternum, this could be a sign that your cup size is too small. If the underwires are pointing outward and away from your body, this too is a sign that your cup size could be too small. The band of the bra should be parallel to the floor.
The center of the bra doesn't sit flat.
The band might be too big — try going down a band size and up a cup size. On the other hand, the cup might be too small — try going up a cup size, or even just half a cup size. The other possible reason is that your breast type is messing with the center gore.
It's generally recommended that a bra should last anywhere between 6-9 months, although we think that with good care your bras should last a lot longer. We encourage you to look after them as much as they look after you - extending the life of your clothes by even a small amount has a significant environmental benefit.
“As soon as the breasts start growing breast buds, small (sometimes very tender) bumps below the nipples, is typically when girls start wearing training bras,” said Dr. Kronborg. “Normally, by the time a girl can fill a B cup is when she'll eventually require a standard bra.”
The number of hooks on a bra is based on the actual width of the bra at the back closure. And, the width of the back of the bra is really proportionate to cup size. Small cup sizes only require 1 or 2 hooks. Bigger cup sizes can require 3, 4, or 5 hooks.
Your bra should support your bust in a way that encourages your breasts to sit centered on your chest in an upright motion, facing forward. The bra should not overly separate or bring together the breasts in an uncomfortable or overly transformative way.
Front-clasp bras tend to create a smoother silhouette with fewer lines or bumps — a must under clingy or form-fitting fabrics. Plus, without hook-and-eye hardware in the back, they can be more comfortable against the skin, especially if you're leaning against a chair with a rigid back all day.
If the bra wire is digging into your skin, it's most likely because you're wearing the wrong bra size. The issue may be: Your cup size is too small. Your band size is too small.
Most people have between one and four special occasion bras, though some may have more depending on their style and what type of clothes they like to wear. You might own anywhere between five and 15 (or even more) bras. It all depends on your lifestyle and your preferences.
As a guideline, you should be able to comfortably run two fingers under both sides of the bra at the same time. If the bra pulls away from your body easily, it is too loose. If you have trouble getting your fingers under the band and it feels uncomfortable, it is too tight. The band should be level front and back.
For the smaller breast there can be empty space left in the cup. This is completely normal. However, if there's empty space in both cups then your cup size is too big. You often can't tell that the cups are too big if you're wearing a padded bra, so feel for empty space by pressing on the cups with your fingers.
Bra overflow happens when the top of the breast tissue doesn't fit into the cup of the bra. This can happen for a variety of reasons or a combination of them: Cup size. If you're wearing a cup that's too small the cups won't properly cover the correct amount of breast tissue.
Since the bra's wings (back and sides) are elastic, the band will stretch. It'll take about two weeks for a newly bought bra to adjust to the shape of the body, so make sure that it's not too loose the first time you try it on.
BRA PROBLEM - WHY DO bras BULGE AT THE SIDES? If you have unwanted bra bulge at the sides it could be the bra band is too narrow. Alternatively the bra band size could be too small or the bra cup size is too small.