Fitting Guide
Ask yourself these questions…..
If the answer is yes, you need a different bra!
Does your bra ride up in the back?
Do you “slouch” forward with your straps digging into your shoulders?
Does your back regularly ache by evening?
Does your breast tissue “puff” out around your bra?
Do your breasts appear to sag and bounce when you move?
Do they hurt when you exercise?
Do your underwires dig in, poke out, or bruise?
Start with measuring
While there are formulas out there to determine your approximate bra size, the most important measurement is your underbust, as this will determine your band size.
Place the tape measure under your breasts, as close as you can, and measure around the rib cage, keeping the tape measure as level around (not dipping or rising in the back) as you can. If the number is odd or between numbers, go up to the next even number. This number is your band size.
For example, our mannequin is measuring at thirty-one inches. Its band size would be 32.
Check the band fit
When you put on a bra, make sure it fits right!
The band should sit flush to your skin, not digging in or gaping off. It should be snug, but not painfully tight. If too loose, it will creep up your back as you wear it and offer no support.
A new bra should fit comfortably on the loosest set of hooks. As the bra ages and stretches with wear, the band can be tightened by hooking into the next sets of hooks. When your bra feels loose on the tightest set of hooks, it’s time for a new bra!
Check the cup fit
The cups should be fully filled out, with very little space under the straps, without spilling over the top. Make sure to pull all breast tissue into the cup by reaching inside the cup, under the armpit, and pulling the tissue forward into the cup.
If the bra has an underwire, it should sit snug to the skin fully, framing the breast where it touches the ribcage. There should be no gap, and no folded over tissue inside the cup. Check by running a finger under the wire; if a gap is found, pull the bra cup up and reposition breast until there is no gap remaining. If there is folded over tissue, pull the breast tissue up until it sits smoothly in the cup.
Check the strap fit
Straps should be snug but not tight. They should never dig into the skin! You should be able to comfortably fit two fingers under the strap.
On the other hand, the straps should not be so loose they are falling off your shoulders. A happy medium is the ideal.
If your straps are falling off your shoulders even when tight, the bra proportions may be wrong for your body. There are many styles of bra that have the straps land on different parts of the shoulder, so we will work with you to find the one that works best for you.
Did you buy a Custom Fit Bra Company bra and lose your “Fitting and Care” guide? View and download it here!