the Right Bra Matters!
Okay, let’s talk about the girls for a moment, shall we? One of the most common style mistakes we women make (and I’m specifically talking about those of us that are feeling the effects of gravity) is not having the right sized bra or enough support to hold the girls up and at attention. Generally speaking, if you were to measure the length of your arm from the top of your shoulder to your elbow, your bustline should fall right at the center between the two. In most cases for women over 40, we tend to see the pull downward more towards the elbow line. This means two things: (1) either you don’t have the right sized bra OR (2) the bra you have does not provide you with the support you need.
Why does this matter?
Well - because when the girls are standing at attention and in their rightful place, everything else fits and flows more appropriately. It also shifts your center of gravity away from the middle (which is where us middle aged women tend to carry a little extra fluff) and creates more of the silhouette or balanced look and having the right bra is essential to creating this balance.
What do we do about it?
Investing in a good bra is essential! This is an area where we do not want to skimp. For those of you that are close to a department store where they have a bra fitter on staff (e.g. Nordstrom’s or Macy’s), taking the time to be appropriately measured and fit for the right bra and cup size is so worth the awkwardness! Especially if your weight has fluctuated or if your bra’s are a bit old and outdated, taking the time to do this is essential. If you do not have a department store close to you, you can grab a measuring tape and measure yourself by doing the following:
Step 1 - Measure just under the fleshy part of your breast to obtain your chest measurement. Measure without a bra on to be as accurate as possible with the tape measure on your skin.
Step 2 - Measure your breast line, again without a bra on, with the tape measure on your skin
Step 3 - Calculate the difference between the two to identify your cup size
For example, if the first measurement is a 38 and the second is a 42, then you are a 38D.
Once you determine the sizing, you then want to make sure to invest in one that is going to give you the support you need. For example, if you measure a 38D, you want to make sure you have a structurally sound bra that is going to give you good coverage.
Here are a few good brands that I would recommend:
Knix: Knix wireless bra’s have great options for both full coverage as well as contouring and sports bra’s too. They also have a virtual fitting service as well.
Spanx: I love the versatility that Spanx offers in their bra options as they have one for every size, style and support needed. I particularly love the full coverage and wireless options for us women over 40!
True: The Body V-neck bra by True provides full, seamless coverage that is super comfortable!
In general, when trying on any bra, look for the following to ensure it fits you in the right way:
You should fill out the cups without any gaping (which means the cup is too big), or overflow (a sign the cup is too small).
The band shouldn’t go high up or too low on your back and the center gore of the bra should lie flat against your breast bone.
The straps should sit comfortably on your shoulders. Adjusting the straps can help you find a better fit — making the straps tighter can often give you more lift and support, which helps get rid of back and shoulder pain.
Be sure to check your side view to make sure your bustline falls between your elbow and the top of your shoulder.
I hope this information is helpful to ensure you have the right fitted bra! This is the important first step to any outfit you wear! Let’s keep those girls up where they should be! ;-)