No, this isn’t some kind of "17 ways to drop four dress sizes NOW!!!” type of article. But if you suffer from the awful terror that is back fat rolls, there is a simple, effective and healthy way to get rid of it (not to mention all that slouching you do), and it’s all in the 10 seconds it takes to have your bra size professionally evaluated.
The bra has been in the news at lot recently because the unmentionable has had her 100th birthday! And it’s estimated that between 80- 90 percent of us is wearing the wrong bra size. That means we’re suffering from bad posture (that can lead to back, shoulder and neck pain), rolls of fat on our backs (and this happens to very slim women as well as those with curves) and generally looking like our breasts are trying to have a face-to-face conversation with our bellies.
We know that over time we gain weight, lose weight, maintain weight and then do it all over again. We lament our size 8s as we put on our size 14s. Yet somehow we choose the same bra size no matter what. Our breast size and shape changes over time, just like our waist size. It’s time to reevaluate our girls to make sure they are well taken care of.
Taking our measurements at home is pretty easy. To find out your band size (this is the number part) get a measurement tape and put the tape fairly snugly under your arms and around your chest (over your breasts, not on top of them). If your size falls on an even number (say, 38) then that’s your size. If it falls on an uneven number (say, 39) then round up to the next even size (40).
To find out your cup size, remember than an A, B, C or D cup is a one inch difference from your width size. Size A being one inch and a D being four inches. Place the tape around the fullest part of your breasts instead of over your breasts. Subtract your band size from the cup size measurement. So for example if your band size is 38 and your cup size is 42, then your bra size is 38D.
Or if you can’t be bothered with that, all bra stores offer very quick and free professional sizing.
Once you have the right fit, you’ll see that your breasts stand nicely to attention (not sagging, nor pointing to the sky, unless you’re in a 1990s Madonna state of mind) and the band at the back is straight across – not reaching up your back or pulled down.
The difference between a well fitted bra and a badly fitted one is huge. Well-fitted bras should be smooth, showing curvy but firm contours and with no unsightly layers of back fat oozing out from your band. Large women should have minimal back fat with the right fit.
And it’s not all about fashion or for aesthetic reasons. A well fitted bra eases pain (especially with large breasted women) improves posture quite dramatically and generally, well, perks a woman up.
And to show I walk the walk, I recently had a fitting myself; I was sure that I had my size down pat, since I had it professionally sized a couple of years ago. But I wasn’t looking my best so headed for a professional sizing . Result : throw me in with the “up to 90 percent of women” group who didn’t have the correct size. I chose several new bras at the right size and have been a new woman since. And not a roll in sight!
When it comes to price – this time you really do get what you pay for. Investing in some very well made (read: potentially expensive) bras are worth every penny. They fit better and last longer. Just hand -wash them or use the delicate cycle and don’t dare put them in the dryer!
For more on bras and correct sizing, check out Bare Necessities here: http://www.barenecessities.com/fit_sizing.aspx and remember to support your bra so she supports you!