Working out your correct bra size can be surprisingly difficult. Victoria’s Secret found that out the hard way after facing mockery over an awkward mistake at its annual fashion show on Sunday.
The long-established lingerie label, known for selling £40 bras, drew criticism online after sending Kylie Jenner onto the catwalk wearing a £37million diamond-studded bra that viewers claimed ‘didn’t even fit’.
Choosing a bra without taking breast shape or spacing into account is one of the most common shopping mistakes, according to Jené Luciani Sena of US intimates brand Shapermint, author of The Bra Book.
Jené and Milly Major, senior design manager at UK lingerie brand Curvy Kate, have outlined the bra blunders almost every woman makes at some point — from fastening a bra at the front to purchasing one that feels comfortable only on the tightest hook.
The list of potential pitfalls is extensive, including depending on the same one or two reliable bras and worrying excessively about visible panty lines, or VPL.
Fortunately, each issue has a straightforward fix. Making a few adjustments can improve both the fit and the bra’s durability, helping you avoid repeatedly replacing lingerie that has lost its shape.
Kylie Jenner wearing Victoria’s Secret’s astonishing £37million Fantasy Bra
1. Stop: Assuming the same bra size will fit in every shop or brand
Knowing your bra size does not necessarily mean you can order that size confidently from every brand. It is one of the most common errors shoppers make.
Jené said: ‘Sizing can vary between manufacturers and even between styles within the same brand, so a 34D in one bra might not fit the same way in another. Instead, use your size as a guideline and be open to trying different options.’
Rather than focusing only on the number and cup letter, she advises judging how the bra sits and feels on your body. She also noted that sizing can differ between American and European brands.
‘Wireless bras can be a great option if you’re unsure, as they accommodate a range of sizes and don’t need to hit specific fit points, like the centre gore tacking in between your breasts, to fit properly,’ she said.
2. Stop: Buying a bra that is comfortable only on the tightest hook.
It may seem logical to fasten a new bra on its tightest hook for the most secure feel.
But bras loosen naturally through regular wear and washing. Starting on the tightest setting leaves no useful adjustment room once the fabric begins to stretch and lose its elasticity.
‘Instead, a new bra should generally fit securely and comfortably on the loosest hook, as this allows you to move to a tighter hook over time as the band stretches,’ Jené explained.
3. Stop: Tightening the straps when your bra begins to lose support.
‘If your bra starts to feel loose or your breasts aren’t as supported as they once were, your instinct might be to tighten the shoulder straps all the way,’ Jené said.
In reality, the band supplies around 90 per cent of a bra’s support, so tighter straps cannot make up for a band that has stretched. They may also dig painfully into your shoulders.
Check whether the band is riding up at the back or feels loose around your body. If it no longer provides a firm fit, replacing the bra is likely a better solution than continually tightening the straps.
She also recommended tightening the straps every day, adding: ‘An easy mistake women make is that they forget to tighten the straps after washing their bras or when they’re going on a second day of wear. This can lead to it unknowingly feeling loose.’
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Before you wear a freshly washed bra, tighten the straps, as this little trick also instantly fixes gaping in the cups, Jene said.
4. Stop: Choosing a bra without considering how your breasts are positioned or their shape.
Breast shape isn’t just about size. How far apart your breasts sit, their fullness and projection, volume distribution, and where the breast tissue or root of the breast begins can all affect which bra works best for you.
‘A style designed to bring the breasts towards the centre may not feel comfortable or provide the shape you want if your breasts naturally sit further apart,’ she explained.
Jene recommends trying different cup shapes and centre-gore designs to find one that sits comfortably and supports your natural shape.
5. Stop: Assuming a sports bra should feel tight.
Sports bras are designed for different activities, and the level of support you need for yoga isn’t necessarily the same as for running.
‘Choosing a bra simply because it feels tight can be just as unhelpful as choosing one that doesn’t provide enough support,’ Jene said. ‘Excessive compression can restrict comfortable movement, while insufficient support may allow too much breast movement during higher-impact exercise.’
Instead, choose your sports bra according to the activity and how it feels during movement, instead.
‘Look for a secure, comfortable fit that provides appropriate support without restricting your breathing or digging into your skin,’ she advised. ‘Often the label will tell you what activity level it’s designed for, so be sure to check there too.’
6. Stop: Putting bras in the dryer
‘Since it’s generally considered ok to machine wash your bras these days (in a mesh bag with cool water on a gentle cycle of course), many women mistakenly think it’s fine to just toss their bras into the dryer,’ Jene said.
This is the quickest way to break down the materials and elasticity in your bra, she added, noting: ‘It’s literally our bra’s kryptonite.’
Instead, hang dry your bras as you’ll get much more use out of them.
7. Stop: Assuming wireless means ‘no support’.
On the contrary, due to advancements in design and technology, wireless bras nowadays provide just as much support as their metal wire predecessors, Jene said.
‘Wireless bras support busts up to a G cup with features like longer and wider bands, jelly strips, structured foam cups and wider straps rather than relying on an underwire.
‘So women who have written off wireless bras because they think they won’t offer enough support may simply not have found the right style!’
8. Stop: Fastening the bra front-to-back and swivelling it. Instead, practice the ‘swoop and scoop’ method.
Jene told the Daily Mail that the best way to wear a bra is to bend at the waist so all your breast tissue falls forward and ‘swoop and scoop’ breast tissue toward the centre so it settles properly in each cup.