For many women, scheduling a root canal appointment sounds less intimidating than shopping for a new bra. This is because finding the perfect fit is notoriously difficult, especially for petite women or those with smaller than average breasts. However, the process doesn’t have to be embarrassing, frustrating or painful when women follow the tips below. Hopefully, these tips are helpful enough that women are willing to buy multiple bras to keep on hand for different occasions.

Body type is just as important as size

It’s fairly easy for women to determine their bra size by encircling their chest with a soft tape measure or by having a salesperson do it for them. Knowing your breast shape and body shape can be a bit trickier, according to Today Style’s Lee Stabert.

For example, one woman may be tall and have breasts that form a flat silhouette, while another is short and full in the chest area. The most important thing women can do when selecting a new bra is to make sure it flatters their bust line. Women with large busts don’t want to choose a bra that has excess fabric. When worn under a shirt, it’s likely to bunch up and draw attention she doesn’t want.

Remember that breasts change

One thing that women often don’t take into account is that their breasts change over time. Pregnancy, lactation, and the normal aging process can significantly alter the size and appearance of the breasts. After trying on and shopping for a bra, Stabert recommends wearing it with the loosest hook available. Continued wear causes the elastic in the bra band to stretch, which means that the woman who wears the bra can eventually select hooks that make the bra more snug.

Women should be willing to replace a bra when it begins to feel uncomfortable rather than trying to force an improper fit. Even if she doesn’t realize it, the size and shape of her breasts may have changed since she first bought the bra. Fuller-figured women may need to replace their bras every four months, while those with a B or C cup can often go up to 18 months between new bra purchases. (Source: TodayStyle)

Pay attention to the materials in the bra

Every woman wants to know that the bra they just bought will fit them, especially when they made the purchase online. One important factor to keep in mind is that the fabric the bra is made from makes a big difference in fit and comfort. If the fabric of the bra band is inflexible, women can safely assume that they should buy a bra that is at least one size larger. Also, each bra is made with a different cut. If it’s extra lace or designed to show cleavage, it will fit differently than something that is appropriate to wear to work. (Source: LuLa Lu’s Blog)

Lastly, bra shoppers should remember that each brand sizes their bras differently. Someone wearing a 36B in one brand may need to buy a bra with a larger cup size and chest circumference in another brand.

Sources:

1. Today Style, “8 Things Nobody Told You About Bra Shopping: A Supportive Guide,” http://www.today.com/style/8-things-no-one-ever-told-you- about-bra-shopping-2D80177922

2. LuLa Lu Blog, “Bra Shopping 101 for Small Bust Women: Is This Bra True to Size?”, http://blog.lulalu.com/2014/12/15/bra-shopping-for -small-busted- woman-size-true/