All About Bras

I think every woman remembers her first bra experience. It's one of those pinnacle moments in a young girl's life when she begins to feel like a woman. Even if you're not buying your first bra, it's still important to know what your looking for. How do you determine your size, what style to you need? When is it okay to wear a push up? About.com has supplied an article just on this sort of topic:

The Importance of Knowing Your Bra Size

A poorly fitting bra can cause back problems, muscle tension, and even headaches. Since teens are still growing the strains caused by an improperly fit bra can lead to life long problems with posture and back pain. To ensure that you are wearing the right size bra you should be fit by a lingerie consultant once a year or after every noticeable growth spurt.

Different Bras for Different Reasons

After you have the right size the next thing to think about is why the bra is needed. Is it for support, coverage, comfort or athletics? Bras come in a variety of fits and fabrics. There are different styles of bras designed for specific body types, fashions and activities. No one bra can do it all!

First/Training Bras

Training bras are for young girls who have started to develop breasts but do not yet fit the standard bra sizes. A young girl who has started to develop breasts should wear a training bra but there is no harm in letting a girl get one before there is a real need. Remember, training bras are intended for girls of any age who have started to get breasts and who are not yet able to be fitted with a regular bra. If your breast size warrants a full fitting bra you should wear one, even if you are very young.

Light Support Bras

Light support bras usually have no under wire and are good for girls with smaller breasts. They are less constricting than full support bras and many girls feel that they are more comfortable. Because they are wireless they offer less shaping than other bras and are most flattering on trimmer figures. These bras come in padded and unpadded versions, which you choose is really a matter of personal preference.

Full Support Bras

Full support bras usually have an under wire or plastic boning holding them up. They can be worn by girls of any breast size and are a must for those with larger cup sizes. These bras offer a shapely cut and have a structured build. These also come in padded or unpadded version and are flattering on any figure type.

Push Up Bras

Once called padded bras, push up bras are designed to show off cleavage. These bras lift the breasts and add shape to them with extra padding. Some more innovative push up bras use silicone inserts or water sacks to imitate the fullness of a natural breasts. They are said to lift and separate creating a full cleavage look on breasts of all sizes. These bras always offer lots of support.

Sports Bras

Of all the bras the sports bra is probably the most important one for growing teens to have. Sports bras stop the breasts from moving during athletic activity. Breast tissue is very delicate and growing breast tissue needs to be protected during high impact exercise. Even girls with smaller breasts should invest in a good sports bra if they take physical education or participate in sports.

How to find your size

Sizes mean nothing!! One manufacturer's size 8 is another one's 12. UK sizes look the same as US, but they're not. Because US sizing has changed over the years, finding your size in vintage clothing can be a challenge. But armed with your accurate measurements, you can decipher any sizing system.

What you'll need - A cloth tape measure and a full length mirror. Take measurements undressed or in lightweight clothes. Pull the tape measure snug, but not too tight. Keep your arms at your side and have a friend take the measurements, for the best results. And don't slouch! Stand up nice and tall.

Bust
Measure around the shoulder blades, under the armpits and over the fullest part of the bust.

Waist
Find your natural waistline and measure.

Hip
Measure the fullest part of the hip (usually about 7-9 inches below the waist)

Bra Size
1. Wear a comfortable bra and measure the rib cage just below the breast. If the number is 33 or less, add 5 inches to that number and that is your bra size. Over 33 inches add 3 inches to get you bra size. Both ways, rounding odd numbers up to even.

2. Then take measure the bust around the fullest part. When you subtract the last number (fullest part) by the among of your bra size, you'll come up with a number used to determine cup size by using the chart below (the A,B,C, etc. cup chart) For example if your bra size was 36 and your cup measurement was 38, the difference is 2" so you would wear a 36B.

Use this chart:

AA = 1/2"
A = 1"
B = 2"
C = 3"
D = 4"
DD or E = 5"
F = 6"
G = 7"