This year, the bra turns 100! And to celebrate, the lingerie brand Triumph is on a mission to give 100,000 women worldwide a professional fitting. We of course jumped at the opportunity when the company offered to let some of our editors be part of those 100,000 women; most of the 30 ladies on staff who volunteered had never been fitted before—and 50 percent were wearing the wrong size! Here are a few of the things we learned while being sized up:
You Can Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About Sizes
Some women were shocked to learn that they were a C, D, or even DD cup. On the whole, most women were wearing a bra with a band size that was too big and a cup size that was too small. Keep in mind: Your band should be snug against your chest (without digging into it), and your cup should sit flat against your breasts without any puckering or double-boob action. When you’re wearing a bra that fits well, you won’t be able to see or notice it through your clothes—which will give you a strong foundation for the outfit you put on top of it.
MORE: 5 Pointers for Finding a Bra That Fits
Regular Fittings Are a Must
Because our bodies change over time, you can’t just buy bras based on the same fitting that you got 10 years ago. The pros from Triumph recommend getting a fitting about once a year so you can always make sure you’re buying a size that makes you look and feel great in the body you have now—not the one you had three swimsuit seasons ago.
You Have to Try On Every. Single. Bra.
We know, we know—sometimes you just want to get in and out of the lingerie department ASAP. But as we learned from our professional fittings, you can’t just “know†you’re a 34B and call it a day. Because sizing varies from lingerie brand to lingerie brand (and even from bra to bra within the same lingerie brand!), you have to try on every single brassiere you’re considering buying.
Trying New Styles Makes Bra-Shopping Fun!
One staff member was surprised by how great her girls looked in a lace cup (she had always assumed they would look saggy or like they had an awkward shape). It just goes to show—you’ll never know how your ladies will look in a certain type of bra until you put it on. So if something on the rack catches your eye, go ahead and slip it on for a test-drive.
MORE: Shop Your Shape: The Sexiest LingerieÂ
Smaller Is Generally Smarter
Of course, it’s best to get a fit that’s absolutely perfect from the start. But if you’re debating between two sizes—one that’s ever-so-slightly too small and one that’s ever-so-slightly too big, go for the smaller size. Why? Bras loosen up over time as you wash and wear them. By the same token, bras don’t last forever—if it isn’t fitting correctly anymore or you start to feel a little off when you wear it, it’s time to toss it.
And in case you’re curious, most of our editors chose Triumph’s Amourette Spotlight Tee Shirt Bra ($54) after their fittings—it’s sexy but still practical enough for everyday wear.
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