ARE YOU WEARING THE WRONG BRA SIZE? 8 Telltale Signs.

We are often told that bra size measurements should be left to professionals - which is why most of us have remained a 32A since we got our first bra fitting at 13. It's amazing how often we go lingerie shopping and buy the prettiest or the cheapest bra we find without regard for our actual bra size. If the straps are loose enough and the band is just as tight then why not? I know this because I speak from personal experience.

This kind of thinking, while temptingly easy is all fine and well until you get that first back pain, or you being to notice those painful dark scares from having your bra straps dig into your shoulder. Let's not forget a good bra makes you look and feel great, all the things you shouldn't expect while in the wrong bra size

While it isn't entirely worng that bra fittings should be left to the professionals, you can take matters into your own hands to find out if you need a new bra fitting. Here are a few signs that will give you an idea if you do.

1. You notice:

a.) Your boobs are spilling over the cups giving the impression of four boobs.

b.) Your boobs are spilling at the side.

c.) If you life your arm over your head, your bra doesn't lie flat on your ribcage.

What that means:

You’re wearing too small of a cup and too large of a band.

Bras that are too small in cup size will compress your breasts and form bulges on your sides. While many women like to wear a cup size smaller for the look of larger breasts, it is actually uncomfortable, doesn’t give proper support and causes unnecessary strain to the body. There should be no breast tissue spilling out anywhere else besides inside your cups and you shouldn’t have underwire poking at your sides or causing bulges on your sides!

2. You notice:

a.) Your bra straps are too tight on your shoulders.

What that means:

Your chest is not getting enough support

Bra straps shouldn’t cut into your shoulders—your band provides 80% of the bust support, while your straps should only be giving 20% of the support. If your straps are cutting into your skin, that means they’re giving too much support and are adding strain to your shoulders, which can lead to shoulder and back pains.You need to go down a band size. The smaller your band size, the more support for your bust and the less strain on your shoulders!

3. You notice:

a.) The gore (middle fabric between the cups) doesn’t touch your skin.

What that means:

You are wearing a smaller cup size than you need.

The gore is the fabric that connects the cups of your bra at the front. Is the gore of your bra pushed forward, away from your skin? The gore should rest flatly against your chest wall. The gore doesn’t rest against your chest wall when the cups are too small. You need to move up a cup size so that the band is able to give you proper support.

4. You notice:

a.) Your bra has wrinkles.

What that means:

The cups of your bra are too large for your chest.

If you wear cloth bras, you’d be able to see if there are any wrinkles or puckering on the cups. There may also be extra fabric at the top, all which doesn’t look great under clothes. You need to move down a cup size. Your bra shouldn’t have wrinkles if it fits properly.

Here are few more facts to help you:

1. If you gains 5-7 pounds your bra size will change.

2. Bra sizes are inconsitent between brands.

3. Well-made bras last up to 100 washes and wears before they change size.

4. Your bra size changes during your menstural cycle.

5. You need new bras if you machine wash your bras

Need more help figuring out your bra size?

Read: How to measure your bra size at home: 3 easy steps

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