Finding the perfect bra is difficult for any woman — let’s face it, not many of us love bra shopping — but if you’re a full-busted woman then you’re in for a whole other world of challenges.
Those measuring up on the larger side of a DD no longer know bra shopping as a leisurely activity, but rather a well-planned mission, with a list of targets to be achieved. Grabbing the first thing you see on the rack will simply not suffice.
So when it comes to big boobs, our personal motto has become, ‘Why shame them when you can frame them?’ With that in mind, we present our tips and tricks to bra shopping for big boobs.
1. Get fitted
Knowing your correct bra size is important for all women but busty women even more so. From quad-boobs (i.e. that second pair of boobs you get when you’re spilling out of the cups) to unnecessary back rolls, having the wrong bra can wreak havoc with your overall shape.
The four basic rules for a good bra fit:
The centre front of the bra sits flush against your breastbone.
If you’re wearing underwire, it sits behind the breast tissue and not on top of it. Use the ‘scoop and swoop’ technique to get this right: bend forward and scoop your breasts into the cups. Finish by separating breasts through the middle with your fingers.
You’re not spilling out of the cups at all.
The bra band sits level all the way around and doesn’t creep up at the back. Your bra should be a snug fit — not something that needs adjusting all day.
Once you move into bigger sizes, you really do need a professional fit to make sure you’re getting the right support, according to bra expert Debra Kinney, owner of DeBra’s.
“In my experience fitting with a tape measure is only accurate on an A-D cup bust size, up to about a size 14. After this it is very rare that you get the exact fit,” says Debra. “Choosing a bra within different brands, styles, colours and fabrics can all add to a difference in size.”
2. Invest in quality support
As envious as it can make you seeing less-endowed women spending $20 on a pretty bra at the supermarket, there are benefits to investing in expensive (read: well-constructed and long-lasting) intimates.
In the end, a supportive bra will save you back pain and 20 visits to the bra shop later in the year.
3. MYTH: Big boobs mean you can only wear old-lady bras
Thank goodness this is no longer true. While once upon a time you would be told not to worry because, “no one will see your beige nanna bra under your t-shirt” now, you don’t have worry if they do.
Lingerie designers have heard your changing-room cries and found some common ground between style and support. Take Elomi for example who have created the Matilda Plunge Bra that is far from anything your nanna would wear with its lacy design and good uplift all the way to a JJ cup.
4. Give the bra a chance
Sometimes a bigger-sized bra doesn’t look as good on the hanger next to its dainty A-cup cousin — but try it on anyway. We bet you’ll be surprised with how much better it looks on.
5. MYTH: You can forget about a strapless dress
Also untrue. Don’t you dare throw away any of your fabulous dresses! You can find the right support if you look hard enough.
A bra like the Fantasie Smoothing Moulded Strapless Bra bra is a smoothing strapless option that offers excellent support, especially on a fuller bust.
6. Dress comfortably when shopping
This might seem obvious but bra shopping requires the removal of almost all your clothes. Pick something you can slip in and out of easily rather than becoming frustrated and impulsively buying the wrong bra.
7. See a specialist
Rule of thumb when it comes to bras for fuller-busted women is seek out the specialists.
Brands that have a lingerie lines as a sideline range aren’t as likely to be as well-versed in the minutiae of boob support. Trust the brands that make boobs their everyday focus (yes–we know how that sounds and we like it).
8. Firm fit
Most people don’t realise but when you first buy a bra the band should be worn on the loosest hook. The other hooks are for when the bra begins to stretch and you can extend its life by moving through the hooks.
9. Know when it’s time to trade in
Sadly, your favourite bra won’t last you forever. Rather than risking your back and breast tissue, make sure you take a good look at how your well-loved lingerie is fitting and woman up when it’s time to chuck it. This is especially true when it comes to sports bras – you must get new sports bras regularly and get refitted often.
Tip: A well-fitting sports bra may actually give you more motivation to work out. The Freya Active Underwire Moulded Crop Top encapsulates breasts rather than compressing them, while its special micro-fibre fabric draws off all your hard-earned sweat – how clever!
This article was brought to you by DeBra’s
