Daily Dainty Torture

Ladies, what is the one piece of clothing that is torture to wear?

I will give you a hint, it stabs you, squeezes you, falls from its place and never seems to fit right. It's our BRA'S. I am convinced that it was a man who designed the bra as a constant torture mechanism for all of us females. Lol

Since we aren't going to go bra less, we suffer in silence. Every time I take mine off I let out a giant sigh of relief. I have red marks from the wire under the ladies and on both sides of my under arm area. Why can't they make a bra that works?

The true fact of the matter is, it's not the bra, it's the size of it. The numbers show that 80% of us wear the wrong size and this adds to our misery. If it's not falling off the shoulder or riding up over the breasts its jabbing us in one part or another. This is where the proper sizing comes in. If we just get the right size than our misery will be over. Yahoo!!

To determine the right size grab yourself a flexible tape measure that shows inches not centimeters. Start by measuring yourself around your body just under your breasts. Make sure its snug but not too tight. Once you have this measurement add two inches and this is the number in the bra size.

To figure out your cup size you need to measure around the largest part of your chest ( if that happens to be around the waist or close to the floor you may need a belt not a bra Lol). Okay now you have the two measurements, deduct the first measurment from the second and this is the number to determine the cup size. 

For every inch difference you will go up in cup size. If the differenece is:

1 inch = A

2 inch = B

3 inch = C

4 inch = D

5 inch = E or DD

6 inch = F or DDD

7 inch = G

8 inch = H

So there you have it, your 1st number and the cup size is the size of your bra. eg. 40D or 32A et cetera.

When you go out to bra shop don't just buy based on the look and your numbers, try it on. Did you know that when we sit our chest expands? Try the bra on and have a seat, most dressing rooms have chairs or benches, when sitting put two fingers under the bottom and make sure it isn't too tight. Next raise your arms to make sure it doesn't ride up over your breasts in any way. Take a look at the overall fit, you shouldn't be pouring out over any of the edges and the cup should lay flat without any puckering.

There are so many types of bras that sometimes it gets confusing which one is best. Its easy to be drawn toward a cute little number that's all lace and frill but that may not be the best choice if you are a 40"DD". Bras should give you support almost like a gentle hand holding you in place. Take a look at the straps as well, are they wide enough if your large chested or thin enough when wearing a tank top?

I remember my first bra fitting. I was about 12 and my Mom took me to Woolco (anyone remember Woolco)? We were standing in the aisle and my Mother bless her soul tried this bra on outside my shirt. I was so embarrassed. 

Buying a bra is something that should be enjoyable. You want to feel good when you put it on and you want to look good too. There are a lot of specialty stores that will do professional fittings for you if after measuring and calculating your still not sure. It is worth doing and you will be amazed at the difference it makes when your wearing your favorite sweaters or shirts.

Earlier I mentioned that it was probably a man that made the first bra and I have learned through this post that it was not. The woman who received the first patent for the bra in 1913, was from New York and her name was Mary Phelps Jacob. Amazingly the bra replaced the corset which was also designed and patented by a woman. The corset of that time really was a torture item.

Well in the end it turns out that I too was wearing the wrong sized bra. Now that I have done my measuring and clculating I have purchased the right bra. I now have comfort and am no longer a victim of pain. I have made friends with my bra and we have promised to support each other.

Good luck with your bra shopping.