Are You Wearing The Correct Bra Size?

photo credit: Fuschia Foot via photopin cc

Statistics say that up to 80% of women are wearing the incorrect bra size….80%!

Lately I’ve noticed that when I wear tanks or sleeveless dresses, I have excess skin coming up under my armpits…like back fat. Wow, that doesn’t sound attractive, but it’s true. I own at least 20 bras but only like how one fits me and even that one was starting to not fit correctly. And I wondered how I could be gaining weight in my underarm area. My friend Sarah and I were shopping at The Promenade Shops at Briargate (1845 Briargate Parkway, Colorado Springs 80920) and I saw the store Soma Intimates and decided to go in and look for a new bra. Now I just have to mention that I had never gone in to that store, even though I had heard great things about their bras but I had also heard that they were really expensive so I had never even gone in….they weren’t any more expensive than any other store that sells good quality bras and I was actually upset with myself that I had “assumed” something and hadn’t checked it our for myself.

Anyway, I started trying on bras and was frustrated that nothing looked or felt right. I asked the sales clerk, Michelle for help so she gave me a personal fitting and turns out, I was totally wearing the wrong size! I have been wearing a 34 B for and she measured me at a 32 C….and THAT’s why I had the extra skin thing going under my arm! (Thank goodness, thought I might actually have to exercise to get rid of that!) The other thing that Michelle told me was that you might wear a different size depending on what style of bra you’re wearing…..like front-closure, sports, push-up, etc. Also, you should always try a bra on before buying it because brands and styles do differ. I found and bought two fabulous bras that fit perfectly and actually made me look better. And they each cost $42.00 which I thought was a fair price (especially for a great, well-made one) and not more that what I have spent in the past, and actually less than I’ve paid for some. And you can sign up with your email address for coupons and discounts and they had a great sale going on, with lots of bras on sale for 50% off (I didn’t look at the sale bras because we were shopping with a 3-week old baby who was getting hungry).

*Soma is actually running a “Soma Bra Donation” now through August 12th where you can donate new or gently worn bras and support women in need (in partnership with NNEDV National Network To End Domestic Violence). Bras are one of the most needed and least donated clothing item. Soma has collected and redistributed over 265,000 bras to date. Bras collected during this campaign will benefit local domestic violence shelters in your community, which is part of the larger network of shelters working with NNEDV. To donate, visit a Soma Intimates boutique or www.soma.com to learn how. I will be donating about 20 now that I know why I never wear them…because they don’t fit or feel comfortable!

I’ve included a great link on 14 ways you can tell if you’re wearing the wrong bra size…it’s the best and most informative article (in my opinion) I found.

I would love to go back to Soma (1845 Briargate Parkway, #417, Colorado Springs) with about 10-12 volunteers and see how many of them are wearing the wrong bra size and get some before and after shots (with your clothes on!) of the wrong/right bra and what a difference it can make…if you would like to volunteer and get a personal fitting, send me a message on our Facebook page.