Hands up...if you’re among the 80% of women who are wearing the wrong size bra?
Chances are, you probably won’t know the answer to this question unless you’ve been for a recent fitting which, chances are, most of us haven’t.
Whether the sizing on our undergarments is a little off might not seem like a big deal, but research has shown that ill-fitting bras can actually be responsible for a number of health problems, including breast pain, stretch marks, poor posture, neck, back and shoulder pain, sore skin and even permanent indentations in the shoulders from over-tight straps.
Fortunately, there are some simple ways of checking whether or not our bra is the right fit. Firstly, lift your arms above your head. If your bra rides up, feels like it is cutting into your skin, or your boob shows under the bottom of the cup, then you’re probably wearing the wrong size. A properly fitting bra should stay in place when you raise your arms. Other signs to look for are if the underwire sits away from your skin (a sign your cup size is too small) or if you have any bulges over the top or sides. If any of these apply to you, it might be worth taking advantage of the free bra fitting service offered by many high street shops, including Marks and Spencer. This small step could help make a big difference to your wellbeing if you happen to have been suffering from any of the symptoms of wearing the wrong size bra, and this benefit is coupled with that of the confidence boost that something so simple as new underwear can often make.