Fitting Tips - Bra Fitting
Sewing Friends:
I need to get something off my chest. I want to talk about yours!
Everyone wants to sew a good fitting garment. They want to get their
fit in a few
classic basic patterns that they can cut, sew and go.
That's the dream! And, it is possible.
However, I'd like to suggest to you that before you start your mission to get
good fit in your outer garments that you first focus on getting
good fit in your under garments.
Most women don't
wear the right size bra. This makes them look much older and more frumpy and heavier than they should look.
I have often told my students to bend forward after they get out of the shower and look in the mirror. It's not a pretty sight, I know.
But, ALL the flesh hanging away from your chest belongs INSIDE a bra! You should never have anything bulging out over the top or sides or beneath the bra. It all goes into the cup!
It is absolutely amazing how much you can
improve your figure by having a good supporting bra. And, you will find your
sewing pattern fitting so much more improved, too.
Wearing a proper fitting bra does more than provide visual figure improvement. It is critical to providing good healthy breast tissue, too. It actually helps the blood circulation in your breasts. It just makes sense to wear the right bra.
The medical world has told us about so many things that may cause breast cancer. I am wondering if our poor fitting bras may have something to do with it, too. Who knows?
I know many of you don't have a bra fitting expert near by who can measure and fit you with the right bra. I feel this is a major issue for every woman and so, I thought I would offer what I found to help you do it for yourself.
Here are a couple of videos to help you learn how to properly measure your bra size and how to choose a well fitting bra.
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How To Measure Your Bra SizeGo to:
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-measure-your-bra-size-2=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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How To Choose A Well Fitting Bra
Go to:
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-choose-a-well-fitting-bra=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
In addition, Oprah is on the band wagon about proper bra fitting.
Have you seen her bra revolution show? I didn't see the show, but I saw the write-up on the internet. You can read some of the comments here or you can check them out at:
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200511/20051115/slide_20051115_284_101.jhtmlDo your boobs hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? Chances are they do--eight out of 10 women are wearing the wrong size bra! Not only can the right bra eliminate sagging, it can make you appear slimmer and take years off your looks. "Women of America," Oprah declares, "you need to rise up and get a proper bra fitting."
Oprah transformed her studio into Oprah's Bra Boutique and had each member of her audience fitted into the right size bra by the Nordstrom bra brigade.
She exposed straps held together with safety pins and women still wearing their nursing bras long after they finished nursing. One woman said she never bought a bra. Her husband bought them for her on eBay.
Almost every woman is guilty of wearing a bra that is too large in bandwidth and too small in the cup. It's tempting to get hung up on cup size, Oprah says--she's been there. "I was in a C for years," she admits. "I thought only strippers wore Ds."
How can you tell if your cup is the right size? Your breasts should fill the cup but not spill or pop over. Your band is too big if it rides up in the back or causes your straps to fall.
Updated and uplifted, everyone's breasts can now have the support they deserve. It's a "Bra-ha!"Moment for all!
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Bra Shopping Advice
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Renowned bra expert Susan Nethero, owner of the Intimacy Boutiques in Atlanta, New York and Chicago, has hoisted, squeezed and adjusted more than 100,000 pairs of breasts. She's shared her bra shopping advice. . .
All women lose firmness as they get older--so do their bras. "When you buy a bra," Susan says,"make sure it fits you in the loosest hook. That way you can tighten the bra to the second and third hook as the bra ages and retain the firmness and the lift."
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Where to Wear Your Bra
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According to Susan, the perfect position for your breasts is midway between your shoulders and your elbows. And your bra should be level front to back. Susan says most women wear their bra bands too high on their torsos and throw their measurements off. "Most women," Susan says, "keep going up in the back [increasing their band size instead of getting a deeper cup. We want to keep the back lean and small so we can lift the bust.[The bra band is] like a bridge, if it's properly planted at the base, it can lift."
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Clues Your Bra Is The Wrong Size
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Susan says there are obvious clues your bra is the wrong size:
1. If your cups runneth over, it's time to go up a cup size.
2. If your cups dimple, it's time to go down a cup size.
3. If you have the dreaded back fat, you probably think your bra is too tight, but you're wrong--your bra is too big.
4. Wearing the bra lower on your back with a smaller band size will completely eliminate the back fat.
5. If your strap falls down, that means your bra band is riding up and you probably need to go down a band size.
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A Fitting Location=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Susan Nethero helps women find the right bra size at her Intimacy stores in New York City, Chicago and Atlanta. Visit their website to find out what size bra you should be wearing and find a fitting location near you. 877-A2HHCUP (877-224-4287)
http://www.myintimacy.comSee the top 10 bra mistakes at:
http://www.myintimacy.com/bramistake.html=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Bra Fit Tips
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Sandra Saffle, Nordstrom's top bra fitter, helped Oprah's entire audience find the perfect fit, and now she wants to help you! Whether you're a 32AA or a 50J, she says these tips will help you find the right bra for your bust--big or small! Grab a tape measure and get going!
Once you know your measurements, consult Nordstrom's bra chart for the correct band size.
Here are the 8 tips to get a good bra fit. Check them out here or go to the website at:
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200511/tows_past_20051115_c.jhtml=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Now, get answers to baffling bra questions...
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1. Where should you measure?
2. What should big-busted women watch out for?
3. What's the deal with underwire?
4. Are you in cup denial?
5. What bras should petite women wear?
6. How does weight affect your bra's fit?
7. What types of bras should you buy?
8. What's the best way to find a brassiere to revere?
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1. Where should you measure?
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When measuring your chest to find the best band size,Nordstrom's top bra fitter Sandra Saffle says to make sure the measuring tape is secured low and snug on the back. Most women secure their bra band too high on the back, causing the band to ride up and the cup to fall forward. Also, make sure to lift the breast tissue up when measuring--that way the tape is snug on the rib cage.
If your bra band lies across your shoulder blades, you've got it all wrong, Sandra says. The band should fit around the smallest part of your back.
Big-busted women beware.
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2. What should big-busted women watch out for?
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Finding the right size isn't as simple for women with a bountiful bust. Sandra suggests that big-busted women lift their arms up after securing the bra band to make sure they are not dropping out of the bottom of the cup. If you have spillage, then your cup size is too small!
Say "no" to uncomfortable underwires!
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3. What's the deal with underwire?
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Wire circumference is crucial, Sandra says. Your underwire should surround and support your breast--not poke into it! If the wire pulls away from the body in the center, then the cup size is too small.
To test your underwire, Sandra says you should sit down when trying on a bra. That's a great way to make sure your bra isn't pulling away from your body. The cups should be secure against the breasts with the center of the underwire flush against the cleavage area.
Ladies, go ahead and lie about your cup size!
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4. Are you in cup denial?
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Ladies, admit it. You're probably in cup denial. Sandra says most women don't like to accept their true size. But, remember,your bra size is like your shoe size...if the shoe fits, nobody else needs to know the size!
You'll feel more comfortable and attractive in the correct cup size, whether it's an A or E, Sandra says. Like a new shoe, a new bra should also be a little snug at first. As the Lycra relaxes, your bra will become looser on the body.
Next, the best style for petite women »
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5. What bras should petite women wear?
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Women with a petite figure and a smaller bust should look for bras with defined cups. Although petites may not need heavy-duty support, Sandra says a structured cup helps accentuate the body's silhouette under clothing.
Weight loss and refittings
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6. How does weight affect your bra's fit?=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
If your weight goes up or down by as little as five pounds, Sandra says it's time to refit your bra. When your clothing size changes, so does your cup size!
Sports bra, strapless or bustier?
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7. What types of bras should you buy?
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You may have a favorite bra...but you shouldn't wear it both when you go out and when you work out! Nordstrom's bra expert says one bra style will not work for all fashions and functions.
You may not need a strapless bra, a sports bra and a bustier, but you should think about your lifestyle and wardrobe needs before buying a brassiere, Sandra says.
Sandra's best tip for finding the perfect bra!
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8. What's the best way to find a brassiere to revere?
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Go see a certified bra fitter! Sandra says every brand fits a little differently, depending on the style and where it is manufactured. If you have professional help, you'll know what to look for when you visit the lingerie department alone.
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More from Oprah's Bra & Swimsuit Intervention.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, the What Not to Wear duo, are back to reveal a beauty secret that literally performs miracles.It can make you look years younger. And you will
look 10, even 20, pounds lighter. It's all about wearing the right size bra!
Trinny and Susannah conducted bra interventions on five unsuspecting women committing serious brassiere violations.
Check out these ladies! You just might see yourself here!
Go to:
http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200505/20050520/slide_20050520_101.jhtml=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
More from Marian=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I urge each and every one of you to get a good bra fit. Years ago, in my sewing school, I had a bra fitter come to my fitting classes to fit my students prior to fitting a basic pattern. I think I might do that again. What a remarkable difference it made in everyone's figure and even their attitude about themselves. It really was very "up lifting". Sorry, I just couldn't resist!
When the weight of the breasts is properly supported, it helps eliminate back aches, too. There are numerous benefits to a good bra fit. You really need to do this for yourself. You won't regret it.
Sure hope this encourages you to get into the right size bra. You will achieve greater sewing and fitting success plus, look and feel a whole lot better than you thought you ever could. It just makes sense!
To Your Sewing and Fitting Success,
Marian
1st Step To Sewing SuccessSewing Project Tips Sewing BlogSewing Success Sewing BlogPS: If you know of a place to get a
good bra fit, please share it with us. Leave your comment here on the sewing blog.
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Bra FittingLabels: bra, bra fit, bra fitting, bras, how to choose a bra, how to measure bra size
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