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Advice and help for bra problems

Problem : I have trouble putting on a bra
Solution: - There are 3 main ways of putting on a bra.
Method 1 - Hook & spin method
1. Wrap your bra around your waist and hook the closure in front of you. Note of the location of the bra's label (e.g. side seam, back).
2. Turn your bra clockwise until the front of your bra is centred. This ensures that the excess on the adjustment flap is flat against your back.
3. Bring bra up so that the bra band is resting directly under the breasts.
4. Slip the shoulder straps over your shoulders.
5. Run your finger along the area where the bra's label is to make sure it is lying flat against your skin.
6. Tug downward on the back of the bra so that it rests beneath the shoulder blades. The line of the bra should be horizontal from front to back.
7. Bend over at the waist and ease your breasts into the cups. You can pull the band down and shake until the breasts fall into place. Or you can move the breast around with your hand until it is properly in the cup. Your nipples should be centred into the fullest point of the cup, and the cup should completely contain the breast (with the exception of push-up and half cup styles). If your bra has a centre seam, make sure your nipple is on the seam to stop your nipples from showing.
8. Stand upright and look to see that your breasts are in the proper position.
PS.- a little talcum powder can help the bra spin more readily around your waist.

Method 2 - Upside down hook & spin method
1. Wrap your bra around your waist inside out and upside down. Hook the closure. Note where the bra's label is.
2. Turn your bra (in this method it doesn't matter what direction you turn it) until the front of your bra is centred.
3. Flip the bra up so that the bra band is right side out and resting directly under the breasts.
4. Slip the shoulder straps over your shoulders.
5. Run your finger along the area where the bra's label is to make sure it is lying flat against your skin.
6. Tug downward on the back of the bra so that it rests beneath the shoulder blades. The line of the bra should be horizontal from front to back.
7. Bend over at the waist and ease your breasts into the cups. You can pull the band down and shake until the breasts fall into place. Or you can move the breast around with your hand until it is properly in the cup. Your nipples should be centred into the fullest point of the cup, and the cup should completely contain the breast (with the exception of push-up and half cup styles). If your bra has a centre seam, make sure your nipple is on the seam to stop your nipples from showing.
8. Stand upright and look to see that your breasts are in the proper position.

Method 3 - Stretch & hook method
1. Begin by slipping the straps over your shoulders. Note of the location of the bra's label.
2. Bend over at the waist and ease your breasts into the cups. Your nipples should be centred into the fullest point of the cup, and the cup should completely contain the breast (with the exception of push-up and half cup styles).
3. Hook the bra closure in back, and then stand upright.
4. Run your finger along the area where the bra's label is to make sure it is lying flat against your skin.
5. Tug downward on the back of the bra so that it rests beneath the shoulder blades. The line of the bra should be horizontal from front to back.
6. Look to see that your breasts are in the proper position.
This method is worst for anyone who has problems putting their two hands behind their back. It is also difficult to tell if the bra is hooked right without looking in the mirror.

Problem: Bra rides up on your back over your shoulder blades.
Solution: Adjust hook and eye closure to tighten or loosen straps or try a smaller band size. (36 to 34)

Problem: The band digs in.
Solution: Order one band size larger (e.g. 34 to 36), or opt for a bra with a wider band. Also see "sore shoulders, neck pain or headaches" below.

Problem: Sides bulge.
Solution: Buy one band size larger (e.g. 34 to 36), or choose a style with more cup coverage.

Problem: Breasts overflow the cups.
Solution: Try getting one cup size larger FIRST (e.g. C to D), or, if that fails, try one band size larger (e.g. 34 to 36).
Many women wearing the wrong bra size are wearing a bra with too big a band size and too small a cup size. Here the starting point is to go down a band size and up 2 cup sizes and see how that size feels. e.g. if you are wearing a 40C go to a 38DD (or 38F), You go up 2 cup sizes because when you go down a band size, the same cup size will actually be smaller

Problem: Sore shoulders, neck pain or headaches.
Solution: Loosen straps and get a bra with wider or padded straps. Lately thin straps are in fashion, but according to doctors at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Centre in Dallas, thin bra straps can lead to headaches and serious nerve damage. If the thin strap is also so tight that it digs into the shoulders, it is putting downward pressure on the cervical nerve, which runs from the neck to the shoulders. This nerve is very important to the nervous system. Any damage to it can cause frequent neck pain, headaches or numbness. Eventually this can develop into pain that runs from your shoulder down to your hands.

Problem: Bustline sagging
Solution: Shorten straps or choose a firmer support style with wider straps. Avoid stretchy, elasticated type bra fabrics if you have this problem. Centre your nipples above the "nipple" point of your bra. Then you’ll have a plumper top to your breast volume.

Problem: How do I know if my straps are adjusted right?
Solution: - Can you slip a finger under your straps? If you can't, or if the straps are digging into your shoulders, you've probably over-tightened to compensate for a bra that's the wrong size. Straps should have just enough tension to hold the bra on your shoulders; they should provide about 10% of a bra's support. Try doing this - slip your straps off your shoulders so they are resting on your arms. A correctly fitting bra should stay on without the straps, but will only sag a little. If it sags a lot your band width is too big.

Problem: I'm an "A" cup, and feel I don't really need a bra
Please make sure you wear a bra. Often, small-breasted women will wear an undershirt and no bra, or flimsy triangle bras held together with elastic. Neither choice does anything to enhance your look. What A-cup women need most is definition. A bra with light foam padding or fibrefill will add a natural-looking shape to your breasts. A padded bra with bump pads will even create some cleavage. Although you may not be interested in cleavage or enhanced shape, even A-cups need tissue and muscle support. There are also bras on the market in "A" cup without padding, but provide support and have underwires.

Problem: Underwire nips you or digs in too much.
Solution: Go up one cup size (e.g. C to D), or try a non-underwire soft cup style.

Problem: Straps slip.
Solution: Tighten the bra straps or get a bra with wider straps.Women with narrow shoulders need to find a bra style with close-set straps. Racer-back, sports style bras are one solution. Demi cup and front closure bras tend to have straps set farther apart and should therefore be avoided.

Problem: I have a Black Top, what colour bra do I wear?
Solution: - If your black top is sheer or a knit wear a nude colour. If your top has a low neckline and movement could reveal the edges of your bra, the best colour is black.

Problem: I don't know what colour of bra to buy.
Solution: - There are a lot of opinions, and no totally right answers here. Some women only wear white because it's the traditional underwear colour, matches up with white pants, and can be washed at higher temperatures. Others swear by nude colours saying they blend with everything. Some women (usually younger) like different colours for fun, especially if you are showing off your designer label underwear. From a purely functional point of view, nude (or skin coloured) is the best all around colour, if you don't want your bra show under clothing. Black is always a slimming colour and usually the best choice under black.

Problem: Bra makes you sweat and is too hot.
Solution: Choose cotton or cotton blends.

Problem: I'm Allergic To Latex.
Solution: Elastic used to be made with rubber latex. However, today there are latex-free elastics where the latex has been replaced with spandex. Some manufacturers have also designed bras for women who are latex intolerant with encased elastic that does not sit against your skin.

Index of Terms used with bras and bra types.


Those of you who are experienced in buying lingerie will not need the definitions below.
But other viewers may come upon terms that they haven't seen before, so for these viewers we define bra types below.

Basque; - A bra with a long fitted body that may be boned. Often with suspenders attached, this is suitable for most breast sizes.

Body; - All in one bra and knickers.

Bustier; - Usually strapless, this is an elongated bra designed to give the breasts lift. More suitable for average and larger breast sizes.

Liquid Filled or Gel Bra; - These bras have added pockets containing liquid to give smaller breasts lift and padding.

Plunge Bra; - Gives an appearance of extra cleavage by pushing the breasts together from the sides.

Push Up Bra; - Similar to the plunge bra but pushes the bust up.

Soft Bra; - Soft bras have no padding or wires and are only really suitable for small breast sizes.

Strapless Bra; - Bras designed to be worn under strapless dresses or tops. Suitable for most sizes.

T-Shirt Bra; - Designed to wear under t-shirts to give a seamless image. Only some manufacturers provide for larger sizes.

Underwired Bra; - The underwire gives extra support and shape to the bust. Suitable for average and larger breast sizes, but make sure that the bra is the correct back size or it is uncomfortable to wear.

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Bra problem solving advice and help.