Supportive bras can be one of the best things you own in your closet, but many women are still in the dark about their many benefits. Here are a few of the best ones, and how to choose your next favorite bra.
Comfort
Whether it be a bra or one of the many supportive bikini tops, extra support adds a ton of comfort to your bra-wearing experience. A bra that doesn’t offer support and isn’t fitted correctly can be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods, and will not give your bust the shape it deserves.
Lessens Back & Neck Pain
Anyone with a larger cup size can attest to the fact that bigger breasts often lead to neck and back pain. Large breasts can be quite heavy, and this weight puts a constant strain on your neck and back.
A supportive bra distributes this weight across your neck, back, and shoulders, removing the strain from one or all of these parts of your body. Think about the difference between carrying a heavy bag over one shoulder, opposed to the same weight but in a backpack; the latter is much easier to carry.
Posture Correction
Another huge benefit of wearing a supportive bra is that it can correct and improve your posture. As mentioned above, neck, back, and shoulder pain go hand in hand with slumped or hunched shoulders, and bad posture.
Considering a supportive bra distributes the weight evenly, your shoulders, back, and neck won’t strain as much, and therefore, your posture will almost instantly improve.
Breast Support
Considering breasts are made up of skin, fat, and ligaments, these elements can stretch and weaken over time, leading to sagging, even at a young age. However, a supportive bra keeps your breasts in the right place to not only these muscles and ligaments to stretch.
While there is no need to wear a bra constantly to stop this from happening, wearing the right one on a regular basis can drastically slow this process down.
Lymphatic Flow
The lymphatic system is responsible for removing toxins from the body, and the breast is a large part of this system in women, and contains many lymph nodes. A bra that is too tight or ill-fitting can hinder this process and cause inflammation and other health concerns.
A supportive bra that is fitted correctly will keep the breast shape, and therefore allow the lymphatic system in that area to work at its best.
How to Choose the Right Bra
Now that you know why supportive bras can be a game changer, here are a few tips for choosing a new bra the next time you’re at the store.
Know Your Size
Firstly, take the time to find out your measurements. While most women already know, it is important to remember that your size won’t always stay the same, and this could be down to a variety of reasons.
Therefore, at least once or twice a year, re-measure to find out what your “new” size is to ensure you are always buying bras that fit correctly. You also don’t have to visit a bra expert to do it, as a simple measure tape ribbon is all you need.
Use “Sister Sizes”
As mentioned above, your bra size isn’t always set in stone, and sometimes, buying a new bra in your size may not feel right, and you can sense that something is off. This is where “sister sizes” come into play, and they can help you adjust to find the perfect size.
For example, if you need to go up a cup size, go down a band size, and if you need a larger band, go down a cup size. This will give you a bra that not only fits well, but is adjusted to the changes of your body.
Know the Different Bra Types
Always take the time to understand the different types of bras that are available. This is particularly important for those with a fuller bust or figure, as, for example, a full-bust bra isn’t the same as a full-figure bra, and neither of those is the same as a plus-size bra.
The important fact about these bra types is that they refer to body proportions, not weight. Therefore, when choosing a bra, look at your body shape and proportions, as this will lead you to the right type of bra for you.
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Test New Bras Before Removing the Tags
As long as you don’t wear it for longer than a day or two, and you keep the tags on, most stores will allow you to return bras. This is helpful as it allows you to test them out and gain a better understanding of whether they fit correctly or not.
Be Guided By Your Likes
Finally, you should use these tips to help you, but don’t ignore your likes and dislikes. The goal is to find a bra that not only ticks all of these boxes but is also one that you like, feel confident in, and can last a long time. Don’t push aside what you like simply because you want to find the perfect bra, on paper.
