How to Find the Perfect Bra

A woman's brassiere is one of the most important articles of clothing she owns. A good bra flatters a woman's figure and natural curves, supports the bust, and can help with back pain and shoulder pain. The wrong bra is unflattering, can cause shoulder and back pain, and limits clothing choices.

But how does one choose the proper bra, and what kinds of bras are best? The right bra is the one which feels comfortable, and that comfort begins with the proper fit. To find your bra size, you must be measured by a professional lingerie salesperson. If you've never been professionally fitted for a bra, you may be shocked how easy it is to get measured, and how amazingly comfortable your new bra is. Different places have different procedures when it comes to taking measurements, so I'll give you a brief bra-fitting rundown so you know what to expect.

My first suggestion would be to go to Nordstrom. I find that the employees at Nordstrom are among the most polite and refined salespeople in the world, and I know that anyone who shops there will be treated with kindness and respect. You don't need to make any sort of appointment for a bra fitting. Simply walk into the lingerie section and take a look at which bras you might like to try on. Before making a selection, ask a salesperson (if one has not already offered to assist you) if you can be measured for your bra size. If you are planning to get measured, I recommend that you wear a camisole or tank top under any other, bulkier clothing, so that you can be sure that you are being measured accurately. The salesperson will take you back into the fitting room, and guide you through the fast, simple measurement process. They will tell you your bra size, which consists of a number, which represents your bust measurement, and a letter, which represents your cup size. In my experience, the Nordstrom salesperson will then find several different bras for you to try on, and so it is best if you already have some kind of idea what you are looking for. A discussion of the pros and cons of the different styles of bras will follow later in this article.

Another good place to get measured is Victoria's Secret. Victoria's Secret has the advantage of having an extremely wide range of bra colors and styles, and a relatively wide price range. A Victoria's Secret salesperson will measure you in much the same way as a Nordstrom salesperson, and will assist you in finding the appropriate bra for you after you have discovered your size. I did notice, however, that Victoria's Secret salespeople are not always discreet about the measurement process. A friend of mine was measured right in the middle of the store, and the salesperson put the tape measure over her bulky sweatshirt to do the fitting. My friend seemed a little embarrassed, and there is no way of knowing how accurate of a fitting this method produced. However, I'm sure you could request a private fitting, and could remove bulky articles of clothing, and that they would accommodate you.

Obviously, stores like Nordstrom and Victoria's secret aren't appropriate for every budget, and it's great to know where to look for high quality bras at a low price. Two excellent places to look for high-quality, inexpensive bras are TJ Maxx and Ross. I have found amazing bras starting as low as $3.00 at these stores, which are just as comfortable and supportive as anything from a more expensive shop. The trick to finding a good bra at Ross or TJ Maxx is to know your size. This is why, even if you're not really intending to purchase a bra there, getting measured at a real lingerie store like Victoria's Secret is a very good idea. Another important part of bra shopping is to make sure you try the bra on. Sizes vary a little between manufacturers, and the cup shape may affect how comfortably your bra fits. No matter how uncomfortable you may feel dragging a handful of bras toward the dressing room, it is vital to ensure that your bra will fit just the way you want it.

How do you know if it fits? Your bra fits when it feels comfortable all over, and when it's not squeezing or constricting any part of you. Both breasts should rest fully inside the bra, without spilling over the top or squeezing out the sides. Under a shirt, it should look like you have 2 breasts, not one or four. If you have trouble finding bras that fit, you should start off by buying a full coverage bra, which is, in my opinion, the easiest one to fit and shop for. A discussion of different bra types will follow later in this article.

Once you know your size, the whole wide world of bras will be open to you. However, there are some things you might want to avoid. Bras with excessive sequins, lace, or jewel detailing on the cup might look pretty in the store, but consider how they'll look under a tight t-shirt. If everyone you meet can tell that there's a jeweled heart or embroidered butterfly on your bra, that's a pretty good sign that your bra is over-embellished, and isn't very practical.

You also may notice that while some bras have hook closures in the back, others have snap-like closures in the front. What's the difference? It mostly comes down to personal preference. The front-closing bras are often more convenient to close, but back-closing bras can sometimes have a smoother, more supportive cupline. Also, back-closing bras often close at more than one point, so they can be adjusted, like a belt, if necessary. Front-closing bras commonly don't have this feature, and are only adjustable in the straps. If you're not sure, try on a few of each and see which you prefer.

There are so many different types of bras out there that it can get a little challenging. Here I'll share a (non-exhaustive) list of different types of bras, to help de-mystify the multitudinous styles:

Strapless Bra
A strapless bra is a great choice if you have an outfit with bare shoulders, and would like to conceal your bra. Unfortunately, many strapless bras provide less-than-adequate support, or slip down as they are worn. I would encourage you to experiment with strapless bras and see if you have success with them. If not, a strapless bustier may be more your style. A bustier is halfway between a bra and a corset. It cinches the waist a little, and uses the whole ribcage to support the bust. For those women who have difficulties with strapless bras, a bustier can be a supportive alternative.

Convertible Bra
A convertible bra is a strapless bra with straps that can be attached or removed by hooking the ends of the straps into discreet loops on the inside of the bra. A convertible bra is great for women who rarely wear strapless bras because it can be worn as an ordinary bra, but changed into a strapless bra on special occasions. A fun feature of convertible bras is that you can purchase additional 'fashion' straps, and change them out for ordinary ones. For instance, if you are planning to wear an outfit which will leave your bra straps visible, you can purchase a pair of bra straps which are studded with rhinestones, and let them be visible. They will add to your outfit instead of detracting from it, and look like jewelry instead of underwear.

Halter bra
A halter bra is a bra whose straps attach behind the neck instead of the back so that the bra fits very much like a halter top. This type of bra is good when a woman is wearing a halter top and wants her bra to be concealed. Many convertible bras can be converted into halter bras. For women with larger busts, a halter bra can be an uncomfortable choice, because it uses the neck to support the bra, and can strain the neck a little.

Push-up bra
A push-up bra is a bra with a foam cup which is fuller at the bottom that at the top, and is intended to push the breasts up and together, creating cleavage. Push-up bras create the illusion of a fuller, more attractive bust, and are commonly worn with more revealing tops and dresses.

Demi
A demi bra is not as supportive as other bras and does not push the cleavage up the same way a push-up does. A demi's cups are half-size, which leaves the top half of the breast exposed and allows for garments with lower necklines to be worn. Demi bras enable the wearer to show off lots of cleavage, and can be very sexy.

Full coverage
A full coverage bra is a bra that covers the entire breast and secures everything in place. These are a safe choice for very active women who do a lot of bending, lifting, and other movements that might push their bra askew. Full coverage bras can be extremely comfortable and flattering, and are a good choice for someone who has difficulty getting bras to fit properly.

Underwire
An underwire bra is a bra with a plastic (rarely metal) support system running along the bottom edge of the cups. Underwire bras can be very comfortable, and are extremely supportive - ideal for women with larger busts.

Minimizer
The purpose of a minimizer bra is to condense and reduce the size of the bust while supporting the back and relieving pressure on the shoulders. This type of bra can be uncomfortable, but knowing your size and consulting with a salesperson will help you discover if this is the right choice for you.