The way you put on a bra can directly affect the level of support. Many women wear bras for years without realizing that taking time to position the cup, adjust the straps and select the right clasp setting can increase the level of comfort and support that these undergarments provide. In addition to selecting bras for women with the right band and cup size, you should know how to achieve the most support every time you put on a bra.
Positioning The Cup
The first step to putting on a bra is to position the cups. Put your arms through the shoulder straps and clasp the bra on your preferred fit setting. If you are putting on a strapless bra, hold the bra up to your breasts and fasten the clasp.
Next, bend forward so that your breasts fill the cups. Make sure that each cup provides complete coverage. If you are putting on an underwire bra, this support should be in place underneath your breasts. You should also position the bottom of a wireless bra for comfort.
If a bra is not providing the desired level of support, you may need to make adjustments. You can adjust the straps while wearing a bra or take the bra off, adjust the straps or band and then reposition the cups again.
Adjusting For Perfect Fit
Many bra styles have adjustable straps. Clasps are used to tighten or loosen most straps. Pull up on each clasp and then pull down on the strap to tighten the straps. Pull the clasps down and pull up on the excess strap to loosen the straps.
The clasps on a bra should be in similar positions for even support, but you can adjust each strap as needed for support. You may also want to adjust the tightness setting on the band for a more comfortable fit.
If a bra band is still too loose on the tightest setting or too tight on the loosest setting, you may need a different band size. Consider sister sizes, which are bras in different band and cup sizes with the same cup volume. Try sizing up the band and sizing down the cup or sizing down the band and sizing up the cup to get the perfect fit.
Closing the Clasp
Most bras have several sets of hooks on the band. You should close the clasp before positioning the cups to get the best sense of how much support a bra can provide. Look in a mirror if you have difficulty closing a back clasp. You can also close the clasp in front and turn the bra around your body before positioning the cups.
If you prefer to wear bras without clasps on the band, consider sports bras or bralettes. These styles are not as adjustable as bras with band clasps.
With a little practice, you can get the most support from any bra in your size. Positioning the cups and adjusting the straps and band ensures that a bra conforms to your body shape to provide the ultimate support.
