As any woman knows, bra shopping can be a stressful experience. But what is it that makes bra shopping so terrible? For some, it’s the mere thought of walking into a store filled with lacy undergarments and lingerie that could only have been designed for the perfect woman.
What woman has perfect breasts and six-pack abs anyway? We’ll take a look at some of the reasons why we find bra shopping so stressful, and what we can do about it.
Stressor 1: You associate bras with torture devices.
This is probably because your bra doesn’t fit correctly. Many women put up with ill-fitting lingerie because that's just how it is, right? Wrong! Believe it or not, your bra should be comfortable.
No woman should have to put up with an underwire that digs in, or a bra band that chafes. To make sure that your bra fits properly you need to pay attention to the following areas: band, straps, underwire, and cups.
Here’s what to look for:
- Bra band: should be snug enough that you can slip two fingers underneath, no more or less. It should be parallel with the ground all the way around.
- Straps: should not be digging into the skin and should not be too loose. Just like with the band, you should be able to slide two fingers underneath.
- Underwire: should surround the breast tissue entirely. It should never poke into the breast, and it shouldn't be sitting on top of the breast at the bottom or in the middle.
- Cups: should encompass all of the breast tissue. The breasts should fill the cups without leaving any gaps or spilling over. If you’re spilling out your cups are too small and if there are gaps the cups are too big.
Stressor 2: You’re wearing the wrong size.
This goes along with #1. If you’re wearing the wrong size, you’re not having a good bra experience. Many women wear the wrong bra size simply because they don’t know how to measure their bra size correctly.
Many women don’t know how to properly measure themselves, or they don’t know what to look for in a bra that fits. Any woman who wears bras should know how to properly measure and determine if a bra fits properly.
Another common reason for wearing the wrong size is that bra sizes can vary between brands. Just because you wear a 38D in one brand doesn’t mean that a 38D from another brand will fit you the same. This is frustrating for every woman searching for a bra, but that’s why it’s so important to know how a bra should fit so you know what needs to be adjusted.
Stressor 3: You don’t think there are a lot of options.
It used to be true that bras above a D cup were pretty frumpy looking. Not only was the style subpar, but trying to find certain bra sizes was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Thankfully those days are gone and there is more size availability than ever before. Not only are there more size options, but lingerie styles have also come a long way. Every woman wants a bra that not only fits great but looks great, too!
Stressor 4: You’re not willing to spend the money on a quality bra.
We’ll admit it; we’ve been there. No way were we going to pay $50 or more for something only we were going to see! We used to think that quantity was greater than quality, but thankfully we are now older and wiser.
Every woman knows that you really do get what you pay for when it comes to lingerie. What good is spending $15 when you have to replace the bra every couple of months? Also, cheap bras are more prone to stretch sooner and have underwire that breaks easily.
If you’re a woman who’s been stabbed by broken underwire on a cheap bra, you’ve likely learned your lesson. A high-quality bra is an investment. Not only is it more comfortable but it fits better and looks better, too.
Added bonus: if you’re buying quality bras, you need to do it less often! If you’re still hesitant, try investing in a good quality everyday bra like a T-shirt bra. This bra style is a wardrobe staple for any woman as you can wear it with almost anything.
Stressor 5: You don’t take care of your bras.
Combine #4 with this one and you have a recipe for disaster. You should try to always hand wash your bras, or at least put them in a lingerie bag if you absolutely have to machine wash them.
Do not put them in the dryer unless you want to ruin the elastic and the shape of the cups. Things will go downhill much faster if you’re buying cheap bras. If you’re going to make the investment in quality lingerie make sure that you take care of it!
Stressor 6: You don’t feel comfortable with your body
As any woman knows, insecurities can turn shopping and dressing rooms into a stressful ordeal. We don’t have any magic words to make your insecurities go away, but just know that every woman is dealing with insecurity on some level.
Not feeling comfortable with your body is no reason to not take care of yourself. We are all a work in progress and are constantly evolving, but we are more than our waist size or our bra size, and every woman deserves to have comfortable lingerie.
Concluding Thoughts
As any woman who has shopped for bras knows, doing so isn’t always a pleasant experience. But bra shopping doesn’t have to be a major source of stress, either. Knowing what bra size you wear, what style you like, and purchasing high-quality lingerie can make the experience much better.
Every woman deserves to have a bra that fits well and is comfortable and supportive. Check out Glamorise’s complete collection, which includes wireless, underwire, and sports bras in bra sizes up to 58I.
Lift, Shape, and Support With Comfort and Style
