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You may not have really considered it before, but bras – specifically ones that fit well – are a true art form, and finding one that actually fits isn’t easy. Until now.
Just the other day, at the grand old age of 26, I found out that not only was I wearing the wrong bra size, but that I was two cups and two band sizes out from my real size. That’s right, my 36D was actually a 32FF, and I was flabbergasted.
The revelation came at a breakfast event where I met the wonderful Katie Weir (Weir Wonderful), a professional Bra Expert, who took one look at my chest and broke it to me that what I was wearing (and had been wearing for the past five years at least), was wrong.
‘I’ve never been measured,’ I’d told her, just slightly ashamed of the confession. She’d asked me what size I wore, and on my revelation of 36D she had smiled and told me that, respectfully, that wasn’t quite right.
And while I was sceptical, Katie turned out to be completely on the money.
Katie is a Bra Expert who offers lingerie expertise, virtual fittings and more to help you get your perfect fit, even working alongside brands to help inspire shoppers.
I’d recently seen her on Instagram and TikTok thanks to her work with Curvy Kate where she’s known as ‘The Curvy Kate Bra Whisperer’, taking to the streets of London with Jackie Adedeji in her bra and knickers to help ‘Uplift the Nation’ and educate women on getting the correct bra size. What’s not to love?
But how is it that myself, and many other women, end up spending such a large portion of their lives wearing the wrong size bra?
‘Busy lives!’ Katie told me. ‘People don’t realise they need to have a bra fitting every six months and when time flies, it is easier to stay in the wrong fitting bra.’
‘We need to be making a regular bra fitting part of our schedule. Make it fun, go with your friends or have a virtual fitting which is where you don’t even have to leave your home!’
And a virtual fitting I received.
After sizing me up at breakfast Katie sent me over some -stunning- Curvy Kate bras to try in 32FF and gave me a zoom call to help make sure they were the right size.
After showing me how to correctly put on a bra (there’s a knack, trust me, and it includes shimmying your bra up at the front and scooping your boob up within the cup), she made sure I knew just how it should fit, which spoiler, was different to what I had expected.
The right fit
From underwires digging into your armpits, bulging cups and backbands riding up, to digging-in shoulder straps, using the tightest hook-and-eye and floating underwires, Katie told me that there were plenty of common signs that showed an ill-fitting bra.
Band:
‘A well-fitting bra will feel like a hug around your body from the underband. Your straps and backband should have a ’two finger’ tension which is where you can pop two fingers under the strap or backband and pull away less than an inch. This is the sign of a backband offering 80% support.’
Straps:
‘The sliders on your straps should be used and not abused, so stay in tune with that two-finger tension and as you wash and wear the bra if you feel like you are lacking in support, tighten the back band first before the straps to ensure that you are getting 80% of that support from there.’
Cups:
‘The cups of your bra should encapsulate your breast tissue with zero spillage or bulging. The cup should sit firmly against the top cup of your breast without any gaping. Your wires should reach right around all of your breast tissue so that when you press down they touch on bone rather than breast.’
When I say this call with Katie was amazing, I truly mean it.
She explained to me how many women have had bad bra fitting experiences in their lives, so they just navigate bra shopping alone and buy what they know.
It made me think of my shyness and embarrassment growing up of the idea of being poked and prodded in an M&S changing room. An idea that I hadn’t realised had kept me from wearing the correct bra for 13 years of my bra-wearing life.
Katie’s mission is to ‘change the lingerie shopping experience to one that is fun, educational, easy and something you want to tell your friends about’ – and she really did exactly this.
We need to be making a regular bra fitting part of our schedule. Make it fun, go with your friends or have a virtual fitting which is where you don’t even have to leave your home!
In fact, the zoom call felt more akin to a catch up with a friend than something that I used to consider as sterile. And the best part? I didn’t even have to leave the house.
Book your virtual bra fitting with Katie Weir here.
I was most shocked during the fitting experience just how well the cups fit me and how much tighter my backband was – I’d always been a ‘tight straps, more support’ believer, and turns out that couldn’t be more wrong.
Common bra myths
When to comes to bras, I really feel like there’s so much the public (including myself) just don’t know. Do padded bras give you better shape? Will my bra from 10 years ago still fit me now? Katie ironed a few things out for us.
Marks on the underband mean your bra is too tight.
‘The back band must hug and hold our body which, just like jeans and socks, will leave marks.
‘Trust me, a firm hold on the underband is so much better than the weight of your bust coming down onto your shoulders and leaving red marks, as well as leading to pain and poor posture.’
You are the same bra size your whole life.
‘Unlike your feet, your boobs fluctuate with weight and hormones which means your bra size will change as your body does. I recommend having a professional bra fitting every six months, as this allows you to live in comfort and support for the body that you have at every stage of your life.
‘Treat it like a GP/Dentist appointment but just more fun as you might walk away with some gorgeous new lingerie rather than a root canal filling.’
Your straps hold up your boobs and give them the lift.
‘The lift and support comes from the backband of your bra and this is why it needs to be a firm fit to lift up the bust.’
Padded Bras give the best shape.
‘Non-padded bras sit closer to the breast tissue which give a better shape for the bust you have, especially ladies who have bottom heavy/softer top cup boobs.
We want a non-padded bra which hugs the tissue rather than it sitting at the bottom of a molded up on the inside but giving the illusion of a full cup on the outside.’
White bras are best under white tops.
‘The best bra for under a white top is a colour closest to your skin tone or RED!’
After my fitting with Katie, I couldn’t believe how much better I felt – supported, lifted, and honestly, a little bit smug.
If you’re in need of a fitting then I couldn’t recommend a virtual fitting with Katie Weir more. She’s knowledgeable, insightful and downright lovely to talk to. She put me at ease and I’ve come out the other end with the correct bra size without any awkward moments.
You can book a bra fitting with Katie here.
If you’re ready to find your perfect fit, here are a few of Katie’s top bra picks to get you started, including styles for bigger boobs and beyond.
Best sports bra for big boobs:
Curvy Kate Everymove Wired Multiway Sports Bra
Curvy Kate’s first sports bra, the Everymove Wired Multiway Sports Bra is a total game-changer for gym rats – and I would know because I’ve tried this bra for myself. Designed for bigger busts, Everymove is triple layered and flexi-wired with hidden fitting technology to offer encapsulation, maximum adjustability and reassurance during exercise.
shop £46
Best sports bra for smaller boobs:
Champion Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra – Copper
Ideal for smaller busts, this award-winning Ultimate Run Bra, which has been designed specifically for runners but is ideal for all activity, reduces bounce by up to 78% and provides ultimate friction-free comfort.
shop £52
Best comfort and support bras for fuller bust:
Curvy Kate WonderFully Full Cup Side Support Bra
Bigger busts need even more support, and this Curvy Kate bra has support in spades. The sleek microfibre cups have stretch mesh top cup panels for a flexible fit, plus anchored back straps to banish strap slippage and a curved underband to reduce roll and discomfort.
shop £35
Best strapless for big boobs:
Curvy Kate Luxe Strapless Multiway Bra
This Luxe Strapless Multiway Bra from Curvy Kate is the ultimate everyday strapless bra. It features supporting seamed cups that offer incredible uplift, rounded shape and support, while the four hook and eye fastening back band hugs your curves without the worry of slipping.
shop £36
Best low-cut strapless:
Panache Faith Moulded Strapless Bra
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect low-cut strapless bra, then this one from Panache is it. The Faith strapless bra is designed with comfort in mind and gives you a smooth silhouette, boasting moulded, lightly padded cups and detachable straps.
shop £38
Best everyday bra for big boobs:
Curvy Kate Smoothie Spacer Moulded T-Shirt Plunge Bra
Smoothing and ideal for everyday wear, the feather-light Smoothie Spacer T-Shirt bra is super lightweight with zero visible back line. Boasting semi-sheer moulded spacer cup that fit like a second skin, as well as seam-free fabric that wraps around the body creating deep smoothing panels to offer a back smoothing solution, it’ll quickly become your new go-to.
shop £42
Best push up bra for big boobs:
As Seen on You
@curvykate
Curvy Kate Boost Me Up Padded Balcony Bra
After a boost? This Curvy Kate balcony bra has been designed to lift your boobs and your mood, guaranteeing maximum uplift and projection for a real wow factor. The super flattering sweetheart neckline complements the lightly padded cups that offer an amazing shape.
shop £42
Best everyday comfort bralette:
Evelyn & Bobbie Defy Wire-Free Bra
This pull-over, full-coverage bra has been designed with comfort and posture support in mind, making it an excellent choice for everything from everyday wear to workouts. And yes, it’s ‘downward dog tested’ (and approved).
shop £68
Best bra for big boobs on a budget:
Adella Athena Full Cup Side Support Bra Teal Blue
The Adella Athena bra brings comfort, support and style together in one affordable bra. Four-part cups use side panels to offer great shape and projection, while the lace top cup is lined to maintain a secure fit.
shop £22 (save £18)
Your best bra life is waiting for you…
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