Choosing the right bra

Boobs not what they used to be? Things taken a downward turn in your chest area? Don't worry, you're not alone.

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This page helps you to find the perfect bra and make bad boob days a thing of the past!

The low-down on different bra types

Thanks to the weight fluctuations and hormone changes brought about by pregnancy (it's a myth that breastfeeding in itself is to blame), most mums find their breasts get smaller or simply lose tone after having kids. The medical term is breast ptosis, but whatever you call them, saggy boobs are a very normal part of life after birth! But investing in a decent bra can make all the difference - get the style and size right and you've got yourself a boob job that won't put you in debt or leave you with bruises!

Here's the Netmums guide (in no particular order) to sorting your gel cups from your full cups:

• Sling Support: Made with extra wide straps, these offer maximum support for bigger boobs.
• Multi-way (or convertible, or three-in-one): Versatile and adaptable, you can choose to wear these in a number of ways, usually with or without straps, with the straps in a halter neck style, or criss-crossing at the lower back.
• Drop-cup, also known as nursing or breastfeeding bras: These come with a handy clip for hungry babes to get easy access. Available in much prettier styles and colours these days. You can get a version called the zip-cut, too.
• Full-cup: Covers the entire breast, designed to give maximum support for women with bigger cup sizes.
• Push-ups: Padded underneath, for extra oomph in the cleavage department.
• Plunge: Similar to a push-up, but not necessarily padded, this one is also cut to allow maximum cleavage.
• Strapless, or bandeau: Self explanatory - great for when you can't have straps showing.
• Liquid, or gel cups: These high-tech bras come complete with small pouches of liquid gel to boost size and lift. You get a similar deal with the air bra: they come with small removable air bags (nothing to do with car safety, apparently!) Just steer clear of anyone brandishing a sharp object.
• Front fastening: Self-explanatory really, useful for all those who still struggle to do up their bras in the morning (or take them off at night). Amusingly, can keep a bloke guessing for hours.
• Minimiser: Especially designed to flatter and reduce boobs of a DD or more.
• Sports: Small or large, you'll need one of these for appropriate support if you intend to run, jump, or generally behave in a sporty way.
• Triangle: The cups are cut in a triangle shape, and not usually underwired - probably best-suited to the smaller-boobed who are looking for a natural look.
• Underwired: Wired under the cup, these give more support than non-wired bras. Not everyone finds them comfortable though, and they can dig in painfully if you get the size wrong.
• T-shirt or moulded bra: Seam free, these are designed to give a really smooth line so your bra doesn't show under clothes.
• Backless: Entirely strapless, these are just a pair of self-adhesive moulded cups designed to give support when you need it under a sheer or very low cut garment. Probably not much use for most of us then, most of the time.
  

Getting fitted for a bra

At best an ill-fitting bra is unflattering, at worst it can cause neck strain and back-ache. So when it comes to a bra that looks and feels good, the right fit is everything. And yet, a whopping 80% of women are said to be wearing the wrong size bra for them. So just how do you get the right size? You can get a free fitting at any M&S, the undies department of a good department store or a specialist lingerie boutique, but be wary – visit more than one, and the chances are, you'll come out with more the one different measurement.

You may be just as accurate (and probably less embarrassed) calculating your bra size at home - try using the bra calculator on Anita.com, the online lingerie shop.

However, some experts reckon we should dump the tape measure altogether. Bravissimo, the company that makes bras for the fuller figure, doesn't believe in measuring boob sizes at all, instead recommending customers to simply recognise what a well-fitting bra looks like. Read on to find out how ...

Top tips for buying bras

(with thanks to Figleaves.com)

• Fill your cups: if there's room to spare, try going down a cup size.
• Don't overflow: spilling out over the top isn't a good look. If you're doing so, try a cup size larger.
• The bra's band, not straps, is mainly what takes the strain. Make sure it's the right fit otherwise the bra's straps will have to work overtime and end up digging in to your shoulders.
• Look in the mirror side-on. The band should be horizontal – if it's is riding up at the back, you may need a smaller band size.
• The band should feel firm but comfortable. You should be able to insert two fingers into the back and one at the front.
• Bras loosen the more you wear and wash them, so when you first buy one, make sure it fits on the loosest hook, so you can resort to the tighter ones as it loosens!
• Underwiring should lie flat at the centre front of the bra. At the side, it should sit against the rib cage without digging in.
• Wear a tight fitting top when you buy a new bra, so you can see how it looks under clothes.
• Move around and flap your arms to make sure it's comfortable.
• Don't forget, our breasts change size and shape all the time - pregnancy and birth are the obvious change factors, but losing or gaining weight, being on the pill, or even the time of the month can also affect them. Just because you were a 36A last year, don't assume you are now! And remember, every single bra is likely to be different – the only way you will ever tell if it fits or not is to try it on.
• Time-consuming, yes. But so much easier than surgery!

Donate your old bras

Once you have your new perfectly fitted bras, why not donate your old unwanted bras to charity? Visit www.breasttalk.co.uk for details.

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