The perfect bras for every stage of life
A multitude of shapes, models, sizes and cups ... The best bras are those that best adapt to the stage of life in which you find yourself and to the specific situations of everyday life. Making the right choice can bring benefits for your health.
“It is essential to make a good choice of bra because, as its name suggests, it serves to support the chest. For this garment to fulfill its function, it is necessary to choose the correct size or sizes and the suitable models, since its use has consequences at different levels ", says Laura Vicente, manager of Dama de Copas Goya, in Madrid, where they advise on lingerie and they find the correct size for each woman.
"Many of the women do not give it too much importance in the choice of the bra, thinking that it does nothing more than a function of support or simply aesthetics, but they do not take into account the needs for adaptability and comfort of the chest and back," she comments. Pilar Medina, from the National Association of Midwives.
In general, this midwife indicates, “a good bra is one that covers the chest with the cup, does not press on the lower part or the contour, does not climb on the back and fully supports the chest. Depending on the size, the support is also very important. The bigger the chest, the wider the straps should be. Also, in these cases, firm fabrics and more armed structures ”.
Ten characteristics to keep in mind when buying a bra
Vicente offers the following decalogue so as not to err in choosing a bra:
It is important to know that the bra size is made up of a number (contour) and a letter (the cup). The number defines the contour of the chest (under the chest) and the letter, the volume of the chest. The bra is a small garment, but very complex. In addition to over 100 different sizes, there are also many styles of bra and fabrics vary, making the choice process difficult.
Regarding the size, the side band of the bra should be tight and completely horizontal, so that the bra can be fastened on the brackets at the outer ends and adjusted as the contour is stretched. In addition, to verify that we do not wear it too tight, it must be possible to insert two fingers between the band and the back without complication.
As for the cup, the ring should hug the base of the breast to wrap around the entire breast. Thus, there should be no extra space in the cup or the "double breast" effect. In the case of the smallest chest it is also a challenge, since many times the cups separate from the chest and it does not favor.
There are many erroneous myths that describe the hoop as harmful to the chest. This is not true, it just needs to be long enough for it to collect all of the breast so it doesn't nail anywhere. You should never touch breast tissue. The ring is very important to give lift and shape to the chest, that is why it has to be strong and hug the entire breast.
The appropriate bras must have the clasp behind, since the front part - the breastplate - is very important for fastening.
Occasionally, sports bras or tops may have the clasp in front for women with reduced mobility or those with shoulder problems. Another case in which they have a front clasp is that of postoperative bras, which are used after augmentation, reduction or mastectomy surgeries.
The breastplate is the central part of the bra that joins both cups. This can have different heights, depending on the bra format that we try. The breastplate is designed to separate the chest and must be well attached to the sternum, since it is the only way in which it can fulfill its function.
In a plunge bra (indicated to bring the chest together), the breastplate is lower and allows the union of both breasts. In balconet bras, the bib is medium in height and separates the chest very well to create the perfect neckline. Finally, in a full cup (it covers the entire chest), the breastplate is much higher than in the previous cases and, although it is not as wide as in the balconet bras, it separates the chest very well so as not to create the effect “a only chest ”in clothes without cleavage.
Checking the height of the straps is the last step when putting on a bra, since you first have to fit it well; then place the chest; and then adjust the straps. The ideal measurement is one in which you can insert two fingers effortlessly. Having the correct bra size no longer requires a great adjustment on the straps, because if the contour is accurate and works, it will support 70 percent of the weight of the chest, making the shoulders free.
Another important point is the fabrics. Many people think that synthetic fabrics or lace cause chafing or allergies, but it only happens in extreme cases. All the clothes we wear, in general, are made with synthetic fabrics, so all clothes would give us allergy. Cotton is not a good fiber for a bra because it yields a lot with use and does not have the necessary strength to hold. The preformed cup or foam models can have a cotton layer inside, because they are made of other synthetic fibers. The fabric or soft cup models must be composed of polyamide and polyester type fibers, which do not deform. All bras must have a percentage of elastane to be elastic and thus adapt to the contour of each woman.
Have you chosen well? Health consequences
Below, Vicente lists the health consequences of choosing a bra well or poorly:
Positive consequences of a good choice
Improve body posture. By adjusting the bra correctly, it clings to the bibs, causing us to get straight.
Better distribute the weight of the chest on our back. It derives the weight of the chest directly to the lats, not to the cervicals - the area where the weight of a badly supported chest falls.
It increases the health of the chest in the long term, by immobilizing it.
Reduces back and shoulder pain. As the entire chest is properly supported, the back is prepared to support the weight and the shoulders are no longer crushed by the straps.
Negative consequences of not getting it right
The rings are nailed, because they do not have the desired amplitude, causing pain and discomfort unnecessarily. In addition, they do not usually remain motionless.
Does not hold. It does not have the contour that we need to hold on the bibs and the cup does not cover the entire breast.
Pull forward. If we do not hold the chest, it naturally pulls us forward and down, causing us to have poor posture and back damage.
Annoying in the cervicals. By not grasping the lats, the weight of the chest falls entirely on the bra straps, which dig into the shoulders, causing indentations in the skin and adipose tissue. In addition, it pulls our body forward and damages the upper back.
Lack of correct size
According to Vicente, “most women do not know their bra size and cup, because, on the one hand, they have never been advised; and, on the other, they use too small cups and very wide backs. Thanks to Bra Fitting (advice on the right bra) we have discovered that 99 percent of our clients have changed their size after being advised. The most mistaken are the 85B, 90B, 90C, 95C and 95D, which usually become 85E, 90E, 80F, 85F and 90F. From Dama de Copas we recommend checking your bra size every six months.
This expert recalls that the same woman can have up to five correct sizes, “depending on the format of the bra, the fabric, and even the color. For this reason, we always recommend trying on the garment when buying lingerie, totally discouraging selling online. ”
“The vast majority of women do not know how to choose the bra based on the back contour and the right cup. The most common criterion is usually the aesthetic and the feeling of comfort when trying it, but without being exhaustive in the size for your choice. It is very important to follow a series of criteria to ensure good breast care ”, highlights Medina.
The first bra: cotton and underwired
“The transition from childhood to adolescence is the first stage of great modifications, where the girl begins to know her body and experience all the changes that are taking place in it. At this time, the most important thing is to have a good support, since the breast begins to grow and develop at very variable rates according to each girl, but also unpredictable, "says Medina, stressing that cotton bras without underwire are usually the more appropriate.
There is no predetermined age for the purchase of the first bra, it depends a lot on the development of each woman. “From the moment the chest begins to generate discomfort, tops should be worn without underwire. With the growth of the breast we begin to wear bras -properly said-, but without underwire. When development is more advanced and the chest is already a considerable size, it is necessary to use underwired bras, "says Vicente, stressing that this process is individual.
For women who experience significant breast augmentation at some point during the menstrual cycle, is it advisable to wear a bra one size larger on those days? "If the increase in sensitivity and size generates a lot of discomfort with those used regularly, it is undoubtedly recommended one that adjusts to the needs of this moment of the cycle and follow the general recommendations in choosing a bra," says the midwife.
Comfort above all in pregnancy
In pregnancy, “comfort is the most important thing, with bras made of breathable materials such as cotton. Some pregnant women do not experience large changes in the chest and continue to wear their bras as they are very comfortable. It will be necessary to consider the change when these do not cover the breast completely or when the arms are raised, the cup is moved upwards, and if they leave too many marks, "says Medina.
On the contrary, there is another group of women who, from the beginning of pregnancy, have great sensitivity and breast augmentation, so they should choose elastic bras that support, but which, at the same time, give great adaptability to the changes experienced by the chest in this period.
Lactation: functionality with underwired bras
During breastfeeding, says the midwife, “as a general recommendation, one size is usually needed more than the woman has in late pregnancy. In the choice of the bra for this circumstance there is also a lot of variability in tastes and sensations. As in pregnancy, one of the most important aspects is that the woman feels comfortable, both in the support provided by the bra and in the type of material, since the breast is very sensitive - especially the nipple, which It may be sore and even cracked. Therefore, it is important that there are no seams in these delicate areas. ”
Another aspect to consider is functionality, due to the undetermined number of breast milk feeds throughout the day. Breastfeeding is usually easier with those bras with a movable cup, although without padding.
Normally, “the rings are not recommended, since they can obstruct any milk outlet duct. If extra support is required, flexible side whales are preferred. There are some women who, due to the increase in the weight of the chest, use it even at night, referring to a better rest ”, Medina specifies.
In menopause and old age
Changes in the breast at menopause “are subject to hormonal variations from irregular activity of the ovary. Some women in this period, in addition to loss of firmness, report swelling or discomfort due to these disorders. The bra should provide support to the chest with suitable straps so as not to overload the neck or shoulders, and in some occasions, padded cups will have to be used to compensate for this lack of firmness ”. This is how the specialist of the National Association of Midwives tells it, who points out that in the elderly we will be guided by the same criteria as in menopause.
Vicente points out that those preferred by women 65 years and older are full cup style bras, which cover the chest completely, repositioning all the skin inside the cups. During menopause the chest increases and the skin becomes more sensitive. So it is very important to adjust the size and the cup.
Tailored and stylish for breast cancer patients
Miguel Rojas, psychooncologist of the Spanish Group of Cancer Patients (Gepac), recognizes that the choice of bra is of concern to patients who suffer or have suffered from breast cancer. “There are several factors that intervene. Despite the fact that there are several types of surgery that allow the breast to be preserved, sometimes it is not possible and the surgical intervention itself creates an impact when seen without it. Searching for a bra can give the patient that security to look better and that others can see well. That is why they are looking for bras that, in addition to being valid for them, have a design (color, shape and patterns) that allow them to have the garment they need and adapted to their new circumstances, while maintaining their style of dress. ”
Rojas advises that the bra is mainly seamless and made of materials such as cotton, because the skin is much more sensitive. As previously discussed, it has a design that is similar to the style of the patient so that he feels comfortable with himself. "Last but not least, in some cases and due to the lack of mobility that some patients may experience, it is advisable for the bra to fasten at the front."
Are there winter and summer bras?
Finally, a question that some women present: are there winter and summer bras? As such, there are none, since we do not feel cold in the chest to protect it even more, apart from the clothes. So that the chest does not sweat the important thing is that the breastplate of the bra separates the breasts and that the contour raises the chest, separating it from the gut. In this way, the skin transpires naturally and we avoid sweating and related problems, such as redness and inflammation in those areas. Everything is achieved with a bra of the correct size ”, describes the manager of the Lady of Cups Goya.
However, Vicente explains that “the freshest bras are generally those made of fabric, lace or spacer cups. While the least fresh are usually those with molded cups or foam, which are thicker and keep the chest warmer. ”
