If you ask a woman on the street to describe the experience of bra shopping, she’ll probably give you words like “frustrating” and “time consuming.” Despite bra manufacturers glorifying bras in every style, color, and texture, most women don’t enjoy buying bras. So what’s the reason for the disconnect?
Wearing the Wrong Size Bra
Measure the fullest part of your bust.
Studies show that roughly 65% of women wear the wrong bra size. Of those women, almost 30% know they’re wearing an incorrect bra size and continue purchasing the same size bra. Why do so many women wear the wrong size bra? There are several common reasons for buying the wrong size bra:
- Never getting properly fitted. Many popular lingerie stores are notorious among plastic surgeons for measuring bra sizes incorrectly.
- Inconsistent sizing. The lingerie industry—particularly American bra manufacturers— lacks consistent size measurements. Sales associates working at three different bra stores can take the same woman’s measurements and give her three different bra sizes.
- Discomfort. A recent study headed by Dr. Katie Elizabeth Weichman determined that women typically wear smaller bras after breast lift surgery. This was not the result of a decrease in breast tissue, but because post-mastopexy patients could wear their true bra sizes more comfortably that patients with sagging breasts.
Bra Sizing and Women’s Health
Wearing the wrong size bra can cause a variety of health problems. Aside from the typical discomforts of wearing the wrong size bra (straps cutting into shoulders, gaps or spillage between breast tissue and the bra cup, a shifting band, etc), poorly fitted bras can cause:
- Back problems
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Bad posture
- Breast pain
- Abrasions beneath the breasts
- Premature sagging of breasts
Whether you’re searching for new bras after a breast augmentation, returning to your natural size after a breast lift, or simply looking for a comfortable bra, correct bra sizing is an important part of women’s health. For more information about finding the right size bra, ask Dr. Brantner during your cosmetic surgery consultation.
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