It is quite a well-known fact that 8/10 women are wearing the wrong bra size! Why is this the case? Most women have a fixed idea of what size they are, based either on a bra that once fitted well, or a measurement taken before weight gain or weight loss, or simply due to guess work! A woman should be measured once a year to ensure the right size bra is being worn.

There are two simple steps to measuring bra size correctly. Firstly take a measurement beneath the bust line, and then to take a second one over. The first one gives you the band size, and the second provides the cup size.

Make sure you’re standing up straight, with your shoulders comfortable. Don’t try to stand in an unnatural way or inflate your chest. Ideally you want a friend to do the measuring otherwise you will be bending and stretching your body badly whilst trying to measure and this will distort the measurement.

Measure the line of your body beneath the bust. Do this so that the tape measure is reasonably tight around your ribs. If the measurement comes out at an even number, then add 4. As all bra band numbers must be even, then if the measurement comes out at an odd number, then add 5. So for example if your measurement comes out at 32 inches, then this produces a bra size 36, and if the measurement comes out at 29 inches, then this is bra size 34.

The next step is to take a measure over the fullest circumference of the bust and body, which is generally across the nipple. The added 4 or 5 inches provides the basis for the starting cup size which is A. Therefore if your over-bust measure is the same as your under-bust measure then the cup size is A. A difference of 1 inch is B cup size, 2 inches is C, 3 inches is D, 4 inches is DD, 5 inches is E, 6 inches is F, 7 inches is FF, 8 inches is G

So for example an under-bust measurement of 31 inches, and an over bust of 38 inches would mean a bra size of 36 C.

The biggest mistake women make is to equate the band size with the bust size. Therefore some women will wrongly believe that a 38 band must mean a large cup size but this is not the case. As a result, one of the most common causes of discomfort is women wearing a band size which is too big.

If you’re experiencing discomfort when wearing a bra, there are a number of a simple causes and solutions which you can look at with a view to wearing your bra properly, or finding a new size.

For example, if your bra is riding up at the back then tighten the hook-eye closure at the rear, and loosen the straps. Alternatively try the next band size down. If you’re experiencing the opposite and the band is digging in, then go one size up, although you can try a bra with a wider band.

If you are experiencing bulges at the sides or overflow of the cups, then move one band size, or cup size up respectively.

If you are experiencing sore shoulders with the straps digging in, then there is a good chance the under band is not tight enough. The straps should only provide about a quarter of the support for the bust, with the band providing the majority. A bra with padded straps could also be considered, or possibly wider straps will do the job.

If there is sagging of the bust then the straps probably need shortening and you may want to consider a bra with a more rigid fabric or straps.

If you are feeling discomfort from the underwires then go one cup size up, although it might be simpler to go for a non-underwired cup style.

Another common problem is to find the join between the cups lifting off the rib cage. This connection . should lie flat on the body, and the raising up is an indication that the cups size is too small.

Following these simple guides and you’re almost guaranteed to find a way to wear your bra in a more comfortable way. Try these methods and we’re sure you’ll be happier!