When you’re a large chested woman, chances are that you’ve been cornered into buying at least a couple of ‘granny’ bras, mostly because there is a lack of option to do otherwise! This is a common complaint that most women with a larger bust have; a good looking and functional bra is something of a myth. Considering the amount of time we’ve been around, one would think that they would have learned to accommodate for all sizes, which unfortunately is hardly ever the case. And so, this one is for all my well-endowed ladies, to put some of that anxiety over bra shopping to rest, and give you some tips for when you do venture into the (sometimes scary) world of lingerie. 

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Whether you’re looking for something sexy for a special night- a nightmare when most of your options are plain bras- a functional fit for casual days out or for your more athletic endeavours, or something you can lounge in at home on a lazy Sunday when you don’t want to get out of bed, it comes in handy to have some bra buying hacks in your skill set. Sure, people say- and one would assume that this was true- that employees at lingerie stores which sell a wide array of undergarments know what they’re talking about, but you and I both know that’s not always the case. 

1. Get fitted:

First and foremost, know what you need to buy. And if you’re on the larger side, chances are that you have a hard time looking for the same. One way to simplify it is to get fitted once a year at least. You might think that you’re done growing when you reach a certain age, and as a result stay the same size for the rest of your life, but this is not true. A woman’s breast changes size (and sometimes shape) on an average of six times during their lifetime, which is why a fitting is advised. It is even more essential for women with larger breasts, because they need the right amount of support. 

2. Consider material:

When looking for a bra, you need to factor in things other than the cup and band size; material is important as well. The elasticity of different materials vary, so chances are that the same size in different material will not give you the same support. Furthermore, cup material plays a bigger role in large bras as it needs to have enough hold and stretch to support more volume and shape variation. Even though you might be apprehensive to consider unlined bras, they also work, as long as you have a powerful fabric -like a power mesh- with good elasticity.

3. Watch the gore:

When you’re trying on your bra, and it seems like it’s fitting okay, check the middle to make sure. The part of the bra that lies in the center of your chest, between the two cups, is called the gore. Ideally, it should lay flat against your skin, and not feel too tight. If this isn’t the case, you probably need to move up a cup size. 

4. The sports dilemma:

I have personal beef with this one. I know of too many women, talented and wonderful on the sports field, that have had to stop playing because they cannot adequately support their breasts adequately during physical activity as the options are woefully limited. Just because sports bras aren’t as fancy or varied as traditional bras doesn’t mean you can pick just any old thing for your trip to the field; you need to be wearing something that really locks your breasts in place and prevents movement. If you don’t have the right amount of support, you can do a lot of damage to the ligaments in your breasts if they’re bouncing uncontrollably during workouts. And yes, they’re definitely expensive- even more so for the large sizes- but if you work out regularly, it is a necessary investment.

5. Bend and scoop:

This is good advice; as it turns out, when you’re buying a bra, how you even try it on can affect how it fits! Experts suggest that when you’re bra shopping, you’re likely to have a better idea of the fit when you first place your breasts into the cups while bent over, and then stand up to hook it shut. This way you will know if the cups are the correct fit for you. 

6. Strappy problems:

A major problem many women have with buying bras is that, no matter how much support they claim to provide, the straps still dig in and cause extreme discomfort. One way to deal with this is to look for bras with wider straps, and preferably ones that are padded, so that they sit comfortably on your shoulders. If you can’t find the same, you also have the option of adding pads of your own, and they can easily be found online.

7. The right style:

Big bras require a greater amount of engineering to make sure that your breasts are given the amount of support that they need. And for this reason, there are certain styles that are advised for women with larger breasts. Full coverage, racerback, longline, contour balconette and demi bra are some of the options that you should keep in mind while shopping.  

8. Beyond the bra:

Ladies, give the bustier a shot. Not only does this keep everything in place- without the tension of things falling out- but it’s a great shaping tool as well! The extra ribbing around the sides and bottom ensures that it stays in place, and distributes the weight equally. When you can have something that’s sexy and supportive, why not give it a shot? Plus, with a bustier, you can pull out all those strapless dresses and own the summer!

 There you have it, and hopefully knowledge is power! The next time you go out shopping, and you find yourself a little lost, just keep in mind some of the things that were discussed above, and your journey to comfort will be that much smoother.