Bra fitting tips for asthmatics

As an asthmatic I didn’t think that wearing a bra would be any different for me than anyone else.
Then I had a bad attack and had to loosen all tight clothing!
Anyone who has had a proper bra fitting knows that a good fitting bra needs to be tight!
What if you’ve got a brand new bra that fits really snug and you have an asthma attack then?
There is a simple solution…
Make sure that you keep a bra extender in your bag or purse. It doesn’t really matter what colour (but they do come in black, skin and white), as long as you have one to hand to extend the length of your bra band during your attack. It is a cheap and effective modesty protector!

 

Sport bras

These are some of the bras you can buy to provide you with differing levels of support while exercising:

You need to make sure that you match the level of support provided by the bra to the activities you will be doing when wearing it.

All are available to order, some may not be on bras4all – however they can still be ordered – contact your BraLady.

Any of these bras can be pocketed, for a prosthesis, if they do not have them already, at a small additional cost.

Anita Sports bra – 5521

Light & firm
Seamless cups, breathable, lightweight microfibre and the soft microfibre underbust band ensure maximum comfort. The adjustable comfort straps feature additional reinforcement on the shoulder.

Sizes: 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 32F, 32G, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 34F, 34G, 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D, 36E, 36F, 36G, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42E, 44A, 44B, 44C

Anita Sports bra – 5523

A sports and recreation bra which features seamless cups of lightweight microfibre.
The softly-lined front-fastener makes dressing and undressing simpler and quicker.
The wide straps with Velcro-type fasteners can also be easily adjusted as required during training.

Sizes: 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D, 36E, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42E, 44A, 44B, 44C

Anita Sports bra – 5524

Unrestricted movement: This lightweight sports and leisure bra is made of breathable, antibacterial functional fabric and features net panels at the back. The diagonally sectioned cups are cut high at the neckline for firm support. The back fastener has four positions for maximum flexibility depending on the sporting intensity.

Sizes: 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D, 36E, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42E

Anita Sports bra – 5527

Sporty style, extreme shaping function: High-support piqué fabric and net panels at the back regulate the moisture level and ensure that the skin remains dry. The side support function enhances the shape of the breast. The ergonomically tailored relief straps provide firm support. The seamless inner cup of microfibre towelling provides chafe-free support.

Sizes: 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G, 30H, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 32F, 32G, 32H, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 34F, 34G, 34H, 36B, 36C, 36D, 36E, 36F, 36G, 36H, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 40H, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42E, 42F, 42G, 42H, 44B, 44C, 44D, 44E, 44F, 44G, 46B, 46C, 44D,46E

Anita Sports bra – 5529

Maximum support with ultimate comfort: The breathable high-tech fabric ensures that the skin milieu is regulated, helping you improve your performance. This sports bra also minimises the movement of the breast and provides maximum support through to the large cup sizes.
The new, extremely flat seams and towelling-soft seamless cups pamper the body. Another advantage – the fully padded and adjustable support straps relieve strain on the neck.

Sizes: 30B, 30C, 30D, 30E, 30F, 30G, 30H, 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E, 32F, 32G, 32H, 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, 34F, 34G, 34H, 36A, 36B, 36C, 36D, 36E, 36F, 36G, 36H, 38A, 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E, 38F, 38G, 38H, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, 42E, 42F, 42G, 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D, 44E, 44F, 46B, 46C, 44D, 46E

Royce Impact Free S826

Maximum support sports bra
You can feel confident and comfortable with this Impact Free sports bra. Suitable for all sports and activities, this maximum support sports bra will help to reduce the bounce. Now available up to K cup.
Impact Free provides the base for your prefect workout kit. Featuring a wide underband for anchorage and a high neckline for added support. The Impact Free has a high cotton content, which helps to wick away perspiration, and has extra-strong padded straps for an ultra comfortable workout. It can even be worn as outerwear if you prefer. Fantastic support and comfort up to a K cup.
81% Polyester, 19% cotton

Sizes: 28D, 28DD, 28E, 28F, 28FF, 28G, 28GG, 28H, 28HH, 28J, 30D, 30DD, 30E, 30F, 30FF, 30G, 30GG, 30H, 30HH, 30J, 30JJ, 30K, 32D, 32DD, 32E, 32F, 32FF, 32G, 32GG, 32H, 32HH, 32J, 32JJ, 32K, 34D, 34DD, 34E, 34F, 34FF, 34G, 34GG, 34H, 34HH, 34J, 34JJ, 34K, 36D, 36DD, 36E, 36F, 36FF, 36G, 36GG, 36H, 36HH, 36J, 36JJ, 36K, 38D, 38DD, 38E, 38F, 38FF, 38G, 38GG, 38H, 38HH, 38J, 38JJ, 40D, 40DD, 40E, 40F, 40FF, 40G, 40GG, 40H, 40HH, 40J

Royce Impact Free S925

Maximum support sports bra
You can feel confident and comfortable with this Impact Free sports bra. Suitable for all sports and activities, this maximum support sports bra will help to reduce the bounce. Now available up to K cup.
Impact Free provides the base for your perfect workout kit. Featuring a wide underband for anchorage and a high neckline for added support. The Impact Free has a high cotton content, which helps to wick away perspiration, and has extra-strong padded straps for an ultra comfortable workout. It can even be worn as outerwear if you prefer. Fantastic support and comfort up to a K cup.
81% Polyester, 19% cotton

Sizes: 28D, 28DD, 28E, 28F, 28FF, 28G, 28GG, 28H, 28HH, 28J, 30D, 30DD, 30E, 30F, 30FF, 30G, 30GG, 30H, 30HH, 30J, 30JJ, 30K, 32D, 32DD, 32E, 32F, 32FF, 32G, 32GG, 32H, 32HH, 32J, 32JJ, 32K, 34D, 34DD, 34E, 34F, 34FF, 34G, 34GG, 34H, 34HH, 34J, 34JJ, 34K, 36D, 36DD, 36E, 36F, 36FF, 36G, 36GG, 36H, 36HH, 36J, 36JJ, 36K, 38D, 38DD, 38E, 38F, 38FF, 38G, 38GG, 38H, 38HH, 38J, 38JJ, 40D, 40DD, 40E, 40F, 40FF, 40G, 40GG, 40H, 40HH, 40J

Special Reader Offer: Quote YO11JSP at checkout to receive your online order postage free.

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Fitting guidelines for individuals who wish they had breasts

Enhancement

Not everyone was born with the look that they want. And some like to enhance or change their appearance from time to time. This post aims to help those who need to know more about choosing a bra to enhance their bust.

Size

Take an underband measurement around the torso at the point where a bra-band sits (approximately mid way between the underarm and the bottom of the ribs). Keep the measure horizontal and very firm while taking this measurement. This is the “starting point” for a bra size. Round up to an even number (if odd) to find the bra size. The cup size will depend on the amount of padding used to fill the cup.

Fit

Try the bra on. Fasten the bra on the loosest eye possible. Ensure that the band is straight across the back and not riding up. To check the fit of the bra start by ensuring that the band/wire is placed directly against the chest wall. Moving to the back check the firmness of the band by putting two fingers under the band and pulling gently. There should be no more than 1cm of movement of the band away from the back. Shoulder straps should be firm, not too tight, not too loose. Side seams should be centered under the armpit, if they are forward you need a larger cup, if they are backward you need a smaller cup. Where the cup sits under the arm, if it is too high choose a smaller cup, likewise if it is too low choose a larger cup.

Comfort

How a bra fits and the style of the bra affect the comfort of the bra. The most common bra styles are:-

Balconette (balcony) -

covers 50-75% of a full cup style bra, the straps are usually wider set on the shoulders, so for those with narrow or sloping shoulders the style won’t be suitable

Full cup -

great for larger, fuller breasts. The cup encloses the entire breast giving all found support. Straps fit above the middle of the breast.

Minimiser -

redistributes the breast across the chest wall, making the breasts flatter.

Moulded -

gives a smooth look under clothing. The seamless cups are moulded into a rigid shape which produces a more symmetrical appearance. They also add a layer of padding to the overall look and size.

Padded –

have padding in the cup to give extra shape. The padding may be across the whole of the breast, or just in selected zones to give extra shaping, e.g. push up effect. Some have removeable padding, so you can choose when to use the extra padding, depending on what you’re wearing and how you want to look.

Plunge –

this is where the bra cups meet at the band of the bra, below the nipple area, rather than higher up. These bras are ideal for wearing with low cut tops, with many styles designed to give maximum cleavage. This style of bra is not designed for maximum support or security.

T-shirt –

these give a smooth shape under t-shirts. They are generally either moulded, or padded, as described above, but are always seamless.

Sport –

these are designed to stop breasts from bouncing during exercise. There are different types of sports bra, some use compression, others use firm fabric and structure to give support.

Soft cup –

these are bras without any wires. They use the structure of the bra, usually with the fabric and where the seams are created, to give the support and shape. There are many excellent soft cup bras, some that are light to medium support and others more supportive and fuller in the cup

Multiway –

these have straps that can be used under all sorts of outfits. Not common in larger cup sizes due to the lack of support for fuller breasts without the shoulder straps and a fuller cup. If you have a favourite bra, it is possible to attach an extra strap to the existing bra band to extend it into a backless bra.

Availability

Take a look at the soft cup and mastectomy bras available at bras4all. Soft cup bras are structured and crafted to support the breast without the use of wires. Mastectomy bras have a lining or pocket built into the bra, into which a breast form or prosthesis can be inserted. The pocket holds the prosthesis in place within the bra so that the wearer doesn’t have to worry about it moving out of place or coming out of the bra. Both of these styles are available from bras4all.

If you use the code YO11JSP you will receive your order post free and I will receive a small commission as a thank you for directing you to the site.

Look

How you look in your bra depends on the style you choose. Different styles give different shapes and will suit some outfits better than others. You may also find some bra accessories helpful in achieving your desired look. You can see what sort of accessories are available in my other post on this blog… Useful accessories for bras

Teen bras

Working in a school full-time I see young girls of all ages, shapes and sizes. A quick search on the Internet will also tell anyone who wants to know, that young girls are very much affected by the size, shape and development (or not) of their breasts. And as many parents of these young girls do not know how to help them with deciding when to start wearing a bra or how to select an appropriate size and style to ensure health and comfort, they may go through life wearing inappropriate or even unhealthy (for their body) styles or sizes of bra!

Any incidents at this age can affect a young woman for the rest of her life. I have spoken to ladies who have been profoundly affected by comments overheard at the age of 12, who to this day are still living with the memory of how those comment affected them! Such comments can so adversely affect a young woman that her self-esteem can be totally destroyed for life!
It is so important for young women to know that their body is normal and totally unique to them. It doesn’t matter that their friend may be “body beautiful”‘ they too have their own beauty!

Useful accessories for bras

Bra Extender

Bra ball or bra saver wash bag (for washing your precious bras)

Delicate items wash powder

Did I say bra extender

There will be days when you need a little relief due to your monthly cycle or other natural variations in your size

Magic clip to get a racing back when you need it

Comfy straps for tender shoulders

Lace illusion cover-up for when you need a discreet appearance
Tie the ribbons to your bra straps to create a feminine cover-up

Breast enhancers for when you need that little bit more

Silicon petals for discrete nipple cover up

For those ladies that need them: stick on nipples

And finally, some ladies may wish to add a pocket to their bras to hold a prosthesis

Special Reader Offer: Quote YO11JSP at checkout to receive your online order postage free.

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