Your Base Layer: How to Get Your Bra Size Right

Today’s blog was pushed up the queue. I met with my old boss and now friend Caren Downie for coffee yesterday, along with one of my former suppliers, Penu, from my Topshop and ASOS days. As well as reminiscing about the good old days, we somehow ended up deep in bra talk, getting measured, and how your body and your boobs change as you get older.

My career started out as a buyer’s admin assistant on the underwear department at Topshop, and I loved learning about the technicalities of a bra and how to make sure they fit properly. My friends would think it was funny when they called me at work on the landline to hear, “hello, underwear.”

Your undies are what you reach for first when you get dressed, your bra and pants really can make a difference to your day. That’s why I call it “Your Base Layer,” and it’s the first thing I talk to clients about.

When your underwear fits correctly, you feel confident and together, your clothes fall better, and your shape is enhanced.

Advice I give clients;

Well measured

Retailers and researchers acknowledge that a huge number of women are wearing the wrong bra, UK surveys have put the figure as high as 90%. It isn’t a single guaranteed statistic, but it’s a figure that’s been used consistently to illustrate a real point. Get yourself measured professionally by an expert, and do it regularly, your boobs change, whether it’s because of a life-changing moment like pregnancy, or as part of your hormonal changes.

Size is only half the story though, shape matters just as much. Balcony, full cup, plunge, they all sit and support differently, and knowing which works for your body is just as important as getting the numbers right.

It’s an intimate and personal experience, but it’s worth it, and a good bra fitter will make you feel at ease, and should be able to tell you what size you are just by looking at you, yes really. I have had a few fitters who have told me my size, and there wasn’t a tape measure in sight!

Comfort first

I’ve noticed my own bra drawer changing over the years, and it turns out I’m not alone. Wireless is genuinely having a moment, softer, seamless styles that don’t remind you you’re wearing them at all, and often made from more natural, breathable fabrics too, think organic cotton or bamboo. That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for a proper full-cup wired bra too. There’s room for both, comfort for every day, and a little glamour for when you want it.

And you don’t need a perfectly matched set either, though I’ll be honest, I’m hopelessly matchy-matchy myself. Clashing colours look great. Where you’re seeing colour clash in your clothing, why not do it with your undies too?

Dress for the outfit

Your base layer should change depending on what’s going over the top. It’s often the difference between an outfit that sits well and one that doesn’t quite work, whatever’s underneath is doing more work than people realise.

Spend savvy, wash well

It’s worth buying well and spending budget here, find a brand that works for you, don’t rush, it may take some time. If you can, aim to buy two, or even three pairs of pants to each bra, you’ll then get two or three wears from one bra and they can be washed together.

Where possible, hand wash your wired ones especially, they need a bit more care. A hand wash in tepid water with a light rubbing action will do the trick, and I suggest a line dry (as long as it’s not in blazing hot sun), or an airer near a radiator in the cooler months. It’s ok to machine wash too, just place it in a laundry bag on a short delicate cycle with a very light spin.

Replace and remeasure

Underwear loses its shape, and you’ll start to spot the signs of tiredness. I advise shopping for two or three sets at the same time, wearing them consistently, and replacing within 6-12 months with another measure. Your bra will need replacing more regularly if it’s a popular choice and you wear it more often than the others.

Here are some of my favourite underwear brands to give you some undies inspiration: Chantelle, Simone Perele, M&S, Nudea, Cuup and Dora Larsen.

Your underwear really can be your superpower. Enjoy wearing it.

If you would like to have a chat about your underwear, please get in touch, you can ask me anything.