It has been said that sexy is a state of mind and many full-figured women know this to be true. Sexy is an attitude, a sense of confidence and what could inspire a woman to feel confident more than the proper foundation garments? The foxiest dress in your closet may end up looking like an ill-fitting sack if what is underneath doesn’t fit correctly. So where does your search for the ever illusive perfect fit begin? the answer is: In your sewing basket. That’s right. It’s time to get out the tape measure and finally size yourself properly.

Wear the best fitting bra you have while taking measurements. Most important in the fit of your new bra is not the cup but the band. This is where 80-90% of support comes from. A common mistake made is going up a cup size when what you really need is a better fitting circumference. It should be snug enough to allow 2 fingers underneath and around while on the loosest hooks. When your bra invariably stretches over time you just move to the next position. The very common problem of ‘back fat’ will also be much relieved with a properly sized underband.

There are as many bra problems as there are bras. Straps that dig, straps that fall, underwires that turn mean or refuse to rest anywhere but 6 inches below where they are needed. When you find one that fits it can be cause for celebration. Ideally, your straps are for minor adjustment. If you’ve shortened them as far as you can, it is probably a bad fit. Your underwire should fit from the side of your breast all the way to your breast bone for full support and lie flush against your skin. If it doesn’t lie flush the cups are most likely too small. If the underwire wants to hug the lower part of your ribcage, go up a band size. Does the band stay put (below your shoulder blades, level all the way around) or climb up? This means your band (the number part of the formula) is too large. And sometimes a bad fit just means that this may not be the bra for you.

Now that you have your numbers and letters ready, take an inventory of your closet. There are as many style bras as there are clothes and you need to know what you’ll need for what you actually wear. Note the colors of your wardrobe as well. Think about the problems you have encountered besides size. Do you find yourself wearing the wrong color bra or using safety pins to make an instant racer back bra? Is there a neckline you wear more often than others? It is vital to know your own personal wardrobe requirements. Don’t just write a mental note, either. Show up at the shop armed with all the information you need. This will save you time, frustration and, as the next paragraph will illuminate, money.

If you spend $19.99 at a department store you will get your money’s worth. There is no getting around that truth. Another truth about department store merchandise is erratic and unreliable sizing. Whether it is a pair of jeans, a blouse or a bra, 3 different items from the same rack might fit 3 different ways. This isn’t to say that a specialty undergarment boutique will be any more standardized but the shop matron will be better versed in the subtleties of her inventory than the average mall clerk. It may seem exorbitant to pay upwards of $50 to $100 for something to wear under your clothes. But if you take into consideration just how much you’ve spent on your wardrobe and just how much it can make or break the final outcome, not excluding all the back, neck and shoulder pain that goes along with an ill-fitting br. Well, it makes a lot more sense now, doesn’t it? Besides, you may find better deals online or at an outlet store once you know more about yourself and what’s out there. Many stores offer frequent shopper incentives, as well. (If you insist on being truly DIY and want to go it alone the best advice you can take with you is this: Get physical! Lift your arms, do the twist, and touch your toes. Real life isn’t lived in a dressing room.) For now, let’s let a professional take some of the stress out of the situation.

So now you need to find a shop in your area. Hit the internet, let your fingers do the walking and most effectively - ask a big, beautiful, well put together stranger where she shops. The stores exist. Find them. You may fall in love with the first store you find, or not. But keep looking around even if you do find Kismet out of the gate. There is power in knowledge, after all. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time on these excursions as you may actually enjoy bra shopping for once. Some ladies like to bring a friend along, make a day of it. Also be aware of what day of the month it is. No closer than a week before your cycle (unless that is exactly the bra you are looking for) or the fit and your temperament may be all wrong.

One of the added benefits to these shops is being able to finally purchase matching panties! In fact, there are a few extras you might find to be necessities. Although the problem of straps digging into your shoulders should be much lessened by a properly fitting bra (straps should only have to carry 10-20% of the burden!) you may find that strap pads relieve you that much more. Extenders can be a blessing on days that you wish you had bought that ‘once-a-month’ bra. There are clear straps, fashion straps and convertible straps for strapless bras. For a streamlined look nipple covers come in handy. Voluptuous women might think extra padding is one thing they don’t need but most women are not symmetrical. Always fit the larger of your breasts and either tighten the other strap a little or purchase padding to fill any slack in the other cup. Most importantly, you will need to invest in a mild detergent such as Woolite to protect your new garment.

No one needs another chore added to their daily list but to protect your investment you should really make a habit of hand washing and air drying your foundation garments at the end of your day. Perfumes, lotions, sweat, and body oil can slowly erode the elastic. It takes only a few minutes and most of the time is in the soaking. Be sure to never wring or twist your garments. Rolling in a towel or just gentle squeezing is sufficient as it will drip dry anyway. If you absolutely have to use the machine, invest in a garment bag (found at many dollar-type stores along with that inexpensive mild laundry soap you‘ll need) or for bras with thick padding, invest in a bra washing ‘cage‘. Of course, use the gentlest setting with cold water. Always air dry. Electric dryers, even on the air setting, will destroy your bra in short order. In the end, hand washing may be easier than you think. Another bad bra habit to break right away is how you store them. After they are dry, reshape cups with your fingers and stack them. That’s right, no more folding them in half. It may take up a little more space but not much and the life expectancy of your foundation garment will be extended. And won’t your drawer look pretty with all your options laid out with care and respect.

Another reason to respect and care for your bras is the knowledge that they do not last forever. It is unrealistic to replace such an expensive item every 6 months as some suggest. However, you should be aware of the condition of each piece and know when the fit isn’t what it used to be. In other words, if you are on the last hooks and have been for a while then it is time to replace it. Your posture will no doubt be affected by your bra so comparing how you hold yourself in an older bra compared to a newer one may give you incentive. Once you know how different the look and feel of proper support can be you just can’t allow yourself to go back to a world of back pain and money wasted on ill-fitting clothes. articlepros