If you spend any portion of your day fantasizing about getting home to finally remove your bra, we understand you. Most of us have gotten so used to years of pinching, gapping, and itching that we’ve just accepted bothersome bras as a fact of life. But if you’re someone who wears a bra and complains about it constantly, get ready for the shocker of the century: If a bra fits and supports you properly, you shouldn’t even notice it’s there. If that sounds im-bra-ssible, don’t worry — we’re here to support you (literally and figuratively) in your journey to find the perfect match.
We’ve also got a list of every bra style you should have in your wardrobe, including a back-smoothing bra that contours to your shape, so it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. Because to look and feel your very best, it helps to have a comfy chest.
How do I figure out my bra size?
Size matters, at least when it comes to finding the right bra. You’ve likely heard this a million times, but if you haven’t been professionally fitted in years (or ever), chances are you’re wearing the wrong size. A bra incorporates two different measurements: band size and cup size. The former is the distance around your ribcage just under your bust, plus about two inches to account for adjusting in the back. Cup size is the difference between your bust measurement and your band size. The larger the difference, the bigger the cup size: For example, if your band measurement is 34 and your bust measurement is 38, the 4-inch difference means your cup size is D.
If this all sounds confusing, that’s because… it sort of is. And although you can measure yourself at home, Holly Wilson, VP of design at Soma Intimates, suggests leaving the task to a professional: “The best thing you can do is go into a store and get sized,” She says. “That’s because women carry their weight differently, and have different preferences about fit. So even if you know your size, there’s a chance you just haven’t found a bra that’s the right fit for you. At Soma, our bra fitters are experts — they’ll be able to tell you which style will look best on your shape, and they can take your feedback on fit and comfort to match you with the perfect bra.”
What is “sister sizing”?
If you’ve never heard of sister sizing, get ready to have your mind blown: If you go up or down a cup and band size from your measured size, the bra will have the same volume. Confused? Imagine your bra size is 34C: If the band feels too tight, a 36B will have the same cup volume with a slightly looser band. If the band feels too loose, a 32D will have the same volume but a slightly tighter band. So even though the letter measurement changes, the cup capacity stays the same while the band size changes slightly.
How often should I wash my bras?
Once you’ve finally found your perfect bra, you’ll want to keep your it clean and pristine. If there’s a style you anticipate you’ll wear most days, Wilson suggests buying three of them: One to rest, one to wash, and one to wear. Unless you’re doing intense physical activity, that means you’ll end up wearing each one about twice a week, and washing it once a week. “It’s always a good idea to give your bra a break,” she says. “Ideally, your bra should stretch out when you’re wearing it and then bounce back after you wash it. But if you’re wearing and washing it every day, it’s going to stretch out and stay there.” Wilson also says the biggest mistake any bra-owner can make is putting them in the dryer: “Always follow the care instructions — if it’s made with spandex, heat is not your friend.” To make bras last as long as possible, hand wash them and then let them air-dry.
Which bra styles should every woman have in her wardrobe?
If you’re building a bra starter-kit, Wilson says there are five styles every woman should have: A T-shirt bra, a sports bra, one for lounging around, a strapless option, and a pretty one. Here are some of our favorites in each category:
T-Shirt Bra: Vanishing 360 Perfect Coverage Bra
Soma
Soma’s Vanishing 360 line is their most popular for a reason — it works. If you’ve spent years avoiding form-fitting shirts because you’re afraid of bulges or rolls, this is the bra you’ll want in triplicate. It’s specifically designed to smooth out any lumps, to give you a seamless look no matter what you’re wearing. Hate underwire? There’s also a wire-free version.
Sports Bra: Soma Sport Seamless Bra
Soma
If you’ve ever risked strangulation while trying to pull off a sweaty sports bra, you’re going to need the Soma Sport Seamless Bra: It has a back closure, so you can just whip it off when you’re ready to hit the shower. While it’s available from XS-XXL, size down if you’re looking for a bit more compression, or check out one of Soma’s high-impact sports bras, which open from the front and adjusts in the back for an easy on and off.
Lounge Bra: Enbliss Luxe Convertible Bralette
Soma
When you’re lazing around the house but want a little extra support, a lounge bra is your best friend. This convertible bralette won’t wriggle around on you during TV time or cat naps, and it’ll give you just enough support to keep everything in place on a leisurely weekend morning.
Strapless Bra: The Enbliss Wireless Strapless Bra
Soma
It’s been more than 50 years since we put a man on the moon — we’ve got self-driving cars and robots doing surgery. And yet only recently did someone create a truly important scientific breakthrough: a strapless bra that doesn’t turn into a belt halfway through the night. That’s right, the Enbliss Wireless Strapless bra is made with “stay put” technology through the entire cup and wing, helping it seamlessly adhere to your skin. So this bra stays up even through your most aggressive wedding-dance moves.
Pretty Bra: Soma Balconette Unlined Bra with Lace
Soma
Anyone who wears a bra knows that they’re not purely functional, and there’s something about the balconette style that makes any woman look glamorous. This one is unlined, so it’s 100 percent you, but the delicate lace design provides coverage so it’s not entirely sheer. It’s available in sizes 32A to 42H, and guaranteed to look beautiful in every one of them. We recommend going for broke with the red color; and while you’re at it, you might as well get some sexy undies to match.
