When is the last time you were measured for bra size?
Six months ago? Two years ago? Back in college or high school? Never?
Diane Faulkner, the manager at Soma Intimates (Level 4) recommends getting measured every year and emphasizes that size does shift over time, depending on lots of factors including weight loss, gain, stress and more. Plus, sizes can differ from store to store and from one bra style to another!
So how do you know if your bra fits and what styles are most flattering for your shape? Those are just two of the questions I asked during a recent visit to Soma.
Diane says that you want to make sure your bra fits in three places — The band should be snug but not too tight. You don’t want spillage out of the cup. Or, if there is a gap between your body and the cup, the bra is too big. The apex or center of the bra should lay flat against your body. Diane says a majority of women are wearing the wrong size.
Finding the right fit is more important than you may think. A well fitting bra is slimming. An ill-fitting one can have the opposite impact. Take a too tight band. That can create spillage in the back. In this case, moving a band size up can mean a slimming silhouette! The band should be parallel to the floor and sit below the shoulder blades for optimal support.
Diane recalls a client who had never been measured and came in wearing an old bra. “The bra was so old, it gave her a sagging look,” she says. “Once I got her fitted, you could see the clear definition in her shape.” It’s a story that Diane can tell many times over.
Here are some tips from Diane on what styles can work best for different body types and needs.
Let’s say you want a smoother appearance from the back and the front. Soma has a special Vanishing Back style. “It’s all about troubleshooting,” says Diane. “If you’re concerned about bulges on your back, this bra is the one for you.”
Vanishing Back Style
Diane explains that the band is wider and the material itself is thicker on this supportive bra.
A smoother look
A push up bra is an instant solution for smaller busted women seeking a larger bust size. Take the Ravishing Push Up. Its demi cup style not only adds lift, but it also creates the appearance of more cleavage. Some push up bras will even boost your cup size.
Adds Lift and Enhances Cleavage
If you want full coverage, check out the Allura Collection. The Allura bras are good for all body types and perform well under tee-shirts.
Allura Animal Lace Bra for Full Coverage
Do you want to minimize? You’ll find lots of solutions that create illusions of a smaller bust. According to Soma, you can go down by up to 3” in cup sizes C-DDD. Some bras minimize more than others.
The Lace Susana Bra takes away up to 3”
The Verona Bra can minimize up to 2”
With summer coming, you need a go-to strapless bra. With the Multi Way Allura bra, you can go strapless or use the straps in a criss-cross or regular style.
Bra of Many Hats!
A Closer Look at the Multi Way Allura Bra
There are even more styles available at Soma. No matter what you choose, Diane encourages her clients not to get stuck on a given size.
