Is your bra HARMING YOUR HEALTH?

If you're wearing the wrong size (hello, chafing and digging!), you are doing your body a disservice that extends beyond mere discomfort – a poor fit can be bad for you!

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Let's be honest, bra shopping is frustrating. Different brand sizings are inconsistent, so it feels like a needle-in-the-haystack-type hunt to find something that offers enough hold without pesky side spillage, gaping on the cup or chest pinching. Besides, standing half-starkers under fluorescent lights flanked by full-length mirrors tends to fuel the need for speed over finding the perfect fit. Is it any wonder most women end up wearing the wrong size? “Around 85 percent of women are wearing the wrong bra size,” says physiotherapist Deirdre McGhee. “It’s tragic! If men were wearing uncomfortable undies, by golly, they would do something about it. So why do we tolerate being uncomfortable?”

Finding the right fit is not just about the measurements. It’s about understanding the nuances of individual body shapes and breast characteristics. Bras are more like clothes than we might think, so don’t sweat the numbers – always focus on the feel.

If the fit is right, a bra should feel like a second skin – the straps should be firm without digging, there should be no spillage, the underwire should feel comfortable and the cups should sit flat. If your bra doesn’t tick these boxes, it could impact you in the following ways...

EXERCISE

According to Deirdre, an ill-fitting bra puts us off exercise. “We know from our research that if women don’t feel comfortable when exercising, they’re much less likely to do it,” she explains. “Breasts can be a barrier to physical activity, but it’s a solvable barrier with a supportive, well-fitted bra that reduces pain associated with breast movement.”