We had a chat with Taryn Palacios, founder of The Bra Guru – a personal bra fitting specialist dedicated to finding your correct size and fit, leaving you feeling confident.
What’s the basic function of a bra?
A bra was designed to give women the best possible shape for their bodies. A properly fitted bra improves a woman’s silhouette instantly and makes her clothes fit better. It’s also important to have breasts supported and lifted for maximum comfort.
How can women know if they’re wearing the incorrect size?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Here’s what to look out for:
- A bra is ill-fitting if the bra strap rides up your back.
- If your breasts bulge out of your bra cups or don’t fill your cup.
- If you lift your arms and your breast fall out the bottom of your bra.
- If your bra does absolutely nothing for your shape.
- All you want to do is take it off as soon as you get home.
- You wished you could avoid wearing a bra altogether.
If one of these applies to you then you’re wearing an incorrect bra and you must consult with a specialist.
What are the dangers (health risks) of an incorrect bra size?
Health risks caused by ill-fitting bras can range from constricted breathing, back pain to restricted circulation and muscle strain. Not all styles suit all women. This is the first issue that can be dealt with during your personal fitting. It’s amazing how many women suffer with discomfort – they aren’t aware that constant discomfort can lead to physical and emotional stress, affecting your health in the long term.
Talk to us about the importance of a sports bra when working out.
If there’s one bra every woman should own is a sports bra! When you’re running, breasts can bounce at an average of 2 000 times per kilometre. That just sounds uncomfortable. A sports bra cannot stop the bounce completely but it can provide the right amount of support so that extreme breast movements are minimised and cushioned.
Is it a must for women with small breast to wear bras?
I would say it’s a personal preference. Some women find a strappy top with built in support sufficient while others still want to buy feminine bras. It’s still our job as specialists to ensure that we cater to women of all shapes, this includes women with smaller breasts. It’s not always easy to find a cup smaller than A but it isn’t impossible.
OK, let’s get this out of the way. Myth or fact: does sleeping with a bra help prevent your breasts from sagging?
There’s no scientific evidence that wearing a bra to bed prevents sagging but I do have clients who swear by it. I think if your breasts are going to sag it’ll eventually happen because it’s a natural process after having babies, breast feeding or ageing. Our breast size can change up to six times in our lifetime. The best benefit I see in wearing any breast support at night is the comfort for no bouncing around. I wouldn’t recommend sleeping with an underwire bra on, but a non-underwire soft bra is a great option.
Are there specific designs for different sizes?
Yes, there most certainly are. Just like any garment there’s a bra to suit your body – it all depend on your needs. There’s a wonderful world of bras in my studio and we can definitely find a style that makes you look and feel great.
How does one know which of the three clips on the bra strap to clip on and does it make a difference?
When you first fit on a bra you should be able to fasten it on the first or middle clips/hooks but never the last. A bra might feel snug initially but you must remember a bra relaxes with wash and wear. If you buy it when it fitted on the last clips, you have no way of tightening it once it relaxes and then the bra fails to do its job which is to uplift and support!
